Who else traded luxury for a Prius?

My last 4 prior cars were 2 Devilles and 2 Towncars. Since buying my Prius I haven't looked back.

 

It depends. And when talking about SUVs, you're going into my special interest!

The GX and 4runner is identical underneath with very minimal differences. The body is different, but not the frame and suspension. Minor difference is that the GX (and LX) have electronic shocks vs. twin-tube gas shocks in the Toyota counterpart. Powertrain is different. But, when you're comparing the frame and suspension, it is very very very very similar (near identical). Body-on-frame designs make this easy since the body can be any shape that you want as long as the body mounts are the same. The same goes for Prado vs. 4runner vs. GX. All the same underneath. I did find one minor difference recently...the GX460 has no transfer case skid, while the 4runner has one.

You should crawl underneath these SUVs...and you will see what i mean. :rockon:

 

Traded in my 2008 BMW 335i. I think most of the people who "traded down" are those who enjoy luxury but don't want to feel they are wasting money EVERY time they fill up the tank. I bought my 335i new in Dec 2007. In 2008 gas prices went to where they are today, and I seriously changed my driving habits. I was using cruise control on surface roads, all sorts of stuff, to extract 24 mpg from my car as a daily driver. The gas prices went down but I didn't change my driving habits. Fast forward to 2011 and I was still having gas-pump envy. It irritated me that premium was not just 20 cents higher than regular but some places had it 50 cents higher per gallon.

Well, as my BMW was losing value fairly quickly, I did an trade on a base Prius II so that I could have some money left over to upgrade it myself instead of paying the factory premium for DVD, bluetooth, backup camera, etc...

One caveat is that I love driving fast, so I had to get something for the weekends. So, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of owning an exotic and I feel I have the best of both worlds. I never thought I would purchase two cars in one month but the numbers worked and the right cars showed up at the right time. Prius is averaging 52-54 mpg for my workweek, and the "other" car gets 11mpg on a good day.

http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-...-ii-today-thanks-priuschat-2.html#post1297801

 

Nice to see that my favorite drummer has joined PC. Do Alex and Geddy drive Prii too?:welcome::drum:

 

I suppose now you're going to tell me how many SUVs you've owned?

You're correct, but the Prado is overall obviously much more similar to the GX than the 4Runner.

On the unibody cars the underpinnings aren't as similar...

 

HeLLo
We had not a luxury car but a pretty good one. We were afraid about regretting that car and... no, the Prius is the car now and everything is and looks good.
More, I'm puzzled by all the modern technic I can now enjoy.
Toyota Prius, an other way of ride.
@@++

 

No, is my name SW03ES? Sorry, i had to get you on that! I have owned a few...and i love SUVs, esp. the body-on-frame SUVs with transfer case!

I would even argue that the GX460's underpinnings are more similar to the 5th gen 4runner than the past GX470!

 

LOL, I'm on a plane on my way to the Caribbean, so all smiles here!

I've always liked SUVs too. My issue has always been I drive so much for work (20k a year or so) that the ride of older body-on-frame SUVs was always so punishing I had to make the switch to sedans. Now we have all these great crossover type vehicles that would give me the ride and comfort I need...but gas is so damn expensive!

 

Yeah, take a ride in a G-wagen, and your kidneys will hate you forever! My kidneys still hate me for 7 years that i put them through! I am starting to like crossovers, but my off-roading blood still gets me from time to time...thinking about getting either 5th gen 4runner Trail or Wrangler Rubicon (with the new 4.0L V6 next year)...but i don't know anymore with these gas prices!!

 

I've had the pleasure lol.

What I really would like my wife to trade the Prius in on is a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. she drives very little, and it would be nice to have to take on trips. The new 6 speed transmission coming out next year should help economy somewhat, but its still obviously a huge step down from the Prius. Had it been out when I got the Lexus I'd have been tempted to get an Overland for myself instead...

 

Went from a Evo X 2008 to a Prius and i have no regret!

SAve so much money on gas and maintenance! Its perfect, i just think its about time people realize that you dont need 300hp !

 

Hi Dubs,

If you turn on the window defrosters, the mirror heaters come on. It does have mirror heaters, in other words.

On the rattles, yea Toyota went backwards with that center console, limiting leg room, and making for a noisey ride. My 2006 was perfectly quiet inside running down the road - much better interior design!

 

I traded a 2007 Dodge Magnum SRT-8 for our Prius. I considered that car very high end seeing as I have never owned a BMW, Audi, or some of the other cars mentioned. While the leather, heated seats, rear A/C, DVD system, and all of that were nice. To be honest I find the Prius to be just as nice of a car even though I just have the Prius II with cloth interior. I never liked the older gen Prius', but Toyota really tried/came through on the third. I think the only complaint that I have with it is the fact they put cloth on top of the center console, and the arm rests on the doors. Not sure what that is meant for, but I worry about it wearing out over time. Regardless I am happy, and not looking back. I have cut my monthly fuel bill by almost 75% just by buying the Prius. Not to mention insurance savings, and reduced maintenance costs.

 

Yes they do!

 

I really wish there was a comprehensive study addressing rattles. So many have none (including mine) and some complain of many. I have wondered and expressed on other threads, if the point of assembly could be a factor? I am suspicious. There are several assembly plants, in previous threads Prius assembled at the 5th plant appeared to be the least rattle prone.

The interior design is certainly a matter of personal taste, including the "bridge." I for one, really like the interior design. Critics seem inclined to brand the design a failure, as if they were no other opinion.

 

New Prius is replacing a Mercedes S430. Absolutely no regrets!

 

Thought I was nuts, but traded wifes '06 BMW 325i. I have a 2010 Tacoma and we battle over who drives the Prius..