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Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hybrid

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by derh2o, Dec 18, 2011.

  1. derh2o

    derh2o Junior Member

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    We are in a dilemma. we have a 2007 Prius with 58K miles and a 2007 Camry with 48K miles. We need to sell one of these and not sure which one would be best to sell. We like both cars, so we don't know what to do. Any thoughts from anyone?
     
    #1 derh2o, Dec 18, 2011
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    Assuming that you're selling because need the money, let the money make the decision. Consult Blue Book to estimate how much you would realize from each, and then based on your driving needs calculate how much each one would cost to run for the next one, two, and five years. Repair costs are harder to estimate but I'd bet these two would be comparably small.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, Dec 18, 2011
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    If you don't need the extra passenger room (kids) of the Camry, keep the Prius.
     
    #3 spiderman, Dec 18, 2011
  4. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    1. The Prius will hold its value better as years pass.
    2. Both Camry motors have been known to have problems. The 4 cyl can develop excessive oil consumption. The 6 cyl can develop excessive engine clatter, particularly at cold start, due to a problem with the VVT-i system.

    Of course, here at priuschat, you will get a heavily biased "keep the Prius" response, but I have enough concern over the motor in your Camry, regardless of which one it is, that you should sell it now before you start having a problem.
     
    #4 seilerts, Dec 18, 2011
  5. derh2o

    derh2o Junior Member

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    Update--we are selling one of the cars because we are buying a motor home and need a towable car.
     
    #5 derh2o, Dec 18, 2011
  6. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    I seem to recall that the Prius must be towed with its front wheels off the ground. If they are both like that, sell the heavier one, so your towing will be easier.
     
    #6 kenmce, Dec 18, 2011
  7. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    Sell the Camry. Easy choice. The best TOAD vehicles are always the lightest. Of course, you could find a used Geo/Chevrolet Tracker. They are the ultimate TOAD.
     
    #7 Southern Dad, Dec 18, 2011
  8. dustoff003

    dustoff003 Blizzard Brigade #003

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    I think the Camry is heavier than the Pruis from Toyota.com Camry curb weight with auto XMSN 3190 lbs., Prius curb weight 3042 lbs.

    EDIT: oops my bad sorry I realized the OP was referring to two older models and IDK what the weights of those cars are. Let me go check...

    Correction: Sorry SD you are 100% correct. According to data from Edmunds.com the 2007 Prius has a curb wt. of 2932 lbs., the 2007 Camry weighs in at 3263 lbs., and the 2007 HyCam tips the scales at a whooping 3680 lbs.

    My bad!
     
    #8 dustoff003, Dec 18, 2011
  9. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    The truth is, I'm not sure I'd use either a Prius or Camry as a TOAD. One disadvantage to a front wheel drive TOAD is that you have to haul with two wheels off the ground using a dolly. Keep in mind with a short vehicle you won't even see it in your mirrors.

    Backing up with a car on a dolly ain't easy. Of course, you really want to avoid backing up anyway. Often cars on dollys get squirrelly when driving down the freeway.

    Back when I was traveling a bit using a GMC Motor Home, I was using a Geo Tracker as my TOAD. It was a really cheap vehicle under a grand. It easily slipped into 4X4 Neutral and I had a tow bar installed.
     
    #9 Southern Dad, Dec 18, 2011
  10. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    sell whichever car you can gain the most out of
     
    #10 LIPriusFreak, Dec 19, 2011
  11. derh2o

    derh2o Junior Member

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    my original message should have been more clear. we need to sell one of the vehicles and replace it with a car that can be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground. towing it with a dolly is too much work to load and unload, whereas a tow bar (dinghy towing), just needs to be disconnected-real easy.
     
    #11 derh2o, Dec 19, 2011
  12. LIPriusFreak

    LIPriusFreak Can I haz JDM?

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    I think pretty much any car that is NOT AWD or 4WD all the time can be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground as long as its in neutral, no???
     
    #12 LIPriusFreak, Dec 19, 2011
  13. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    Suzuki Samurai.

    Prius cannot be towed with front wheels on the ground even if you know the trick to keep it in neutral with the car turned off.
     
    #13 seilerts, Dec 19, 2011
  14. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    Most ATs and the Prius are not flat-towable. Well they're flat towable as long as you don't mind expensive transmission repairs. ;)

    ATs tend to need the engine idling to lubricate the transmission. The Prius, I'm not sure of all the reasons why, but I know it needs the engine to spin to protect the motors at high speeds.
     
    #14 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Dec 19, 2011
  15. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    Re: Must Sell, Prius or Camry Hibred

    The 4X4 Suzuki Sidekick or Geo/Chevrolet Tracker can be towed easily. I towed one all over the USA.
     
    #15 Southern Dad, Dec 19, 2011
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