Why buy a Hybrid if you don't drive very much?

Here are some reasons why a Prius might appeal even if you don't drive a lot of miles:

• Affordable initial price
• 4dr 4 seat Hatchback
• Future proof enough that its possible/likely that you may want to keep it a long time
• Easy to get in and out of all seats
• Driver seat workable
• Enjoyable to drive
• Extreme reliability
• Well designed
• Well built
• Classless (its the only car that's often driven and liked by both people of modest means and billionaires)
• VSC (Safety)
• Good fuel eff & emissions
• Traction control
• Passenger seat comfort good
• Good Sense of space
• Quietness
• Handles Bulky Items
• Easy reconfiguration for different loads
• Fine for driving very long distances long distances
• Conceals luggage (Comes with good tonneau)
• Base model is not stripped right down so you can avoid the mark ups and depreciation associated with higher models and optional extras
• Back seat legroom good
• Back seat comfort acceptable
• Whiplash Protection
• Smart Key
• Hill hold
• Display location better than normal
• Automatic Temperature Control
• Low depreciation and easy resell
• Disc rear brakes
• Auto Headlamps (Canada)
• Fits full sized bikes inside and fits folding bikes in trunk
• Remote fuel cap release
• 5th Seat OK for short trips
• Heated mirrors
• Powerful automatic and efficient a/c that can run even when the engine doesn't

 

i don't spend a lot of time wondering if my purchases are 'worth it', cars or otherwise. if i want it and can afford it, i buy it. life would be much less satisfying if every purchase had to be worth it financially. i only drive 6-8000 miles per year. i like driving the prius. i have for 9 years now and don't see any other cars that seem 'worth it' to me.

 

Let's take this one at a time.

Overall, the Prius is an okay choice for the average driver - but does carry the significant exposure of hybrid component failure after a certain period of time. For a low-mileage driver, it is quite possible that they will never see the payback during their ownership.

 

Funny, guess most of you haven't seen a "normal" car automatic transmission fail. That's a $3000 hit (from a dealer). Or how about a friend who has a Tundra PU with the warning lights on. So far the bill has been just over $2000, and the lights are still on!
Around here the dealer wants upwards of $200 just for an oil change!
So compare repair costs carefully.

Oh, and I just filled up Bruiser (my FJ Cruiser). He was down to 1/2 a tank. That was $48, and he only went 230 km on it. 16l/100km - and that's pretty good mileage for a 5000 lb 4X4!

 

The same could occur to a Prius - except the cost is likely to be far higher.

Prius transmissions fail as well - in fact, quite routinely or else Luscious Garage would not keep stockpiles of them around. Yes, I know you are going to mention that you can always put in a used transmission, but that is a textbook solution that is not viable for most people. And when they do fail, the Prius ones often cost a lot more than a conventional 6-speed auto.

 

These discussions crack me up. The average price of new car bought in USA is $30,000.
How exactly near $25,000 Prius is "bad deal" even if driven low miles.
Then battery replacement cost is always presented as scare factor. Yet they fail very rarely and can be fixed cheaply DIY. How come no one is concerned about the sticker $3,000-5,000 replacement cost of conventional trannies and engines and we know they do fail regularly at some point.
I think fuel is too cheap in USA and that somehow interferes with thinking and people can't see the obvious facts that 5% of earth population cannot use 20% or oil forever.

 

It makes a lot of sense, even if you only drive 6k a years.

I wear out my Q2's on my Ducati way to fast and they are expensive replacing tires yearly or twice a year.

My truck even at 7k a year still drinks over $300 a month in gas at 10 mpg.

I spend 40 bucks a month tops right now, its great driving by the station all the time without pulling in. And I have a car I like

 

... I'm still shopping for the perfect Prius and found a 2009 at a dealer today with only 26,000 miles. Guess he(she) didn't drive too much either.

 

One aspect not discussed, but very important is the signal you send to the auto maker by what car you buy. A big component of my 2001 Prius purchase was to show Toyota they were building what I wanted built. All the Prius owners I know did not use a spreadsheet to select buying a vehicle. (Maybe someone on PC did.) Everyone that claims they can't see the value of buying a Prius comes up with some "spreadsheet" type justification......that they did not apply to themselves but they claim must apply.

 

I suspect the service manager was talking about the 12V battery when he said that long term parked was hard on it. I have 'Parked" my 2010 Prius for right at 3 months this winter due to winter snow and my health problems.
I see little if any self discharge of the hybrid battery over several months time when parked. The cars "Always on " 12V electronics will kill the 12V battery in a little over 2 weeks, and I suspect some 12V battery plate sulfation happens if the car is unused for 10 days or longer. I have a 12V battery charger / desulfator/ maintainer permenently mounted to the 12V battery. If I know the car will not / has not been driven for a week or more I plug in the little 12V battery maintainer to keep it fully charged and free from sulfation..
I have Ni Cad batteries that are 30 years old and still in good condition. I suspect that the Ni MH hybrid battery should last as long with limited use and good care.
Remember the CTV / Vancouver BC Prius taxi that got 420,000 miles out of the original hybrid battery.

 

here in SF most prius taxis get roughly 500k

 

Says who. Luscious Garage services a good portion of the SF taxi fleet and states otherwise in their blog:

Luscious Garage | Blog | 2004-2009 Prius Hybrid Battery Options P0A80
Luscious Garage | Blog | Gen 1 Prius Battery Failure, P3006

 

Same reason everybody pays a premium to drive a Prius, pollute less, use less oil, promote technology needed to save US from oil wars and pollution, save planet from global warming.

Nice to be able to do something when conservative political forces and commercial interests prevent government from fixing the problems of oil consumption and pollution.

 

I think very few individuals make their large purposes based on those principles - especially middle-class individuals who are trying to make ends meet. Most of them (including myself) are merely looking for the most cost-effective solution for their needs.


iPhone ?

 

Not me. I fall into iClaudius' category of buyers.

 

Quality in new Toyotas (non-lexus, non-scion, and non-prius) is not like it used to be many years ago. My corolla started to gulp oil at 75,000 miles recently, and RAV4 had tranny replaced under 40,000 miles. Fortunately covered by warranty. The cost was under $5,000.