We're in the midst of buying a second car for the family: "older" parents with a 15 year old son. I can't decide on whether to go w/ a Prius or a Camry Hybrid. I like the Prius for the lower price, the better mileage, and the more compact size. I like the Camry for the extra luxury & more comfortable seats, but I have bit of a issue with Camry's "stodgy" rep (our other car is a Lexus RX). Also, I don't like the fact that the Prius will be dated soon due to an upcoming model change. However, one additional factor that just occurred to me is safety, particularily relevant with a new driver in the family. The Camry ranks a little higher on driver crash tests. Has anyone else faced this delimna or have recommendations on which way to go? Your input is most welcome, I've got to make a decision right away! Thanks
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(shrinkwrap @ Jun 27 2007, 11:38 PM) [snapback]469224[/snapback]</div> Is the new car for your son or for you and he is inherting the "old" car? How much will he be driving? The Prius gets better mileage. Will he have to haul anything? Like does he play tuba in the band? I wouldn't worry about dating the Prius. It will still have a high resale value, even after the new 2009s come out. Have you done any test drives? Drive them both. Let him drive them both.
Will the car be used in the city or on the highway? The Prius is a better city car and the TCH is a better highway car (more comfortable, larger seats, power front seats etc) Will the family trips be in the hybrid or the RX? Do you need fold flat seats or just small pass through will do? Are you going for maximum mileage? Are you willing to give up some mpg for extra luxury? Will your son take over the hybrid in the future?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Jun 27 2007, 11:51 PM) [snapback]469230[/snapback]</div> The two cars will just be for the family of 3, no car will be "his" car (perhaps in a few years while in college he might inherit one of these cars). Any hauling necessary can be don with the current Lexus suv. I've driven them both. I like the Prius touring more than the non-touring. And I also liked the Camry more luxurious feel. I'd love to see which my son prefers, but he doesn't drive quite yet (and don't think the sales people would go for that)! When I started my search in May the prius touring was more available and cheaper than it is now! I don't HAVE to buy right now, but a Camry meeting my preferences & price is coming in.
Hmm.... well the Camry is closer to Lexus than the Prius to be honest. The Prius may be the "halo" hybrid car but there's no denying the market that the Camry Hybrid is going after. If you don't need the hauling capabilities, go for the TCH. (Even the 50th Anniversary Edition if that's your fancy). The TCH is quieter and more softly sprung than the Prius. However, the Prius Touring does have a nice set of shocks/springs for a factory set.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 28 2007, 12:12 AM) [snapback]469243[/snapback]</div> Do you mean by "halo" hybrid, the TCH being a more conventional looking car than the Prius? I have mixed feelings about conventional sedan quality of the TCH. It's nice but it also seems like a Lexus-wantabe. Godiva's comment below that the Prius would be more attractive to car to inherit has merit. However, back to my original question: is the Prius safe enough for new driver?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(shrinkwrap @ Jun 28 2007, 12:48 AM) [snapback]469254[/snapback]</div> Yes. If you get the package that has VSC you'll also get all of the side curtain airbags too. And if, when he starts driving, you pay him a premium for keeping his total mpg over, say, 50, you'll find he drives much more responsibly. I.E. no jackrabbit starts and no going over the speed limit on the freeway. The MFD will teach him how to drive frugally which translates to safer driving habits as well.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(shrinkwrap @ Jun 28 2007, 01:48 AM) [snapback]469254[/snapback]</div> Is it safe? If you look for a thread concerning "got rear-ended" (or something like that), you may think the Prius' have magnets that "force"other cars into them. :lol: Actually, after looking at the damage to the cars and hearing that VERY FEW people were actually hurt, show how well designed and safe the Prius is. I agree that you really should get the VSC, side curtains and whatever other safety features you can add on. Camry Hybrid comes with all safety features already there. One thing I wish Camry Hybrid did have is Prius's headlights. (I forget the designation of them right now. The mind is a terrible thing to lose, and I can't find mine right now. ) As far as an incentive for the driver-to-be to drive responsively, as you know, the Prius has the fuel consumption graph that shows mpg in 5 minute intervals and it does not disappear every time you restart the car, so you can look look at it when he comes back from "borrowing the car" and to determine further "privilege levels". I don't know the length of time that is displayed. The Camry Hybrid's updates every minute and shows 30 minutes. If you are going to be using it extensively with all three people in the car, definitely check out both Prius and Camry (doesn't need to be a Hybrid for this) and make sure that ALL of you would be comfortable in the rear seat with the front seat slid back (since at least one of you would be in the back seat).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Smith @ Jun 28 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]469296[/snapback]</div> Uhh... I disagree here. The Consumption screen does clear when the car is shut off... unless there is way that is unknown to me to make it stay after 'reboot'? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Smith @ Jun 28 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]469296[/snapback]</div> I've been wondering about this. I remember seeing a screenshot of a minute-by-minute Consumption screen that was described as being from a TCH, but in my limited exposure to them they did not have an MFD and the dealer told me the same (no MFD). Is the MFD an option on the TCH?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Smith @ Jun 28 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]469296[/snapback]</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge @ Jun 28 2007, 01:22 PM) [snapback]469494[/snapback]</div> My mistake. This is like those with the SKS package/system somestimes forgeting that not all 2007 Prius don't have it. The same way with me. I have the Navigation package and it includes a full MFD (close to the Prius' Energy and Consumption screens). I've gotten so used to the Nav package, I sometimes fail to take into account that it's not part of the "standard Camry Hybrid." Without the Nav package, we have only a small indication on the instrument panel that shows Fuel Economy since we statred the car. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Smith @ Jun 28 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]469296[/snapback]</div> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge @ Jun 28 2007, 01:22 PM) [snapback]469494[/snapback]</div> Once, again, I apologize if I was wrong about the Prius keeping track of previous feul consumption once it is turned off. I figured that it would react the same way that it did on the Camry (w/ Nav). I'm sorry. So, from you're input, I take it that the Prius' large Fuel Consumption screen on the center screen always clears and starts out blank every time you restart the car? (The Camry (NAV) shows previous data in blue and currect useage in yellow.)
I'd really prefer the Camry Hybrid but when we checked it out, we saw that the trunk space was really compromised by the hybrid batteries and Cargo space is a big deal for me. It was really reduced when compared to the conventional Camry. So with cargo capacity in mind, the Prius wins hands down.
we have one of each, fully-loaded, 06 prius and 07 hyCam. When we bought, the hyCam was only about $1200 more than the Prius, but I believe that's changed with the reduction in price of the top Prius packages. both fantastic cars. i agree with previous posters that the choice is totally dependent upon your usage preferences. go with Prius if gas mileage and hauling capabilities are paramount. go with hyCam if comfort/smoothness/quiet are paramount. my wife greatly prefers the hyCam...and she had her own Prius before. She can fit her golf clubs with pullcart in the trunk. She likes the moonroof and heated seats (both of which CAN be added to a Prius aftermarket, with just a little hassle), the looks, and the comfort. I prefer the Prius because it gets 9 mpg more (25%) than the hyCam, and is a hatchback. I think if your son's going to end up with it as a college car, he'd be much better off with the Prius. rpm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Smith @ Jun 28 2007, 01:39 PM) [snapback]469640[/snapback]</div> On the Camry, it's 1 min graphs and it does NOT erase after shut down. The Prius has 5 min graphs and it DOES erase after shut down.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Smith @ Jun 28 2007, 07:07 AM) [snapback]469296[/snapback]</div> Actually, all the airbags are now standard on all new Prii, and VSC on everything package #2 and up. And I don't think you can actually get less than a package two anyways. So in this sense, there's no difference between Camry/Prius.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onerpm @ Jun 28 2007, 04:48 PM) [snapback]469672[/snapback]</div> Thanks everyone for your input. It is helpful to get others' perspectives. The price on the Prius has gone up since I started looking in May. Right now, the price is back to only about $1200 difference between the Prius and the Camry. This price spike in the Prius and a slightly higher crash test rating in the Camry (maybe due to in part to 750 lbs more in bulk?) leads me to choose the Camry hybrid as the better car for a family with a new driver. Also my elderly (ha-ha) husband prefers the greater comfort in the Camry. It was a tough call and I don't think I could make a bad decision either way.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(shrinkwrap @ Jun 28 2007, 07:41 PM) [snapback]469802[/snapback]</div> I'll say! But I know for our situation, we'll get the Camry Hybrid since we already have a Prius and our last car (RIP) was a 2002 Camry XLE. hmm.... if you want ONE more set of opinions, GreenHybrid has a thread in the "Model Comparison" forum on Prius vs. Camry Hybrid. Check that one out too.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(shrinkwrap @ Jun 28 2007, 09:41 PM) [snapback]469802[/snapback]</div> wow, I'm surprised. I looked up what I paid in late 2006 for both cars: it was a difference of $1200 (29.1 for the prius, 30.3 for the HyCam -- I think each was MSRP minus a $250 loyalty coupon). However, I thought the current MSRP on the loaded Prius was $27.5 or something like that...and, my dealership is now discounting them an additional 750. perhaps the difference shrinks on the other option packages. In any event, I think the hyCam is worth the extra 1200, unless the mpg factor is critical for you. I forgot to mention that the sound quality of the hyCam stereo is fantastic, while the sound quality of either stereo package in the Prius is barely adequate. I don't particularly care for the way you load cd's into the hyCam, though. It's cool to watch the headunit open up and move out of the way the first couple of times; after that, it's just slow and annoying. rpm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(onerpm @ Jun 29 2007, 10:10 AM) [snapback]470035[/snapback]</div> Maybe $1,500 difference is more accurate. The best price I can get for a Prius Pkge #6, metallic gray today is 27,500 (I was $26,500 or less a mth ago). Today I'll get the Camry loaded for slightly less that $29,000.
