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Potential buyer - thoughts?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by KeithfromCanada, Aug 9, 2015.

  1. KeithfromCanada

    KeithfromCanada New Member

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    I am the father of an 8 and 11 year old and am looking to get rid of our gas guzzling minivan for something that is better for commuting. My wife drives a Rav4 which is more than enough for long trips (just got back from a week long vacation in PEI) so the van is no longer needed. All I want from my next vehicle is good (or great) gas mileage in the city and the ability to use it for the occasional weekend trip to Toronto with the family (I live in Ottawa - 4 hours away). The other duties would include a short city commute to work, grabbing groceries and being the kids' taxi cab around the city.

    Can a Prius C deliver on that or should I be looking at a Civic or something a bit bigger? I really HATE buying gas and I can only see prices rising so going super fuel efficient would be ideal.

    Thanks for any honest opinions!
     
    #1 KeithfromCanada, Aug 9, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! i would drive the c and the lift back for sizing. can't see how a civic could match up for mpg's. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 9, 2015
  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I was just reading on GasBuddy.com an article about why gasoline prices in Canada are so expensive. Carbon taxes etc. So Canada may not be getting the low prices that we are about to be see after Labor Day here in the USA. So that definitely argues for a Prius. I have nothing against c but the new Gen4 Prius Liftback coming soon may be a little bigger and better MPG if we get all the enhancements we hope for.


    Cheaper Summer Fuel Prices Canadians Could Only Envy - Gasbuddy Gas Prices
     
    #3 wjtracy, Aug 9, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just to keep everyone honest, you may want to ask the same question over at civicchat.;)
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 9, 2015
  5. NuttyKat

    NuttyKat Member

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    I love my Prius C, but honesty, I think a lift back would serve you better with a family of 4.
     
    #5 NuttyKat, Aug 9, 2015
  6. KeithfromCanada

    KeithfromCanada New Member

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    Liftback is out of the price range. I'm looking at the C or else it's a Civic, Carolla or Fit. This will be a second car to get me to work, drive the kids around town and run errands. Two or three times a year, I'll look to take a weekend run to Toronto.

    Thanks for the feedback all!
     
    #6 KeithfromCanada, Aug 9, 2015
  7. citroenjohn

    citroenjohn Active Member

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    I would think the C would serve nicely for the purposes you have outlined. Although my kids are grown, I regularly have my girlfriend's grandchildren in my C,, ages 3 and 6. There has never been a problem fitting them in along with their assorted things. I admit, we have never taken them on an overnight trip.
    The benefits of the C are obvious. Excellent fuel economy, low maintenance costs, and a reasonable up front cost. In addition it handles the snow well, especially if it is equipped with snow tires.
    I travel through Ontario on my way to upstate New York about twice a year. Canada is such a beautiful nation (my mother was Canadian), but, your gas prices are very high compared to ours. Glad I drive a C while in Ontario. Good luck with whatever car you decide on.
     
    #7 citroenjohn, Aug 10, 2015
    ftl likes this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is the civic larger? of course, it has a trunk. not much room behind the rear seat in a c?
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 10, 2015
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The c works well for city driving because of its compact exterior dimensions. It's great for parking and navigating city streets. It's also about a half size larger on the inside than the Yaris so there's a bit more usable space.

    It would fit the grocery-getting (get the cargo net!) and driving the kids around too. For a 4 hour trip, it's doable but it's obviously more comfortable in the RAV4.

    If you do swing the Prius c, may I suggest getting the Upgrade Package for $655. It includes a tonneau cover (cargo privacy cover), cruise control, height adjustable driver's seat, adjustable headrests (the base Prius c has a one-piece front seatback with fixed headrests) and 60/40 split folding rear seats (base has a one-piece full folding), among other convenience items.

    Also, there are front seat cushion airbags too so just be aware if your 11 year old wants to sit in the front seat (I believe the suggest age is 12 depending on weight and height). They are "new" and I haven't seen any photos of how they're deployed (The cushion airbags are designed to prevent submarining beneath the seatbelts. So the Prius c has a total of 9 airbags.
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Aug 10, 2015
  10. bilzhorse

    bilzhorse Junior Member

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    I've had my C for about 2 1/2 years/79k miles. My only complaint are the seats. Not very comfortable for a long ride. I can stand about 2 hours of drive time before I need to stretch my legs.
     
    #10 bilzhorse, Aug 11, 2015
  11. KeithfromCanada

    KeithfromCanada New Member

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    Thanks again all! I am hoping to get out to test drive a C along with a Carolla and Honda Fit/Civic in the coming weeks. I see some reservations about the C's ability to handle a family of 4 so it's fallen down on the list somewhat. I'll still check it out and bring along the 4 small suitcases we typically bring on our trips.
     
    #11 KeithfromCanada, Aug 11, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all the best!(y)
     
    #12 bisco, Aug 11, 2015
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The way that the Corolla and Civic have grown, they're much larger than the Fit or the c. The Corolla/Civic have pretty much the same wheelbase as the Prius Liftback, so they're very roomy both for front and rear passengers. If people comfort is more important, these two sedans win hands down. If cargo is a priority, the Fit and Prius c will win due to their hatchback flexibility (bonus points for the Fit's Magic Seats). But for city fuel economy, the Prius c wins.

    I had the 2014 Corolla for a week and took it through its paces - city, mixed city/hwy (where the highway is actually a mountain road) and flat highway cruising and it excelled in almost all scenarios. It did OK in city-only driving where it net 10L/100km in hilly, short trips (basically worst-case scenario) but on the flipside, a steady 60km/h, it showed 3.9L/100km on average (it was jumping about as the CVT finds the sweet spot), 4.7L/100km at 80km/h, 5.5L/100km at 100km/h and 6.6L/100km in mixed city and highway mountain driving.

    My Prius in the same short hilly trips will net 5.4L/100km but on higher speed limit roads, I can get it down to 4.2L/100km over a tank. Best tank was 4.0L/100km (955km). The Prius c will do a little better in the city. These are summer numbers. In the winter, the worst tank was 6.1L/100km (-40°) but it usually hovers around 5.2-5.4L/100km.
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Aug 11, 2015
  14. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Depending on your preferences/size these may fit the bill:
    - Regular Prius (good discounts in anticipation of new model and gas prices)
    - Prius C (smaller but enough space for 4 adults)
    - Mitsubishi Mirage (cheap good MPG but not in city, suspension too soft)
    - new Mazda2 (which you get and we don't) Could be had with stick and very much fun to drive.
    - Nissan Micra (no we don't have it in states either)

    Prius makes better family car, and "C" is cheaper and more single person oriented. Both would have similar MPG. The non-hybrids in this group are getting very good MPG in extra-urban cycle, so while it does not match Prius the difference isn't as big and total ownership costs may be lower then Prii.

    I had an opportunity to try Mirage and here is review:
    Mirage vs Prius C, review | PriusChat
     
    #14 cyclopathic, Aug 12, 2015
  15. kbcomputer

    kbcomputer Junior Member

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    I have no problem driving my 2013 C 10+ hours to visit my mom, but it's not something I would want to do every weekend either.

    You can't fit a lot of "stuff" into the rear of the C unless you can put the rear seats down. I'd say that might drive your decision as much as anything. You have a second car, so as long as you're not going to be overflowing the C's wee trunk area too often, the gas savings would be decisive IMHO.
     
    #15 kbcomputer, Aug 13, 2015
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