Talk me out of buying a Prius....

coonbutt · 03-29-2007, 08:48 AM

Hello All - first post!

I test drove a Prius for the first time yesterday. I got right on 47 mpg for my test drive!

The dealer is willing to let it go (Package #2) for $22,000. I can also get 0% for 2 years, and free oil changes for "life". The tax credit of $1,575 is halfed again after Saturday, so I am hoping to make a decision quickly that I can feel good about. I should definitely get all the credit, since I am not near the AMT, have no kids, and rent a house. I can still take the standard deduction with it though, right?

My situation:

Current Car: 2001 Toyota Tacoma (4wd, 4-cyl, 24-25 mpg). No ABS, no power anything, no cruise, wife can't drive (manual trans), 104,000 miles. Never any troubles - it will probably get to 250,000. The clutch is starting to wear a bit though. I can probably get near $7,000 to $8,000 for it.

I will probably manage to get about 18,000 miles on the Prius per year or so.

I still worry about the battery 7-8 years from now (some insight owners are just starting to wear out batteries), and am a little curious what the next one will look like a year and a half from now. Will the current Prii have less resale value, like computers, when newer, better technology comes out?

What should I do?

Prius The First · 03-29-2007, 08:54 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prickly commute @ Mar 29 2007, 07:48 AM) [snapback]414097[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hello All - first post!

I test drove a Prius for the first time yesterday. I got right on 47 mpg for my test drive!

The dealer is willing to let it go (Package #2) for $22,000. I can also get 0% for 2 years, and free oil changes for "life". The tax credit of $1,575 is halfed again after Saturday, so I am hoping to make a decision quickly that I can feel good about. I should definitely get all the credit, since I am not near the AMT, have no kids, and rent a house. I can still take the standard deduction with it though, right?

My situation:

Current Car: 2001 Toyota Tacoma (4wd, 4-cyl, 24-25 mpg). No ABS, no power anything, no cruise, wife can't drive (manual trans), 104,000 miles. Never any troubles - it will probably get to 250,000. The clutch is starting to wear a bit though. I can probably get near $7,000 to $8,000 for it.

I will probably manage to get about 18,000 miles on the Prius per year or so.

I still worry about the battery 7-8 years from now (some insight owners are just starting to wear out batteries), and am a little curious what the next one will look like a year and a half from now. Will the current Prii have less resale value, like computers, when newer, better technology comes out?

What should I do?

[/b]

Do your homework - Sell the Tacoma - Buy the Prius - Don't worry about the battery -

You will feel good about your decision. I did.

Good luck and let us know what happens

qbee42 · 03-29-2007, 09:05 AM

You're not going to find many posters on this forum that will try to talk you out of buying a Prius. Don't worry about the battery; there are Prius used in taxi service that have gone for over 200,000 miles.

Tom

aSmithee · 03-29-2007, 09:14 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prickly commute @ Mar 29 2007, 08:48 AM) [snapback]414097[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hello All - first post!

I test drove a Prius for the first time yesterday. I got right on 47 mpg for my test drive!

The dealer is willing to let it go (Package #2) for $22,000. I can also get 0% for 2 years, and free oil changes for "life". The tax credit of $1,575 is halfed again after Saturday, so I am hoping to make a decision quickly that I can feel good about. I should definitely get all the credit, since I am not near the AMT, have no kids, and rent a house. I can still take the standard deduction with it though, right?

My situation:

Current Car: 2001 Toyota Tacoma (4wd, 4-cyl, 24-25 mpg). No ABS, no power anything, no cruise, wife can't drive (manual trans), 104,000 miles. Never any troubles - it will probably get to 250,000. The clutch is starting to wear a bit though. I can probably get near $7,000 to $8,000 for it.

I will probably manage to get about 18,000 miles on the Prius per year or so.

I still worry about the battery 7-8 years from now (some insight owners are just starting to wear out batteries), and am a little curious what the next one will look like a year and a half from now. Will the current Prii have less resale value, like computers, when newer, better technology comes out?

What should I do?

[/b]

Get the Prius. I bought mine (2007; Package #1) last week and it is great! I've been averaging 45 mpg in town and I pretty much drive like a NASCAR driver -- as does everyone else here in Atlanta. -AS

coonbutt · 03-29-2007, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the replies. I think I have analysis paralysis right now. Normally I plan buying cars for weeks, but the current deals on the Prius before the summer gas prices and the reducing tax credit in a few days has me planning a lot faster than I usually do.

Oh, and yeah, maybe I should have said talk me "into" buying a Prius?

It's just tough to buy a car again when both have been paid off for more than two years, I guess. The geek in me loves the car, but the economist in me is nagging too.

Texas911 · 03-29-2007, 09:41 AM

Tax break, 0% financing, 47mpg, automatic, power everything? Ummmm, its a no brainer! Welcome to the club!

livelychick · 03-29-2007, 09:51 AM

Let me throw in the low depreciation of Prii. Unlike EVERY other car I've ever owned, this one is actually worth a LOT, even more than I owe on it. That rarely happens with a new car.

Lovelovelove the Prius. Even after a year, I'm still amazed by it. You will be, too.

Oh--and I made my decision in two days. And I was upside down on the SUV I was trading that was in perfect working condition with low mileage. And zero percent interest wasn't available then.

David Beale · 03-29-2007, 10:26 AM

1. Well, the Prius is a high tech car, and anything high tech is "obsolete" the day you buy it.

2. The battery -will- eventually fail - current cost is around $3000. It is covered under warranty for a long time, however.
3. You may be baffled by the technology, or even be afraid of it.
4. Never mind the technology, the Prius body is amazing. Small car size on the outside, mid-size on the inside.
5. The cloth seats, while "adequate", are rather low quality. You can get the Prius with leather seats in the US, or you can add leather for around $1000 aftermarket.
6. You will have to "put up" with low fuel costs.
7. You may become a "mileage fanatic" because of owning a Prius.
8. Prius may change your driving style. Probably for the better.

Are these positives or negatives?

Whatever. Get the Prius! I will - ASAP.

tanglefoot · 03-29-2007, 10:53 AM

I just got my '07 package #1 (Magnetic Gray) last weekend....I love it more every day! I also did the 24 months 0%. My parents were along when I got mine and they picked one up for themselves yesterday! :P

I think now's a great time to buy one. See if you can do some price matching with another dealer, or find one that's overstocked and under-quota.

I think this is the best car in the world...I wouldn't trade it for any exotic thing out there.....unless I could sell it and get another Prius.

I'm averaging 54.7 mpg and it only has 120 miles on it. I can't wait 'till it's broken in!

The night I brought it home, I pulled the trim rings off the wheels (looks awesome) and pumped up the tires to 42 psi front, 40 rear.

...Plus it's soooo fun to drive. You get really good milage by accellerating quickly (I know, doesn't make sense) and then pulse-gliding and anticipating stops so you don't have to brake hard. You can glide forever if you hold the pedal in the right spot so there's no energy going to or from the wheels.

Oh and don't forget to disable the reverse beeper (it's annoying). There are instructions on this site. Just do a search.

Have fun,

Eric

mywhitenoise · 03-29-2007, 11:08 AM

Don't regret it, if you plan on having a hybrid now, do it now. This is the best time to buy one since...ever. It's an amazing car, and the battery is warranted for 15 years/150,000 miles (at least in CA). You don't want to miss out on that tax credit. 22,000 is also a nice price, that's almost $2000 under MSRP. Plus 0% APR for 2 years? You have to take it!

03-29-2007, 10:26 AM	#8
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,551 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	1. Well, the Prius is a high tech car, and anything high tech is "obsolete" the day you buy it. 2. The battery -will- eventually fail - current cost is around $3000. It is covered under warranty for a long time, however. 3. You may be baffled by the technology, or even be afraid of it. 4. Never mind the technology, the Prius body is amazing. Small car size on the outside, mid-size on the inside. 5. The cloth seats, while "adequate", are rather low quality. You can get the Prius with leather seats in the US, or you can add leather for around $1000 aftermarket. 6. You will have to "put up" with low fuel costs. 7. You may become a "mileage fanatic" because of owning a Prius. 8. Prius may change your driving style. Probably for the better. Are these positives or negatives? Whatever. Get the Prius! I will - ASAP. __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

03-29-2007, 10:53 AM	#9
tanglefoot Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 90 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I just got my '07 package #1 (Magnetic Gray) last weekend....I love it more every day! I also did the 24 months 0%. My parents were along when I got mine and they picked one up for themselves yesterday! :P I think now's a great time to buy one. See if you can do some price matching with another dealer, or find one that's overstocked and under-quota. I think this is the best car in the world...I wouldn't trade it for any exotic thing out there.....unless I could sell it and get another Prius. I'm averaging 54.7 mpg and it only has 120 miles on it. I can't wait 'till it's broken in! The night I brought it home, I pulled the trim rings off the wheels (looks awesome) and pumped up the tires to 42 psi front, 40 rear. ...Plus it's soooo fun to drive. You get really good milage by accellerating quickly (I know, doesn't make sense) and then pulse-gliding and anticipating stops so you don't have to brake hard. You can glide forever if you hold the pedal in the right spot so there's no energy going to or from the wheels. Oh and don't forget to disable the reverse beeper (it's annoying). There are instructions on this site. Just do a search. Have fun, Eric __________________

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03-29-2007, 08:48 AM	#1
coonbutt Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 40 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hello All - first post! I test drove a Prius for the first time yesterday. I got right on 47 mpg for my test drive! The dealer is willing to let it go (Package #2) for $22,000. I can also get 0% for 2 years, and free oil changes for "life". The tax credit of $1,575 is halfed again after Saturday, so I am hoping to make a decision quickly that I can feel good about. I should definitely get all the credit, since I am not near the AMT, have no kids, and rent a house. I can still take the standard deduction with it though, right? My situation: Current Car: 2001 Toyota Tacoma (4wd, 4-cyl, 24-25 mpg). No ABS, no power anything, no cruise, wife can't drive (manual trans), 104,000 miles. Never any troubles - it will probably get to 250,000. The clutch is starting to wear a bit though. I can probably get near $7,000 to $8,000 for it. I will probably manage to get about 18,000 miles on the Prius per year or so. I still worry about the battery 7-8 years from now (some insight owners are just starting to wear out batteries), and am a little curious what the next one will look like a year and a half from now. Will the current Prii have less resale value, like computers, when newer, better technology comes out? What should I do?

03-29-2007, 09:05 AM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,643 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	You're not going to find many posters on this forum that will try to talk you out of buying a Prius. Don't worry about the battery; there are Prius used in taxi service that have gone for over 200,000 miles. Tom

03-29-2007, 09:18 AM	#5
coonbutt Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 40 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for the replies. I think I have analysis paralysis right now. Normally I plan buying cars for weeks, but the current deals on the Prius before the summer gas prices and the reducing tax credit in a few days has me planning a lot faster than I usually do. Oh, and yeah, maybe I should have said talk me "into" buying a Prius? It's just tough to buy a car again when both have been paid off for more than two years, I guess. The geek in me loves the car, but the economist in me is nagging too.

03-29-2007, 09:41 AM	#6
Texas911 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 83 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Tax break, 0% financing, 47mpg, automatic, power everything? Ummmm, its a no brainer! Welcome to the club!

03-29-2007, 09:51 AM	#7
livelychick Missin' My Prius Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 1,086 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Let me throw in the low depreciation of Prii. Unlike EVERY other car I've ever owned, this one is actually worth a LOT, even more than I owe on it. That rarely happens with a new car. Lovelovelove the Prius. Even after a year, I'm still amazed by it. You will be, too. Oh--and I made my decision in two days. And I was upside down on the SUV I was trading that was in perfect working condition with low mileage. And zero percent interest wasn't available then.

03-29-2007, 11:08 AM	#10
mywhitenoise Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 205 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Don't regret it, if you plan on having a hybrid now, do it now. This is the best time to buy one since...ever. It's an amazing car, and the battery is warranted for 15 years/150,000 miles (at least in CA). You don't want to miss out on that tax credit. 22,000 is also a nice price, that's almost $2000 under MSRP. Plus 0% APR for 2 years? You have to take it!