There's also 0% APR right now until 9/2 I believe. That's what made me decide to pull the trigger after wanting to get one since it debuted last year. I got a C 4 and I love it so far. I agree with others here that it feels like a game to try to get a personal best on mileage which makes it fun as a well as saving money and being greener.
Yes. You must do this. In a lifetime of just horrible decisions this had been one of the best I ever made. I just got my c2 about a month ago and for the first time since I was 16 I actually look forward to driving. I tell everyone it's just like a video game. I even get upset when I turn off my car thinking I've set a PB and find out I only got 60 mpg again. It's hard getting used to not stopping at quick trip every couple days for gas and Mountain Dew though.
I worry about the reliability of any Saturn from day one; you got over 25k miles more than the ones we've worked on here over the years. There's a reason they don't make them any more and why you won't get much trade in value for yours. Probably you'll do better selling it yourself. The Prius C is not the greatest handling car on the market but a few small changes enhance it enormously. It still handles a lot better than a Saturn; we have trackeda Saturn and won't do it again. The Prius C does well on track, even among the hot track cars as you can see from videos on you tube. And get 30 mpg doing it. (Vettes get about 8). Daily driving should net 45-50 mpg so your Saturn gas bill will get trashed. Next year when Toyota gets the mazda2 chassis to build Prius C (or D) handling will improve but that only really matters to us racer guys. Still its a much better ride than your Saturn. I say go for it before ...
My 2001 SC2 had 165,000 miles on it before the timing chain jumped a sprocket. Not much I could do after that. Saturn died because GM decided they wanted to make it a mid-market car and not the entry level car that made it so popular.
A used regular Prius instead of a C? Just curious why you would suggest that? Space, size, etc? I only ask because I looked at both when before I purchased my C and was considering buying a Prius Three but I decided on the C instead.
I live in Northeast Ohio and bought my c2 in January. It was basically the same as the cavalier I was driving before, and I had no issues. Of course, I live in an area that's decent in terms of snow plowing.
I love the smart key and that is why I got the three. I don't think I would get a car without one now. I just bought a new 2012 C 3 and paid 21000 (included all tax, fees, etc.)....maybe you can look for a 2012 leftover. Good luck.
This little car is sporty, not a sports car. It has good acceleration from a stop if you put your foot all the way down. I find it fun to drive, but I drive in town usually 4o mph or less speed limit. On highways with lots of traffic. I love our 2012 camry hybrid xle, I think it has 240 horsepower it will put you back in the seat. and we have averaged 41 mpg for over 25k miles. as far as driving in snow. if you use good snow tires you should have no problems, unless you try driving in deep snow where you should by a subaru awd IMO.
To paraphrase xraydoug - the C will move if you stomp on the accelerator, when you need to get up to speed the power is there. The ice will make some noise and so will the cvt; your mileage may go down but it is worth it to get moving. In my book, traffic safety first, then mileage I take my C on the interstate all the time, 75 mph no problem, it will drop your mpg to maybe 45 mpg if you keep up this speed. I personally figure 45 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, and when you can safely go 65 mph, I get 53 mpg easy.