Thinking of trading in the Prius for a Camry

[daveleeprius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Oct 25 2007, 09:17 AM) [snapback]530225[/snapback]</div>

We drive a 2006 Prius and a 2001 Camry (non-hybrid of course) and I still far prefer the Prius. That's partly because I'm a nerd for my Prius, but also for interior room (with a baby it's more obvious how much more usable space there is in the Prius), for interior and exterior styling (I don't like the look of the new Camry), and for fuel economy.

I haven't driven the TCH, but even if I found it to be superior in comfort and noise level, I don't think that would convince me to trade the Prius.
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I agree that I don't like the look of the new Camry. My parents have a 1997 Camry XLE and I prefer the styling on their car far more than the new Cam. That being said, I also prefer the hatchback to the HyCam trunk (which I've heard is smaller due to the batteries being behind the seat).

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Nov 16 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]540561[/snapback]</div>

If you're now using higher tire pressures first try reducing them to the standard pressures. That would be the cheapest possible fix.

Are you certain that the apparent highway noise is not a subjective effect? The Prius is so quiet on the street that it may seem noisy on the highway only in comparison.
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Take a TCH out for a test drive on the highway. The Prius will seem noisy in comparison.

[sotagear]

Just a heads up on adding sound deadening to give you what your looking for. It wont. I did it a few weeks after I bought my 2005 Prius, and while it helped, it didn't do the trick to the degree I was hoping it would. I also did this when i bought a new Rav4 many years ago and it also helped only a little bit, and with that one i had it professionally done on all areas of the vehicle. I think it's much more a nature of the type of body frame, tire size, etc.

I knew the Prius was noisy on the highway before I purchased it but bought it anyway for the multitude of other good reasons you buy a Prius for. By comparison to the Hybrid Camry, which I rented for an extended weekend from the SF Bay area to LA, I would say there's no comparison here. The Camry wins the comfort/noise issue hands down. However, you do have other issues as mentioned already here, the biggest issue for me, is the ability to haul much more in the Prius since the boot of the Camry is almost useless if you travel much with a partner or family. In fact, when you put the back seats down, it's amazing how much stuff you can fit in this vehicle.

[duanerw]

I had an 05 and a 06 prius and found nothing i didnt like with either.My problems were with my hips,the small seats put preasure on my hips causing pain.I didnt know what was causing my pain till my ortho dr took x rays and tests and found nothing.He said he seen me in my prius and asked if the seats rolled up on the sides and when i said yes he said that was my problem.
I traded the 06 last dec and now have 15.000 miles on it and love it.I lost about about 5 mpg overall but find it much better on my body,no more hip pain.The trunk is smaller but havnt found where i would have needed larger.
I live in Lexington KY and with the rolling hills i average 33 around town and on the road i get 44.4.
I have found nothing i didnt like on the prius and on the camery.they are both great.I keep the tire preasure as posted by toyota and use nitrogen and did on both the prius.
the one thing that helped after reading prius chat was to turn the mirror upside down on the prius much better view behind.

[priusenvy]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Take a TCH out for a test drive on the highway. The Prius will seem noisy in comparison.

Reviving an old thread, since we're now a Prius/TCH family instead of a two Prius family.

Tideland Prius is absolutely correct. There is no comparison between the two cars. Quietness, including road noise, ride, and seat comfort in the TCH are in a completely different league.

I still like my Prius for its economy and small size, but I know which one we're taking if we take a four hour drive to Disneyland, and it ain't the Prius.

[ny biker]

Originally Posted by priusenvy

I still like my Prius for its economy and small size, but I know which one we're taking if we take a four hour drive to Disneyland, and it ain't the Prius.

The Prius is the same size as the Camry. Main difference is the Prius has way more cargo space. I initially thought about buying a hycam but I wouldn't have been able to fit my bike in it.

But I understand your point about comfort.

[priusenvy]

Originally Posted by ny biker

The Prius is the same size as the Camry.

It's not the same size as the current Camry, either inside or outside.

The Prius is 4" narrower and over a foot shorter. That makes a big difference to me when parking, and when navigating in confined spaces.

Inside, the Camry has 5" more hip and shoulder room in front and back. That's a big difference and immediately noticeable.

I'm not sure I could drive something every day that could only hit the mid-30s in mpg. But it's nice to have something bigger and more comfortable that's still reasonably easy on fuel.

[GT in PA]

I bought my 2007 Prius in August last year and a 2008 TCH in December. There's no comparison in my opinion between the cars except they both get great gas mileage. The Prius is a blast to drive around town and in heavy traffic but for comfort I'll take the Camry for long trips any day. There is also something to be said for electric adjustable controlled heated seats (both sides). I have averaged about 46mpg in the Prius and 35mpg in the Camry so far going the same treks to work. I have actually been averaging 38 - 42mpg TCH on the highway trips using the cruise control.
Both cars are loaded and the only feature I wish the Camry had was more of the buttons on the wheel that the Prius has. The telescopic steering wheel is a nice feature on the TCH as well as the moonroof. Being able to change out the Nav DVD without ripping apart the dash like on the Prius is another Plus for the Camry. Overall I love both cars and feel they have a positive place in their own right.

GT

[Jack66]

I like the Prius and the TCH but the thing that decides for me is the cargo space created with the hatchback design. I can fit my mountainbike in the Prius -- it would never fit in the TCH. In the past when I had a Ford Focus I had to use the Honda Odyssey whenever I needed to take my mountainbike anywhere. I should probably invest in a bike rack one of these days...

[acdii]

I just picked up an '09 TCH for less than I could get a Prius for, the only difference being it doesn't have Leather, but I have an 08 Veracruz fully loaded if I want to enjoy leather. So far my MPG on this over the past 100 miles has been between 37.7 and 41.7. Looks like my daily drive will net me 38 MPG, but highway will be in the upper 40's. I have been able to get long stretches where the MPG needle is resting between 50 and 60 when cruising ~65 MPH. I had an 07 Prius that I traded on the Veracruz mainly because I needed the room, the cargo on the Prius is exceptional, but thats it, people room isn't there when you have two car seats and a teenager. I can fit all three in the back seat of the Camry, he is a little tight, but still fits. There were other factors involved in getting rid of the Prius, #1 being a safety factor, neither my wife or I felt safe driving it in winter weather when the roads were icy, especially down some of the rural roads we travel on. This year has been a bad year for roads, a few were ice covered for long periods of time and on either side were deep ditches. The traction on the OEM tires sucked, and the traction control was over sensitive. I'm sure replacing the tires would have helped, but to replace new tires with new tires doesn't sit well with me. The other deciding factor was comfort, for me the steering wheel was too far away, I felt like a Tyrannosaurus rex with too short arms and too long legs. In order for my arms not to fall asleep I had to put the seat back full forward so I could sit the seat far enough back so I didn't crowd the pedals. After a while my back would ache and my legs would cramp. If it had a telescoping steering wheel I may have kept it and dealt with the crappy winter driving. I'm more comfortable in the TCH now, my butt fits the seat better too.

Dont get me wrong, the Prius is a great car, needs improvement in a few areas, but overall it is a great car, and most people will find it fits them perfectly, but for some people, like me who have three kids, well it just didn't cut the mustard so to say. The sad part is you can get a really nice Camry for the cost of most Prius on the lots. The dealer who I got mine through has several Prius sitting there not moving because they are more expensive than the Camry. The lowest priced Prius was over 27K.