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Parents are trying to talk me out of a Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by seeforyourself, Feb 10, 2018.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well most cars will amount to nothing in the future.... so I'm not sure that's a strong argument.

    Prius
    Pros:
    • The Prius is shorter than the Corolla so it's technically easier to park.
    • Hatchback makes it easier when you have to move to Brooklyn
    • More storage space - underfloor cargo bins, dual gloveboxes, reasonable sized centre console
    • Tech - Solar roof w/ solar panel ventilation system, HUD, power driver's seat w/ power lumbar support and a larger MFD (7" LCD if you get a Four with Deluxe Solar Roof package or a Five w/ Advanced Technology package)
    • Long wheelbase relative to its overall length will give a more comfortable ride
    • Fuel efficiency if you drive longer distances.
    • Low emissions
    • EV driving (or at least engine off driving)
    • Low cost of operation (which is amazing given the Corolla already has a low operating cost - Prius' brake pads will last a very long time. In city driving, our 2005 lasted the life of the car - 11.5 years. My 2010 is still going at 50% left. There's no starter motor to replace either)
    Cons:
    • Noisier than Corolla
    • Possibly dated head unit (if you buy a 2014 or newer Corolla, otherwise it's ahead of the 2009-2013 Corolla)
    • Cheaper plastic
    • Slow steering ratio (esp. on 15" wheel models)

    The new Prius would have a stiffer suspension than the older ones (especially if you drove a Three Touring or a Four Touring of the new Prius). The new Prius also has a brand new chassis and suspension system (fully independent) that gives it much better road holding and, at least for me, a more compliant ride. My 2010 Prius does lean quite a bit in corners.
     
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  2. Deft Jef

    Deft Jef Junior Member

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    WoW! You must have a really cool Mom if she's driving a C63. That's a lot of engine packed into a C-Class. But I agree with your parents. Gas prices are fairly cheap these days. Unless you have a really long daily commute a Prius purchase is not really justified and a Corolla is sufficient. It will typically take you several years in gas saving to recoup the cost of purchasing a Prius rather than a Corolla.
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I don't know what advice to give you.
    But I just kind of like the whole idea of parents, trying to talk the kid out of a Prius, with a Corolla S.
    Just feels like it should be the other way around.

    Shouldn't you want the Corolla sports model, and the parents be the one's trying to get you into the economical and reliable Prius?
    I really don't know how to handle it, if the roles are reversed.

    But I'd say, the OP is 22...that's old enough to make your own decision. Get the Prius then time will convince them you made the right choice.

    By the way, Love the Mercury Grand Marquis. It absolutely makes no sense. It's huge.
    How can you not love a vehicle named after a rank of European Nobleman, that has the audacity to throw in "Grand" just in case you forget?

    IMO throwing random adjectives into official vehicles names just doesn't happen enough. I don't think it's coincidence that the hottest Prius product is called "Prime".

    Toyota might still be selling the Prius v, if they had called it The Magnificent Prius v.

    Anyway, get what YOU want.
    I don't think it's a mistake, but worst case scenario, even if it turned out to be so? You get to make a proportioned share of those in life.
    And I don't think you can go too wrong with one of the most efficient, economical, reliable vehicles sold.
    And I'm talking about the Illustrious Prius.
     
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  4. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    From my vantage point, if your parents are paying, get the Corolla, if you are paying get the Prius. My guess is that over 150k miles, total operating costs will be about equal.
     
  5. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Well, you've come to the very best place to learn all you're ever likely to need to know about Prii (or Priuses if you prefer). From what you say, and your obvious pride in your current wheels, I would remind you that your Grand Marquis is nothing like a Prius, but then you may find that a Prius is nothing remotely like your Grand Marquis, particularly if you ever get a chance to drive a Prius! What, I hear you ask, do you (me) know about it, and why should I listen to you? OK, so you're here on PriusChat, and "search" can be your best friend! (note what I wrote at the top of this paragraph!) Good luck, and welcome to PriusChat! - Wil ;)
     
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  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    If the Prius ever brakes down, "See, you should have bought the corolla when we said too. This could have been avoided had you listen to us."

    Just channeling my inner mom voice if I was in such situation.
     
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  7. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    Sounds like I'm in agreement with a few others here in keeping the car, but if you decide to buy a Prius - I'll sell you my Prius C for what I owe on it. ;)

    Orange, as you can see in my avatar.
     
  8. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Obviously, your parents have never been in a prius, rent one for a month (Prime Advanced), give them each two weeks in it, they will buy their own, 0-30 is faster than what they drive and silent, miser on gas, great interior storage, prius haters have never been in a prius, and they scoff and laught, ignorance isn't bliss.
     
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  9. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    What does it cost to store a car in NYC? I recall a friend who lived in the city and what he told me it cost to buy a parking space in a garage. My only trip to see him, the parking was expensive and my car was burglarized and that was in a very upscale neighborhood and my car was a old VW. When you move there, can you keep your car at your parents house and then just use public transportation to commute to work?
     
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  10. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    I'm just guessing, but I believe the OP is talking about Brooklyn. And the parking situation in much of Brooklyn is probably different than Manhattan. The other option would be to commute via public transportation from LI to Brooklyn. I used to live in LI and the railway there is so much better than every where else I have lived.
     
  11. AMCJeepMJ

    AMCJeepMJ Member

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    Wait- they're driving a Benz AMG and are worried about your resale value? Talk about a hard hit- AMGs drop like rocks.

    As mentioned above, go rent a Prius for a week, give them each a day or two and they will likely change their tune on it.
     
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  12. Bay Stater

    Bay Stater Senior Member

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    NYC is very hard on cars! My late grandparents and uncle lived in the Bronx. My uncle's car looked like it was out in the battlefield, numerous body scars dents, etc. Regardless what car you drive in NYC, expect it to accumulate it's share of battle scars. The constant stop and go is hard on the engine and brakes. Insurance is high. Gas is higher in the city.

    At least you will be safer in your Marquis!:D. Good luck what ever you decide to do.
     
  13. seeforyourself

    seeforyourself Junior Member

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    So guys wanted to give you an update... I decided to just give up my marquis and decided to buy a 2016 Camry Hybrid LE. I got a really good deal on it and it gets more than double mpg that my marquis got.
    IMG_0982.JPG

    I took this picture right after they detailed it today. I pick it up tomorrow at 3pm and I’m pretty excited!

    I test drove the Fusion Energi as well, but holy crap that thing wasn’t that good! Sure, it had leather and xm radio, but the brakes on it were VERY scary. The brakes would force back at you and when you put a little bit more pressure on it, it will brake very hard - so unpredictable. Also, the media controls were super confusing and took me 3 full red traffic lights to figure out how to connect a Bluetooth phone - not user friendly at all! But the only good thing was the EV 20 miles range and it qualified for clean pass. My school has free plugs for the students to plug in their cars (4 chargers which 2 of them are used at a time). I would of definitely went with the fusion if those two issues weren’t an issue. The fusion also had great handling - not going to lie.


    iPhone ?
     
  14. AMCJeepMJ

    AMCJeepMJ Member

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    The Fusion hybrid and C-Max hybrid were on our short list along with the Prius and Prius V (Volt, Focus EV and Leaf didn't make the cut due to needing to seat 5 on occasion or range anxiety). I too found the controls unnecessarily complex and trunk space limited due to the battery placement in both of the Fords, otherwise the Fords both checked all the boxes of what we were looking for, and Ford has come a long way in the past 15 years from the garbage they were making in the early 2000s. Then our current Prius popped up as a CPO and we pulled the trigger on it and have been overall pleased with it.

    Congrats on the Camry- I'm sure it will be a competent performer for years to come.
     
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  15. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Interesting choice in the end. Did you trade in your Marquis to the stealership?
    Care to disclose what you paid out the door for the Camry Hybrid? Did you buy it outright or did you finance a part of it?
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Congrats! The Camry will definitely have a better ride than the Prius on uneven pavement and it will be quieter.

    Good choice!
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great compromise between marquis and prius. congrats, and all the best!(y)
     
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  18. seeforyourself

    seeforyourself Junior Member

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    I am selling my car privately right now. I paid $18,000 out the door all outright (my parents paid for half). The car had 26,000 and was in a lease for only 1 year and 5 months. I’m assuming it was due to the mileage that he had to terminate the lease. But the car is really nice, and my dealership gives free oil changes for two years, inspections for two years, tire rotations, details once a year, and loaner cars with service. I bought the bumper to bumper warranty too for an additional 5 years/74,000 miles. The battery is also 10yr/150,000 miles since I am in a CA emission state.


    iPhone ?
     
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  19. seeforyourself

    seeforyourself Junior Member

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    I just wish it had the MPG as the Prius/2018Camry. I drove 50 miles into manhattan and got 45mpg combined. I could imagine it being way higher with the Prius. I also wish the Prius’s build quality was nicer. I test drove a new Prius a while ago, and I don’t remember if it was nicer than the 3rd generations. If I remember correctly, it was better.

    There was a gorgeous red Prius prime in the showroom when I was picking up my new Camry, and my mother tells me “I’d approve with that one”. I couldn’t blame her, it was actually pretty attractive Lol! The Prius prime, or 2018 Camry hybrid will definitely be my next car. I just wonder how the resale value of my car will be in 3 years!


    iPhone ?
     
  20. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    You basically have a new car with only 26k miles. 45 mpg is good, you would not get much better with the 2014 Prius you were considering. Good move.