HELP!! AM I GOING CRAZY!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazydoc @ Feb 25 2007, 06:28 AM) [snapback]396161[/snapback]</div>

Same thing here! Except that the car that I ditched wasn't a TSX, it was an 07 Nissan Versa only 6 months old! It had great mileage but bad emissions. I am happy with my Prius its the best car on the road. and in 2 or whatever years I will definately buy the next gen Prius. Once you go green you never go back.

 

You should really drive one, maybe even rent one for a couple of days, to see if you like it. The TSX is built to be sporty, the Prius is built to be efficient. You will lose the 200hp, tight suspension, power seats, leather. You will gain quite a bit of fuel efficiency, interior room (I've ridden in the back of a TSX and the Prius is roomier, plus you can cram all kinds of stuff through that hatch), improved emissions. Depending on how crazy you are (I am certifiable) there's quite a bit of fun to be had while you get to know the powertrain and learn to make the most of it from the driver's seat. Some want that, some don't...ymmv. I like what Al Gore has done but I didn't buy the car because he told me to. You should make sure that it meets your needs.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazydoc @ Feb 25 2007, 10:32 AM) [snapback]396188[/snapback]</div>

As another CT resident, don't forget that there is currently no sales tax on a hybrid! On a $25,000 car, that is a $1,500 savings. Also, if you're going to buy now, do take delivery prior to March 31 in order to get the $1,575 federal tax credit. If you wait until after then, it gets cut in half (again). Both of these are valid only if you purchase rather than lease.

There are also Toyota financing incentives in place, at least through the end of February.

There are finally plenty of Prius on the dealer lots so you should be able to pick the package and color combination you want, including having your dealer swap inventory for your choice as I did.

Evan is correct regarding trading a low-milage car being a poor financial decision. I only did so with the 2005 because I was able to walk away from it nearly scott free. If you don't drive that many miles, your environmental impact with the Prius would not be that significant. Since I drive over 25K a year due to my commute to Hartford, the environmental impact by using the Prius is far greater.

But if finances are not an issue, savor your insanity.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazydoc @ Feb 25 2007, 09:28 AM) [snapback]396161[/snapback]</div>

Since your purchase will be driven by the fact that you are concerned w/ the environment; when contemplating a new car purchase, you should take to mind what will be happening with your prior car. In other words, is someone going to be buying it, or is it going to be placed in the recycling system and trashed. I say this as it takes a tremendous amount of energy and resources to build a car. In answer of this question, I waited until my car went dead before I purchased my Prius. I knew no one would drive the hunk of junk.

Also, if you can afford it and if the mileage on a charge is conducive to your driving patterns, an EV is a better choice for the environment. Darrelldd, on this board, will be the first to espouse this. You'll find that, unfortunately, there are very few options available to you here.

I have a one year old Prius and get over 50 miles a gallon in the summer and around 40-45 in the winter. And, I love the car. You'll find a whole lot of threads on all of the positive features and the less desirable features (such as the adjustment period required to get used to the rear window view). All told, the positives significantly outweigh the negatives. Though the car has a maximum weight capacity of a little over 800 pounds, you'd be surprised at how many very large items you can jam into the car. I think someone got a dishwasher in theirs. There's a thread on this too!

Best of luck w/ your decision!

Oh, and we already have one very crazy doc on this forum and he always stirs the nest. Hope you're not too crazy! :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(crazydoc @ Feb 25 2007, 08:28 AM) [snapback]396161[/snapback]</div>

Remember that the manufacture of a new car itself contributes more to global warming. The more $$$s you spend, the more you contribute to global warming. It's the consumers of the world that have caused global warming.

 

Don't forget that how you use your current car has a huge impact on how much fuel it burns. A lot of the driving techniques talked about here (lower speeds, driving so as to avoid using the brakes excessively, and generally driving conservatively) ought to translate very well to the TSX. Honda makes a beautiful powerplant, and while the TXS's 2.4 is oriented more toward output, I'm willing to be that there's quite a bit of fuel economy to be had at the lower end of the RPM range. I understand the coefficient of drag is pretty low, too, which makes for better economy out on the open highway. All I'm saying is that there should be a fair bit of potential there if you have the will to tap into it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Feb 25 2007, 12:13 PM) [snapback]396203[/snapback]</div>

I second these thoughts, IMO It definately would make more sense to at least wait until the next gen for now.

 

I would wait 15 months for the next one, I couldn't wait because my used car was falling apart. The current version has a few imperfections Toyota will no doubt correct in the next, lighter, more efficient model.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Oxo @ Feb 25 2007, 12:19 PM) [snapback]396238[/snapback]</div>

OTOH, his used Acura will probably help send some dirtier less fuel-efficient car to the recycler.