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Depreciation vs MPG

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by asteros, Oct 13, 2016.

  1. asteros

    asteros New Member

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    I'm sure this might have been discussed elsewhere but can't find that thread. The situation is I have 2 cars. A 2003 Camry with more than 130k miles and a 2015 Prius with about 26k miles. Thinking to do a road trip of about 650 miles round trip. Admittedly the Prius is more comfortable than the old camry and packed with much more techs. But just considering the depreciation fee and the MPG, which of the 2 do you recommend me driving?
    In terms of MPG, I'll save about 25$ of gas. So is this fee far above the depreciation fee if I would be driving the Prius?

    Thx

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  2. PriusNP

    PriusNP Junior Member

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    I value comfort above depreciation. So I'm going to vote prius

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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Not sure what you mean by "depreciation fee".
     
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  4. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Be comfortable and take the more reliable car - the Prius.
     
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  5. asteros

    asteros New Member

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    Sorry I just meant the depreciation value and maintenance fee that come with putting miles on the car.

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  6. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    What a paradox!
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Is this Prius on a lease? If so, please give us details of this fee, or the excess mileage charge it will create at the end of the lease.

    If not leased, then calendar depreciation seems just as significant as mileage depreciation. I'd take the more comfortable, more reliable, safer car.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I thought something like that. I would just put it out of mind, use the car, enjoy it.
     
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  9. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    ^^^ Me too.
     
  10. asteros

    asteros New Member

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    Both cars are owned.

    So yeah looks like all votes so far go to the Prius.

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  11. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    There's a way to calculate this, sort of. First, look up average yearly maintenance cost for Prius, and average miles driven yearly, to get average maintenance cost per mile. Then assume you're going to keep your Prius for 5 years and find the costs for mileage for 5 year old Pri's on Edmunds, Nada, and/or KBB. Add the two figures. My guess is that there won't be any monetary advantage to either car.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think the prius is depeciating so fast, the extra miles won't matter, and might be good for the battery.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yes. We have problems with just one car, running it frequently enough to keep the 12 volt battery in good shape. Aim to run it every second day if possible, sometimes it stretches to 3 or 4.
     
  14. asteros

    asteros New Member

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    Wow. btw is this battery issue Prius specific, or does it apply to cars in general with 12 v battery?

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  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Depreciation is also demand-dependent, so 2008 when gaso was $4 and used cars were popular, then Prius depreciated slowly with time. Now new cars are the "in" thing and gas is $2. So really 3 variables time, miles, demand.

    Re: HV battery, some like to go ahead and put the miles on, so if it fails with the 10-yr window you'd be covered. Ideally you would use 150k miles just before 10 years in OR (CARB).
     
  16. Starship_Enterprius

    Starship_Enterprius Active Member

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    If you aim to keep your Prius as long as you kept your Camry, no need to worry about depreciation or wear and tear.
    You can also save more $ by getting rid of one car instead of saving thru reduced MPG's and wear and tear.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would say if you're driving the car infrequently and/or doing a lot of short trips, it'd be good to get into monitoring the 12 volt battery's status, and do periodic recharge, with a smart charger, around 4 amp range. But that's just me, a lot of owners just drive 'em till they drop, lol.
     
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  18. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    i was going to say use the prius because it's basically use it or lose it in terms of HV battery life.
    but seeing that the OP put 25000 miles in one year, my statement may not apply.
     
  19. asteros

    asteros New Member

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    Yeah it was used by the previous owner for his road trips. So I'll go use the prius then for the sake of the battery, comfort, and gas :)

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  20. grnd0

    grnd0 Member

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    Worrying over 650 miles.