The question is: Compared to What? I bought my Prius on Valentines Day this year. I now have 15,173 miles on it. I traded in a Ford Expedition EL for it. I have used 322 gallons of gas driving mostly through cold Wisconsin weather. (Up to over 50 mpg now that spring is here!) The Expedition got 14 mpg. That would be 1,084 gallons had I still drove it. so: Prius used 322 Gallons X 3.60 average price over last 3 months = $1,159 Exped used 1084 Gallons X 3.60 average price over last 3 months = $3,901 I have SAVED $2,742 in 90 DAYS!!! That would be $10,968 PER YEAR The car is paid for in 2 1/2 years by fuel cost savings alone! but wait there's more... I get reimbursed 50.5 cents per mile as an employee 1200 miles per week X 48 weeks (Vacation is good!) = 57,600 miles per year X 50.5 cents per mile = $29,088 per year in mileage reimbursements! I save $10,968 and I get reimbursed $29,088 = $40,056 in positive cash flow per year for a car that cost $27,500 for package #6! Paid for in less than 1 year..... Break even time my A** Really!...
Others have hit the nail on the head but I'll just summarize what I tell people, "The Prius is a packed with features typically only available on high end cars. Even if it wasn't a hybrid, it would still be a good value for a $25k car. The hybrid is almost like a freebie bonus. How can you compare the breaking even price for the hybrid system if the hybrid system is thrown in in the price of this well equipped $25k mid-size car?".
Yes! I knew I was right in coming to this chat room for valuable input. Thanks so much for your responses. I have no clue as to why the salesman even though I had any interest in buying the cars he used as comparisons. I now drive a Volvo and had just planned to get another one. My kid (adult) was home last weekend and offered to fill up my car. He’s from NYC, doesn’t own a vehicle and has no clue as to gas prices. He completely freaked out when he saw the total on the gas pump and insisted that I stop looking at Volvos and seriously consider the Prius. Now that I’ve seen and driven one I’m sold on it but hate that there are no good deals. Since I don’t need a car immediately, I may just wait till the 09s come out. You guys have been so helpful. Thank you all!
Hi Gr8aunt, Did you include the longer life of wear components and other functions in the Prius in your evaluation? For example, brakes cost some money to have refurbished. And in a Prius they are going to last 100K miles or more, while more like 40 K miles on other cars. This is because most of the braking function is performed by the Prius electrical components, which last the life of the car. The friction brakes are only used down mountain length hills, in panic stops, and below 7 mph. In a standard car the first refubisment will be new pads and turned front rotors, the second will replace the front rotors and again new pads, and the third will require new front pads, turning of the rotors, and turning/replacement of the rear drums, and new shoes for the rears. Rears sometimes require wheel cylinders out there at 100K + miles. The engine starting function in a Prius is part of the drive train, and thus the component that drives the engine is considerably overated for this function. So, it lasts the life of the car, versus 6 years in a standard car. Similarily with the alternator function. You should work out the hybrid battery costs in the Prius too. Its still cheaper than the other wear-out items in standard cars. Are you comparing all automatic transmission cars? Or is a manual transmission alright with you? If MT are you considering clutch life?
The Corolla and Yaris are NOT COMPARIBLE to the Prius. It's an apples and oranges thing. Drive them. They're smaller and cheaper. He's trying to talk you out of a Prius and into something he has on the lot. And no car "pays you back". However, the Prius has much lower operating costs regarding maintenance and fuel. You want a Prius? Buy a Prius. And don't go back to that dealer. Feel free to tell them why you're not doing business with them anymore.
Save Money This link allows you to input your specs to see what you will actually save in fuel cost alone. We've done this several different ways and it looks like our prius will save us a bunch!
