Stop comparing apples to oranges

I don't know. I think comparing it to the Lexus 250h makes a lot of sence. They (Prius and Lexus) are two of the cars along with the FFH that I was considering buying.

 

golf cars are hybrids, too. So they are comparable to Lexuses

 

I think that there could be a comparison, but it depends if you are looking for a "luxury" type of car, or a more typical car that gets great gas mileage. The Prius also has many of the same features that the luxury brands offer. Often at a large discount.

 

Those were the only three cars I was considering, so I guess yes I was. However there was limited information on the Lexus. However once I decided on the Prius over the FFH then the decisions is between the Prius and the 250h. Had the 250h been $4K to $5K more then the Prius I would have had to make a decision. However today the rumors appear to be true that the 250h will indeed be a $40K car. I don't see it as $10K more car than the Prius.

Maybe I'm missing your point?

 

I like to compare the Prius to the 1974 Ford Courier that I used to drive back in HS / College.

Gas mileage: Prius wins

0 to 60: Prius wins

Interior space: Prius wins

Air Conditioning: Prius wins (the Courier didn't have any)

Comfort: Prius wins

Exterior load capacity: The Courier has to win something.

:madgrin:

 

The only "fair" comparisons are the FFH (TCH, NAH Insight & HCH) to the prius and possibly the HS250h. If Lexus starts the HS250h at below 40k then a person who is buying a Prius V with adv tech package is already in that price range along with anyone buying The FFH, TCH or NAH with any sort of options. The HS is based on the prius so the dimensions are very similar (the HS is longer for more trunk space) and the HS will no doubt be a little more sporty and tons more luxurious (ventilated seats, wood accents.. etc)

But it is getting out of hands with some of the threads I see in the prius forums.

I can only wait to see :"Should I get a bentley or a Prius" or
"Ferrari vs prius 0-60 which should I buy" or
"I found a clean coal burning Car, it is cleaner than gasoline why buy a prius?"

 

You cannot compare the Gen III to anything. It's in a class by itself.

 

Sorry, but in fact you can compare any car to any other car.
This is America where the ability to compare like and unlie cars has resulted in our having more decisions about what car we want rather than less.
The more you compare the more car makers have to take those factors into account and they do.
If Henry Fords "Any color as long as it's black" motto is for you then we wouldn't have the Prius to buy.
In the UK they have small diesel cars that get over 70mpg! We don't have those here but I'd at least like the option.
BMW compares as well to the Prius as anything else. If you compare mileage that's ok the best you'll get in the Bimmer is 30mpg on the highway.
You'll pay $20K+ more for one over a Prius but that's ok. The Prius, BMW or any other make should stand or fall on it's own merits to the individual buyer.
The Prius is a great car (with lousy seats) but compare it to anything you like. I had a Geo Metro XFI, so I KNOW about that car and when you put on the A/C at 55-60 mpg it was like putting on airbrakes! So if your commute requires no A/C and speeds of not more than 70mph unless you're going downhill it's ok. I won't bother talking about it's Chevy Vega reliability.
You can compare it tho. How well one car fares over another will depend on your priorities.
The Prius would be pathetic for Track days for example.
Once the car makers wake up and realize what people want in cars they will build them... hopefully.

 

I'd imagine that the comparisons come from the fact that there's really no typical Prius buyer. I work at a Toyota dealership, and Prius buyers are ALL over the map.

Corolla buyers want cheap transportation, Camry buyers generally want a troublefree family sedan. Sienna buyers are usually 30-45 and have 2.7 kids.

The Prius is different in that all walks of people buy them. Best way to look at them is to look at the trade-ins.

Last 4 Corolla trades were an 06 Corolla, an 02 Saturn SL1, an 05 Focus, an 03 Jetta.

Last 4 Prius trades were an 06 Corolla, a Nissan Frontier Double Cab, a Lincoln Continental and a Prius.

Last 4 Sienna trades were a Subaru Outback, a Sienna, a Sienna and a Windstar

If I appraise a car that we don't typically see, it's probably coming in on a Prius. We have Prius customers who stretched to buy that $12k Certified 04 with 70k miles to customers who park them next to their Bentleys. We have regular folks like Schoolteachers, Police Officers, Accountants as well as Corporate Executives, Celebrities, High Priced Corporate Attorneys, Surgeons, etc buying them. We don't generally sell Camrys to people who can buy a new $90k car, generally if a, say, BMW 750Li fit their budget, they wouldn't buy a Camry but they sure might buy a Prius.

Of course a Prius doesn't drive like a BMW or a Porsche, but people generally do realize this. I drive them on a regular basis and theyre neat, not my first choice to take on a 200 mile trip to the auction (Im 6'3") but they are fun in their own way.

 

This confirms my own dealers experience. He has customers coming in from all walks of life to see the Prius. Some of his Prius customers also own Ferrari's and Porsche's.

 

In the 80's I narrowed down my desires to three and took each car on a test drive. It was a Volvo Turbo Wagon, Audi Quatro Coupe and BMW 320i. When the slaepeople asked me what I was comparing thier car to I told them (Since these dealer sold cars with no direct competition in the area they typically assume they have a closed market). Two of them asked me how in the world could I compare the cars. They are completey different in every way.

I said they all make me smile when I drive them.

Everyone has their own criteria. I said I was looking at the FFH, Prius and Lexus250h. But before I narrowed the list to three, the Cadillac CTS was on the list as #4. It was such a bargan at the time that I wanted to give it serious consideration.

You can't put peoples thinking in a box when it comes to what they like and want.

 

Comparisons should be limited to similarly priced a vehicles, that’s what really matter. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, for instance, is no comparison for Prius 2 or 3, but given the enormous tax credit for the new Fusion hybrid, its price can be comparable to Prius 4 or 5.

Prius 4 or 5 was not an option for me due their price, but anyone looking to buy those should check out the Fusion Hybrid. I did check it out just out of curiosity and its very nice car; much more refined than the Prius should I say.

 

I TOTALLY agree with this. But, you know, it's kind of interesting... My new Prius gets just as many appreciative looks as our Mercedes SLK hardtop convertible.

 

Exactly right! That's why all cars are comparable.
It's up to the buyer, not just the segment buying it.
I think the Prius is a great car, however it still can be compared to other cars. It does very well once people actually drive the car.
I'd own one if I was able to.

 

Money isn't a factor for everyone. I could have bought a BMW instead. That's why you can compare any car to any other car.
It's based on your own personal criteria. Dealers like to pidgeonhole you so they can point out assets in their cars and flaws in their direct competitors.
You can find many reasons to compare or dismiss a car as you choose. Price, speed, reliability, fuel economy, smiles per miles, the list goes on, and all are valid.

 

Agreed! It's not about price for many of us. Although as I get older I consider price in the equation so for me it's value. For example, I think the BMW is desirable so $45,000 puts it in line with a $30,000 Prius V for my comparison. But if BMW would have a hybrid 3 series for example and it ended up being $50K+ then I would probably think that's too big of a premium to be worth it.

As I write this I realize partly why the prius appeals to me. It's not an add on to another option to the base car. A Prius is a hybrid only car. I don't have to worry about some stripped 4cy model pulling up along side of me, and the future resultant depreciation cost of the entire model line. Where as the FFH has a car that looks just like it but thousands cheaper without the hybrid option. When the Fusion depreciates the FFH will as well. (The camry is similar).
I have the same problem with Mustangs. Why pay $50K for a Cobra when the $20 base looks alot like it (doesn't sound as good though).

While comparing apples to oranges may not make good reading, it is what we all have to do when we have a wide interest in cars. Some criteria has to be chosen.

Not quite like comparing the Vette to a Blue Angel fighter jet like in Motor Trend this month.