Considering trading in for Prius C

WHY do you want an economy car? Your burning money with deprecation that you will never save by getting better MPG.

 

It appears that you can afford the vehicle, so I would recommend looking at a prius liftback over the prius c. The liftback (or normal pruis, or whatever you want to call it) is more roomy and has more features and options that the c. I purchased the c coming from a 2003 Beetle TDI and if I could have afforded it, I would have purchased a new 2015/16 Golf TDI in a heartbeat. The VW has much better fit and finish, comfort, and an overall solid feeling that I do not find in any of the Japanese makes. It also has so many little things that are just nicer. The map/reading lights in the rear seat, the always on, multiple 12 volt outlets (the beetle has 3, one in front, one between the front seats for the passanger/ rear seat, and one in the trunk. the c only has 1 in the very front and it only on when the car is). My beetle I could drive all day long and not get tired or uncomfortable, it would cruise at 70mph + on the freeway all day long and was solid. I have yet to take a long road trip in the c, but I have a 5 hour drive coming up and I hope that it will be comfortable, but I have a feeling that I may have issues.
That being said, only you can decide what you like/dislike and what is comfortable for you. I would recommend looking at both the prius liftback and the prius c, heck you may even find the camry hybrid to be a good option. as far as interior goes, i hear that the lexus ct200h is nice, although I have never been inside one myself.
Not knowing what other vehicles you have owned, driving the prius c is a much different experience from a vette, m series bmw, or passat. Just saying this as you have to have the mindset that this is not a car on the same level as those, it does not handle as well (not to mention the acceleration), there is more wind and road noise, and there may be squeaks and rattles from the dash and interior panels even when brand new. Not that the prius is not a nice car, you just have to remember that the c is basically a yaris hybrid, and I strongly doubt anyone ever cross shopped a passat and a yaris.
Finally, I would really recommend that you drive as many different cars as you can and are even remotely interested in and then you can decide for yourself which you like best. If you are relying on the internet for a subjective answer like 'which is best' you are never going to get a clear answer and you will be disappointed when the vehicle does not meet your needs.

 

I totally disagree with the last post. I have owned 30 plus cars in my life and currently own 4 cars. Prius C is no speed demon, but it can move, it is super quite and comfortable. I also get bored with cars, but there are ones that I tend to hold onto, and this will be one of them.

 

As a former driver of a WRX, EVO, Forester XT, Yaris, Maxima, etc, I think I understand where you are coming from.

I also see your logic of the "even swap" in terms of money and wanting to move on trading in that VW before any further depreciation occurs.

Just understand that the C is more of a city car, so on the freeway, it's less efficient than the liftback and feels a little out of its element. Quite frankly, the C (at least my One) is really a barebones econo-box. Everything from the way the doors sound when you slam them shut, to the handling / road noise reminds me of it. Still, it's fun to drive and with a 15.7 feet turn radius, it's easy to make U-Turns. It also fit in those tight parking spots at the beach, etc.

I would say that it's a much nicer car than my Yaris (when I had one), but the Yaris's manual transmission makes it more fun to drive.

IMO, a big plus for the C (being a bare-bones car) is that depreciation is pretty mild, so when you do get bored of it, it'll be easy to trade in and you shouldn't take a big hit compared to the initial purchase price.

 

The one is the way to go. I am modding it the way I want it....

 

Go for the One. Locally, I've seen last year's model advertised on those graphic screen billboards for around $17k. As for cruise control... if you are handy, you can add it in (all it'll cost you is the cc control lever and a couple of hours of work to add the wiring to the ECU and some light drilling to install the handle, about $75).

On mine, I've put in: Auto headlights ($27), Sunglass holder replacing the driver side OMG handle ($25), Back-up camera with monitor in the rear view mirror ($150), Scion TC low profile rear headrests ($80), left foot rest (aka dead-pedal, $6), and a trunk light ($8).

It is a fun car to drive. It's like a video game trying to eek out better MPG's.

 

Its not real leather, so don't be too concern with the seats, I like the cloth more anyway.

 

Grab Handle Sunglass Holder | PriusChat

Plug N Play Auto Headlights for the Prius C | Page 2 | PriusChat

Rostra cruise control instructions (shows all needed stuff and wiring):
http://www.rostra.com/manuals/250-1836_Form5350.pdf

Picture in the middle of the thread shows the stock trunk light connector. Just get a used trunk light and cut a rectangular hole for it and connect it with some wire.
Hatchback light in C1 | PriusChat

2005 Mercedes C240 Interior Luggage Light Compartment Trunk 2208201901 392 7 | eBay

Foot rest:
Foot Rest (dead pedal) | PriusChat

TC headrests:
Rear Head Rest Changed | Page 4 | PriusChat

Most of the installs are searchable on this site...

 

He said he wants cruise. With the 1 he'd have to install CC himself.

 

Softex seats are nice IMO, Plus when it was colder out the seat heaters are awesome in the mornings.

 

Not in hot weather!