Having a hard time justifying 2010 Prius

The top of the line Insight is 7K less than the Prius V. In this comparison, the difference in gas mileage is only 5-10mpg tops. For 100K miles, that's a difference of 250-500 gallons for a grand total of around $1K.

 

Fortunately, we have other choices than this offer. From EBay:

• $22,950 - Prius II - 350263569449
• $27,699 - Prius III - 130335548853
• $29,427 - Prius IV - 260488429274
• $31,099 - Prius IV - 130335376525
• $33,390 - Prius V - 260488917131

So folks have options across roughly a $10k range. But also look at the completed sales:

• $25,969 - Prius IV - 110442810043
• $30,100 - Prius V - 250506239461

Bob Wilson

 

Apologies, I was not clear. The $30k incl fees and out the door. So, other than the II, all the choices listed here will be at $30k or well above it.

 

Have you driven an Insight? I'm a long time Honda owner, and gave the Insight the first look, but it is no Prius. And it isn't even in the same class as a Prius (compact vs. midsize) so not sure why everyone is so intent on comparing them so directly.

 

Why do you keep spouting off misleading info and misinformation in your posts? Your "seems" is incorrect. Accord outsells the 3-series 3 to 1. What do sales numbers have to do w/reliability? Just for kicks, I've included some reliability data of the 3 series vs. Accord vs. Prius. I've expanded a reasonably good version of the 3 series and Accord for comparison.

Look at how many years there were of below average, average, above average and much better than average there were for each.

Example sales for last month:
BMW Group U.S. Division Reports September 2009 Sales - Sales Up for 1st Time 2009
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/10/01/479944.html

You keep inflating the price of the Prius and make statements like:

Per Toyota Prius hybrid-electric car chronological history, it started at an MSRP of $19,995 and remained that way until at least the 04 model. But, by your definitions, it's already over $20K out the door, even from the start. Also, guess what? Some states like Oregon don't have sales tax. Out the door prices for a given will vary a lot depending on sales tax rate, fees and license.

The Prius II starts at $22K. The BMW X3 per BMW North America starts at $38,750 and that's WITHOUT leather. I've NEVER bought a $39K car. Why in the heck would I spend $43K+ out the door (I only included 9.5% sales tax here + dest charge) for an overpriced, vehicle that gets only 20 MPG combined on the EPA test vs. 50 mpg that has only so-so reliability (currently, it's surprisingly average per Consumer Reports) vs. one that's well above average, requires premium and will have killer maintainence and repair costs once the "free" maintainence runs out?

Adding nav, leather, and heated seats takes the pre-tax price to $43,450. Out the door price becomes ~$47,927.

A Prius IV w/leather and nav out the door is far below the out the door price of the most stripped down no nav, no leather X3 you can buy.

 

Insight EX is comparable to the Prius II and the small difference in price (roughly $1k) is peanuts in the grand scheme of things.

 

Precisely, more isn't always better.

These are recent sales trends and all marques have suffered declines.

So, what was wrong with saying Prius is a great car at $20k? And I am jealous of those folks that can buy without our Governator stealing a few bucks from ya.

A Prius V with all the trmmings can top out at $35,853 + applicable fees or around $40,000 out the door for me. And this is for a souped up Corolla or Yaris or whatever chasis they used.

 

BTW - Automobilemag.com has a thing where they calculate the 5-yr cost of ownership for various vehicles.

Prius II = $24,479
Prius III = $25,403
Prius IV = $28,409
Insight EX = $27,192
Corolla XLE = $26,241
Honda Fit EX = $24,990.

 

Because they are both hybrids ?

 

Can you send me a link? Thanks.

 

The only thing I see is that the Prius V has leather but then the top of the line Insight has Navi.

 

You can get nav on the Prius III and I believe the MSRP is $26,000. In other words, $2000 more than a Insight EX with nav. $2000 certainly wouldn't influence my decision....

 

Just go to Automobilemag.com...click new cars > select make > select model > select submodel > pricing > ownership

 

I don't know where you're getting your numbers from, see Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius / Toyota. Before $750 dest charge, taxes and fees, the highest priced Prius at MSRP would be $31,770.

That's still below the MSRP of any BMW 3-series or X3. Try equipping them similarly to the above Prius and seeing how much they cost. Then try adding tax, fees and license.

 

The optional (across the board) Navi package is almost 2K.

 

I'm not sure what your point is. The solar roof and advanced technology packages already INCLUDE everything in the navigation package. Your choices package choices are nav, solar roof, or AT. You can't get two packages.

 

Its from the Toyota configurator...not sure how to post pics but here's a recap...

Pkg v - 27270
AT - 5180
Blizzard - 220
Accessories - 2433
Delivery - 750
MSRP Total - 35853

 

If I had a short commute I wouldn't own a Prius, well I don't think I would but I have always felt it is a cool concept and I like owning "cool concept" items.

 

Looks like they raised the prices (or included the recent price increase already). So, you're going to buy ALL $2433 of accessories like paint protection film, illuminated door sill, TWO sets of floor mats, emergency assistance kit, first aid kit, remote engine start, VIP security system, ASHTRAY CUP, etc.? I wouldn't bother w/any of these.

Let's go pick an X3 from bmwusa.com and add all the crap that you can including all the "transporters". Comes out to $59,449 including $825 destination charge. With my sales tax rate alone and no extra fees, we're talking $65K+. Don't forget the Prius gets 2.5x the gas mileage and doesn't require premium.

 

what happens when you compare the prius gen II with a car of the same size.. is it then still hard to swallow..
the fit( smaller ) and civic ( less leg room and bagage ) are not cars you can compare the gen 3 to.