I've figured it out! He just doesn't want me to have a Prius!

I'm not sure I understand the rational of comparing cars that aren't even in the same size category. Both the Yaris and Civic are subcompact cars while the Prius is a midsized car, two size categories larger. If low cost of ownership is the ultimate goal of the comparison we need to eliminate new cars altogether and look at 3+ year old vehicles that have been depreciated to the point where even $10/gallon gas won't make up for purchase price differential.

 

I think past the "years to payback" argument. I think it is also important to actually consume less gas via the Prius versus other vehicles that may be cheaper. Besides, the Prius is just much cooler looking than the Civic!

 

I predict that the bubble will burst and we will not see gas over $5 anytime in the next year. Futures become worthless if the spot market goes below that. Right now the market is fueled by this kind of hysteria, and while it may go up a little more, I doubt it is sustainable. Also oil is not the only cost factor, so even if oil goes up 70% ($80 to $135), gasoline does not go up by 70%. Plus a lot of that anticipation is already built into the prices - the hysteria fuels the increases as much as the cost of oil.

I don't claim to have a crystal ball, but I seriously doubt your scenario will ever pan out. Come back to this thread in August and let's see whether you were right. My guess is we will be down around $3.50 after Labor Day, than a brief blip us when refineries change over to winter blend, then back down to the low to mid 3's into 2009.

However, if Israel attacks Iran, or Iran blocks the Straits of Hormuz, all bets are off.

 

Ah, no you seemed to miss my point altogether though several others didn't. Again, I'm used to the woman in the relationship driving the newer car. Anytime a new car is purchased, the woman drives this car and the man gets the better of older cars. Is this a little clearer? Nothing about dragging women around by their hair.

 

My wife has taken my Prius to drive. Even though the the Lexus is three months younger. She claims the Prius is easier to park then the Lexus. So I have resigned myself to driving the Lexus.

She was nice though. Three weeks ago she let me have it for a drive back up to Omaha to see our son.

 

my DW says community property means 'whats mine is mine, whats his is mine...'

 

Hi Neicy,

Nine US states observe the concept of community property for tax purposes. California is one of those states and is where the OP lives; hence the relevance of the comment.

In community property states, tax law assumes that each spouse earned half of the community income. This assumption remains unchanged whether you file separate or joint income tax returns.
Community Property States

In any event, it appears that the OP is well on the path of getting her way, which is usually what happens with successful marriages...

 

If you're paying, get a Prius. If he's paying, get a Porsche.

 

Unless the OP's DH is using funds he received prior to their marriage, or money that he inherited, the amount spent on a new car is 1/2 owned by the OP. Hence it remains in her interest that the money be wisely spent...

 

Not in most states (and I doubt if that's the case in yours). If the money used to purchase the asset was earned during the marriage, it is marital property regardless of whose name title is in. Under your way of thinking, a stay at home mom would walk out of a marriage with no marital assets if the spouse just titled things in his name. It doesn't work that way.

 

When you're buying primarily for commuting and a subcompact is plenty of space for hauling yourself around 95% of the time and still fits 4 adults the other 5% of the time, yes, you will compare the Yaris to the Prius.

 

First, I hope you're right and that I'm wrong. Because if I'm right, it's just bad for everyone including you and me.

But the price of oil *is* the biggest factor. We only get 42 gallons out of a barrel of light sweet crude. Even less for heavy crude.

 

No, people want to buy a car they like. Comfort, amenities, "cool" factor, etc. are important to people when they are plunking down their money. If that were not the case, all anyone would ever buy would be Yaris, Fit, etc. Lexus would not even exist. And there would be no accessory packages.

There are some who will do the analysis and choose a Yaris or Fit. But not everyone.

 

I agree, people do want to buy a car they like. A car their friends think is cool. Look at how many people have SUV's with crappy gas mileage. We still have one. We have a 2005 Infinity FX 35 with it's gas mileage of 19mpg. I tried to get my wife to change to the prius in February but she couldn't wrap her arms around the idea at that time. With gas prices so high she finally decided it would be a good idea to get a Prius. Now the prius market is crazy. So we did the analysis thing and decided in the short term, 1 to 2 years, it would be better for us to keep the Infinity. We own the Infinity and it is difficult to justify spending money to save money. So we will wait and see if the market changes. We have 4 kids and 4 different vehicles. There are many factors that influence people on their choices. For us, at this time, the greenback is the biggest one.

 

I've never quite understood the concept of comparing cars and looking at savings when buying the more inexpensive model. I remember when the cheapest car on the market was a Yugo, They should have employed Ford's strategy in bean counting to show it was the cheapest model with the best fuel economy...too bad the car was for s_ _ _ .
Now the Yaris....civic... camry...mattrix...all good cars. Do you want a car ust with good gas mileage or do you want a vehicle that makes you feel good?
Buying with your heart in this case is buying with your brain...maybe a new boyfriend replacement?

 

id just like to point out the vw tiguan already has a big recall.

 

Wow, my first husband always drove the better of the beaters we owned, as he traveled for work. As soon as the divorce went through, he went out and bought a brand new Big-nice person Dodge Ram 1-ton with Dualies (yes, he was inadequate, thanks for asking )

Never the way to work out disagreements. Really. I'm sorry.