Trade in SUV for Prius?

i haven't, but you should probably take everyone for a test drive and see how they like it. sounds a bit snug to me. all the best!

 

With kids that age plus a large dog I would look at the Prius v.. It is larger and wouldn't be so tight a squeeze.

 

A problem with 3 kids and you'd need quite a bit of space. No experience, but I have read a bit. To use a Prius:
- There are some especially narrow child seats available. They cost more but as well as being narrow, from what I've read, they're considered good quality. Although, under European law I believe your older child won't have to be in a seat as long.
- You'd need to get yourself a good roof rack and cargo carrier: there wouldn't be much room in your full car. One toy each.
- If you're going to travel a lot on the Autobahns or other European Interstates bear in mind that they're mostly high speed, with the normal limit in Germany being 81 mph (130kmh), so don't expect stunning mileage in a loaded Prius with a cargo carrier. Still better than a Pilot though.

Personally, I would take a really close look at how many miles you'll be doing there. Presumably you'll be living on base so there'll be little to no commuting. Even a good amount of traveling could mean only a few thousand miles per year. I think you might want to wait until you return and reassess your needs then.

 

Not sure how this would work for you; but it would depend on long you will be stationed in Germany - but I would look at buying a diesel car/suv over there and maybe sell it before you come back. And buy a new car when you get stateside again.

 

While I haven't downgraded from an SUV to a Prius, I do own both and I have had kids. In my experience, there is nothing worse than going on a long drive with kids in the back seat who can't get any space away from each other when they really need to ; and the longer the drive, the more they need to!

 

With 3 kids and a big dog you will need the v if you plan on getting the entire family in the car. I have a standard poodle (75 lbs) and he can not comfortably fit in the back of my 09. One thing to keep in mind though is that with the dog in back you will be completely maxed out and will likely need a rooftop box for any luggage - that will be a substantial hit to mileage.

I'd be cautious about selling your Pilot - as it is only a couple of years old and since gas prices are on the rise (and demand for SUV's is lessening) you may be underwater with the loan you have. Only you know the answer to this. You might want to bring it to a dealer and get an estimate on what they would give you in trade - at that point you will have a better handle of the finances of it all.

I would think about buying something over there if I were there for a couple of years. The one question that I would want to answer though is the implications of buying in Europe, especially tax wise as things are quite different as they have a VAT. If it made sense I'd buy one of the small MPV's that they sell over there (a small van) - I'd likely go for something not sold here - something like the Ford C-Max, though I'd likely lean to one of the funky Euro companies like Citroen or Renault just for the experience.

If you are dead set on buying here I'd recommend looking at the Mazda 5 - starting price is way below the v, in fact the 5 fully loaded is about $1k less than than the base v. It is a 6 seater - 2/2/2 with each seat having its own armrests and space between them - they are not quite captains chairs, but close. I know that with my kids this would be nice on longer trips. Of course mileage is not as good, but you will be paying less and getting a slightly larger car that has a layout that might work better for your family.

 

I think the prius may be a little tight for three kids that size. The V seems a little more roomy in the back seat. In the past 4 years, I have gone from a full size SUV, to a 4 door Tacoma truck, to the prius. The backseat room in the prius has just as much room as the tacoma, a little more tight than the SUV. I have (almost) 3 year old twins. They currently ride comfortable in the back of the prius, and we have enough storage room for luggage for longer trips, but it seems we are at capacity, and it takes planning to organize. I think if I were to add another one in the mix, it would be too tight. I would test out the V though.

 

You might consider renting one for a weekend to test it out before you buy. However, I am not sure if there are any out there to rent. You might be able to talk a dealer into taking one for a weekend, but then you have to deal with them when you return it!

 

I had a Toyota 4Runner SUV I sold for $6,000 with 305,000 miles that I put on over 10 years. The 4Runner got 16 MPG compared to the Prius that gets 55 MPG. I drive 35,000 miles a year. This Oct my 2010 Prius will be 3 years old. As of Oct I will have saved $18,613 in gas. In 4 years it will be $24,818. That is almost what I paid for my Prius IV.

You will be shocked on how much room the Prius has. Once or twice a year I rent the Home Depot truck to move something big for $19.95 a shot. Buying the Prius was well worth the savings.

Here are the pics I used to sell the SUV with 305,000 miles. It was in mint shape.

4Runner Pictures taken 09-30-09

 

For the OP, if Europe's Energy Portal » Fuel Prices, Rates for Power & Natural Gas is right, gasoline in Germany is 1.657 euros/liter or which per Google's calculator (1.657 euros per litre in us dollars per gallon) is $8.20/gallon.

OP might want to also look at other choices at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/most-fuel-efficient-cars.html, http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/02/the-most-fuel-efficient-suvs/index.htm and http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...-fuel-economy/best-and-worst-fuel-economy.htm.

The Pilot listed at the 3rd URL was a 2012. The 09 Pilot tested by CR (in their testing) got 12 city/26 highway/18 mpg overall, 23 on a 150 mile trip.

Run some hypothetical gallonage (http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...eage-no-its-your-gallonage-really-counts.html) and cost calculations w/various vehicles w/better mileage, even ones that "only" get a few mpg more. At those low mpg numbers, even a few mpg can make a fairly big difference.

 

I traded in my 2008 Highlander for a Prius for my family of four. We often take grandma out and five for a short trip is ok but not for a long trip. I would look to the PriusV as a possible alternative for your needs. I can agree that gas is a major issue and that is what made us get the Prius. I am saving $300 a month and that is a car payment.

 

You note that you have another car. Does everyone need to ride in the Prius everyday? We kept our Sienna for days when you need a big car. Just a thought.

 

Word of warning on a 2010 you'll get hosed trading it in, and with today's gas prices especially, you will get raked hard over the coals.

V would be preferable with 3 kids but normal one is doable. You may want a roof rack.

I have to be honest, you may not live near the autobahn again. do you want to be driving it in a Prius? I bought a V6 Altima last year, brand new, for ~$22,500. It has 270 horsepower. It even gets 30 mpg on the highway (though a damn lot less in the city especially the way I drive it). By all means ditch the Pilot, but my Altima would shine on the autobahn, the Prius would leave me feeling very frustrated. It's a good highway car, but speeds in the US are low. Get something with some brass for Germany

 

^^^
Maybe a '12 HyCam? It's got decent power and incredible FE.

As for Altima V6, I used to have an 02 Maxima (same engine, but rated only at 255 hp) and an 04 350Z (same engine, but felt TOTALLY different, rated at 287 hp). The Maxima felt like it had PLENTY of power on the freeway and the (as reviews put it), the car would accelerate w/a sense of urgency. (The Z was actually quicker, per my testing at a drag strip, but the Max had way less NVH, since it felt like the engine wasn't working as hard.)

 

I went from a 4 Runner to a Prius. I have TWO carseats in the back and it is fine. A small adult can probably fit in between the two seats, but it wont me the most comfortable long ride.
Is your 7 year old in a booster? and nine year old out of the car seat?
Will everyone be riding every day? together? You mentioned another car? Is this a secondary car?

I LOVE paying a fraction of what I was paying at the gas pump

 

You need to consider a variety of things when doing the trade in, IF you do it. First off, bring some lube and prepared to get hosed in the trade in, especially with high gas prices now. Second, with 5 people in the car, don't expect 50 mpg. Last, you also have a dog ... where is it going to fit, in the trunk?

If you must do the trade in, the V would be the correct option but given the current state of gas prices and how it affects big SUVs like yours and cars like the Prius. It may take you years before you re-cooperate anything.

 

Mitt Romney style? Sorry. not helpful, but I couldn't resist.

To the OP, yes, with a golden retriever it will be a really tight fit. This would be a great car if there is another car for trips and you use this for daily driving around town and with some of the kids in tow.