Test drove a Prius c last night. It was getting/showing, had gotten low to mid 40s. My little 2001 pulled in registering a 50.6 mpg through half of the current tank. The c porpoised noticeably. Not my 2001. Head room is encroached in rear seat at door top. Not my 2001. Scalloped-humped-scalloped rear seat would generate much grumbling when my 3 teens are in the back. Not my 2001. $20k in debt. Not with my 2001. I do like the real shifter, though not a fan of gated. I like that it has real key. It needs a back up camera ($15 on Amazon...no biggie). View out front and rear is much more constricted vs 2001. My trip to Florida and back at 70 mph garnered 47-48 mpg. I like my real trunk. 150,000 miles and my 2001 still putting smiles on my face. I could not wait to drive it home from work today. I know, I'm weird.
I am very partial to the Gen I also. It was my first Prius. I've never gotten 50 mpg's out of it but I've came very close to 500 miles on one tank. My 16 y/o son drives it now. 115,000 miles of pure bliss!!!! I will keep it as long as economically feasible. I do like the C though. I'm trying to talk my wife into getting one for herself (so I can drive it) but, she's stuck on an Elantra.
$2,100 off Prius C sticker... not bad... $17,764 Pretty acceptable price, I'd say. I hope that drives down used Prius prices, for me as a buyer; sorry for the sellers. http://tinyurl.com/7w2eqqv Cars for Sale: 2012 Toyota Prius C One in Louisville, KY 40222: Hatchback Details - 318552713 - AutoTrader.com New 2012 Toyota Prius c 5dr HB One (Silver Car) Louisville, KY
Only thing that will drive DOWN the price of a used prius is Gas prices. Gas has risen almost 70cents per gallon since I have gotten my prius. Just did a search, and All the prii I found with a clean title and over 140k miles were going for at least $200 MORE than the seller was asking that I bought my prius from. Or $700 more than what I paid for mine...
I have had 2 of the Gen-1 Priuses. I had an original 2003 bought brand new. I had to sell it a year later when my daughter was born because I couldn't afford the payments anymore. I bought another one used a few years ago with 162,000 miles on it but a dead HV battery. I got it real cheap since gas was cheap at the time. I replaced the HV battery and drove it for a year, then sold it to a friend who is still driving it to this day. I have another friend at work still driving a Gen-1 also. They are good cars. I admit they aren't very stylish. But I do like them.
I too recently drove a C. Compared to my 2002 Prius? Felt and sounded VERY familiar. Rear end of the C felt "bouncy". Loved that C has a real shifter and tilt/tele wheel, and a very comfortable and fully adjustable seat. Alas, being tall I could not sit in the shotgun in the C.
