Put $4,000 into 2007 Prius or spring for 2025 Honda CRV Hybrid?

Some of us want the reliability, increased safety features and improvements a new car provides. Having an old car for around town and a better one for trips and the wife has real benefit.

 

Sometimes the “improvements” can be legislated stuff that is mostly frustrating. Or cost-cutting measures tarted up with lipstick. Not always, but it’s worth being cagey.

 

The minimum requirements for me in a new car would be: blind spot detection, backup camera with parking sensors,
active cruise control, heated steering wheel and push button start.

 

Exactly. Some people disregard safety thinking they are frugal.

 

Depends were you live and the independent hybrid resources you can access. Arizona is not one of the better places for hybrid work.

 

Glad you decided to keep the prius and congrats on the "discussion" at the dealership. It isn't just dealerships, many businesses think their service is a blank check to rob the consumer. A recent home renovation project was quoted at 22K, ballparked at 24K and they wanted $400 to come and give an exact number, and 12K. All had the exact same description of work and expected construction details!

 

It's always hard deciding to let a vehicle go or to just replace it....and do I replace it with a good used or buy new?

Some big issues these days are the high costs of used vehicles and the high costs of insurance, especially for a new vehicle....OUCH! (After weighing all the issues, it "might be cheaper to keep her")

Ahmed posted a good video on this topic since he is asked these questions a LOT....and he has some good advise....

 

With the scarcity of independent hybrid mechanics around here, I think they realize they can charge almost as much as the dealership for repairs.

 

Unless they do additional work, they're not suppose to be able to inflate prices like that - Another $100 is acceptable, if they run into additional or unforeseen issues, but a quote is a quote. Your local consumer rights advocate and/or bureau of automotive repair would have something to say about that kind of price inflation!!!

 

Yes finding the right shop is key to keeping an older car on the road. I am on my third in 10 years, poor quality of repairs or stupid pricing has driven me away. I don't argue price but after one or 2 stupid bills they just don't hear from me again. Spent 15 minutes talking to my current guy about a problem, he knows me and gave me some advice on what to look for. He was right, fixed the problem right away. I rewarded him with a gift card from the local sub(hoagie) place.

 

Some problems can be solved by Chuck in a Truck. Some problems just cost you money when Chuck shotguns parts. You don't want Chuck's Taillight warranty - ends when his truck leaves the site.

 

Good going; Lots of people burn-up a mechanic's time trying to get them to do a free diagnostic. Then they get pissed when they say they're too busy. Those independent shops needs to pay bills too. That doesn't get done when everyone is asking for free advice. While that didn't pay the bills, it was a nice gesture.

Kudos.....

 

Thanks for posting this question. My 31 YO daughter is in the same mode. She rented a small SUV for a 300 mile trip as the prius is a little gutless in the hills. Now she wants and can afford a RAV4 hybrid. I am encouraging the decision as it is time to drive something a little newer as she travels more. We had one 110 mile tow home and I do not want calls like that again. The funniest part is she still wants to keep the prius for local drives "until it dies".

 

Then you take $5k and throw it away when it dies for the luxury of driving around town. Plus insurance and maintenance.