Purchased Prius. Is it worth the extra$$

christet · 08-02-2007, 06:36 PM

Recently we purchased an 07 prius Pkg 3. We were also looking at the 07 Nissian Sentra 2.0S. The cost difference between the two was 9K more for the prius. We thus far are calculating a combination milage of 45 per gallen on the prius. I would expect the sentra to get about 32 being it has a hwy of 36 rated. The daily commute is 60 miles round trip City and HWY. We did own a 1990 camry and found the vehicle to be very reliable. I feel that is another reason we stayed with toyota. Was I correct to think the millage difference will make up the cost someday. Maybe not? We paid cash and do not have a loan so intrest is not a factor. Please let us know your thoughts.

Thanks!!

B Rad · 08-02-2007, 06:58 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(christet @ Aug 2 2007, 05:36 PM) [snapback]489620[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Please let us know your thoughts.
Thanks!!
[/b]

If you like the looks, driving, and fuel consumption of the Prius better, then you did good. If you bought only for the fuel savings, then you did real bad....You have to drive the car a long time to make financial sence so I hope you love the car as much as I do !!!!!!

Presto · 08-02-2007, 07:02 PM

Welcome aboard. I would think that for you, whether it was worth it or not, is moot at this point, since you have the Prius already. If you're trying to justify your purchase, you made a good decision in picking the Prius over the Sentra.

christet · 08-02-2007, 07:07 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Aug 2 2007, 06:02 PM) [snapback]489633[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Welcome aboard. I would think that for you, whether it was worth it or not, is moot at this point, since you have the Prius already. If you're trying to justify your purchase, you made a good decision in picking the Prius over the Sentra.
[/b]

I guess I am trying to justify my purchase. I could have gone with a diesel, however thought the mechanical costs would be too great down the road. Any input on your thoughts why going with the Prius over the Sentra was a the right moove in your eyes. Thanks

Godiva · 08-02-2007, 07:14 PM

You got a car that not only gets good mileage but is also very good for the environment. Better than the Sentra.

Did you get the keyless entry? Does the Sentra have that?

What about cargo room? How does the Sentra measure up there?

For me, it's the transmission. It's the smoothest transmission I've ever experienced. I went from driving a manual for 30 years to the Prius planetary gear. Heaven.

Yes, you made a good purchase.

If it's just about money, try to justify purchasing a Lexus over a Yaris. For that matter, justify buying any new car over any old junker that still runs.

Do you like the car? Then you made a good purchase.

desertbriez · 08-03-2007, 01:21 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(christet @ Aug 2 2007, 03:36 PM) [snapback]489620[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Recently we purchased an 07 prius Pkg 3. We were also looking at the 07 Nissian Sentra 2.0S. The cost difference between the two was 9K more for the prius. We thus far are calculating a combination milage of 45 per gallen on the prius. I would expect the sentra to get about 32 being it has a hwy of 36 rated. The daily commute is 60 miles round trip City and HWY. We did own a 1990 camry and found the vehicle to be very reliable. I feel that is another reason we stayed with toyota. Was I correct to think the millage difference will make up the cost someday. Maybe not? We paid cash and do not have a loan so intrest is not a factor. Please let us know your thoughts.

Thanks!!
[/b]

is an accord worth the extra money over what a civic costs? you are comparind two different classes.... a sentra is a compact (if i'm not mistaken) and a prius is a mid-size... just as a civic is compact and cheaper than the more nicely appointed mid-sized accord...

only YOU can decide if you think it's worth it to jump up a class in cars!

JimN · 08-03-2007, 11:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(christet @ Aug 2 2007, 06:36 PM) [snapback]489620[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Recently we purchased an 07 prius Pkg 3. We were also looking at the 07 Nissian Sentra 2.0S. The cost difference between the two was 9K more for the prius. We thus far are calculating a combination milage of 45 per gallen on the prius. I would expect the sentra to get about 32 being it has a hwy of 36 rated. The daily commute is 60 miles round trip City and HWY. We did own a 1990 camry and found the vehicle to be very reliable. I feel that is another reason we stayed with toyota. Was I correct to think the millage difference will make up the cost someday. Maybe not? We paid cash and do not have a loan so intrest is not a factor. Please let us know your thoughts.

Thanks!!
[/b]

Welcome to the site. You can move the breakpoint closer by increasing your tp and blocking your grill (partially in the summer). You did the best possible. Now enjoy the car.

darelldd · 08-03-2007, 11:34 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Aug 2 2007, 04:14 PM) [snapback]489642[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

For me, it's the transmission. It's the smoothest transmission I've ever experienced. I went from driving a manual for 30 years to the Prius planetary gear. Heaven. [/b]

If this is a huge deal for you, you've seriously got to try an EV. If the Prius is heaven, an EV is.... well, whatever is better than that.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(christet @ Aug 2 2007, 04:07 PM) [snapback]489637[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I guess I am trying to justify my purchase. [/b]

Were you looking for a compact, inexpensive car with reasonable mileage? Or were you looking for a well-appointed vehicle with more room, more power, lower emissions, better gas mileage and more interior space?

You could have saved even more money and bought a cheaper car than even your second choice. Or a motorcycle. If this is all about money money, then it wasn't likely a good buy. If anything else matters, then you may have made a great buy. Only you will know...

Godiva · 08-03-2007, 11:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Aug 3 2007, 10:34 PM) [snapback]490343[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

If this is a huge deal for you, you've seriously got to try an EV. If the Prius is heaven, an EV is.... well, whatever is better than that.
[/b]

Yes, I know.

I never knew the Rav4EV was available for purchase when it was. I'd really rather not have an SUV-like vehicle anyway. I prefer a sedan-like vehicle. I love the Prius hatchback. I actually asked about buying an EV-1 at the Saturn dealership when I was shopping to replace my totaled Nissan 200SX. I ended up buying a SC2 coupe. EV-1 was lease only. I said I'll buy one when they're available for outright purchase. You know how that went. Of course now I know I probably wouldn't even have met their "qualifications" for lease.

Right now there is nothing that meets my needs. If there was an EV Prius I'd buy that. I need to travel the freeways so need something that can do freeway speed and is freeway legal.

So...still waiting.

I imagine I'll get a plug-in Prius when it comes out and then wait for the PriusEV.

BTW my Photovoltaic panels are being installed on MONDAY! I'll be getting $6,058 back from the State of California in about 6 weeks. The inverter is already hanging on the north side of the house. They'll install the panels and do the meter on Monday. MONDAY! And when SDG&E starts paying me for my excess production....I'll put up 10 more panels. I've got the room and the inverter is big enough.

And my dicrondra is sprouting in my driveway.

ystasino · 08-07-2007, 01:53 PM

This is a tough question. I went through it myself. Like you I bought the Prius yet the answer is not that clear.

The Prius is a larger investment that will likely come through if you keep the car long enough. In my case I would either sell it within the next year if I move abroad or keep it here forever. Either way I don't think I'll lose money. The moment I buy the Sentra it has depreciated a lot. Not the case with the Prius. I can imagine people would likely buy the Prius with 10,000k miles fairly easily and it's depreciation will be really low.

So financially the Prius makes sense, if you can afford the monthly payment.

It is a better car than the Sentra.

It is a safer car than the Sentra.

It's not just the fun or the novelty that matters. The Prius is simply mechanically superior.

Now if you had something MUCH more important to do with the $200 extra that the Prius is costing you per month then you made the wrong decision. But in the process you helped the environment.

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08-02-2007, 06:36 PM	#1
christet Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 16 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Recently we purchased an 07 prius Pkg 3. We were also looking at the 07 Nissian Sentra 2.0S. The cost difference between the two was 9K more for the prius. We thus far are calculating a combination milage of 45 per gallen on the prius. I would expect the sentra to get about 32 being it has a hwy of 36 rated. The daily commute is 60 miles round trip City and HWY. We did own a 1990 camry and found the vehicle to be very reliable. I feel that is another reason we stayed with toyota. Was I correct to think the millage difference will make up the cost someday. Maybe not? We paid cash and do not have a loan so intrest is not a factor. Please let us know your thoughts. Thanks!!

08-02-2007, 07:02 PM	#3
Presto Has his homepage set to PC Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,272 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 4	Welcome aboard. I would think that for you, whether it was worth it or not, is moot at this point, since you have the Prius already. If you're trying to justify your purchase, you made a good decision in picking the Prius over the Sentra.

08-07-2007, 01:53 PM	#10
ystasino Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 439 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	This is a tough question. I went through it myself. Like you I bought the Prius yet the answer is not that clear. The Prius is a larger investment that will likely come through if you keep the car long enough. In my case I would either sell it within the next year if I move abroad or keep it here forever. Either way I don't think I'll lose money. The moment I buy the Sentra it has depreciated a lot. Not the case with the Prius. I can imagine people would likely buy the Prius with 10,000k miles fairly easily and it's depreciation will be really low. So financially the Prius makes sense, if you can afford the monthly payment. It is a better car than the Sentra. It is a safer car than the Sentra. It's not just the fun or the novelty that matters. The Prius is simply mechanically superior. Now if you had something MUCH more important to do with the $200 extra that the Prius is costing you per month then you made the wrong decision. But in the process you helped the environment.