Potentially switching from Subaru Outback - advice?

My contention, even though it is argued against by some, is that by the very nature of being a hybrid. Electric starts, IMO overly aggressive tractiion control, low ground clearance, low rolling resistance tires, regenerative brakes, The Prius is simply not an ideal winter conditions vehicle.

If I lived in Colorado, and had a family? I surely stick with the Outback, if only for the additional safety of 4 wheel drive, and the deserved OPPOSITE reputation of Outbacks being good in snow.

200 bucks a month isn't worth the safety of yourself and your family.

 

Is refinancing an option?

 

Just doesn't seem like an overall good idea.
Look at it this way, when you outline a goal and comparison, and 5 out of the 6 factors you evaluate and compare are The Same or Break Even?

The ONLY thing that seems to be an advantage, would be the $200 a month savings you are projecting. But I'm not really clear where you are coming up with that figure. But I'll just accept it as a legitimate given.

A little over 3 years can seem like a long time, but if you've got 2 kids at car seats age? You'll discover how fast those years pass.
Then you'll have a "paid off" Subaru Outback, in which you have been the owner since the start. Which will be 2 years younger than any used 2012 Prius you buy today.

I'm a huge supporter of Prius, but also reading all that seems "right" in regards to your Subaru ownership and what appears to be a growing family.

Well my advice is don't go looking for greener grass. An Outback and A Civic Hybrid are a pretty good, versatile and economic combination of vehicles for your situation IMO.

Do what you wish...but your "Advice on These Other Concerns" would really lead me to believe your best choice is keeping what you have.

 

As a 2015 OutBack owner with eyesight, I'd say that except for fuel economy savings everything else would be a move downwards. I think you would need to look at a Prius v (wagon) instead but then you'll need to reconsider the lower fuel economy and higher prices of that model. I would also strongly suggest you test drive a v up a local long, steep grade fully loaded with your family.

Finally, estimating resale value can be a lot different from what you actually get for your vehicle and depends on a lot of variables like how long do you want to try and sell it for top dollar, dealing with lowballers, tire-kickers, folks wanting you to finance them, etc.

 

Like I said, if you've figured and believe you'd save $200 a month?
I'm not in a position to argue it with you.

I'm not really clear where that savings would be coming from in totality. Especially if you are projecting some future resale value.
You evidently have 0% APR going with your Subaru, with just a little over 3 years left.

Unless this isn't a matter of option, if you NEED to make a change.
But if it's an optional move?
I'd still just keep your Subaru.

Those two kids in car seats are only going to get bigger.
If you LIKE the room of The Subaru? Concerned about the potential room in a Prius? Also LIKE taking family road trips?

I don't know...
I can see almost no tangible reason to make the switch.

 

Seems like you have (or might still have a warranty) on the Outback; the 2012 would for only the hybrid components.

I'd say stay with the Subaru.

The Prius with DRCC will do this as well.

 

1. We have 2 children in carseats, and the Outback is so roomy that we can fit an adult between the two rear carseats. We are a family of 4 but quite often we pack an extra adult in that middle seat, and I imagine that will be impossible in a Prius.

Take your two child seats down to Toyota. Strap them in, do a test sit. Might answer your question real fast.


2. I live in Colorado USA where snow is frequent and rarely plowed. My civic with proper snow tires got stuck in the 2-feet blizzard last year, but the outback with snow tires had no problems. Honestly it had nothing to do with 4WD. The Outback's 9 inch ground clearance made all the difference during that blizzard.

The Prius has roughly enough clearance to scrape over a tennis ball. Not good when there's a skim of snow on the road. Also, it is hard to work the various Prius controls when you are wearing winter clothes.

 

There is quite a bit of rear seat height and cargo space in a Gen3 Prius. Huge as someone would say. That's because they added 3-ft3 vol over the Gen2, and they moved the roof hump back further in Gen3. The older Gen2 had legendary leg room in the rear seat, but one reason for that is the Gen2 front seats had shorter seat tracks which kept the front seats from moving as far backwards as in Gen3. Width of Prius may not be as roomy as Outback...do not know. We get 3 car seats across on a Gen2 by going to the Radian car seats which have somewhat thinner design. Prior to that we had humongous child seats which would make the middle space more cramped.

(whereas 2012 is a Gen3 Prius)

 

Happy wife= happy life

 

These are totally 2 difference vehicles. Only you you can decide what you need. Subaru is a very small corporation they don't have the funds to do R&D. So they are a few years behind!