Top 10 Reasons NOT to buy a 2010 Prius (from a huge Prius fan)

Public Media information have been knowing that Toyota has been recycling nickel-metal hydride batteries since the RAV4 Electric Vehicle was introduced in 1998. :mod: But they have been hiding the truth for all these years for some serious reason I suppose.

 

I "strenuously object" to reasons #1 thru #9. (reasons stated by others) Yes, #10 is absolutely valid! :rockon:

Like others have said, my only reason not to buy the 2010 would be because I'm waiting for the 2011 or 2012, when it's available in more options / packages (like advanced tech + solar cooling), and/or waiting for plug-in availability.

 

Bob, I agree with you on Point#9 -- we shouldn't be buying new cars if we don't need them, unless we're driving gas-hogs and the advantage is clear. You and I are both driving Priuses (Prii?). Ours is an '07 that we're happy with. Tire wear hasn't been unreasonable and we haven't had any audio problems.

I agree with your Point#10, but it's not a reason not to buy a 2010.

I don't agree with you on the "buy American" point. As others have pointed out, many (most?) cars are now multi-national. But more importantly, US automakers simply aren't making cars that are as fuel-efficient and reliable as those made by Toyota and Honda. Detroit keeps "promising" (ain't it great that GM, in the face of bankruptcy, instead of actually doing something, launches a new PR campaign they call "Total Confidence Program"?). Perhaps Ford is showing some hope with their hybrids. As far as I'm concerned, when US automakers started buying some Japanese cars and slapping their brand-names on them a few decades ago, THEY threw out the "buy American" argument. I buy my Toyotas from an American salesperson working for an American dealer, they are serviced by Americans, and I pay all the American taxes on said sales and service.

As for the "sameness" of the Prius... I get a kick out of seeing increasing numbers of them on the road, and don't mind driving a car that looks like so many others. We didn't buy our Prius to be fashionable, or to be "different" - we bought it because it made sense and it fits the bill for our vehicle needs.

 

well, this is my thoughts on the subject.

BEFORE
i was invited to preview the 2010 first hand;

1) i have a perfectly good Pri now. 40,000 error free miles...yep, 40,000...just barely broken in.

2) already have my next purchase already set up. just dont know what i am getting. but i want a 4 passenger, highway capable EV that has at least 100 mile range

3) i have a 3 year CD started when i got my 2006. will mature july 2010. at that time, i will $40,000 to pay towards said vehicle

AFTER seeing the 2010 Pri firsthand (it is obvious to me why we were invited to see it. it is simply not the same to read about it!!)

everything has changed. i did not think it was possible to provide an upgrade to what i already had that would make me want to change my 4 year plan when i have nearly 3 years invested in it. one thing is obvious. i will definitely be getting one, but i am simply not prepared financially to do so at this time. but that is only because i hate paying interest. dont like loans, etc. have only done it twice in my life (once for student loan, once for house) and was unhappy both times (well, sort of. the house worked out well in the long run...but its the long term interest that i could not accept)

so now i am looking at other financing options. an interest free loan, i could probably do, but then i would being doing a payoff with my EV money...not sure i would have enough left over to get what i want...

but we will see.

** A Parting Shot**

yesterday, Ford announced that they were expanding and designating a plant to produce EV's only. i cant tell you how much i want Ford to blow the roof off their venture. remember, they are the only American car company that realized 2 years beforehand that a recession was coming and hard changes needed to be made. they are the only car company that does not have their hand out.

 

Yes, buy American. So I would choose a American design American made car. Many "import" cars fall in this criteria, Camry/Accord/Civic/Corolla, etc, and most Prius. Ironically, many "Ameircan" cars are not!

 

Don't be fooled by some of the information you see around, because in many cases, they're EU numbers (weak driving cycle that flatters every car) translated into US gallons. The EPA test is much more stringent.

The US won't be getting the low-consumption Fiestas we have - the diesels won't meet your emissions standard, and the smaller petrols are nowhere near quick enough for US expectations. My best guess is that you'll get the 1.6 litre Ti-VCT 120hp variant, which gets a distinctly average 47.9mpg (Imperial) on the EU consumption test. The current Prius gets 65.7mpg on this test and the 2010 reportedly gets 72.4mpg (not on official government site yet).

The 1.4 litre 5-speed manual manages 0-62mph in 12.2 seconds (49.5mpg) and the 1.25 litre with 82hp in 13.3s (same consumption). There's a lower-output 1.25 litre that takes 16.9 seconds to accelerate to that speed, and gets 52.3mpg.

* horsepower in DIN hp, can't be bothered to convert to SAE.

 

My guess is that when the EVs come out or even the lithion ion batteries, they will be more expensive than the current base price for a 2010...Plus I think in a couple more years, the costs for getting hymotion or other EV ad-ons will decline as competition increases, making it more affordable and more practical for somebody to get that done on their Prius....

 

I don't know why anybody with a late model Prius would want to trade it for a 2010 Prius--or any other hybrid. The 2010 isn't different enough from the previous model Prius. I would wait for the next improvement in the battery technology, which is a year or two away. There are big changes imminent in the car industry, and the best bet is to wait a bit and see how things develop.

 

I just bought an 09 knowing a new model was coming out. I do not trust new models as I am sure problems will be found. I also got a huge discount, and a rebate on an 09 I suspect will not exist for the 10 year model.

 

Reason #0: My current Prius hasn't worn out yet.

 

Amen, me too. VERY excited and feel lucky and "SPECIAL" to get one

 

Top 10 reasons I'll ignore your top 10 reasons ;-)

1. I'd love to buy American, but not out of charity. When a company falls as far behind the curve as our car companies have, they fail. That's capitalism. Here's hoping my next car can be made in America, but it isn't happening this time.

2. By the time I make it back Stateside, I'll have been out of America for just under eight years. I've either made due without cars (Japan) or bought cheap beaters to last the duration of my assignment in that country (Greece). I'm going home for the first time in my post-collegiate life and I want a new car. I'd wait for a plug-in if I could, and I was really hoping they'd be here by now, but I need something as soon as my boots are back on U.S. soil.

3. I'll be living in San Diego, but I won't spend enough time on the freeway to worry about this. I plan to commute by bike anyway. 10 miles from OB to 32nd Street. No reason I need a car for that.

4. Cost isn't an issue for me, as I've managed to save up quite a bit of money during my adventures. I plan to buy the tricked out Prius V and pay cash. And it will be blue, so I can call it the Tardis, because I'm just too much of a geek not to.

5. The Fusion is ugly, IMHO. Maybe this is a side-effect of living in Japan and Europe for so long, but I detest the aesthetics of traditional American cars these days. And the Fusion gets 10 MPG less than the Prius, which is significant. The Escape is an SUV, and even as a former 4X4 junkie, I've always hated SUVs.

6. I don't know about this. I've never actually seen a 2nd gen Prius in person. I saw a few 1st gens in Japan circa 2003, but I live on a tiny island right now, and we just don't have them here. In any event, I think the 3rd gen invalidates this argument. The 2nd gens looked friendly and geeky, but a bit plain otherwise. The 3rd gens are friendly and geeky after about six months in the gym.

7/8. Never heard of these. Research is in order. Thank you for the heads up.

9. I'm a treehugger, too. I will pay tribute to my brothers in treehugging by driving my 2010 Prius for a long time, sharply reducing my meat intake and riding a bike for any trips under 10 miles or so, all things that reduce the ol' carbon footprint.

10. This is a great site! I look foward to having some great car pictures to post on it in October or so, whenever I end up making it back. I've just lurked up until now. In the meantime, yiasas apo Kriti!

 

Very nice write up, but I agree with what has already been said. Most of these "reasons" seem like justifications.

Once you get your mind set on something, it's easy to convince yourself it's true. Just ask any of us waiting for the 2010!

 

Sorry. The unreliable issue has been covered up and down. In the past five years American cars for the most part are up to standard. There are unreliable American cars but it is now more car specific then nation specific. Its not like the old days when American cars had 2-3x the number of flaws.

Below is a link supporting my example. Toyota is a great brand but some models have bad (below average) reliability, and some Fords have above. Toyota still wins but its far more vehicle specific then country of origin specific.

Check the reliability of a PARTICULAR CAR VS HISTORY not of a brand and you will do well.

Consumer Reports 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey highlights: Consumer Reports Cars Blog

Overpriced? The price is the reason why I WOULD by an American car. A 2010 Camaro with a six speed transmission, direct injection and 29 mpg yet still having 300HP for $22,000. Wow. Nothing foreign comes close.

 

I beg to differ 100%. I ahd a Ford mustang convertible which blew a gasket or something??? Costs were $1,500. Ford said there was no recall. Surfed online. A NY lawyer was suing Ford because of this problem. Mysteriously when I told Ford, they paid for it. Recently my display went out on my Prius. I was out of warranty. Toyota covered it, no problem. LOVE TOYOTA! Why do you think american car companies are failing? DUH!!!!! Do the math. Stick to something we know better like ???????

 

You can't get the auto parking and lane exit warning with the solar roof. No such option package is available.

Rich N.

 

In the US you wont be able to get them together as a package on the production model.