Hybrids... worth it?

I don't think the PRIUS is ugly either...I find myself stopping at scenic spots to take a picture of my Prius. I would have never done that with any car I ever owned before.

 

WOW! You can fit an 88 keyboard in the back??? Is that with the rear seats folded down???

Where do you play btw?

 

2. The MPG on the sticker seems a bit, em, generous for all cars, not just hybrids.

3. There are those who say you get a Prius to make a statement and a Honda Hybrid so you can "fit in." Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

4. I didn't get the Prius to "save money." I could've bought a cheaper car and invested the difference to get income to pay for gas. Also, I could've spent 1/3 of the cost and simply fixed up my old car really well. I got it for the "geek" factor and the environment. The fact that I'm getting at least twice the mileage is meaningless.

The Prius is not the Univeral Panacea for cars. No car is.

 

I honestly don't think I'll ever understand this thinking.

Yes, the Prius costs more than some conventional cars. The Tercel, for example. But it also costs much LESS than many conventional cars. It is a unique car, and no apples-to-apples comparisons with conventional cars can be made. The differences are NOT just limited to the powertrain. I am not buying the car to save money. I'm buying the car because I think it is the right car for my needs at the right price. Six years ago I spent $45k on a car, and the gas mileage was HALF of what the average Prius driver gets in real-world driving. When will that one pay me back for the non-hybrid premium that I paid? I mean really... two what vehicle do you compare the Prius when you calculate the "Hybrid primium?" What is the "extra cost" that we're paying? Is there a non-hybrid Prius for $2000 less?

 

I'm amazed at how may cars and especially vans are shaped like the prius... although the prius has a really attractive rear end... does that make it female or male?

Anyway...it's ashamed they still build cars like a blunt nose bullet.... Thats what I think everytime I see that "Element".. ha!.. now thats funny!..but to each his own


[/QUOTE]I'd suggest you test drive one anyway to experience what you read about here.

yea.. you definately can't judge a prius from the outside... nor from sitting on the inside... but once it starts moving the majic starts!

 

Yea.. one of the seats folded down. I have a hardcase, but I prefer the softcase.. its much easier on fabric etc.
I can also get a 4rack processor case and rack that it mounts on alog with an acoustic guitar and I still have plenty of room left....

I used to load all that in my jeep cheerekee.... the prius is easier. The rear seat folds down in a snap and back up in a snap.

I play at my Church... we have a 10 member band and I lead with acoustic and sing... but enough about me......

Its pretty cool to have a car that is so stinkin versatile, inside the car as well as on the road!

 

This is not the only reason people buy these cars, and it is not the only advantage they offer. Reduced use of fuel is great. Cleaner burning of the fuel they do use and carry is another big benefit. There are many gasoline cars out there that get better mileage. But none (that I'm aware of) that are cleaner. Gotta go to an EV for that!

Does anything last forever? An ICE? The batteries are proving VERY durable, and should last the life of the car. I know several folks who've replaced their ICEs before 100k miles, but that expense is rarely figured into the cost of ownership of traditional vehicles for some reason? :shrug:

Yup. Still trying to figure out what this means. If I spend $45k for a car that gets 22 mph instead of spending $22k on a Prius that gets 45mpg... when I do recoup that extra cost for the $45k car? Have you also considered the social costs that burning more gas/causing more pollution create? What is the cost of a reasonable foreign policy? An supportable energy policy? The price of the car and the price of gasoline are not the only things to consider here.

I've owned several gasoline cars in my life, and not ONE of them has paid me back. I don't expect the Prius to do that either. (I HAVE been paid back with my EVs though, but that's a different story!)

 

I think the Prius is BEE-utiful!!! It's the first car I've owned that people have complimented me on because it is just plain cool.

 

The answer to whether a hybrid is worth it is necessarily subjective. Also, with more and more hybrids on the market, it is less and less easy to generalize. Is a Jaguar "worth it"? Is a Lexus "worth it"? Is a Ferrari "worth it"? What about a VW Bug? Is that "worth it"?

Any car is worth it to you if you like it enough to be willing to pay the price. If you are talking strictly about lifetime cost to drive per mile (i.e., cheap transportation) then your best bet is a late-model used Civic or Corolla. Very reliable, and the lifetime cost will be lower than any new car. Or if you need something bigger, then the next step up.

How many people base their car purchase strictly on total lifetime cost per mile? A few do, yes. But most people want something else in a car besides, so there is a market for all sorts of cars.

A Honda Insight was not worth it for me because I wanted something bigger. An HCH was not worth it for me because I wanted a small station wagon or hatchback. Both those cars are perfect for lots of people, and therefore very much worth it.

The Prius is worth it for me because I like the technology and I like driving the cleanest gas-burning car on the road. I like being able to drive in EV mode (one of the main reasons I didn't choose the HCH) and I like the safety of VSC. For me the Prius is very definitely worth it. Whether it's worth it for you depends on what you want in a car.

I didn't like the looks of it at first. But the technology was more important for me than looks. And eventually it grew on me. Now I kind of like the looks of it.

The Prius is a cool car. It's not for everybody, but it's the first showcase of a technology that I predict will become dominant across the market.

 

A tercel is ok.. if there wasn't a prius around! :lol:

Its a toss-up as to whether its cost effective.. . thats why the gov is trying to tilt the balances with the credit.

That alone is not the selling point on a prius. You must like the whole ambiance and experience with the solid feeling of satisfaction on so many levels, ie: green, reliability, mph, luxury, major gadjets, responsiveness on the road, nice pep, comfortable, great maintenance, longevity, a head turner, beautiful, oh and just plain fun to drive!

I'm sure I left something out!

 

Now that me and most of my friends are settling down oun our careers, we have also been buying new cars. My friends in the past couple of years have bought the following cars: Mercedes benz c class, Acura TL, Lexus 330, Infiniti G35, Toyota Tundra. When I said i'm gonna be replacing my old car--an Integra Sedan--everyone was giving me suggestions from BMW's, to Mercedes Benz SUV's.

I bought a red prius. I'm happy with it. Instead of paying a lot of money for a BMW, spend that money on a hybrid and get a tax credit, HOV lane sticker and save gas. Theres definitely a lot of return for a hybrid. I think its worth it. I can roll with my friends, and be proud of my car because' its unique in its own ways. It might not be a mercedes, but its a hybrid!!! and to me that makes it more valuable.

 

......for you maybe, but it may for others. The Prius is not for everyone, and I wouldn't want to force someone to get one just because I do.

 

I would only recommend a hybrid now if one did a lot of driving. If one is looking to save money and drive 10-12k a year, I don't know if its worth it. Something like a Civic or Corolla may be better. I'm going to have well over 30k on my Prius and its less than a year old. The gas savings have been good.

As for the Camry? Its in a different class. Its not so much about the Prius, but rather the technology. I dont see it as the future, but rather a stop gap toward something more permanent.

 

You're right, Prius is not for everyone. If you need something bigger, or 4WD, or need a smaller total cost of ownership, you'll have to buy something else.

 

Or, want both bigger and cheaper ? . No problem.

Take the bus.

 

Actually the total cost of ownership for the prius has been exceptional...

Buy a Sonata for 22k and 2 years later its worth less than 10k.

 

Does the Lexus 400h seat 5 or 7? If 7, that may be a possibility, though obviously a lot more expensive than a RAV4, hybrid or not...

Toyota is allegedly working on the hybrid Sienna as well, though no official launch date has been announced (2007...2008?)...

HybridCars story on Sienna Hybrid

That will be a successful vehicle...


Kevin

 

It doesn't sound like you're ready to make the jump from a conventional car to a hybrid. For you, you might be happier with the Corolla or a VW Jetta TDI or something. Good luck with your vehicle search.