Prius v versus Matrix

What will be your estimated cost savings in fuel over the next 3-5 years?

Also.....will the residual value be better with the Matrix after 3 years?

The answers may help or maybe not...

 

I was interested in picking up a new Matrix after my '03 fought off a bus on the freeway. I was fortunate to come out with minor injuries (considering that this was a freeway speed accident with a bus). Problem is no dealers in my area had a new Matrix.

After test-driving a ton of cars, I decided to go back to Toyota and try out the Prius v. It is my Matrix with much better tech and hybrid engine. I love it. Feels like there is more cargo room in the back. Only thing I miss is the fold completely flat backseats in the Matrix.

13k is a huge difference. Are you sure you want the tech-ed out Prius? I feel like a Prius v three is a better value than an all-options Matrix.

 

IMO, if anyone only uses the comparison of gas savings over the lifetime of the hybrid to the $5k-$10k premium they pay when buying it as a justification for a hybrid.... no one would buy a hybrid. I've done some rough calculations in the past and it would take a good 5 to 10 years (maybe a little less or more depending on your driving style) to make up the price tag difference with gasoline savings. That should not be enough to sway the majority of wallets if using that factor alone.

The reason my wife and I decided on the Prius v is because plain and simple... we like the car's style/size/capacity and like the idea of spending a bit less on gas and using a bit less gas overall. And yes, we're willing to pay a few thousand more when we could probably do equally well with a cheaper Mazda 5 or Matrix.

But then again, there are people who buy Lexuses instead of Toyotas for tens of thousands more when they both are equally good at moving people from point A to point B right?

 

The Prius v (assume you mean the new wagon) is very new, and likely limitted availability for the first while, all factors in non-negotiable prices. Did you consider a regular Prius? Also, it's suprising how quickly the "non" can drop if you try two or three dealerships. And per other posters: if you're having sticker shock, consider the lower model.

Also, watch out for dealers trying to "slip in" documentation charge at the last moment. If they quote you with DC included, they cannot wangle it in at the last minute. That's the stunt Open Road PoMo tried with us, anyway.

 

With the LED headlight, you are looking at the top of the line Prius v. How about the less loaded model for lower price?

 

This Canadian nomenclature has me confused.

What features does the "Touring" Prius v have that the non AT Prius v five doesn't have? Or vice versa?

BTW: I think Prius Touring would have been a better name than Prius v.

 

For me the added features wouldn't completely justify the extra cost but the v is much larger than the Matrix and that could make the difference. I went with the Prius back in 2005 because I wanted to reduce of use of fossil fuels and reduce emissions output. So I guess this just depends on what you care about most.

 

Have you test driven a Matrix? I found it to be a tin-can type of economy car despite trim levels. I test drove it and its sister pontiac vibe on three different occasions and was less than impressed despite the great pricing. To add insult to injury, I was given a new matrix to drive home for the night after trading in to buy my 2010 prius while they did the make ready and paper work on it. (yes I knew the dealer trick: if they had my trade, I'd be less likely to back out of the deal). Anyhoo....

Having said all that, that's a HUGE price difference and I don't think you'll ever get the fuel savings to make it up. You're making a big purchase, buy what makes you feel good not what looks good on spreadsheet or graph.

 

Everything looks good on a spreadsheet.

I'd give very different advice.

Don't borrow for fun. If you can't comfortably absorb the overall difference in TCO don't get the Prius. It doesn't mean you have to buy the car with the lowest TCO, just that you should think of more expensive choices as absorbing disposable income.

 

I'm not sure where they are getting the $4000 discount from. I was in the shop yesterday looking at the V and the Matrix and was told for a cash purchase, the Matrix gets me $1000 off.

The Prius V Luxury package seems to have a lot of goodies, without opting for the Technology package.

For Canadian purchasers, any sales tax advantage or govt rebates for buying this? They have it for the Chevy Volt.

 

This sounds like a problem when people start seeing the Prius v as an expensive Matrix.

Why would we even have this discussion anyway? There is no comparison whatsoever between the legroom and headroom of a Matrix and Prius v. Actually, there is - Matrix has about one half the legroom of a Prius v.

 

what's in a name

Oh good heavens, I second that one.
What a stupidly decided name.
No offense.. but as I have said before, calling this car the same name as something we are already making was idiotic. Talk about confusion!

 

I had this discussion myself also, twice. Twice, I bought the Prius.
W/o any tax breaks.

I do some 20,000km a year, mixed driving.

So I not only calculated gas savings VS the Matrix, also consider:
- resell after 5 years (I got 51% with my first 2006 Prius)
- upkeep (less oil changes, non-existent brake jobs)
- no more tuneups

Every time I did the math, I came out pretty much equal.
TCO on both cars, even in Canada, is the same (within 1k$).:welcome:

I found the *coolness* factor of the Prius worth it. Bonus, you can easily keep the Prius 10 years, do half a million kilometers with nothing more to change in the motor other than spark plugs (every 120,000km thereabouts) and oil. Perhaps one or two transmission changes.

If you don't do brake pad changes on your Matrix yourself, you're looking at 1,500$ per 2 years at a dealer. Yourself, perhaps 500$.
Not that hard to do.

Change brake pads with the Prius? If you use it 4-5 times per week, non-stop, how about *never* ?