Wife Woes. She thinks it's hideous.

Show this to the wives and say, "Honey, is it ok if we get one of these instead of a Prius?".

 

My husband decided we needed Prius and of course his thoughts and maybe practicality was to get lowest model and cheapest price. I test drove Prius 3 with cloth seats because I didn't want to live without navigation and Entune, however I was unimpressed with the vehicle. My favorite vehicle I owned was a 2001 Lexus 300 ES and it was a beauty with great sound system, power everything. I couldn't see trading in my Lexus for Prius 3. Then the sales rep brought out the same car only in Prius 4 with leather, JBL speakers, mirror extras and lots more. The only extra was the floor mats other than the model upgrade. I fell in love in an instant with the black leather seats and terrific sound system. I was sold. I told the sales rep he had to get the price down so my husband would buy it otherwise I wouldn't be driving a Prius. We now have the Prius 4. I think your wife probably is like me and needs a little luxury to enjoy a vehicle. Hope it works out.

 

I know I am surrounded by mostly guys on this forum, but I have to offer a girl perspective with this. If a marriage/relationship will be over because of what car you drive, then it wasn't worth it in the first place. I am not low maintenance by any means, and never thought I would drive a Prius because I don't fit the stereotype. My other half was not thrilled about the Prius but in the end, it is just a car. His hybrid Escape may be more manlier than the Prius, but I don't drive it (unless a freak oil pan incident happens ) and he rarely drives the Prius. It isn't a big deal. I can't think of one car that would end our relationship or make it better. If you have to sacrifice what you want because it makes the wife happy, it will only make you unhappy in the end. I think it is beyond ridiculous that a car should matter so much. If you don't have money, you shouldn't waste money driving a car that will supposedly make you look like you have it. It is a fact that most new BMW's are leased, and I am sorry, but if you are driving an old luxury car, and I am not talking a classic old luxury car, everyone already knows you didn't have the money to buy a new one. Buy a practical car that will be most reliable and won't add to tension because of repair expenses, and use the extra money you save to buy her a spa treatment or take her out for a date night once in a while.

A car doesn't make a marriage/relationship stronger or weaker. If it does, you have bigger things to worry about.

 

I've always heard that about BMWs. At the same time, that raises red flags that if they had to lease, they perhaps are spending more on a car than they should.

For some folks here, lease == lose.

The only cars I'd think about leasing are BEVs like the Leaf and PHEVs like the Volt, partly because if unknown future resale value, Nissan's relatively poor battery capacity warranty (vs. none at all, until the Phoenix capacity loss debacle), and still unknown battery replacement cost. The resale value is a big question mark, as it could REALLY nosedive if we see EVs w/a lot range in the future for about the same price as what a Leaf costs now.

 

That might be true in your social circle, but that does not make it a fact or something "everyone" knows.


I used to read a forum called fatwallet finance. A not small number of reasonably wealthy (1 - 10 million net worth) but very frugal people thought buying used "luxury" cars was a smart move. They were happy to let your friends eat the early depreciation, and then buy the car when it was not up to snuff for the Jones.

OP's problem is that his wife wants a show-off car they cannot afford. I suggest he try to accommodate her by asking her to list all the models she would be happy with, but first they should decide how much they an afford in purchase, upkeep, repairs and per mile costs. I suspect they will find that all her choices are outside their pocketbook, but at least he tried. At that point she might be willing to play the same game with him. I hope so anyway, for their marriage's sake.

 

^^^
Yep, I'm sure part of the reason why some folks are reasonably wealthy (per the above definition) is their frugalness.

 

It has nothing to do with my social circle which you have can't properly judge without knowing me anyways, it is a fact among many surveys but this is one:
Top Ten Most Leased Vehicles and Deals That Are Good For Your Wallet

It is not wise to lease a vehicle and there isn't one good financial advisor that will tell you that if you have the money to buy it. Most leases involve hefty penalties and low mileage, and frankly if you do buy cars often, on a brand like BMW, the resale is better than the lease. It is smart even you can afford to buy a house outright, to have a mortgage on it and invest the rest.

 

So what was the outcome?

Prius or Bimmer?

 

I would take her to look at a new Persona. Even get in and drive. And say "Hey look, we can get a used regular Prius and modify it with the help of my new best buds at Priuschat and get it to look like this and maybe even better on the cheap."
You will get many more admiring looks from a modded Prius than a BMW in SoCal!

 

This is not a lease Vs purchase question -- read the thread and my post again.

You said

Disclaimer: my social circle of physicians and science people could not give a flying fart what I drive. Up until 2004 I only bought used cars, although now I prefer to buy new and keep them long-term. I don't bother with loans, even if I can make some money with arbitrage. My only painful short-term ownership was oddly enough a Lexus hybrid. After a year I decided it was not meeting my wants particularly well, and exchanged it for a Prius vagon I am much happier with.

 

Easy guy's

 

You agreed with my point. You are a practical person, therefore you don't lease a BMW, nor have you. The Prius V better fits your needs so although you could have a luxury car, you do not. Personal choice.

Sadly, there are many professions in which it does matter what you drive, or at least the people in those professions believe so. You also live in NM, and frankly, status isn't the same there as in other places. If you go to Southern California, Atlanta, DC, and a lot of other similar cities, you will see that BMW's have a large majority based on image alone. No Prius is going to ever equal the status of a BMW.

They are rarely leased out of being practical unfortunately, but because the qualifications are much lower for leases vs. purchase, they allow a lot more people to have that performance machine and status that they hope for. I also don't care what people think about the car I choose to drive. Nor, do I work in a profession where what I drive is important.

I am guessing that the OP will not be driving a Prius. If image is the most important thing, a Prius just isn't going to win. Maybe the next generation will be different, and more "flashy" like the concept drawings. But, BMW will always win if you choose a car based entirely on looks. I can't think of a practical car that is considered cool...kind of a shame.

 

Adolescents have nothing on us "Adults" when it comes to peer pressure, what will my friends, neighbors, people at work think of me?

 

There you go jumping to conclusions again based on your personal opinion and social group stereotypes.

I didn't buy my first Prius out of practicality. It was a matter of interest, appreciation, and environmentalism. As for BMW, I find the design and engineering boring. And as for status -- LOL. Let's just say that if you think status can be bought, you and I live in very different worlds and leave it at that.

And remember, OP is a writer in SoCal (Hollywood?). Isn't that the land of movie stars showing off their Prius ? The world where OP's wealthy boss impresses him by driving up in a Prius ? If anything, OP has internalized his (new) social group's local values while his wife has not.

 

Mean no disrespect to BMW cars, but seem to be just one design for all the cars and SUVs for the last 25 years or so in small, medium and large sizes(3,5,7 series), impressed?

 

Have you been to Hollywood? Either way, it seems like your only interest here is to argue, so I have no interest in trying to reason with someone that evidently likes to redefine what the definition of practical is. Perhaps you have more in common with the OP than I thought you did...a BMW is a cool car, a Prius is not. It isn't up for debate, no one is going to drool looking at your Prius V, or my Hatchback. Although some hatchbacks on here have been enhanced enough that they do look closer to cool. I will say that it is refreshing to hear that you are a doctor who doesn't care about status even though you are quick to mention that you are a doctor, so you evidently are concerned about status, at least mentioning it on here. Best of luck to you and the OP.

 

LOL. Well, they did add the 1 series and (to mix it up?) the 3-series is being replaced by the 4-series. And, there's a 6-series. There was an 8-series before...

 

OP- you are treated like you want to be treated. An outside observer could conclude that you are p*ssy whipped. Pick the Pri since it appears to be the better choice given the alternatives. If she loves you, then she'll come around. If she doesn't come around, then divorce her and make sure that she gets the Pri in the settlement.

DROID BIONIC ? 2

 

Reading for comprehension is not your strong suit. All I said was that my social group could not care less what people drive. Then I said that I personally find the BMW boring. It is however true that many people in my social group find the Prius interesting, and also consider it a socially responsible choice.

 

Come on guys, lets make the peace and treat each other with respect and civility

Stop judging