Prospective Prius owner...Need help.

I love my Prius, I loved my Prius before this one, but no car is right for everyone. So in the interest in happy owners, here is my 'who should not own a Prius' post:
considering a Prius | PriusChat

Best of luck!

If children are anywhere in your future, I would skip the c.

 

I say skip the c. Haven't driven it, but at 99 HP, must be a wheezer on highway. Regular Prius is fair on highways, but tell you the truth, I'm looking toward midsize sedan hybrid (Accord) next go around, but it's a waiting game as development takes time.

I would *highly* suggest to rent a Prius for a day or three. Toyota has 'rent a car' program through many dealers. You may be more comfortable flooring a rental than a new car with 5 miles on it (not a bad idea since owners manual says 'avoid sudden acceleration / braking for first 600 miles').

 

I don't want to fall into the trap of "This is what I bought and own, therefore this is what everyone should buy and own". I just came from a Honda Fit-subcompact to The standard "Prius"-mid-size.

To me? Nothing against the Prius c, but Toyota themselves market it as being primarily a vehicle designed for urban city driving. That's it's "thing".

What I like about the regular Prius, is that it very nearly matches the "c" in city MPG's but IMO is a much more comfortable vehicle for driving the freeway and highways.

If price...entry level price, isn't a factor? I think the regular Prius is a better choice for most people. Unless you simply like the concept and reality of a sub-compact. Which IS a legitimate position.

But reading your post, I'd say MPG and reliability should be about a wash with either choice. But if acceleration and comfort are the other two factors, then I'd say that clearly tips it in the regular Prius direction.

This sounds obvious and basic, but the only reason I'd buy a Prius c, over a regular Prius, is if I wanted a Prius c, in other words if I wanted a sub-compact. If the benefits of owning a sub-compact vehicle aren't priorities, and/or might even be negatives to you? Then I'd go with the standard Prius.

 

Acceleration is not a strong point for Prius.

 

The C gets better MPG in City driving the Hatch in Highway. Both are respectable in both City and Highway.

Just a matter of choice. The Hatch is bigger more comfortable for the driver, passengers and children and adults getting in and out of the rear seats.

Hatch would be more comfortable on the long drives and more storage space for vacations etc. Your mileage is so low the difference in savings is negligible between the C and the Hatch. Both are easy to park.

I would test drive both than decide.

I'm leaning toward the Hatch you can grow into it and a better ride for you, family and friends

 

I'll bet those puny 175 width tires on the c get pounced around a good bit more on the highway.

Prius gets most of the attention for hybrids. 2013 Camry Hybrid LE (base model) can be had for about $24.5k before TTL any day at Toyota Sunnyvale.
much more powerful (200 vs. only 134), quieter and comfortable car than even Prius liftback. Can definitely get over 40 MPG combined. That's only 2 gallons less to refill after 450 miles.

Can rent cars for only 2 hours at Toyota including Camry Hybrid, but book in advance. You won't get rearview camera at that $24.5k price, but will get 3 door smart key (trunk included which is nice).

 

Camry is a married with kids car. This kid is singe living in NYC the Prius Hatch is your car. In fact I would look at the Scion FR-S which is about in the same price range and you get that Toyota qality.That car is a chick magnet. If you're going fishing best to upgrade the bait. Ferrari Red

Scion FR-S | Prices And Information | Scion.com

 

I did not hear any hint she is fishing for chicks, but what do I know?

Having owned two Prius, the 3 door Smart Key System, is nicer than 1 door SKS. Both your choices have 3 door SKS. (I checked as in the Prius v, level Three is only 1 door)

 

Everyone is searching for something, but your right just an assumption

 

You are spending a lot of money for a nice car. I would rent each car for a weekend then make your choice. I did this and I was hooked. Good luck.

SCH-I535 ? 2

 

If it was me I would go for the Prius Liftback, but I strongly recommend some sort of over night test drive of each car. My dealer allowed me to take a Gen 2 home and I loaded it with my stuff. Until then, I was very skeptical. The car was better than the advertising.

 

Well if you drove a Prius I'd ask you out but my wife would not accept that but than again you never know ( joke just kidding honey) .

Sounds like whatever you decide a new car is always fun. Best of luck. Economical means more money left over for clothes and entertainment.

 

I am single. Giggidy.

 

All kidding aside, I drove the c Four before I bought my LB Five and I hated the c. Unacceptable level of noise, poor ride, and acceleration. And I am 6'3" and look like a clown in the c.

 

...I am thinking the standard Prius Liftback has performed better in the tougher new crash tests. NYC a small car is nice for squeezing into parking for sure, but the regular Prius is OK too. I try to stay on the Jersey side, but lots of times in Hoboken I get in the wrong lane, and next thing you know, you're in NYC.

 

I would pass on the C and go with the hatchback for the space...................

 

The C might have an advantage of being able to get into smaller parking spaces and more nimbly moving through traffic. Also, it should get modestly better gas mileage in your city driving. I've not driven a C, so I cannot speak specifically to these points, but they would be my starting assumptions.

The Prius liftback (which I do have experience driving) is comfortable on the highway and does well in city driving. You can put the car in "Power" mode, which will give you a lot of acceleration for little gas pedal depression (gives the illusion the car has a lot of get up and go), I would recommend you drive a rental Prius in Power mode, I suspect it will be "peppy" enough for your needs.

I think both have side air bags, so if anyone does try to T-Bone you, you'll have that working for you (so the instant acceleration may not be as dire a need as you consider it to be.....just saying).

Good luck with your choices!