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Should we buy it or get something else?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by stephensprius, Jun 11, 2014.

  1. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    So...we lease my wife's 2013 Prius persona. Mileage has been excellent. Not bad in Winter driving either surprisingly. I think the payoff on it now is 23,000 (and change). When lease is up it is 14,500. Lease matures in March 2016. We have about 18,000 miles on it in just the first year. Although, now, we do much less driving. The lease payment is 296/month. Insurance is higher on Prius too, more than my 2014 Honda crv. I'm not sure if that is because the CRv is an SUV- or because insurance company is concerned about hybrid reliability- or what? Both are safe vehicles. Not sure. Anyways, should we buy this car at the end ? Or does it make more sense to buy another 14-15k dollar vehicle non-hybrid, less insurance, etc? I know many, many people like 2fasfu and others have driven these cars 200-300,000+ miles! But that is also in a very short span of time. We still don't know how reliable it will be long term with putting on miles slowly over the course of 10+ years. Or more? Most, non-hybrid vehicles, if serviced properly, should make it to 200,000 miles or 15 years of quality service. I'm thinking Honda Accord. Let me know your thoughts Prius world. Thanks!
     
  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    For that amount you get a stripped down subcompact, not exactly a fair comparison. If this is all about saving money, first, you shouldn't lease or buy new. Old beater or public transportation is ultimately cheaper. The choice is yours.
     
  3. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    1. public transport is awful in minneapolis. we need two cars. we have two children going to different sides of the city and at different times.
    2. an old beater is not a reliable slam dunk. again, i have two little girls. cold, terrible winter here in MN, don't want to be stranded.
    3. i can buy my mom's used, 2011 jeep liberty limited (leather seats, sunroof, nice stereo, nice wheels) 4x4 for 14,000 when her lease is done. gas mileage is God awful 15-17 mpg in city and hwy driving. But, it is fairly inexpensive car for one owner, 30,000 miles.
     
  4. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    There's no reason to believe the Gen III wouldn't hold up like the Gen II Prius did.
    There have been some Gen III issues when they're being used (and abused) for taxi cab service, but for regular use and with regular maintenance- you should get 200-300K mi out of the Gen III (and at 50+ mpg the whole time too).
     
  5. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    but at 15k miles a year, it would take me 20 years to get to 300,000 miles. do you believe this car will last 20 years?
     
  6. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    I like my moms Jeep. It's very sharp looking but not sure if mathematically makes sense or if it would kill me at the gas station.
     
  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    $3000-4000 per year in fuel cost (assuming 15 MPG). You can buy lots of prius batteries for that money (assuming they fail every 10 years or so).
     
  8. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    here is a pic of the jeep.
     

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  9. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    You'd get tired of it before then- one of your kids would love to have it somewhere down the line though.

    Did you compare the crash test ratings between your Prius and your moms Jeep?
     
  10. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    I am sure the Prius has better ratings
     
  11. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Well, that should count for something since you have kids....
     
  12. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    There's a reason the Jeep depreciates so heavily. If you still like the Prius after 3 years, buy it.
     
  13. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    Jeep wrangler is one of the top vehicles in resale value. The Liberty, maybe not. It's a discontinued vehicle. I was only thinking of doing it because I could finally own something (free & clear) without a car payment eventually. I guess I will just continue making lease payments and then pay off Prius when it's done.
     
  14. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    it certainly does count. i care about the kids safety. i have thought, despite iihs safety, that the jeep would be safer because it is heavier. The prius seems so flimsy.
     
  15. gmaur

    gmaur Junior Member

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    I had two Jeep Cherokee Sports. The first I leased, the second I owned...and sold in 2006. I loved that car, it did everything I needed/wanted except save money on gas and repairs. I believe the Liberty took its place with upgraded styling and features? Anyway, my experience with Chrysler vehicles (too many repairs) wasn't the best.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    same here.:(
     
  17. budrow56

    budrow56 Junior Member

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    In little rock to insure my 2012 prius v is 875 a year


    iPhone ?
     
  18. ibmoses

    ibmoses Junior Member

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    I have found that it is impossible to predict how long one will keep a vehicle or how many miles one will accumulate on a vehicle. Over the course of several years the path will be changed and so will the outcome.
    My recommendation is to buy the car at the end of the lease OR use the leased vehicle to trade up to a new Prius.

    I dont understand why your insurance is higher though on the Prius unless it is because of the value is higher on the Toyota.
     
  19. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Lucky you, $1909 here in NJ.
     
  20. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    The first car on your insurgence policy always costs more than the second. Because you get a discount on the second car.