Considering trading in for Prius C

You must bruise like a grape.... try owning a black car on a 90 degree day, then get back to me.

 

There are some cars out now that have air-cooled seats. I wish Toyota had done it on the C, like they did on the Prius V 5.

 

You want cruise, so the 2 and above trim, the difference between the 2 and the 3 is that the 3 adds the navigation touchscreen and the smart key system that has the key free entry and push button start. In the Texas market, it seemed that almost all of the 3 trim had the optional alloy wheels. The 4 has standard alloy wheels, the softex interior, and heated seats and side mirrors. both 3 and 4 have an optional sunroof, 4 has optional 16 inch alloys. Go test drive one, at least look at a 4 trim to see the seats, then decide which you like.

 

Been there and have done that, my prior car was a black Subaru, never again, too hot and too hard to keep looking good.

 

If you can do an even swap, then go for it... but realize it will take about 5-7 years on average to make up the lost value in your traded vehicle. If you keep the vehicle longer than that, then it's value starts to increase. AKA, stop selling your cars so quickly because you're losing thousands of dollars in the process (especially if you're financing). Just my 2cp, good luck!

 

Ha! I went through the same thing recently, coming from a similar background. I went with the dark grey Prius C 3. While its Nav isn't great, I do like the information center, xm radio (although the antenna is the worst of any vehicles equipt with sat radio I have ever encountered) and different features of the screen. I agree the radio on the 1 and 2 looks very 90's ish. After owning the car for over two weeks I can tell you that it is great for getting around town, decent on the freeway but does struggle with speed, especially if you're coming from a faster vehicle. Your VW will pull harder when merging onto the freeway but if you allow yourself some extra time you will be fine.

In all I think the Prius C is a great vehicle and that you will be happy with it.

 

Unfortunately, so do I. I went from the red Mustang convertible in my avatar to a C2. But I am sure liking the 50+ mpg versus the 20 mpg

 

I went from a 2013 Dodge Challenger to a C3. While the challenger looked amazing on the outside, the build quality was atrocious. On the other side of that coin, its been difficult getting used to driving up the monster hills in my neighbourhood on a fraction of the hp/torque. In any event I am happier with the Prius than I was with the Challenger right from the start.

 

I just put a colorful towel on my seats, even though I don't have the Softex.

I've sat in cars with leather seats in the dead of summer.
The flash of hot can be nice if you know it's coming, and when someone else has already been running the AC for ya

 

I'm of the same tribe - 164 cars in 50 years, half raced. Ignore the accountants, they build lousy cars. (believe me I have proof).
The prius C is a great econo car, good for 48 mpg whether during the week or weekend trips. After 'adjusting' the suspension its a pretty good track car. Mine beats my 1960 Sprite with GY blue streaks around VIR on good hipo street tires. OK its only 2:57 but thats good for such cars. And don't forget to compare regular with diesel incost per mile. C wins, hands down.
I also have a nissan leaf for Mon to Fri use. at 120 mpg equivalent the electric car relegates the Prissy to weekend trips. Even on long trips using the WV turnpike averaging 65 mph at 65 mph is hillarious. Great combination, leaf and prissy (prius c). Plus the Leaf is roomier, drives well right out of the box, and has all kinds of 'stuff', some of which I use. Bought as a experiment but am likely to keep. Nissan did a super good job. Recharges at nite while sleeping at home. Thats nice.
I do have a track car, a junior Porsche that hustles VIR in 2:24 or so with only hipo tires.
And a truck that is only 11 years old with 32k miles, cause its a race car puller.
Depeciation is only for the faint.
Do your thing. Enkjoy every minute. its going to get harder.

 

I still have a black car, but the blue prius gets almost as hot even with the tinted windows. The seats really are not that bad as far as the heat goes (Unless your sitting on them naked lol). I think the softex stays cooler than actual leather in the sun anyway. Don't even get me started on black vinyl seats in a drop top. :-P