Thinking of buying a Prius....any thoughts?

[faithfulfrank]

Hello all.
We usually come down there a few times a year, and are now thinking of driving down as opposed to the flying and car rental thing we have usually done.

That being said, I'm in the market for a new or newer car. After much research, I'm very surprised to find myself drawn to the Toyota Prius. I know a few folks have them here, and i've spent hours on the Priuschat forums, etc.

They just announced the pricing on the 2010's which is lower then the 2009's.

With a huge excess inventory, low gas prices, the 2010's coming out, etc,etc......I think it may be a good time to get a deal.

Any thoughts?? Frank D.

[swrinfla]

My brother bought one last August or September. Despite his really low amount of driving, he gloats over his 40-45mph. Of course, he switched from a fairly gas-guzzling Sebring convertible!

I'm told that the premium you pay for a Prius (indeed, any hybrid) can be recouped reasonably quickly, assuming a fair amount of driving. My own habits here have me driving less than 5,000 miles a year, so I'm thinking I won't go to a hybrid.

By the way, brother absolutely loves his Prius. It is not only ecologically friendly, but it is simple to drive and his wife (a stroke victim) can get in and out with greater comfort than the old car.

SWR

[faithfulfrank]

Thank you!
I'm fining that there is not much, if any premium being paid to buy one.
The Honda Civic EX I've been looking at could be had for about 20k.....I am able to buy a Prius with more bells and whistles for that amount or less.

Prius's sales seem to go with the gas prices.......right now with the low gas prices, economy, glut of 2009's around coupled with the lower prices on the new 2010's, a deal might be had.

thanks, Frank D.....(back in Florida in less than a week......)

[JohnN]

If I were in the market for a car today, it'd absolutely be the new Prius.
I've a 2005 Camry and gets excellent mileage and great reliability. Especially around TV and the slower speed limits, the Prius is a great choice.

Likely about 3 years before I buy another, and I'll re-evaluate then, but it'll be something that's a hybrid and could well be a Prius.

[sschuler1]

My thoughts are BUY AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are many hybrid vehicles available that are made by American owned car companies!

[faithfulfrank]

My thoughts are BUY AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are many hybrid vehicles available that are made by American owned car companies!


Yes, there are many hybrid vehicles that are from Detroit. They do not compare in quality or efficiency to the Prius, because the Prius has been around much longer and Toyota was perfecting that technology while Detroit was making Hummers......

I am not trying to debate here.....I've owned both American and foreign cars for years, and I currently own a Ford, a Jeep and a Chevy. How does one know what is "Made in America" anymore...?? Nissans, Toyota's and Hondas are now made in the U.S.A. Most of the "American" cars are full of parts made in Mexico.

I think that the most patriotic thing for me to do is to buy the best quality car I can. If everyone bought quality then those companies that make cars that are not quality will either go out of business or start making quality. If everyone settled for sub-quality then that is all we will ever be able to find after awhile, be it in cars, homes, etc.

All one has to do is to go to the Edmunds site and see what the 5 year true cost to own ANY vehicle is. The answers are sadly surprising. The cars you can now buy cheap end up costing you much more after 5 years then a more expensive, quality car that holds it's value.

Anyway, the Prius is a unique car....just looking for those who have experience with it to share their thoughts. Thank you.

Frank D.

[olteech]

I've had a Prius for a little more than a year (18,000 miles). I absolutely LOVE it! I consistently get 46-50 miles per gallon. It is easy to drive, comfortable, much roomier than one would think, and has great little extras. That being said, my son, who is over 6 feet feels a little cramped driving it.... You'll have to try it for yourself!

[GMONEY]

Yes, there are many hybrid vehicles that are from Detroit. They do not compare in quality or efficiency to the Prius, because the Prius has been around much longer and Toyota was perfecting that technology while Detroit was making Hummers......

I am not trying to debate here.....I've owned both American and foreign cars for years, and I currently own a Ford, a Jeep and a Chevy. How does one know what is "Made in America" anymore...?? Nissans, Toyota's and Hondas are now made in the U.S.A. Most of the "American" cars are full of parts made in Mexico.

I think that the most patriotic thing for me to do is to buy the best quality car I can. If everyone bought quality then those companies that make cars that are not quality will either go out of business or start making quality. If everyone settled for sub-quality then that is all we will ever be able to find after awhile, be it in cars, homes, etc.

All one has to do is to go to the Edmunds site and see what the 5 year true cost to own ANY vehicle is. The answers are sadly surprising. The cars you can now buy cheap end up costing you much more after 5 years then a more expensive, quality car that holds it's value.

Anyway, the Prius is a unique car....just looking for those who have experience with it to share their thoughts. Thank you.

Frank D.


I agree with you,,, this is not a debate. If you want a prius by all means get one. we own a 2008 Camry. Love It. I did see the commercial for the new VW's. They are nice and get great fuel milage also. Might be something to check. A guy a work bought a new Jetta. He was talking 40 mpg.
Not sure of the price difference between the VW and Prius. I know we love our Camry. Maybe wish we had gotten the Hybrid one, but price was higher to go that way. Good Luck

Besdies my Camry was made in Kentucky, last time I checked that was in the US. Heck got family members that work there....


Money Out

[Jerseygirl08]

Frank: Have a friend in NJ who owns a Prius and loves it. She drives 45 min. each way to work and gets great gas mileage. I too believe it is very roomy. Also has a back up camera (an option - about $400) so you can see behind you when backing up. Great little feature. Would def. get one if I were in the market for a new car. I also love Camry's.

[faithfulfrank]

Thank you all.......we are still shopping. I know I want a Prius, and it gets complicated from there. the 2010's will be on dealer lots any day now, but I'm shopping for a good deal on a 2009.

We'll see........BTW, I've been down here in Florida almost a month now, go back to NY next week.......Man, do I love it down here.......

Frank D.

[faithfulfrank]

We just bought a Prius, and are on cloud nine........what an awesome car!!
We love it, and are still learning all the cool things it does......

Has a great warranty, and we got it for a great price. I've found many of the things you "hear" are simply not true. The battery is warranteed for over 100,000 miles/10-12 years.....so no problem.

It is one of the few newer cars we have found with comfortable seats. Tons of storage. GREAT gas milage. Cool features, like bluetooth, homelink, etc. The Smartkeys are awesome! Just keep them on your pocket or purse....very cool.

So far we are very happy. Can't wait to drive it down to Florida from up here in NY using only 25 gallons of regular gas.......

Frank D.

[hdh1470]

I agree with you,,, this is not a debate. If you want a prius by all means get one. we own a 2008 Camry. Love It. I did see the commercial for the new VW's. They are nice and get great fuel milage also. Might be something to check. A guy a work bought a new Jetta. He was talking 40 mpg.
Not sure of the price difference between the VW and Prius. I know we love our Camry. Maybe wish we had gotten the Hybrid one, but price was higher to go that way. Good Luck

Besdies my Camry was made in Kentucky, last time I checked that was in the US. Heck got family members that work there....


Money Out bought new jetta getting 35 mph in city and 49 on highway and get a 1300 tax credit.like prius but do more high speed driving only benifit for hybrid is city driving