If I couldn't have a Prius, I'd have...

That depends.....
Are we constrained to the same $25,000 - $35,000 that Priuses cost?

There are many one-percenters out there that roll Priuses because they are down for the green thing, and there are more than a few Pip drivers that just want to pay a little more to ride solo in the HOV lane.

If I could afford to feed and insure any car that I wanted to??
I DANG sure wouldn't be driving a Prius, but there are also some pretty nice cars emerging lately that are eco-friendly and don't have the stodginess that Priuses 'enjoy.'


However (comma!) in the spirit of the post, and if we presume that we have to remain in our financial depth band, I'd have to give something like this a tumble:

 

I would go with a Volt.

 

if i couldn't have a prius, i'd have lost my mind 10 years ago. oh wait,

 

For me, it's a head vs heart thing.

My head is saying this.



Yes, it's sensible and boring. But I hired a Skoda Superb in Perth, and it was lovely. There was soooo much room - it's on a stretched Passat platform - and it was unbelievably comfortable and quiet. And it was economical and reasonably fast. The only problem was that the cup-holders were too small for a 600ml Diet Coke bottle.

My heart is telling me that the car sales websites are telling me that I could get any of these for around the price I could sell my Prius for, with enough left over to pay for the constant repairs.



Or this:



Or this:

 

I likely would still be driving my old dodge neon. If I got a car for what I do a nissan leaf or a volt. that is if toyota hybrid is not included. if so I would have gotten the camry hybrid like my wife has

 

I already own several autos, and each serves it's purpose well. My Prius plays the role of a reliable, efficient, and comfortable commuter car.

If a Prius didn't exist, I would have considered one of the other possible choices to fill that role. Keeping in the same price range as my P5, I would have seriously considered a Volt. If cost didn't matter, I would buy a Tesla Model S.

 

For funsies? I want a mid 80's Buick Regal Grand National. Or a '77 Monte Carlo.

 

Bought my Prius out of a previous commuting necessity. Now it's not necessary so I'm thinking of this. It's a 6 cyl so still 30mpg and 305 HP!


Now to the original question, I probably would've continued with Corollas, had an '02, 08, then prob would've gotten a '12 if not for Prius.
iPhone ?

 

Always wanted a vw thing, even though (or precisely because) they are so primitive. Sadly, to get one in good shape today it would cost about as much as a prius.

 

Lincoln MKZ hybrid.

 

Passat SEL TDI

 

I'd ask my neighbour if she wanted to time share a Tesla.

 

I'm sorry but a Honda hybrid (Civic or Insight) would be my alternative choice. Honda is rated #1 in engine reliability and the insight is cheap ($18,000 according to local dealers). Or maybe the Volkswagen TDI (jetta wagon or gulf or beetle).
- Another alternative for a nonhybrid would be the Focus or Fiesta with 1.0 engine since it is cheap and gets 45 mpg highway.
- If money is no object, and I can afford 25mpg driving, thne a Mazda RX8 with rotary engine might be fun too. Though I'd probably wait for the RX9.

 

A Leaf, or a Tesla S if my numbers come up.

ps. I meant my numbers coming up on the lottery - not popping my clogs!

 

Option 4: Hyundai Elantra. If the Prius was not available, or the Insight, or the VW Beetle TDI, or Fiesta/Focus 1 liter, then maybe this car with the fast look:

 

I'm an old guy, age 76. I just wanted one luxury car before I bite the dust. I just bought a 2014 Toyota Avalon XLE Touring Hybrid. It has Michelin Grand Touring Primacy MXV4 tires. Great riding classy car. I like it.