Persuasion

[markderail]

Lease 4 years and buy it from yourself.

In my lease, all my "extras" were financed in the lease, so I put zero cash down.
- 3M transparent bra + headlight protection
- 3M seat protection
- extended warranty
- "B" package (c = w/nav & rear cam)
- over 4k$ in extras from base price


Higher monthly, but my buyback after 4 years is less 1/3 !!!
Since I'm well below my 20,000 year allowance, and put lots of extras, I could resell in four years for a profit.

In Cnd$ (higher) with 15% sales tax ! 39K, the buyback is only 11k.

I looked at used Prii 2001 to 2003, they were selling above 15k, and the 2004-2005 over 20k.

So for a car I plan to own 15+ years, upgrade to Plug-In EV-10, then give to one of my non-existent grandchildren.
Multi-generation car.

[skguh]

Gasoline is not going to suddenly drop to $1.00/gallon. It's likely to increase by that much in the next two years. At the same time, oil companies are increasing profits two- and three- times--without building new refineries in smarter places, improving shipping, truly investing in alternative energies, or sinking money back into the improvement of current energies. In fact, there's no incentive AT ALL to consider anything other than expanding plastics, expanding gasoline and oil dependence, and improving their profits.

You want to continue to support that?

Or do you want to fill up for less than $30, drive 500+ miles on a tank, and experience the first REAL alternative to complete dependence on oil, all the while taking advantage of technologies that have been around for 20 years? Inexpensively.

I received delivery on my '08 on 12 October this year. TOTAL Cost of Ownership is $.42/mile if I take into account costs of insurance and car payment right now. If I drove more miles it'd be less. If I take that out the monthly payment and insurance and only count the after-market add-ons and gasoline, incidentals, it's $.063 per mile. That's 06 CENTS PER MILE. Try THAT with your Dodge Dakota or Hemi or whatever ELSE American auto manufacturer's are making--to INCLUDE the Neon which is a whole lot LESS car.

No transmission, fly-by-wire, state-of-the-future integrated technologies, fourstar safety across the board (airbags upon airbags), Variable Traction Control, frontwheel drive, .026 drag coefficient, realistic room for 4 adults, cargo space for a cross country trip for a family of 4, and gobs of toys to keep you amused the entire way.

This is my FIRST foreign-made, FIRST hybrid, FIRST green, FIRST next-generation vehicle. It won't be my last. I will tell my kids' and their kids that I drove one of the first hybrid low-emissions vehicles on the planet as well as one of the last big-block V-8s. I like my Prius more everytime I drive pass a pump--and I couldn't even TELL you what the gas prices are today!

[lefat1]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skguh @ Nov 28 2007, 03:48 PM) [snapback]545374[/snapback]</div>

Gasoline is not going to suddenly drop to $1.00/gallon. It's likely to increase by that much in the next two years. At the same time, oil companies are increasing profits two- and three- times--without building new refineries in smarter places, improving shipping, truly investing in alternative energies, or sinking money back into the improvement of current energies. In fact, there's no incentive AT ALL to consider anything other than expanding plastics, expanding gasoline and oil dependence, and improving their profits.

You want to continue to support that?

Or do you want to fill up for less than $30, drive 500+ miles on a tank, and experience the first REAL alternative to complete dependence on oil, all the while taking advantage of technologies that have been around for 20 years? Inexpensively.

I received delivery on my '08 on 12 October this year. TOTAL Cost of Ownership is $.52/mile if I take into account costs of insurance and car payment right now. If I drove more miles it'd be less. If I take that out the monthly payment and insurance and only count the after-market add-ons and gasoline, incidentals, it's $.063 per mile. That's 06 CENTS PER MILE. Try THAT with your Dodge Dakota or Hemi or whatever ELSE American auto manufacturer's are making--to INCLUDE the Neon which is a whole lot LESS car.

No transmission, fly-by-wire, state-of-the-future integrated technologies, fourstar safety across the board (airbags upon airbags), Variable Traction Control, frontwheel drive, .026 drag coefficient, realistic room for 4 adults, cargo space for a cross country trip for a family of 4, and gobs of toys to keep you amused the entire way.

This is my FIRST foreign-made, FIRST hybrid, FIRST green, FIRST next-generation vehicle. It won't be my last. I will tell my kids' and their kids that I drove one of the first hybrid low-emissions vehicles on the planet as well as one of the last big-block V-8s. I like my Prius more everytime I drive past a pump--and I couldn't even TELL you what the gas prices are today!

[/b]

cool post, but i dont know if the OP is listening anymore

[skguh]

One addendum: I did a VERY QUICK conservative set of numbers for my 2005 F-150.
Over the life of my ownership fuel costs alone ran about $.21/mile. If you're buying cars because you're short on self-image, it's alot of money to carry around one single meat sack. It increases faster as the price of fuel goes up.

[siouxnami]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(lefat1 @ Nov 28 2007, 03:13 PM) [snapback]545393[/snapback]</div>

cool post, but i dont know if the OP is listening anymore
[/b]

Still checking in I have about 2 weeks to decide. Thinking yes especially since I can effectively finance at 4.05%. I like to tell people that I got 35 MPG with the old dodge truck this summer (only because I include miles biked in the calculation...) I think I can get my package 5 for about $25700 which is descent.

I have been looking at other vehicles for comparison. And have some thoughts. I really like the interior of the civic hybrid, but I don't think stability control is include, the hybrid tech isn't as good, but it seems like a good car. I also looked at the Ford Escape Hybrid 4x2, again the hybrid tech is not so cool and 30-35 MPG is not so good. The big advantage there would be space for a kid on the way, the dog, and my backpacking supplies. Also $3000 rebate cuts the difference to the Prius in half.

That said, I would still pick the Prius. Here are a couple of Prius questions. Do the head lights automatically turn off if you leave them on, I have heard no? Also, does anyone have experience going up steep, long, and icy hills? I really an not too concerned, but thought I would check. Finally, what after market products / accessories do you recommend?

[Jon the Chief]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(siouxnami @ Nov 29 2007, 11:34 AM) [snapback]545688[/snapback]</div>

Still checking in I have about 2 weeks to decide. Thinking yes especially since I can effectively finance at 4.05%. I like to tell people that I got 35 MPG with the old dodge truck this summer (only because I include miles biked in the calculation...) I think I can get my package 5 for about $25700 which is descent.

I have been looking at other vehicles for comparison. And have some thoughts. I really like the interior of the civic hybrid, but I don't think stability control is include, the hybrid tech isn't as good, but it seems like a good car. I also looked at the Ford Escape Hybrid 4x2, again the hybrid tech is not so cool and 30-35 MPG is not so good. The big advantage there would be space for a kid on the way, the dog, and my backpacking supplies. Also $3000 rebate cuts the difference to the Prius in half.

That said, I would still pick the Prius. Here are a couple of Prius questions. Do the head lights automatically turn off if you leave them on, I have heard no? Also, does anyone have experience going up steep, long, and icy hills? I really an not too concerned, but thought I would check. Finally, what after market products / accessories do you recommend?
[/b]

I am trading a 2001 Merc A170 turbo diesel that gives me 40 to 45 mpg, (Imperial gallons 4.55 Ltr) for a Prius Spirit, that is the top of the range in the UK.

I loved the car for a while, but the problem was to get my wife onside, we took the demo from the dealer for the day and when she drove it, that was the deal done.

There are going be a few things I will miss, the thing you have to keep in mind is that the Prius is it has to have a reason to be fitted. I assume that the reason power operated toys are not fitted is to save weight, hence the door mirrors have to be folded by hand for tight parking, the passenger seat has no hight adjustment. I don’t know what else as I have another five weeks to wait before I get my hands on mine.

So just drive the car and enjoy it then you will do what it takes, small bank hold up, pawn your grandmother.

Seriously when I ordered mine I had a plan to pay for it, since then a lot has happened with family death and illness that requires buying things to deal with it. If I had not ordered it I would have to put it on hold, but as it is part paid for for I am sure going to take it and find a way to keep it.

So stop agonizing and take the plunge.

Jon the Chief

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(siouxnami @ Nov 29 2007, 08:34 AM) [snapback]545688[/snapback]</div>

That said, I would still pick the Prius. Here are a couple of Prius questions. Do the head lights automatically turn off if you leave them on, I have heard no? Also, does anyone have experience going up steep, long, and icy hills? I really an not too concerned, but thought I would check. Finally, what after market products / accessories do you recommend?
[/b]

Yes they are AUTO-OFF.

Nope. I try to avoid them lol esp. with the stock GY Integritys

mudguards and all-weather mats (either OEM or ExactMats or WeatherTech etc).

[siouxnami]

Getting it. I spent about 2 hours with the dealer Saturday and put a deposit down. (Call it cross examination). Asking every question I could ever imagine, and getting detailed help on every feature. He held up pretty well (as compared to the Honda guy who basically agreed with me that the Prius was better)...

I also wend for a drive in a winter storm. The handling was as good as I could have hoped for and I had no issue with many steep hills. I only got about 33 MPG but I think that has to do with the batteries starting with a low charge and cold, hitting as many big long hills as possible, and very high rolling resistance of going through 6 inches of snow. I did notice on plowed roads I jumped up to about 50 MPG.

[siouxnami]

Now what? :-)

So far I put about 300 miles on. No regrets, but I haven't made the first payment yet. The average temperature has been about 10 degrees F here in Minnesota so I have some fuel economy questions. I noticed on my first tank of fuel I only got about 35 MPG. I know some of that is the temperature, but I was still expecting in the low 40s. About half my driving was highway at 65 MPH and the other half cruising in town. I have been driving pretty softly, with no unnecessary acceleration or deceleration. When the car is warming up I also turn off the auto AC at stops.

A couple of questions: Is this normal? I know that sometimes vehicles tend to get poorer performance for the first 500 or so miles (due to burn in programming). Also is there anyone else using Minnesota's winter blend fuel that is getting better fuel economy?

All this said, I love the car and am sure this will resolve itself.

[skguh]

What is this transparent bra stuff I keep seeing posted, and where can I get it?