Should I buy a Prius?

pault842 · 09-03-2006, 04:22 PM

I've been trying to decide if I should buy a Prius or a Jetta TDI. I live in NH where for 6 months it's cold. I do a lot of city and highway driving but the main issue is I don't really want to worry about "how to get good mileage". I drive 75-80 on the highway. I like to accelerate quickly (no not pedal on the floor). I was planning to buy the Jetta until I started to run the numbers. I have a deposit on a '06 (package 4) for list price ($24430). When I add the tax credit it's much less costly then the Jetta (they both list pretty close).

Thoughts?

seasalsa · 09-03-2006, 04:29 PM

That is the beauty of the Prius, you don't have to. "worry about how to get good mileage".

Just drive it and you will get good mileage.

Some people are obsessed with getting "The Best Mileage" and that takes time and effort.

Buy one you won't be sorry!

tumbleweed · 09-03-2006, 04:44 PM

I think they are both good cars but Toyota has a better reputation for quality control. I haven't checked but I bet the Prius has a lot better resale value also? If you don't like high tech buy the VW; if you do buy the Prius.

Ichabod · 09-03-2006, 04:51 PM

If you want people to tell you to buy a Prius, you've come to the right place. I think that's secretly why you're asking us

I think more and more "regular" cars are going to be hybrids, and if you by an old-fashioned car now, you'll be behind the curve pretty quickly.

In my blind optimism I'm imagining a world where old "internal-combustion-only" style cars become increasingly obsolete and within a small number of years lose their resale value completely without drivetrain replacement. Even if that's not realistic, you'll feel good about the Prius.

It's not a racecar by any stretch (see threads devoted to drag-racing the Prius for a laugh), but you really have to ask yourself "do I need to get to that next red light 3 tenths of a second faster in exchange for the cost of some extra fuel and pollution?"

Godiva · 09-03-2006, 05:13 PM

You ran the numbers with the tax credit and they're about even.

You don't have to baby the car to get the "best" mileage. You can drive like you normally do and still get better mileage than a lot of cars out there.

The resale will be better.

I'm not familiar with the Jetta but how does it compare on other things, like roominess, amenities like the stereo and nav, smooth transmission etc. Do you ever have to haul things where the hatchback would be handy to have. Because that's pretty much a freebie given the mileage a Prius gets.

Have you test driven both cars? I suggest you test drive both. But I suggest you test the Jetta first and then the Prius.

Rangerdavid · 09-03-2006, 05:24 PM

I'm sure (buy a Prius) you'll weigh all the apporpriate alternatives (buy a Prius) and make the best decision (buy a Prius) for you and your family (buy a Prius) without allowing (buy a Prius) all the advertising and opinions (buy a Prius) of other people to (buy a Prius) influence your decision (buy a Prius).

F8L · 09-03-2006, 05:27 PM

Both are nice cars.

One thing that I like about the TDI is the possibility of running bio-diesel. It also has good HP but as with any vehicle you do have to worry about how you drive it to get max MPG. My buddy bought an '06 GMC crewcab 200HD Duramax because he figured it would get better milage than his 6.0L gas version of that truck. Whne he started driving it he was gettign 13-14mpg (his '02 got 11-13mpg). After awhile he learned how to drive it better and is now averaging 17mpg. Its all in how you drive it.

Personally I dont like the VWs because my racing buddies always see lil rich preppy kids driving them around or the EMO kids so the sterotype associated with the VW cars throws me off. Then again the Prius stereotype isnt much better hahaha

Overall Im very happy with my Prius. After driving my 4x4 for 5 hours yesterday through crazy traffic I missed my Prius even more.

As for numbers... Drive it like its stolen and expect to get 37-41mpg on a tank. Drive it like you care about it and its milage and you should get 45-49mpg. Drive it like an OCD freak or you are 90 years old and you can get soem of these nutty 55+mpg numbers

My best tank was 54mpg, next best was 51mpg.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-03-2006, 05:58 PM

The Prius is faster to 60 than the Jetta TDI if that matters to you haha.

Also, you don't have to baby it to get good mileage. Of course, if you ever wanted to, you'll be rewarded with outstanding mileage but if you're okay with losing a few mpg, then just drive it! Don't worry about what it's doing.

galaxee · 09-03-2006, 06:07 PM

a prius is best at longer trips (aka more than 5-10 miles at a time) so the car can get warmed up and hit max efficiency.

normal driving gets me about 46-48 mpg with a 14 minute commute and various errands that are usually right on the way home from work. i don't baby it.

i don't have to deal with winter cold down here but when we drove back up to wisconsin last january we still got lower 40s mpg if i recall correctly. and that was with much shorter than average trips.

good luck

mike_m · 09-03-2006, 07:02 PM

Diesel pumps are aren't available everypace gasoline is. Besides diesel stinks when filling up. The pumps are always nasty, and your hands smell. If you go for the TDI, you need to buy a pair of those leather gloves for fill ups like the truckers do! Also, watch out, cause the ground is pretty slick around the pumps. That alone should be enough!

09-03-2006, 04:51 PM	#4
Ichabod Artist In Residence Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 1,606 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	If you want people to tell you to buy a Prius, you've come to the right place. I think that's secretly why you're asking us I think more and more "regular" cars are going to be hybrids, and if you by an old-fashioned car now, you'll be behind the curve pretty quickly. In my blind optimism I'm imagining a world where old "internal-combustion-only" style cars become increasingly obsolete and within a small number of years lose their resale value completely without drivetrain replacement. Even if that's not realistic, you'll feel good about the Prius. It's not a racecar by any stretch (see threads devoted to drag-racing the Prius for a laugh), but you really have to ask yourself "do I need to get to that next red light 3 tenths of a second faster in exchange for the cost of some extra fuel and pollution?" __________________ 2006 Barcelona Red Metallic - a.k.a. "The Professor" :: Accessories/Mods :: BT Tech Stiffening Plate - Engine Block Heater - OEM EV button - OEM Mud guards - Rear Bumper Protector :: Near-future :: ScangaugeII

09-03-2006, 05:27 PM	#7
F8L Collecting Data on Nature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA. Posts: 3,989 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	Both are nice cars. One thing that I like about the TDI is the possibility of running bio-diesel. It also has good HP but as with any vehicle you do have to worry about how you drive it to get max MPG. My buddy bought an '06 GMC crewcab 200HD Duramax because he figured it would get better milage than his 6.0L gas version of that truck. Whne he started driving it he was gettign 13-14mpg (his '02 got 11-13mpg). After awhile he learned how to drive it better and is now averaging 17mpg. Its all in how you drive it. Personally I dont like the VWs because my racing buddies always see lil rich preppy kids driving them around or the EMO kids so the sterotype associated with the VW cars throws me off. Then again the Prius stereotype isnt much better hahaha Overall Im very happy with my Prius. After driving my 4x4 for 5 hours yesterday through crazy traffic I missed my Prius even more. As for numbers... Drive it like its stolen and expect to get 37-41mpg on a tank. Drive it like you care about it and its milage and you should get 45-49mpg. Drive it like an OCD freak or you are 90 years old and you can get soem of these nutty 55+mpg numbers My best tank was 54mpg, next best was 51mpg. __________________ 2005 Prius California Rangeland ConservationCoalition Ranchers, Environmentalists, And Agencies Working Together For The Benefit Of All.

09-03-2006, 06:07 PM	#9
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,808 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	a prius is best at longer trips (aka more than 5-10 miles at a time) so the car can get warmed up and hit max efficiency. normal driving gets me about 46-48 mpg with a 14 minute commute and various errands that are usually right on the way home from work. i don't baby it. i don't have to deal with winter cold down here but when we drove back up to wisconsin last january we still got lower 40s mpg if i recall correctly. and that was with much shorter than average trips. good luck __________________ black 2005 prius, tweaked just the way i like it as DH was once told, someone with his capability should be in college, not doing mindless maintenance awaiting the occasional brain teaser. after conquering the entire ASE automotive series, he's busy retooling the diagnostic mindset for other life protecting applications. the prius tech is officially scarce, and his other half is sad without him.

09-03-2006, 04:22 PM	#1
pault842 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 30 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've been trying to decide if I should buy a Prius or a Jetta TDI. I live in NH where for 6 months it's cold. I do a lot of city and highway driving but the main issue is I don't really want to worry about "how to get good mileage". I drive 75-80 on the highway. I like to accelerate quickly (no not pedal on the floor). I was planning to buy the Jetta until I started to run the numbers. I have a deposit on a '06 (package 4) for list price ($24430). When I add the tax credit it's much less costly then the Jetta (they both list pretty close). Thoughts?

09-03-2006, 04:29 PM	#2
seasalsa Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,197 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That is the beauty of the Prius, you don't have to. "worry about how to get good mileage". Just drive it and you will get good mileage. Some people are obsessed with getting "The Best Mileage" and that takes time and effort. Buy one you won't be sorry!

09-03-2006, 04:44 PM	#3
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,005 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think they are both good cars but Toyota has a better reputation for quality control. I haven't checked but I bet the Prius has a lot better resale value also? If you don't like high tech buy the VW; if you do buy the Prius.

09-03-2006, 05:24 PM	#6
Rangerdavid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boone, North Carolina Posts: 1,022 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	I'm sure (buy a Prius) you'll weigh all the apporpriate alternatives (buy a Prius) and make the best decision (buy a Prius) for you and your family (buy a Prius) without allowing (buy a Prius) all the advertising and opinions (buy a Prius) of other people to (buy a Prius) influence your decision (buy a Prius).

09-03-2006, 05:58 PM	#8
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,370 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 10	The Prius is faster to 60 than the Jetta TDI if that matters to you haha. Also, you don't have to baby it to get good mileage. Of course, if you ever wanted to, you'll be rewarded with outstanding mileage but if you're okay with losing a few mpg, then just drive it! Don't worry about what it's doing.

09-03-2006, 07:02 PM	#10
mike_m Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 231 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Diesel pumps are aren't available everypace gasoline is. Besides diesel stinks when filling up. The pumps are always nasty, and your hands smell. If you go for the TDI, you need to buy a pair of those leather gloves for fill ups like the truckers do! Also, watch out, cause the ground is pretty slick around the pumps. That alone should be enough!