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6'1 tall guy that needs trunk space....Prius C or Prius II ??

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Tommy777, Mar 21, 2012.

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  1. Tommy777

    Tommy777 New Member

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    Hello everyone, I'm very excited to get a Prius this next week.

    I am not sure whether I should get the new Prius C or the Prius II. The Prius V is not a consideration.

    I fit comfortably enough in both with the short test drives I did, but for those of you that have driven them for longer, which one would you advise me to get? I am leaning towards the Prius II but I am on a budget, so I would much rather get the Prius C, which also wins there in terms of price and, from what I've read, MPG as well.

    I don't drive with a car full of people often, so that's not really a concern. However, I do need enough space to carry my bass amp pretty often.

    Does anyone know if my bass amp would fit with the two backseats folded down? Here are the dimensions 24"W x 40"H x 16"D
    Or if not that one, at least my slightly smaller bass amp which is 30"W x 24"H x 19"D.

    Besides being able to fit my gear in the trunk, my only concern is reliability. I know Prii are great cars, but the Prius C is the first year of a first model, should I take that (probably minor) risk or just get the Prius II?

    Thanks for any help, I hope I posted in the right section! I look forward to joining the Prius Community =]
     
    #1 Tommy777, Mar 21, 2012
  2. ghosteh

    ghosteh Member

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    I think you'd be safe with the C, although I haven't driven it myself. I'm 6'1 also & chose the III over the V, mostly because I didn't like the dash on the V. Both the C & the regular Prius should have enough room.

    If you're looking for a deal, try some of the 2010 & 11's instead of a 2012 C.
    Reliability-wise, there should be no problems with the C. It's not an entirely new drivetrain, but just the same in a new & smaller box.

    Good luck & I hope you love whatever model you decide upon!
     
    #2 ghosteh, Mar 21, 2012
  3. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    Well,I would say that the prius c would not be a major risk as the part that should be the risk would be the drive train but the prius c as well as the prius v uses the same drive train as the 3rd gen prius car which should be a bit better than the prius II.as for your height as well as the price constraint, the c is probably a better fit. I would suggest that perhaps you bring a cardboard box that is roughly the size of the amp you might be putting in. I am sure the dealers won't mind if that will guarantee a sale for them.
     
    #3 Keiichi, Mar 21, 2012
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The gas engine in the Prius c is the same 1.5 liter used in Gen 1 and 2, not the 1.8 liter used in the Gen 3 Liftback, PIP, or v
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Mar 21, 2012
  5. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    My advice - take your bass amp(s) to the dealer to try on for fit. The retail salespeople (the guys who stand around outside the showroom) will try to get you to test drive the car and get all excited about buying it...

    do not fall for that. You are simply there to gather information. Take your time. Even the very best policies, and rare are to give you a mere 3 days/250 miles to return a car, no questions asked. Almost all other dealers do not do that. You drive it towards home, it's yours forever.

    Might want to think about what you want to still be driving 10 years from now or more.
     
    #5 cycledrum, Mar 21, 2012
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  6. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Lay the amp down and it will fit easily. Obviously you don't have 40" of height available in the car but you have over 40" in length and the other two dimensions are cake.
     
    #6 F8L, Mar 21, 2012
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  7. Tommy777

    Tommy777 New Member

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    @Cycledrum - You make a good point, I do plan on having this car for at least a decade and I don't know if it would be a good match for me when I'm in my late 20s or early 30s.

    Nothing against anyone who is older and drives a Prius C ;) .

    But with the continual rise of gas prices and reports of the Prius C getting upper 60MPG, it makes it a tough choice between that and the Prius II.

    @F8L - Do you know the dimensions of the trunk space on the Prius C? Where can I find them? I can only find the cubic feet, which isn't too helpful....
     
    #7 Tommy777, Mar 21, 2012
  8. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I am not trying to discourage you, but

    The c gets great mileage in town, but on a freeway it is likely the liftback does better, it is more aerodynamic.
     
    #8 JimboPalmer, Mar 21, 2012
  9. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    I would take and do the Prius over the Prius C for space and comfort...
     
    #9 ChipL, Mar 21, 2012
  10. Tommy777

    Tommy777 New Member

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    I appreciate all the responses so far, thanks everyone!

    I have an important update.


    I have just been informed that I luckily qualified for the VRRM program here in California. I'm getting 3K for my old junker that has a salvage title and 246k miles!!!

    I'm quite happy, but this program only works for one dealer that I submitted it with, their inventory is limited and the VRRM offer ends on Saturday.

    I have to decide between a Prius C package 3, a 2012 Prius package 2, or a 2011 Prius package 3. They are all roughly the same price. Any advice is appreciated!

    PS @ JimboPalmer, I drive mostly in city, but when I'm on the freeway it's a lot of stop n go traffic due to where I live in Los Angeles.
     
    #10 Tommy777, Mar 21, 2012
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well if you want navigation, the Prius c Three is the cheapest way to get there.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Mar 21, 2012
  12. Tommy777

    Tommy777 New Member

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    I don't need navigation since I have a smartphone and I find it easier to use Google Maps than a cars navigation. I really wish they had a Prius C package 2, since its probably easier to update the sound system due to the lack of the navigation, not to mention its much cheaper...
     
    #12 Tommy777, Mar 22, 2012
  13. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    I would say, go with the interior you might like then...

    The Prius c 3 - You got Moonroof, if that what you want, go for that.
    The Prius 2012 Two - While it has the LED Daytime Running Lights, no moon/sunroof like the Package 3 or 4 models, so basically, that should be your deciding factor there.

    do not know about the 2011 one, but assuming it has the moonroof.

    The Entune system - Not really a good deciding factor for you, as some hate, some like it. I'm generally 'eh' about it. I think your only other deciding factor is if anyone is sittingin the back, I think the Prius standard might win out a little.
     
    #13 Keiichi, Mar 22, 2012
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Order one then?
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Mar 22, 2012
  15. Tommy777

    Tommy777 New Member

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    I discussed this with my salesman but he said they are selling like hot cakes and they can't get any in, that a lot of dealerships are selling them at no less than sticker price.

    I don't know if I really can't order one or if he just really wants to sell me the prius C 3 package =/ and with my 3k trade in ending on Saturday, it's putting me in a tough spot.

    Don't really care about moonroofs or entune, but I can't find much info on the 2011 prius package 3 anymore..
     
    #15 Tommy777, Mar 22, 2012
  16. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    Well, if you have no problem fitting in a Prius 2012, I say go with the 2012 since you don't need the moonroof and entune is not a need either.
     
    #16 Keiichi, Mar 22, 2012
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'm thinking the latter since they pay interest on the car that's sitting on the lot.


    All the info you need is here =)

    http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html



     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Mar 22, 2012
  18. fulltank

    fulltank New Member

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    Those would be my choices. Don't believe there is much difference between 2 and 3 so I guess it would be which year you like better. I'm 6'2" and have a 2011 Prius 4 and LOVE it. I'm 50 yrs old but very athletic and never experience any leg or back pain and have no problem seeing anything or getting in and out of vehicle. The seat is very comfortable for myself and I make 4 hr trips about 4 times a month.

    Personal pref, but I really don't dig the Prius c

    Good Luck!
     
    #18 fulltank, Mar 22, 2012
  19. Wanderer

    Wanderer Hybrid neophyte

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    I'm also 6'1 and found the center console to be a burden for my right knee. I sat in one for an hour trying to get a feel and that and the visibility out the back were my two complaints. I'd suggest checking these points in each car. I've never sat in a c so I'm no help there. W
     
    #19 Wanderer, Mar 22, 2012
  20. 6dogs

    6dogs New Member

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    You also might want to consider in the 10 years that you are going to have the vehicle how your lifestyle might change. Marriage, kids- rear facing child seat no recommend 2 years that way takes up loads of space, more crap etc... the Prius 11 or 111 might be a better choice than the Prius c. I went to the dealership with my tapemeasure & measured many vehicles- the Prius 11 & the Corolla fit my stuff in. Camry though considered a larger vehicle didn't fit my stuff in the trunk. I went with the 2011 Prius 11 & wer are loving it
     
    #20 6dogs, Mar 22, 2012
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