New car buying decision: Prius vs Civic hatchback

I've had 16 manuals & 5 Autos. I'd sold my last Auto 11 yrs before the PRIUS.

PRIUS designer put a stupid handbrake where the clutch should be. I'd far rather a clutch there.

It depends on the driving - when I go for a drive along an ocean road, or in the mountains, a manual is a delight. In heavy city traffic - which I largely avoid now I'm retired, an AUTO is definitely the go.

 

Around the crazy drivers here (rednecks & college students ) an automatic is preferred too.

 

I strongly prefer a manual and buy it when it's an option. Doesn't bother me in traffic either. That said I've grown to love the radar cruise in the Prius when I'm stuck in traffic I'm not sure if I could ever go back to my primary commuter not having that feature.

To the OP, the big question is how long will you keep this next car purchase? Assuming same insurance cost even if gas prices go up considerably you're still looking at taking 3 to 4 years before the Prius starts paying for itself. That's right about the time most people are looking to get their next car. I struggled with this same choice when I bought my Prius. Ultimately the dealer came down far enough on the price of the Prius that it helped my numbers out some and being my first economy car I felt the game of saving MPG in the Prius might hold my interest longer than a Civic which may mean I'll keep it longer. That said, I'm currently undecided if I'll keep the Prius, when I bought the car I expected gas prices to level off or go up slightly, instead they've continued to fall. At the 1 year mark I will reevaluate then decide. (and honestly the low gas prices have me seriously considering replacing my truck with a new 3/4 ton, so if that happens it may force my hand into holding the Prius past 1 year)

 

They didn't do it because they were stupid.
The soulless buzz-kills in their legal department decided that too many kids were tinkering with handbrake turns after watching it done on TV and in the movies.

 

Handbrake turns are still possible when it's on the floor where the clutch should be, you can even leave both hands on the wheel for greater control while drifting

 

Yeah, but you'd need to be a tap dancer!

 

The Prius emergency brake locks as you apply it, takes second push to release. Would that negate unorthodox use as you describe?

 

Hence the need for tap dancing lessons!!!

 

Thanks - it was one of the first questions I asked on PriusChat when I got my PRIUS - but I was largely ignored. I'll go look for a suitable drift pad to try it. But I wonder - I've only ever drifted with a "hand"brake with the button pressed - not quite sure how you do that with a foot"hand"brake. I asked my 30yr old son - who replied something to do with getting a bit old for things like that.

 

You're right - RADAR cruise is minimum requirement on next car.

With fuel prices - they jumped here by another 3-4 cents again in the last couple of days - August was $1 per litre, I saw $1.42 per litre yesterday (though I found one cheaper).

 

I don't have that problem. My 30+ year old son is enjoying his second Prius, a Prius v. I doubt he would be considered the adventurous type either.

 

coming from a used miata nd 2016 gt auto to a left over 2016 prius 4 with tech package and sunroof I probably won't have too much to add though will offer a few thoughts.
Had I thought to spend more time to compare each prius model maybe a 2 or eco model would have worked for me. even though fake I do like the pretend leather and sunroof. safety wise I really like the dynamic cruise control, bs side mirrors, auto bright head lights. The civic probably has most of those features though. the nav suck I feel and no apple or android play sucks also.

for mpg a eco 2 model probably is the ticket on a 2017 model. drive them both and enjoy the ride. life is short, maybe time for a change for you. p.s. the lane assist feature is nice also.

 

One safety feature I think should have been standard is the blind spot monitor. I am not sure how well the "indicator" on the mirror work, though. My son's Civic has a camera on the passenger mirror activated by the turn signal to help check the blind spot on the passenger side.

 

I would have said get the 2016 Civic LX over the 2016 Prius Two, but since they added all the standard safety features, go with the 2017 Prius Two.

 

How did you feel about the Miata to the Prius? I'm considering getting a nd or NC for a weekend car.

 

Maybe you should consider the Abarth 124 as well. Made in the same factory as the ND but bit more power with a turbo and a bit more weight in fancy things. Some seem to think the Mazda is better others think the Abarth is. I think they warrant back to back test drives.

 

I actually sat in a Civic 2016 before getting my Prius. I always liked the looks of the civic but my GF has one (2007) and I bang my head each and every time I get into it. The new ones seem SO LOW. The prius is low to me but not as bad as the civic for me. Unless I can get in and out of it comfortably, I'll find something else for my daily driver.

 

The Abarth apparently goes harder but much more to the point looks much nicer than the Mazda. And isn't what it looks (or what you look like in it) like more of a deal with a sports car? But I suspect the Mazda would have better resale than Abarth - what is essentially badged as a FIAT. FIAT hasn't been real flash with resale value here, though the 124 might break that mould.

 

I never really considered that car. Being a Fiat, I guess being an American, I'm still not used to them. Test drive and much research is needed.

 

My son has the Civic. When he first saw my 2017 Prius he said this.

People say my car looks angry. Your car looks really angry!