Is Prius an Econobox?

Saw a small house. They put in a full climate control system, solid oak floors throughout, custom draperies in all rooms, best furniture money could buy. Looks beautiful BUT UNDERNEATH ITS STILL A FEMA TRAILER.

Prius options do not move the car from one class to another. Get it?

 

Options do not make an econobox, it is SIZE and COST.

As a midsize car, the Prius does not fit into the subcompact category that econoboxes fall into. As a base $20k car, even for the model II versions, the cost does not put the Prius into the econobox category (looking at econoboxes as somewhere from $13k to $15k average cost). Again, we shouldn't redefine what econobox is, just because you don't feel you have the luxury you want for the price you paid.

Vic

 

I specifically recall sitting in a Prius V in about December, seeing the $31.5k sticker price. It just didn't feel 'right' to me as in - things didn't quite fall into place.

I know when I sit in a car, and everything is in its place - the armrests, the seats, controls, wheel - the primary controls. Vertical visiblity is so tight in the Prius, and the lower hanging rearview mirror with buttons was an issue. I knew it would block some line of sight.

When I talked of refinement - the above is what I meant. When the vast majority of people sit in the car and it's above reproach.

I'm not saying I'm thee expert, but that was my take on it. Like said, IMO, Prius is still a little rough around the edges.

But if one digs it, great. Cannot argue with fuel economy though. Pruis is the real deal on fuel economy.

I don't know what I could do to average less than 48 MPG in a Prius.

 

Like said earlier, Toyota Sunnyvale was running Good, Better, Best ads for Prius most of 2010.

Best was the V and they usually had it listed for ~ 27.8k, 5 at that price. Quite a bit of car for that price. Hate to pay $31.5k like it is now, but $28k is pretty good, plain V, no ATP.

btw, I doubt Thai paid anywhere near $35k before TTL.

 

I would say G3 Prius is not a Econobox, but a mid sized car. I have owned Escorts and Cavaliers in the past. I have also owned a Buick Regal GS. The ride and room inside is closer to the Regal. The leg room in front and back beats them all. And compared to what I consider todays ecoboxes ( Smart Car, Yaris, Aveo ) it is much bigger. I consider the G3 Prius a Mid Sized Car that emphasizes technology and fuel mileage (not horsepower or ride like my GS ).
As for paying gobs of money for a level IV or V Prius, I would leave that to decision of the owner as to whether it was prudent. I once spent 10K to put 400 horses in a 79 nova 4 door. I could not justify the cost, but it was real fun to drive for 3 or 4 years and I don't regret it. I would love to drive a modern CTS-V. As for me and my G3 Prius IV. I got lucky and bought it used for 20K (4 months old with 13K miles). Love the Smart key, JBL/XM stereo and mileage.
Great Econo-Techno car.

 

It's just a car... a transportation appliance. It carts our lazy or slow butts and some of our junk from one location to another.

 

ugo was an econobox. everything else is a luxury car by comparison.

 

How do you like that Sienna? Is it a gas oinker or not too bad? I have thought about renting one of those for our next trip to have more space than the Prii gives us with all our junk

Mike

 

17/23, hmmm, that'd be a bit more gas than driving a Prius I'll see what the wife has to say. We are always trying to save money for her company by driving the rental Prii. Would be nice to have that extra room on a long trip. Here's how packed our rental Prius was last week ound: It was packed under both seats and in the compartment in the rear.









Mike

 

I heard the 2011 handles better than the previous generation. Never drove one yet. Did sit in one before I picked out that Prii. Stylish as the commercials say We'll see, picking up the rental next week Friday evening then on the road for 2.5 weeks. I had one rental that I put a bit over 7k miles on. Fun fact: we put little smiley stickers under the grab handle on the drivers side on every rental we drive. That way we can find out if we have driven one before. That has happened a couple times now I'm waiting to see someone post on PC someday that they bought this used Prius and it has this funny smiley sticker under the drivers grab handle There are a few of them now.

Mike

 

No. The Tercel was an econobox. And a very good one.

 

Funny video

Mike