Need Some Opinions Please

If you are sure of your math then it makes sense to get the C.

I would check the real world highway MPG reports from those who are actually driving the C's and figure that into your calculations. Gas is now $4.29.9/regular in Honolulu (yesterday - don't know about today). I thought the gas prices spike in the summer then go down somewhat in the fall and winter? That might have to be part of your math too.

YMMV

 

Well, to me its a no brainer, buy the Prius C or the regular
Prius. Remember the price of gas will probably never ever
be lower than $3.50 / gallon, more likely $4.00 per gallon
if gas continues its upward spiral.

You will be happy with the Prius. We have a 2010 Prius
now with nearly 68,000 miles and it is a great car
and in summer its a true 50 mpg plus car, in winter 44-47 mpg
true calculated mpg's on both counts.

Last summer my wife, son, and I went round trip to San Francisco
we were well loaded about 3,850 lbs gross, and we still got 54 mpg.

Just test drive both models, the regular Prius and the Prius C and
see what you think...

 

Unfortunately for a 'c' in your life today, probably not

While the monthy payment + fuel might be* lower with the 'c' than the Yaris, you owe $5k on the Yaris but you would owe $18k on the 'c'. The loan durations are way different.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from buying the 'c', I am only pointing out the fallacy in your reasoning. The financially prudent course is to pay off your Yaris, and then save the monthly payments until the Yaris is put to rest. At that time buy the most fuel efficient car (or close to it) within your budget.

*I'm not sure how you figured the monthly fuel cost savings. Here is one estimate:
'c':
50 mpg
$4/gallon fuel

Yaris
40 mpg
$4/gallon fuel

800 miles/week travel
'c': 16 gallons a week
Yaris: 20 gallons a week

Savings in fuel with a 'c' each week: $16

How sure are you that your current long commute will stay the same for next 10+ years ?

 

My average price per gallon since last March has been $3.61 (most of it Costco NW Indianapolis) for regular. Gas prices have been going up slowly for the past ten years and have become very unstable with wild swings but overall the prices are rising slowly.
Predictably the summer gas is higher. I think this summer will hit new highs with a typical snap back to lower prices as demand weakens.
You are most likely better off sticking to your faithful Yaris, at least until it's paid off. You are averaging very good numbers and the savings of a "C" will be minimal.
When it's time to buy a new car the hybrid may be a good car for you if you keep it long enough.

 

I have another factor to consider in your equation however you cant put a value on it.

Comfort

I used to sell Toyotas and I know the Yaris well. They arent the most fun cars to drive. They can have loud road noise and are underpowered.
A Prius C would probably be a lot of fun to drive. I love driving my 08 Prius. Plus the Prius is going to have much better seats. Which is a huge plus if you put on a lot of miles.

 

I was in the same boat as you, I sold my Yaris to my neighbor for $4600 with 204,000 miles it was a 2007, and I have had the Prius C now doing my 57 Miles one way interstate commutes, where I averaged 39 MPG on my Yaris, I am so far doing 52 in the Prius C, I am very happy with my decision. But yes the Yaris will go 300,000 easy with regular fluid changes. The C will be out for a couple of years... your call. I really like the gadgets on the c tho.

 

I ran some numbers through fueleconomy.gov and with 40,000 highway commute miles (45K total) you are saving ~110$/mo. You also need to factor in maintenance, you are getting the set of new tires, and you won't be needing new brakes for quite some time (our Gen3 pads almost new at 76K, YMMV).

Usually new hybrid does not win against old econobox, but it seems in your case it does since you are still paying for it and you rack alot of miles.

Also the reviews say basic C seats are bad and it does not have cruise control. With your commute you may be better off getting Two. You'd be getting better sound system too, worth it as you spend 3 hours in car every day. IMHO it is better to get something you really like: you'll take good care of it, and it will last you long time good luck

 

Big issue to see the actual highway fuel economy numbers of Prius. As you know, it's only EPA rated at 46 MPG highway (or is it 47, I forget).

The other thing is Prius c is an all new model. I think there are always some quirks on new model cars. The 2010 Prius intake manifold has been redesigned in the 2012 model as well as an engine mount.

Your Yaris is almost paid off and it's got life left in it. If you can wait a couple years and see if a 2014 Prius c or liftback fits, that might be better.

Better yet, if you wait until 6 months before the 4th generation liftback is realeased you should get a really good deal on a 3rd gen which should be 2015 model at that time.

 

Gen II highway was rated at 45 MPG so Prius c's 46 MPG is an improvement. Gen II city was 48 MPG and Prius c's 53 is a huge improvement.

 

Why spend a lot of money for a new Prius c which is not really made for long commuting? OK, you are doing that with your Yaris, but as put forward by others, comfort is also an element to consider.

I just test drove two 2006 - 2009 facelift Prii (2007 and 2009 IV models) and was very impressed. It is as comfortable as my Avensis (probably a bit less then a Camry I don't know), and as pointed out in the previous post, will get similar mileage as the c on highways. If you really want to change cars, it may be good to check out for a used Prius 2. It's one of the most reliable and durable cars on the market, offers more space and comfort than a c, and will cost you a lot less. If not older then three years, you will benefit from five years Toyota warranty (provided this is true for the US), as good as on a new c.

Hope this is helfull and wish you good luck.

Jan

 

One consideration that hasn't been mentioned, and it can be significant, is the increased cost of insuring a new vehicle. Also, once the Yaris is paid-off, the monthly payments could be set aside to go toward the eventual cost of a replacement, thereby saving you even more in interest charges down the road. The most economical way to own ANY car is to drive it until it has little or no useful life remaining. In the case of the Yaris, this could be a very long time indeed.

 

The Prius C in my Avatar is my wife's. Ever since we got her car a few weeks ago, I've been contemplating replacing my 08 Yaris Base hatchback (5-spd) with another C. So, I know how you feel. BTW, I get similar mpg's to yours and also drive mostly freeway miles.

Unfortunately, numbers and logic dictate that I keep the Yaris. We took a family trip with the C to the outlet and averaged 47.7 mpg with my wife's all-city driving and a couple hundred miles of freeway driving (real world mpg). I could only guess that all loaded up on the freeway, the C gets similar mpg to my Yaris.

I'm not rich, but I want to save up for my kids' college funds and the rainy day account, in case either my wife or I lose my job. I concluded that I don't need another car payment.

Look at it this way, at $270 per month and $5,000 to go, you have another year and a half before you get to pocket $270 every month. That's $3,240 per year of extra money.

 

Something else to consider that I don't see that anyone else mentioned: Do not buy a car with a higher payment unless you can actually afford the higher payment. Don't try to offset the higher payment with an unrealized gain like gas savings. You will not be handed $120 every month because you didn't buy that gas. You may think that you can apply the "extra" to your higher payment. But any number of circumstances could see you spending it somewhere else quite legitimately. Then where would you be? A better plan of attack would be to either save extra so you can put more down on a new car, or pay more on your current car loan so that you can realize more equity when you trade it in. Either will result in a lower car payment.