Who else traded luxury for a Prius?

I've always been cheap with cars and probably always will be so I can't say I went from luxury to it unfortunately

 

No matter how luxurious, cars are depreciating assets, IMO, there's nothing cheap about understanding the value of high MPGs in a rising oil price economy. I just don't see the value of luxury cars especially those built from multi-purpose platforms which domestic makers are notoriously guilty; i.e. Cadillac built on chevy platforms. IMO, Cadillac is not luxurious, however. I guess I grew up overly practical.

 

I traded a 2007 Volvo S80 V8 for my 2010 Prius III. I can't agree with you more...I miss the ventilated seats and sound deadening. Other things I miss are the more supportive seats (guess I took Volvo's seats for granted), active bending lights, smart key for all doors and the awd.

Regardless, I'm still happy with my Prius...achieving 50mpg is a psychological victory for me.

 

Not anymore...Caddys are on their own RWD platforms...at least most of the newer ones.

Most other luxury brands are the same for the most part.

 

Same thing here. I can look at the fancy brochures, watch the cool commercials, and really be thrilled by the test drive, but when it comes to signing on the dotted line the little area of my brain that controls practicality switches on hard and I walk away.

 

This is a funny thread. I'm actually more inclined to move up to a luxury car next time after owning a Prius -- my first car. I want a quieter drive, more seat padding, and no mo' rattles. I'm talking about big brother. LEXUS.

 

I moved from a 1995 Mercury Tracer Station Wagon to a 2004 Prius. I upgraded to luxury big time, although lost hatch space.

 

I'll let you know this weekend -- I registered here because I think I'm getting a 2008 Prius, but I started the search looking at highline AWD sedans and might end up in a used Acura RL or Cadillac CTS4 after all, if the numbers come in right...

Prius showed up on my list because of the rear leg room and techie features (and the not-infrequent stop-and-go commute that would make the other cars' performance and handling meaningless!)

 

Lexus has plenty of rattles...just go to a Lexus forum and see...Lexus is no more immune to rattles than any other car. Customer service may be nicer and more willing to fix the rattles...but if you think that buying a lexus will eliminate rattles, then you are in for a surprise!

 

I would say buying a Lexus USED to mean that you were immune to rattles, but doesn't any more.

98 LS400 & 04 LS430...never had one rattle anywhere. 03 ES300 I had two, both of which the dealer had a TSIB for and fixed and they never returned. Its still 100% rattle free at 160k miles. My 2010 ES is still rattle free, but its not even a year old yet.

On the forums you see more rattle issues with the new ones, and less so on the LS obviously than the others. GS is the worst.

Personally, I'd never consider giving up my luxury car for the Prius. A luxury car is just that, a luxury item. Of course it costs more...costs more to maintain...costs more to fuel...costs more to run. Its a luxury item...it is what it is. Is it the "smart" thing to drive? No. Is it smart to eat a steak at Applebee's instead of Morton's? Or shop at Kohls instead of Nordstrom? Sure...but those premium experiences aren't about being smart...they're about enjoying premium experiences.

 

Hmmm yes yes I see your point. I know even Lexus has its problem - I read their forums. But it's not the rattle box Prius. The Prius rattles from the moment you sit down in it and when driving, it rattles from multiple spots.

You're right Lexus isn't immune, but the heavier frame, lower center of gravity, higher quality plastics, and more padded leather confer a nicer driving experience. I'll admit, sometimes the Prius just feels like it's going to fall apart.

 

Well, my Prius is doing just fine...not much of any rattle...just my kids carseat....

Heavier frame? Depending on model i guess. CT200h and HS250h share the same platform as Prius. ES with Camry. RX with Highlander/Camry/Venza. LX with Land Cruiser. GX with 4runner. I don't know much about car structures, but i do know that a GX and LX frames are identical to their Toyota components. Sure, there may be more sound insulation, but that really does not mean less rattles.

And in some cases, the Toyota version gets better crash test scores! (Hint: Prius vs. HS)

Yeah, those other stuff you mentioned does lend to a better driving experience. But, you pay extra for it. And they have no relation to the presence of rattles. I see complaints of rattles on Lexus LS too.

About the only thing that i will give credit to Lexus for over Toyota is the willingness of Lexus dealers to go after and fix rattles...in addition, they have more generous TSBs!

 

I agree 100%. I have no problems with anyone buying luxury stuff...hey, it's their freaking money!! Geez, i am like that too! But, for cars, i have personal reasons why i am shying away from them.

 

OK, my turn!

2009 Mercedes E350 Sport (w/P2 Package).


...One Last look after I traded...

I would not say I traded down 'much' (because I got a 5 w/NAV) but
( I got more for the MB so I did not have to pay sales tax on the trade)

I no longer have to worry about:
. High Property Taxes
. Weekly fill ups (its been 2 weeks, and I still have 1/2 tank)
. High insurance
. Replacing Tires every 25,000 miles
. B service, A service, C $ervice
.
As far as luxury goes, I think most luxury is for those with some disposable income. The oil companies seem to have that worked out for us now so we do not have to worry about that or even wasting it on other things like eating out once in a while or going to the movies. Things you want versus things you actually need.

I saw the writing on the gas pumps back in January and have been scrambling to get my hands one one. Just got lucky on April 8th. Waited a while for it to come in.

As far as the stereo goes, do this: go to sound settings. Set Treb and Bass to MAX (leave Mid in the middle) and turn up the volume a bit. For NAV units, do this for each TAB!

I like the Gen III style the best. The plugin version looks great, but I could not wait for it.
Horse power? Just set to Power mode and it keeps up with traffic just fine.
Interior? The Prius actually has more leg room - even in the back seat area! No rattles so far.

My gripes:
. No DVD movies for NAV unit?!
. Why put seat heater switch under bridge when a blank is right under the power switch?!
. Home link mirror does not seem to dim. I am hunched over at night in heavy traffic trying to avoid being blinded.
. Why no JDM Signal mirrors for USA?
. Would like the solar option for the 5 (believe me, it was tough deciding on a 4 with solar or the 5. The deciding factor? The 5 was available NOW!)

OK I'm done! Thanks for reading... :rockon:

 

I started with my uncle's 1981 Nissan 280ZX when I was 16; I sold it and bought my Dad's 1992 Honda Prelude when I went to college in '99. Once I graduated and found a career (2002) I wanted something in the same family so I picked up a used 2001 Acura Integra. In 2007 I wanted something even sportier so I returned to the Nissan family with the Infiniti G35S coupe. She was a blast. This March I traded her in for a 2011 Toyota Prius - the first new car I've ever bought (my fiancé only buys new...). She still has her 2009 Lexus IS350 (at least she let me “encourage her” to get one with the Mark Levinson system - that is one of the nicest stock systems I've ever heard). On long trips through dark, windy roads the Lexus is the more capable car, hands down (not to mention more comfortable and much quieter); however, for the daily commute (50 miles round-trip) the Prius is perfect for what it does. Now instead of $70 weekly fill-ups and $1000 tire changes every 25K miles, I drive by the gas station and wave. We keep the Lexus for long trips on the weekends, but the fuel economy and hatch features of the Prius make it a winner -- for everyday commuting I can live with the comfort and sound system. Do I enjoy riding in my buddy's Audi S5 and BWM M3? Of course! But he can keep the gas bill. I really enjoy this new community and the more considerate, patient driver I have become, or so says my lady-friend.

 

When my dad passed away, he left me a 2000 BMW 528i. Sold it and bought a new 06 Prius. My dad was eyeing the Prius anyway but never lived to get one. I was happy to carry out the transaction. I'm registered now for first dibs on the PHV--Great cars!

 

Amen, brother! As far as the Homelink mirror dimming goes, I agree. Try putting some tape over the sensor on the windshield side of the mirror. It seems to work a bit better this way!

 

With each successive generation the similarities are less so. The platform sharing between these vehicles is just that, platform sharing. Its not really that the "frame" is shared between the two, but the basic underpinnings that the chassis is built off of are shared. It may be that no two parts are shared.

For instance the GX is really a rebadged Land Cruiser Prado more than it is a 4Runner. The GX460 is even more differentiated from the 4Runner.

The LX has always been the closest to its Toyota stablemate.

 

I traded the luxury of a 2010 Scion xB (being facetious) for my Prius. I was just not happy with averaging 25 mpg's in a small car. Now at 47 mpg average, I am a happier man.

 

I sold my 2008 ML 500. I had enough. I drive 80 miles a day round trip, I got sick and tired of filling it up. The truth is night and day. My prius V although fully loaded does not compare to the Benz , but we have to make sacrifices.