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Help Me Choose: Used Fit or Used Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by willchu, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. willchu

    willchu Junior Member

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    Hey,

    Which one would you choose?

    Some info:
    -Early 30s, a couple, no kids (yet)
    -Daily commute = <25 miles average (60/40 city/hwy)
    -Roads are mostly flat
    -This would be our only car

    Priorities on a car:
    -Budget is $13,000 max (cash)
    -We don't want to finance
    -For Honda Fit it has to be nothing older than 2012 (base is fine)
    -For Prius it has to be nothing older than 2007 (any pkg)
    -<60,000 miles odo
    -Good fuel economy
    -Safe
    -Has to be very reliable
    -Comfortable

    My gf and I test drove both cars automatic and she liked the Fit's pepped engine response compared to Prius. I enjoyed the Prius' comfort. Gf liked Fit's larger cargo space.

    I have read many comparisons on a NEW Fit vs NEW Prius and Fit wins if you want to safe money down the road, but I've never encountered a USED Fit vs USED Prius thread (if you know of one please supply the link).

    Which USED car would I safe more down the road? So far I have found out that I can get a newer Fit with half the miles for the SAME price as a USED Prius with double the miles. So which would you choose??
     
  2. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Doubtful you can find any 2012 model car for $13k unless it had serious damage. Unless you typoed on the year of the Fit. An older 2007-2009 Prius is the only car within that budget.
     
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    My opinion is a 2007-09 Prius is by far the better vehicle. I don't know what your seeing that the Fit has more cargo space than the Prius but that is just not true. If you fold down the seats, you can literally haul anything in a Gen II Prius, they are amazingly versatile. The Fit is likely to get about 31mpgs combined in your scenario of 60/40 city/hwy driving. The Prius will get 43+.
     
  4. ovni

    ovni Member

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    Ive had both cars. The prius is a much better buy.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would go for the prius, and i too have a hard time believing the cargo space is smaller than the fit. the prius could have more expensive repairs, but is one of the most reliable cars on the market. of course, i would be intent on keeping my girlfriend happy...
     
  6. Mochabuzz

    Mochabuzz Junior Member

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    Keep your gf happy... Get a Fit.
    (y)
     
  7. VicVinegar

    VicVinegar Member

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    If I didn't have a much longer commute, the Prius probably would never had been on my radar.

    With that said, used Fits are not cheap.
     
  8. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    Go with the Fit. Both to keep the GF happy and avoid a high mileage Prius and the potential maintenance costs. Just be careful that the Fit you buy was not driven "into the ground".
     
  9. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)I'm a Prius guy. Go with the best deal you can get. Unless you have an abundance of cash, save the cash for a rainy day. Interest rate are still low. That and a moderate down payment might be best.
     
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  10. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Here is a string that I found that should help you with your answer. I found it doing a google search.

    honda fit vs prius value after 10 years | PriusChat

    Good luck with your choice.

    Ron
     
  11. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    Both are great cars that should last a long time. The Prius shouldn't cost much more in repairs, especially if you can DIY (at least the diagnosis). The Prius will easily beat it for mileage. As far as being peppy, you just have to press the pedal more for the Prius to put out, which is to be expected of a car built for efficiency.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is fitchat as much fun as priuschat?:cool:
     
  13. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    You are choosing between 2 great cars - either way you will make a good choice.

    You mention where you are in life right now, but you may want to think about the future. Is this a car you would have for only a few years or would you plan on driving it for the long term? If you see yourself in it long term how would either be if you had a kid or two? You would be amazed at how much room a kid and their gear takes in a car.

    If you go with a Fit, If it were me I'd likely look at either stretching and seeing if I could get a new one (any chance of a new 2012 on a lot somewhere) or get one a few years old and bank the difference.
     
  14. willchu

    willchu Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the great advice! I've joined PriusChat back in 2007 when I bought my first black pkg 2 brand new and it was top 3 cars i've ever owned. I really wish I never gave her away back in 2010.

    But now after doing more research, and carfaxing all the prii out there ... many used prii have had at least 2 owners and 1 accident with 50k miles and the owner wanting around $13,500.

    On the other hand I found out that I can possibly leave the honda lot with a 2013 Fit base automatic, 6 miles, for $16,300.
     
  15. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    The choice is obvious to me but this is Priuschat so there may still be naysayers. BTW, the Fit has 1 less cubic feet of trunk space than the Prius with seats up. Because this space is taller than the Prius, it appears much smaller.

    And with the seats folded, it blows away some small SUV's in capacity. You have to see these Magic Seats to believe it. Honda moved the gas tank traditionally behind the rear seats to a more forward position. This allows the rear seats to sink and fold down to a flat floor space.
     
  16. jefe

    jefe Member

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    Just to be certain, when you say "it blows away..." are you referring to the Fit?
     
  17. theshark

    theshark Member

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    I'd gladly sell you my 2007 Prius for $8.500
     
  18. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Seats folded in cubic feet
    Prius = 39.6
    Fit = 57.3
    Kia Sportage = 54.6
    VW Tiguan = 56.1
    Range Rover Evoque = 51
    Nissan Rogue = 57.9
     
    SFO likes this.
  19. willchu

    willchu Junior Member

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    Miles, color, pkg, pics, location?
     
  20. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Well, you've had a prius and now are knowledgeable, honda's are nice, 16-17k will get you an almost new prius hatchback, your gen 2 was nice I have both gen 2 and 3, the 3 get's 62+mpg all summer, the Gen 2 get's 52-mpg all summer, priority's are reality, but if gas were 5.25$ a gal priority's would shift;)