Upgrade to a Prius or keep civic?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(softhands @ Feb 28 2007, 04:37 PM) [snapback]398044[/snapback]</div>

If you are getting 44mpg (Is that an Imperial gallon?) then keep it for sure. The prius would not be worth the expense if you look at the mileage savings alone.

 

Keep in mind that US gallons are the most common unit of measure around this forum. 6.4L /100 km is 36.8 miles per US gallon.

 

If fuel saving alone can not justify the upgrade, consider other features comes standard such as electric climate control, MFD LCD touch screen, MP3/WMA, heated side view mirrors, quiet electric drive, Traction control, ABS, etc... and optional features such as front, side curtain air bags, One touch Power button, Smart Key, Bluetooth, DVD Nav, Backup camera, etc...

Dennis

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(softhands @ Feb 28 2007, 01:37 PM) [snapback]398044[/snapback]</div>

In my own opinion, it wouldn't be worth it, unless there were other Prius features that you really wanted. For example, a lot more space, nicer built-in toys, etc. For me if was a fairly easy decision, so I got the Prius.

Dave M.

 

Keep the Civic unless you really need a hatchback. The Civic is a fantastic car, and will last a dozen years if taken care of. I find Civics a lot funner to drive than most cars, though I find the Prius also funner to drive than most cars too.

Dave

 

Too bad you don't like bells and whistles. If you did, the decision would become a "No-Brainer".

I hate to admit it, but I made the mistake of buying a 2006 Civic Hybrid. I was only getting around 38 MPG.

I decided to bite the bullet and trade it for a 2007 Prius becuase I love the hatchback, and all the cool toys. But, with the tax credits on both cars, I really didn't loose out as bad as I could have without tax credits.

There is no comparison between the Prius and Civic Hybrid. The Prius has a lot more get up and go, and has been giving me about 45 mpg.

 

If your only concern is for mileage and the Civic is in good operating condition, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense to upgrade. You called it an "upgrade", so, presumably, you like the Prius and consider it a step up. There are other reasons to buy a Prius:
1. You would be supporting a transitional technology that will help lead us away from petroleum. While the Prius uses petroleum, it uses less than half the national average. The electric motor in the Hybrid Synergy drive can be joined to other engines, diesels burning biodiesel for example, or to fuel cells. What Toyota (and others) are learning from the development of hybrid technology is going to lead to hybrid/plug in electric cars with decent range under electrical power alone and phenomenal range on the highway.
2. The Prius puts out significantly less pollution and CO2 than any other car currently in production ( the Honda Insight went out of production in 2006).
3. The Prius is simply the coolest sedan on the road, very practical, fun to drive and probably the most well engineered car in production.

Honda makes excellent cars; your Civic should last a long time if it's been well cared for. You didn't mention what your car is worth so it's hard to factor the price differential into my response. You will not recoup your purchase cost, or the difference in price between the Civic and Prius soley on the basis of fuel consumption, so, again, if fuel economy alone is your criterion, then you're probably better off saving your money.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Feb 28 2007, 01:57 PM) [snapback]398057[/snapback]</div>

Since you live in Canada, Traction Control may not be a feature you want, but all Prius come with it. It is more like Traction OVER-control, and not much use if it snows. From what I've heard. I live in California, so all I know about snow is what I've read. Lots of negative posts about Prius TC vs. snow, tho.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(subarutoo @ Mar 1 2007, 01:00 PM) [snapback]398558[/snapback]</div>

I think a lot of those negative posts are from either:

- 04 MY without the updated software.
- Extreme weather -- a lot of snow (8-12 inches) and extreme expectation.

Dennis

 

Well, I was getting on the order of 35mpg out of my '02 Accord with loads of life left in it, and traded it for the Prius. But I don't think I would have made the switch if I hadn't had so much trouble dealing with the limited carrying capacity of the 2-door. The hatchback was what I needed, the hybrid goodies and associated gas mileage were what I wanted, so I parted with my money and it was a done deal. Three cold months in and I couldn't be happier with the car. For what it's worth, I haven't had the traction control issues. I always run snow tires in the winter, and the Prius is no worse than the Accord which didn't have traction control of any kind.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(softhands @ Mar 1 2007, 04:59 PM) [snapback]398642[/snapback]</div>

If you're 23 and a student, I would definitely keep the excellent running Civic. It will probably last you another 10 years if you take care of it. And think of it this way, they've already made the Civic you're driving, so somebody is going to be driving it. Why shouldn't it be you? That isn't irresponsible, that's practical. If someday you get a good paying job and can afford the upgraded car, whatever it might be, that would be great too. And if you're getting almost 40 mpg you're doing better than 95% of the people out there too.

But remember, at 23, every dollar you save is worth $4 when you're 47, and $16 when you're 71 (and that is just at a relatively modest 6% return). I figured out that a girl I knew (much younger than me) who just had to rent an appartment for a year spent $250,000 worth of savings when she would be retired.

Another time a coworker asked me how to get ahead financially. (I don't know why they were asking me, but that's another story.) I told him look at the other coworker, she started here and the first thing she did was get a car and car payments, she'll never get ahead. Another coworker hadn't saved $1 her entire life and didn't even have a bank account. I told him, "You always want to have interest working for you instead of against you." A few weeks later the guy shows up in a new car, so that was the last advice I gave him.