Thinking of buying a Prius - Right move??

[Ronald56]

I am driving a 2007 Lexus RX350 that I leased in January. I am thinking of making a change because the payments are too high, the mileage too low and the car has no sole. Anyway, I am seriously thinking of the Prius. I have driven it twice, once during the day and again at night. I can buy a new one with package 6 for $26,200 now. I first thought it would give me a feeling of being too low to the ground and small. However, it did not (I am not sure I am just trying to rationalize the thing). I love the idea of the mileage and driving in the HOV lane alone (I drive about 20K per year). My wife and 15 year old daughter (I have another daughter who is 20) think I am crazy. However, they don't pay the bills, nor would they be driving in the car often (maybe 5% of the time). Any feedback on the car overall would be greatly appreciated. I am looking for your impressions when you first got the car, what were you driving before and how you feel currently about the whole experience. Thanks a lot for any anticipated replies. - Ron

[fshagan]

In a sense, the Prius is similar to an "image car" in that people recognize it and are impressed with it (or hate it). I still get asked about it when I'm at the gas station, and there are quite a few Prius owners around here.

It sounds like you are approaching it from the right standpoint, rather than just thinking of mileage. Most people try to compare it to a Toyota Corolla, but as you now know, it is a much nicer car than that. You see people do these convoluted financial gyrations to show that, unless gas reaches $8 a gallon, the Prius won't pay for itself ... but most of us don't buy a car for strictly financial reasons. If we did, we would all be buying 10 year old Honda Civics. We buy a car based on several factors, and if you are like me, mileage is one of them, total cost of ownership is another, and personal creature comforts are very important.

If you like the car and can get single rider HOV lane access still in NY (its restricted now in CA), then I think that pushes the Prius over the mark. You will love being able to drive in the car pool lanes. I have the stickers on my Prius, and even though my commute has changed and I don't use them every day, I love it when I'm able to. I also like the fact that it is very nearly zero emissions.

[jiepsie]

You're asking the priests if it's a good idea to believe in God.... Which probably means you're looking for confirmation that you are making the right choice. Small chance of finding anything else here.

This board is full of reasons to own a Prius, and a few well known issues that did not prevent most people here from getting one. May I ask, what are your main doubts? If it's image, only you can help yourself.... Can you rent one for a week or so and see how well you get along with it?

[tballx]

You're asking the priests if it's a good idea to believe in God....

Totally agree. Why does your family think you're crazy? Just curious. The Prius has the same storage capacity as a Camry (~15 cubic feet)and 5 less cubic feet of passenger space (96 versus 101). Would they think you were crazy to buy a Camry?

[silver-machine]

The thing is to check that the prius is the in category of cars that you will be happy with.

It aint a muscle car, a sports car, a luxury car, or MPV. Its definitely not a car to take off road.

It is a truly great commuter car. I find it relaxing to drive, particlarly in the part of my commute that involves crawling in traffic. Th technology is fun, and the mpg is pretty impressive when you are away from the high speed traffic.

There are a couple of features that I find really good - its got a very small turning circle which makes parking easy but also means you can do a U turn without having to back up, the informations screens are fun, the acceleration is good and the braking is sharper than most cars.

The only thing I dont like-the cloth covering of the centre box is naff !

Its a great car and I dont regret buying for a moment.

Hope that helps.

[jiepsie]

My previous car was a company Audi A3, brand new (basically a very posh VW Golf). When I quit my job to start my own business, I had the option to lease the Audi myself. I considered it because it was a very nice (fast!) car, but like your Lexus, it was too expensive. After taking a very hard look at everything I could buy, I realized the main difference between all these cars was their shape. Just sheet metal pressed into various shapes. Nothing very innovative about most of them. Except for the Prius.

The Prius did not win because of its looks or handling. I think it's not very pretty, and compared to an Audi or Mini, handles like a boat. The interior does not have the class of an Audi or even a VW. But in the end, what I really needed was comfortable, safe and financially sane transport for very heavy traffic. And that's exactly what it does best. If there was such a thing as Darwinian evolution for cars, all of them would be like the Prius now, fit for their purpose and environment.

How do I feel about it now? I don't get the looks or comments I got when I just had the Audi (mostly youth who thought it was awesome). I still get compliments, but mostly from people aged 50 or more who don't even know it's a hybrid. The shape is attractive to older people in a way I don't understand. I miss the sporty handling. The interior scratches too easily. Rattles in the dash come and go. The MFD died and was replaced (warranty). But I love the mileage (and I'm no hypermiler) and I don't want to go back to a car that runs its engine when standing still. The looks have grown on me, it looks better now, especially with new wheels. My next car will most probably be a hybrid, you can't go back once you've owned one. Just don't expect Lexus class materials or build quality, even though some components are used in Lexus models too.

[Gringa]

For me, buying my Prius was the right move. I have had a Camry and a Solara in my most recent past and had most recently inherited a Jeep Gran Cherokee V8 from my Dad. After driving that for 8 months and experiencing it's poor gas mileage, coupled with the fact that gas was getting very expensive was the deciding factor for me. I also like the fact that I'm doing something to address our dependence on middle eastern oil. I love my Prius and other than the cloth interior I can't think of anything that I would change (unless it was totally electric!) I wanted a car that would give me superb gas mileage, but not an entry level car like the Corolla. I wish that Toyota had given us a choice of luxury interior. The leather interior that I was offered was not worth $1000.

[Godiva]

If driving a Prius allows you to use the HOV lane and that is important to you, then I think that is a plus. The mileage for 20k a year commute is also a plus.

I image that important? A Prius isn't a Lexus, then again the Prius has it's own image.

I have to agree with the above comment about the turning radius. I love that I can park so easily. I also love the transmission, such as it is. You can't even call it an automatic as there is no jerk every time it changes gears. It's a planetary gear and there is no shift. It's just....smooth. I think that's the part I love the most. It's what makes driving so relaxing for me. (I used to have a manual so this was a big change.)

My last car has leather, but you can have leather installed anywhere if that's what you want.

I would suggest renting for a week as the previous poster suggested.

[John in LB]

After 20,000 miles, I would definitely recommend it. I would get the touring package, for a little bit more stable ride... and I would definitely get the package 6 (same as the package 8 in 2006 - which is what we have).

The car is roomy, very comfortable and extremely reliable. you can count on 43 - 46 MPG for sure even with a lot of freeway driving and without any special driving techniques.

[Ronald56]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Jun 10 2007, 04:58 PM) [snapback]459258[/snapback]</div>

After 20,000 miles, I would definitely recommend it. I would get the touring package, for a little bit more stable ride... and I would definitely get the package 6 (same as the package 8 in 2006 - which is what we have).

The car is roomy, very comfortable and extremely reliable. you can count on 43 - 46 MPG for sure even with a lot of freeway driving and without any special driving techniques.
[/b]

John: I would go for the touring but my dealer told me it does not come with package 6 that includes leather in the standard model??


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lowlander @ Jun 10 2007, 01:19 PM) [snapback]459193[/snapback]</div>

You're asking the priests if it's a good idea to believe in God.... Which probably means you're looking for confirmation that you are making the right choice. Small chance of finding anything else here.

This board is full of reasons to own a Prius, and a few well known issues that did not prevent most people here from getting one. May I ask, what are your main doubts? If it's image, only you can help yourself.... Can you rent one for a week or so and see how well you get along with it?
[/b]

Lowlandere: It is a smart idea to rent one first. I think my dealer will allow me to drive one for the day - I will travel the 40 miles each way back and fourth from work - that probably will help. Regarding the leather, does anyone have that? Is it worth it?