1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

whats your next car going to be?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by rioe, May 21, 2020.

  1. rioe

    rioe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    94
    24
    5
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    After 8 years and 120k I am considering switching car. Right now during covid there are a lot of good deals and companies are offering 3-6 months Payment help and 0% interest of 72 months. Im thinking moving over to an luxury brand either hybrid plug in or full electric. Lexus, acura, tesla, bmw, etc.. do any of you have any recommendations? Also, I dont mind waiting some time if a newer model is around the corner.

    Also What Cars are you considering next for yourselves?
     
    bisco likes this.
  2. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2017
    134
    102
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    I’ve had such a good experience with the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive that I will seriously consider a Lexus Hybrid when my little C gets to retirement age. Before my Prius I had a Saab and before that a Volvo. I was so used to be wrenching on those all the time that it was actually hard getting used to just have a dependable car. I love euro cars, my dream is owning a 911 someday, but I wouldn’t trust daily driving an euro car unless I have some other dependable ride just in case.
     
    rioe likes this.
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,016
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    One of VW's ID vehicles. (I have my eye on the Space Vizzion concept that is supposedly North America bound).

    If you want to go semi-luxury, there's the newly unveiled Venza. It's based on the Japanese Toyota Harrier (which is what the Lexus RX was based on for the first 2 generations). It slots between the RAV4 and Highlander Hybrids (+5" over RAV4, -8" over Highlander). 40mpg in LE trim and probably 38mpg for XLE/Limited. Has that cool pano roof that can switch from clear to opaque at the touch of a switch.

    If you want to move up to the Lexus brand, wait for the next gen NX which is slated to arrive next year (at least the NX range will, no idea if the hybrid will be launched at the same time as the gasoline version or at a later date). It'll use the same system as in the RAV4 and Venza but because it's heavier, expect 36-38mpg combined for the NXh.

    Bigger news will be the NX450h+ (that's the European name. No idea what the US name will be) but it's basically the NX plug-in hybrid, based on the RAV4 Prime. Expect 35 miles AER (38 miles on the RAV4 Prime) and 0-60 in <6 secs (5.8 secs for the RAV4 Prime) with 302hp system net.

    For BMW, there's the i4 sedan based on the next generation 4 Series 500+hp, 300+ miles AER. 0-60 as low as 3.5 sec.
    2021 BMW i4: What We Know So Far

    Audi will have the Q4 e-tron that slots in between the Q3 and Q5 (closer to Q3 in exterior dimensions but closer to Q5 in interior cabin space). It's basically the Audi version of the VW ID.4 electric SUV that will launch at the end of this year or early next year. No official numbers but I expect somewhere between 250-280 miles AER.

    Coming later this year is the Polestar 2 fastback. 275 miles range, 0-60 in 4.7 sec, 408hp/448lb-ft. It'll be the first vehicle to use Android Automotive (not AndroidAuto). AndroidAutomotive is Google's car-based OS for the infotainment system. It will be made in China (if that matters to you). It will also qualify for the full $7,500 tax credit.
     
    rioe likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    hopefully full bev. can't wait to see the model y
     
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't know, but I'm a little confused by your approach.
    Do you want to take advantage of what you perceive as the good deals "right now"? Or do you want to wait some time for a newer model around the corner? You can't do both. And there's always a new model around the corner.

    Also from Prius c to "an luxury brand either hybrid plug in or full electric. Lexus, acura, tesla, bmw, etc.. " seems like a wide and large pallet, and quite a reach up from what you have been driving for the past 8 years.

    None of those choices are bad. But it there's quite a lot of diversity between them all.

    So I think YOU have to determine if you want to move now, or wait.
    And since the breadth of your choices are so diverse from core product- plug in Hybrid or Full Electric. And your manufacturing choices don't seem to have any tether?
    Again I think it's a choice YOU have to make.
    Lexus, Acura, Tesla, BMW all offer great products. None of which are going to be very comparable to your Prius c.

    I would warn, despite 0 percent financing, and commercials that suggest they are giving vehicles away during this crisis, you still have to buy them and pay for them.
    Are you confident in your employment and/or financial situation enough to go from paid off, entry level hybrid Prius c, to what would represent a much more expensive vehicle?
    If so, I think it's just a matter of research and determining what..and when...YOU want.
    With the manufacturers you are mentioning, I don't think any would be a bad choice.

    It's very small sample size, unfair observation, I did have a neighbor that had a beautiful BMW. Which was replaced by the dealership loaner car about every 2 months, as it seemed to constantly need repair and maintenance. But it was beautiful. when it was working.
     
    rioe and Tideland Prius like this.
  6. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
  7. rioe

    rioe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2012
    94
    24
    5
    Location:
    LA, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Thank you for the replies.
    I do know it is a big step going from an entry level to a luxury brand. The idea was if I go with a luxury brand I will most likely lease, specially if it is a german brand and keep the prius c.
    As far as my employment goes, you know it’s at will and no one truly knows, but I am pretty confident that I am safe and besides company is doing quite well during the pandemic.
    if I go full electric option or plugin hybrid I can utilize my companies free plugin and my drive is only 15miles. So essentially I would not even have to charge at home and have no cost other than maintaining the vehicle.

    As far as time frame, I am in no rush to get a vehicle, just thought sooner or later I do want to get in something newer and maybe now is a good time with some of the covid deals around....
    So as far as the car choices now, I have narrowed it down to either full electric or plug in hybrid, but as mentioned I am not sure of the brands and the options I have. But I will look at the ones mentioned in the above posts. I do love Lexus and the Toyota reliability and luxurious interior, but not a fan of the ultra soft steering and ride. I do love BMWs ride and handling, but the simple interior leaves something to be desired. I do loves Acuras for their all around good vehicles, but there are no plug in or full electric options that I am aware of. Audi and volvo are just starting to come out with plug in options, which is why I was saying I am willing to wait if newer, better options are coming out from any of the manufacturers. So for now I am going to continue looking and gather information.
     
  8. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2012
    399
    166
    0
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Looking very closely at the Highlander Hybrid, and leaning strongly that way. But haven't really decided yet as I rarely buy new models in their first year. Although I did buy my C early in 2012 :).
     
  9. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    1,389
    947
    4
    Location:
    Foot of Pikes Peak
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    How long do you expect to keep the new vehicle and how ill you use it? For example, I like a compact vehicle that is practical which is why I have been so happy with a Prius. So I will only consider a hatchback. How about you?

    To me there still aren't great alternatives to the Prius. The Rav4 hybrid is great but a bigger and different vehicle. (We have one and love it but have kept the Prius). The Lexus UX hybtrid could have been great but is very badly designed, a foot longer than your C with less rear leg room and higher hatch floor. We've reached the point where we are not driving as much, especially for our secondary vehicle. I just drive the Prius around town these days. So I am considering a non hybrid as replacement for the Prius in the next year or two. I am attracted to the new Mazda CX-30 which has gotten reviews as being quite upscale with many high end features such as quiet, plush interior, driver seat memory and heads up display, is compact yet fairly roomy and is available with AWD. But I am waiting to see if they do come out with a 5th gen Prius and if so what it will be like. I think that if they do, they may move it more upscale which i would like.

    And dealers are still not bending much on price on popular vehicles with production curtailed. On the Rav4 forum people are complaining that dealers won't give much discount on the Rav hybrid.