Looking to Buy 2016 Prius, need advice vs Corolla

Hi - I'm relatively new to PRIUS - since June, 8000km.

The rear view is actually good - that middle part is just in the right place to stop bothersome headlights at night. Between the mirrors and the camera when reversing, it's better than my last couple of cars.

As far as "$8000" - that's not the price anyway, I think about ½ that. The battery is warranted by TOYOTA for 8 years. And in doing my research, the vast majority of PRIUS (PRII?) older than 8yrs are still on their original battery running fine. As with anything, failures occur (ask anyone with a VW or Chrysler or Alfa Romeo) - but PRIUS is always up there with the most reliable according to various reports. The "simple" e-CVT is a totally different transmission from the (belt type) CVT in Corolla, and has been one of the most reliable transmissions of all times.

I was convinced. Love my PRIUS. I just drive it like an ordinary car and still get fantastic MPG. The RADAR Cruise is fantastic - After 5 months with it, I would never be without it again.

 

lancer01,

As an owner of both vehicles you are considering, I love driving both for different reasons.
You will do well with either one. Have a 2013 Prius 2, also.

Previously, I had a 2009 Camry with 181K. No battery issues. The Hybrid technology is
proven to be reliable.

I like to drive the 2016 Prius, since it is quiet, smoother, soft tex leather, better handling.
I have to ask wife permission to drive 'her' car!

The power mode offers less resistance on the gas pedal for faster acceleration, when you need it.

Do the math, and see what vehicle makes the most sense for you.

stt

 

I'm on my 3rd Prius and we have a 2011 corolla. Buy the new Prius !! 60 MPG my two 2011 Prius's get 44 now but love um !!


iPad ?

 

Lancer you need to give us your state for warranty, but the high miles suggests Prius. New Prius has 8 to 10 yr warranty depending on state. Gen4 has gone to Lithium batts (except level 2) which we have no repair history but really we are expecting life of vehicle in either case, unless you are unlucky or live in a hot climate. Prius is among cheapest vehicles to own, which means any batt replacements are relatively low %. We have really not heard many Gen3 bats replaced at all.

 

I keep cars for a long time, and am a bit of a snob.

I am not so proud about the snob part, but it does cause me to think about how my car's will look years down the line.

Anyway, if you see a 3rd (or even second) generation Prius parked between a BMW and a Lexus at your local Whole Foods Market, there is absolutely no way to guess which driver is more likely to own a million dollar home and a second one on the Cape.

With a 10 year old Corolla, you might have an idea. It's a shallow way of thinking, I know.

Perhaps a better way of looking at it would be to say that some cars -- like the Prius or a Volvo -- become cooler as they get older, so you can be proud of driving them into the ground rather than being shamed into getting a new one years before you need to.

OK, that is shallow, too.

 

I have a 2008 Corolla and bought a 2017 Prius a month ago. My son had a 2005 Prius and then moved to a 2015 Prius v (station wagon).
the Prius v is based on the Gen 3 Prius and is heavier. It is therefore not as fuel efficient.
Depending on the miles driven the Corolla may be the less expensive option. For me, driving 12k - 15k miles per year, the Corolla would be less expensive. The mpg on the Gen 4 (2016 or 2017) Prius is very good. For your commute, I think you would be pleasantly surprised with the Prius. The 2017 Prius has more standard safety features than the 2016.

You likely drove the Prius in Eco mode which is like the older Pwr mode. The Prius can still accelerate fast, but you need to press the accelerator harder. There are Normal & Pwr modes that change this so you do not need to press it as hard.

Prices can vary a lot from dealer to dealer. I know I was able to drive 150 miles to the DC area and save $2000 compared to my local dealer.

 

If I spent that much time driving a highway commute, I would get the cheapest one with DRCC. I drove a 2014 corolla rental and got 37.5 mpg (display) highway. FWIW

 

That would be a 2017 Prius Two. DRCC is standard on 2017. Even will hills, I have generally kept my Prius MPG over 50 and sometimes in the 60's.

My 150 mile drive from DC was 59 mpg.

Where in the US is the OP located? We may have dealer choice advice here.

 

That's funny, I test drove the Corolla and the Prius and thought the Prius had more pickup and was a much nicer ride, nicer seats, quieter cabin, the whole works.

Get the Prius, driving that much, it will pay for the cost differential by way of less gas over the car's lifetime. And be a nicer car to boot

Don't worry about the battery, warranted for 8 to 10 years, if it dies then, it is not 8K, more like 3. And many, many people are driving around on original batteries much older than 8 years

 

There was very ;little maintenance on my son's 2005. Other than regular oil, filter, & cabin filter; he replaced a bad headlight & the 12 volt battery, just due to age. I believe the coolant was due for a change but they changed it while doing a recall. He drove the car all over the east coast to dog shows. He got the Prius v to have more room for the dogs & gear.

 

I don't think I can drive a car anymore, that doesn't shut down at stops, or when stuck in traffic. That said, I like the Corolla styling, solid rims and more conventional dash.

 

and it is made in Canada (Guelph, Ontario).

 

I owned Civics and Corollas my whole life up until 2012. I have to say the Prius is one of the worst cars I've ever purchased. It's slow, ugly, loud, and uncomfortable. The vibration and rattle noises are really annoying. Corollas and Civics despite similar 0-60 times, the Corolla drove much faster and handled way better. However, despite not being a good driving car, I'm a Prius convert. I'm not buying another car that is not hybrid or electric.

1. Low total cost to own: Prius is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. Look it up, some lists has it more reliable than Corolla despite the battery. Insurance is lower for me than the Civic. Sedan to hatchback is moving to less risk maybe? And, of course, you save in fuel costs.

2. Space: I'm like you, this is for commuting only and I don't need space. But goodness gracious, the Prius has a lot of cargo carrying capacity. I went on a 1000 mile road trip for a week with 3 adults and 2 toddlers in car seats. It took 10-15 min to Tetris everything in the hatch but it all fit including a stroller. Also fit a 65" TV once with seats folded and hatch closed. Also purchased a 20' sunshade once and got it to fit diagonally in the car with hatch closed.

I've driven the new Corolla and it's quite an upgrade from the previous model. I like it a lot. It's Lexus quiet and very smooth. With gas prices so low, you're not likely to save much if any money owning a Prius over a Corolla. But where do you think gas prices will be in the next 10 years? If you ask me what I think, I bought a second Prius.

 

Because the Prius emulates a CVT, there is never that kick in the butt when it shifts. Your perception of speed may not match reality.

I owned my last Corolla for 21 years, so I understand the drive it until it wears out theory. But the longer and duller your commute is, the better you will like the Prius. (I bought a Prius in 2009, sadly a semi ran a red light and I have a 2012 now)

I would do the math on purchase price versus economy, I had payback in 3.3 years at 30,000 miles a year. Cheaper gas will delay payback.

 

The newer Corollas are all either CVT or sometimes manual for the Sport model.

 

The Corolla is a very nice car and likely to be reliable and economical. I really care about fuel consumption and would opt for the Prius, but either choice will serve you well. I bought a 2005 Prius in late 2004 and my wife and I drove it for twelve years without a single repair, other than normal maintenance and a couple of recall fixes (floor mat and some coolant pump in the hybrid system). Over the dozen years we owned the car, it averaged about 48 mpg. I now have a 2016 Prius Three and over the first nine months I have averaged 60 mpg. Compared to the 2005, which was a vary good car (until it was T-boned and totaled), I find the new one to be quieter, just as roomy, better handling, more responsive, and equally comfortable. I am happy with my choice and expect to drive it for at least ten years. Chest-thumpers like to ridicule the Prius because it does not emulate a Boxster, but they are easy to ignore.

 

The Prius engine is brought over (with some mod's) from Corolla. The rims are interchangeable too: I use Corolla steel rims with snow tires.

 

Slow, loud, uncomfortable? Have you driven a 4th gen Prius?

 

Heck our 2010's the most smooth, well behaved car I've ever had. Our previous 06 Civic is a cacophony of creaks and groans these days (still in the family). It's off/on touchy gas pedal gets old real fast, too.