Consumer Reports twists the knife

My post was a little tongue in cheek but actually it might be a good Idea for Toyota, in view of the situation to LOWER THE PRICE OF THE PRIUS C BY $1000. across the whole model line and GIVE A $1000. REBATE to everyone that has already purchased one. Would that remove a little bit of the sting created by Consumer Reports, especially to those that already purchased the car? It would also be good PR for Toyota and then perhaps they can make some improvements to the Prius C. for 2013.

 

There's no "controversy". There are a few Church of Prius members who feel heresy has been committed by Consumer Reports accurate, objective review of the Prius C.

For Toyota sales, Prius C does exactly what it is supposed to do, provide a lower priced high mpg hybrid for folks who want to lower their gasoline use. People would pay $2K more than a Corolla. On the other side, the budget aspects of the Prius C also push folks to spend $2K more on the full sized Prius. So Toyota has done some smart marketing with the Prius C.

For that reason, I think the budget look and feel of the Prius C accurately noted by Consumers serves two purposes. It likely reduces cost. The cheap plastic rear cargo cover with string supports vs. the spring loaded cargo cover on the Prius for example. But it also acts as a clear motivation to get buyers to go for full sized Prius.

 

My rear cargo cover is fabric covered. Have you even seen the c or are you strictly trolling?

Clear motivation? I guess I missed that ploy; Toyota couldn't pay me to take anything considered "full size". Your irrelevant assumptions continue to amuse.

You also continue to fail in providing a list of "clear design flaws". Are you even trying to positively contribute?

 

I was thinking of replacing the strings with red florescent shoe laces.

 

I'm still waiting to hear what cars have better content and value for the money.

 

Consumers recommended Honda Fit as better buy. A quick search for available cars on Cars.com choosing Prius C and Honda Fit showed an average $2,500 price difference for local dealer's offers.

Prius C is for those looking for high mileage as the primary buying criteria. Consumers has broader criteria.

 

Fixed it for you.

I'll take that answer as an indication that you've no interest in backing up your outlandish propaganda.

 

I liked the idea of replacing the black shoelace supports on the Prius C rear storage space cover with florescent red ones. If you are going to go cheap, flaunt it.

 

That's great that you've selected a model. Now let's hear the comparison.

 

Did CR like the Gen2 or the original Prius when they where first available? Just curious. I know they really like the Gen2, even today they suggest it as a great used car option.

 

At the risk of adding insult to injury but with no intent to pile on, I add that 2 NY area TV stations both botched quoting CR's list accurately, this morning. Both PIX 11 Morning News and Fox 5's Good Morning News referred only to the Prius, not the Prius C when running off the list. They likely got their botched info from the same source so both stations unintentionally maligned ALL Prius models with this simple slip up, quoting the #2 car on CR's list of cars to avoid as simply, the Toyota Prius. Guess we all can feel a bit insulted now but as I said before, it's no big deal, particularly when the media is famous for screwing up details like that all of the time. None of this would prevent me from considering a 'C' in the future; I likely would have had I been able to buy a few months later. So everyone just relax and let CR's review fade from memory, you 'C' owners know what you like and if CR's testers don't see it, it's of no consequence. Chill out!

 

I'll add one. '12 Altima. They can be had for cheaper than lower models of Prius c, due to incentives and the next gen '13 models.

They do great in CR's test scores, have decent reliability, are faster then the c, have much better interior quality and I'm sure a much better ride. FE is much worse though, but that doesn't seem to be an important criteria for CR's test scores.

Although I wouldn't ever buy a Fit, yep, the Fit's been highly recommended by CR.

 

OK. Can we get a list of features for the Altima? What's the cost on a 4 cylinder Altima with nav, smart key, Bluetooth, auto climate and voice command?

If it's similar in price to the C, then what we have is a better buy for people looking for an entirely different car that offers size in exchange for fuel economy.

 

FWIW I have owned 2 Fits and the only thing I prefer is the interior plastics.

 

Wow, CR speaks and the rest of the media regurgitates:

Five popular cars to avoid - Yahoo! Autos

Just lazy journalism. They might as well just cut and paste a link in a discussion forum like I just did. Can I get a press badge now?

 

I still want to know what car they're driving to proclaim "stiff ride, noisy cabin". I think they're just making things up to get press.

 

That's what I've been saying throughout this thread and since the original article was posted. The complaints are all well and good, now just tell me what car is better for the money and why.

 

Apparently, they absolutely LOVE the Honda Fit. They loved it over my Yaris, even though the Fit is more expensive and has lower MPGs, saying that the lower priced and more efficient Yaris is "too cheap". Isn't that the point of a Yaris?

Now, they're comparing the Prius C to the Fit saying that it's also "too cheap".

Yet, they raved about the $24k+ 2002 WRX (a car I had owned). They didn't go on and on about the cheap base Impreza interior, the extensive use of cheap plastics, the fact that the cup holders feel like they're going to break each time they are used, etc.

It comes down to the personal preference of the reviewer. The $24k+ 2002 WRX is also a "cheap car with an expensive drive train", but it didn't stop them from raving about it.

Sometimes it's more fun to go against the grain.

 

Comsumer Report on Prius C: Five popular cars to avoid

 

There is no "the reviewer".

A totally wrong statement in regard to Consumer Reports and one we hear repeated. Consumer Reports has series of objective tests they do on each car and with multiple testers. Consumer Reports is not "a reviewer" it is a systematic test with objective criteria and with many subjective tests by multiple testers. Consumer Reports is more a research paper by a group using predefined criteria.

That those critical of Consumer Reports keep claiming it is "personal preference of the reviewer" demonstrates the lack of fact and credibility of CR's critics.