Torn about prime opportunity

i love red cars, never had an issue in 50 years

 

Supersonic Red is a great color. If you get one in red, you won't regret it.

 

They are both good colors, and the red looks nice with the black SE wheel covers.

You would have to wash the red more frequently, and perhaps red is not your color, but otherwise, it’s mostly OK. Humans have a poor peripheral vision of red, too, which is one more disadvantage. I said I would never get a red car after my 2009 Barcelona-red metallic Corolla, which people never seemed to see peripherally, and I had many close calls because of that. But then, the red is probably more visible in the Canadian snow than the silver.

After all that said, I would say, go get the red and have your rebate minus the premium (about $500) for the three-coat red-paint job.

 

The cost of replacing/upgrading the hybrid battery compared to the cost of a brand new Gen5 really isn't a sensible debate/comparison. Sounds like you're wanting something new and a Prius C is so much smaller than a standard Prius that you won't notice that Gen5 interior is smaller than previous Prius Generations.

But even with a $5K rebate you're going to be spending alot of money, though potentially saving money too if you have solar panels on your house to charge your car.

As always, if you can afford to buy this car during an economic downturn, or a time of personal financial hardship, then it'd be worth the risk. But if you're pushing the envelope on what's responsible with your cash flow, then don't do it unless you can use it as a business vehicle and write off the depreciation on your taxes.

Lastly, if I only had a red one available, I'd spend a few grand extra and have it wrapped in flat black to keep it humble. That way when it's time to one day sell it you pull that wrap off and the paint will look super bright and boost your re-sale value.

 

When I bought mine in March 24, there were no SEs available in the San Francisco Bay area without substantial dealer price gouging. The I found one at sticker price- in reservoir blue, a color I would have never picked. Truth is, imo the car is so good looking, that any color works. The blue has grown on me, and now I'm glad I did not have a choice

 

It's primarily a decision for your accountant and financial planner... If you're considering the financing of a brand new car and have very little experience discussing this type of cash flow with a personal accountant and financial planner then the answer is no, stick with your humble little 13 year old car. Of course I'm not qualified in the slightest to give you that advice because I'm hella poor with massive grad school student load debt despite my credit rating just barely being under 800.

 

When it comes to clay bar work, waxing and polishing... The Blue Priuses I've done have always seemed to look way more impressive to my eye, as well in photos than any other color and I'm not sure why? Why do you think that is?

 

I hate red. For 5k CDN, I'd live with it.

 

Metallic red and silver are my two favorite colors. Currently a 2024 Prius Prime in silver and a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV in metallic red. Although it's a $420 option, worth every penny. Beautiful when clean in bright sunlight. Tesla charges $2000 for that option. Your incentive is a $5000 discount, you'll love you new Prius in red.

 

Is having a plug in something you want, and prepared to make use of? Without regular charging, it is just a regular Prius with a much bigger battery.

How do you feel about sedans? I don't know pricing there, but the Corolla hybrid is the Prius c replacement for our market.

 

Yes, good to look before you leap. The Prime's (aka Plug-In's) battery is significnatly heavier, and IF it ever needs replacment, very expensive. If it's mainly for the $5K rebate, I'd sleep on it.

One plus though: you can dodge the preposterious 19" rims, the ONLY option on Gen 5 Prius in Canada. Plus mandatory AWD. Does the Prime come with either 17" or 19" rims, depending on the level? I'm not that up on gen 5.

Has the miles on the Prius c been disclosed?

 

Not really, and sounds like you’ve thought it through.

I’d be interested in regular Prius, but the lack of spare is a deal breaker for starters, and then there’s the aforementioned quibbles. But that’s just me.

 

Too many white, black and gray cars out there already - a red would be lovely on the road.

 

[Darth Vader Voice] Come over to the Camry side...
At least in the US, all trims are hybrids and have a space saving spare tire.

 

Canada may not have adopted all the rules the EPA has for fuel economy testing, but here the Corolla hybrid is rated better than the Prius c. Changes to those rules for 2017 dropped the Prius c combined rating to 46mpg. The original 50mpg rating is matched by the Corollah SE, and the trims with smaller wheels are 53mpg.

But then, I prefer hatchbacks too.