Getting New Prius- Which Car Would You Sell?

I believe in strength in diversity.

So personally I'd replace Older Prius with Newer Prius...and continue as you are doing...

And keep the Element for all the utilitarian reasons you cite and simply because it's a different animal.

If you were buying a Prius v? The bigger Prius? My recommendation might be just the opposite. Because I think the Prius v a better replacement for the utility offered by an Element. But if you are talking Prius for Prius or Element?

I'd stay diverse. Nice to have a fuel efficient Prius for the majority of your driving needs...and an Element for those times when a larger vehicle is needed.

Admittedly I have a prejudice, I've always liked Honda Elements. I'm surprised you've had what you define as excessive repairs on the Element. They have the reputation of being very reliable.

73,000 miles on a 2004 Element? Lot's of life left.

 

If your using the Honda Element to haul animals it is great for that! room and easy to clean.

 

I agree with keeping the toaster.

 

Just out of curiosity what turned you off The Prius v?
Seems like that would be a good transition. Hybrid benefits, and closer to The Element in possible utility.

Also I live in a neighborhood DOMINATED by Prius and Subaru Outbacks. While the Outback doesn't offer Hybrid efficiency, it's a very nice vehicle in regards to comfort, drive ability and utility.

I suppose your decision has to be based primarily on what you want most at the moment. But if one vehicle is primarily yours...."The Prius" and the other vehicle is primarily your husbands? What does he want?

If he's going to be driving it the most or primarily what he wants to be driving everyday is key.

 

Typical Traction Battery Life Span is 10 years. Some get more based on environment, care, driving habits, etc.

Toyota warranties new car's in CARB States for 10 Years or 150,000 Miles.

Replacing a new battery can cost about $4,200 at the dealer (Includes labor) to $1850 for a Reinvolt + Labor of about $450. Other expensive items associated with the battery can fail also.

A new Prius starts at $24,500 + tax and License. Dealers are discounting, and TFS has some good rebates and financial incentives from time to time.

You may be able to find a 3 year coming of lease, you typicals get about 30% to 40% off original list price, and they have from 36,000 miles to 45,000 miles, and you got a good 7 years ahead of you, and many Dealers will bundle with a extended warranty.

 

Keep the older prius and enjoy the gas savings on both cars. IMHO storage room/cargo area is over rated. I rarely need room to move anything that would be considered big. The couple of times in the last 5 years I did need something larger, a larger car or minivan wouldn't have worked anyways (mattress, or large amounts of lumber) At those times a $20 rental from Home Depot works perfectly. You get a nearly unlimited amount or flatbed space for $20 when you need it. And don't have to drive around a huge/unnecessary minivan, or pickup truck the other 99.99% of the time.

 

+1 I agree!

 

Personally I don't like having 2 of the same car. I also always had a soft spot for the Element, although the day I went to buy one I ended up driving home in a Fit!

 

Personally I never want to have two of the same car although if he dislikes driving the Element that is an important factor.

 

What are you hauling?

My Prius I put the back seats down and took the Tourneau cover off. I was able to transport two large 60" Plasma TV's with room to spare at Christmas time.

 

Yep Bicycle may be tricky. I do see people with the Hitch and Bicycle holder in the rear. I also see some top of the car bicycle holders but more common to see surf board holders in Coastal So Cal on them.

Best of Luck

 

Though I personally don't like the Element, there is a decent possibility that you've gotten past most of the pricey repairs and are now in a "sweet spot" where it'll run without major issue for several more years.

That's what happened with my '94 Chrysler. Lots of repairs to the suspension, brakes, tie rods for a while, and then it ran mostly trouble-free until around 180,000 miles and pushing 20 years, and then electrical demons began to show up. So I ended up with a Prius.

With your husband driving so few miles it really makes no financial sense to change his driver to a Prius. And I believe the Prius' traction battery benefits by more regular driving rather than sitting.

I would replace the older Prius with a new four.

The other downside of keeping the Prius and getting a new Prius could be that the older Prius no longer has its allure.

Whoever ends up driving the older one will end up with new Prius envy...

 

True. They will just have to get two new prii

 

That's what happened to me. My wife keeps taking the Prius in the morning, now we have two

 

If you decide to get rid of the Element, you will soon there after, find a million reasons why you should have kept it.

 

I'm this way with pickup trucks. Within a year of selling one because I don't need it - I'm buying another. At least I was able to kick the more expensive Corvette habit, I hope...