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*NSFW* Almost trading my Prius in, am I crazy?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by rondocap, Jun 13, 2013.

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Keep the Prius, or try the GTI manual?

  1. Prius!

    34 vote(s)
    77.3%

  2. GTI

    10 vote(s)
    22.7%
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  1. rondocap

    rondocap Member

    Joined:
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    OK, so last july I got my Prius Plugin. I drive about 2,000 to 2,500 miles a month.

    I really do think it's a very efficient car and mostly good. At first I had an issue with it being uncomfortable, which were fixed by adding leather to it.

    There is no denying that it's very efficient. Feels good to fill up for under $30 and go far.

    My issue; I'm bored as can be driving it. I just don't look forward to driving it. At first the whole MPG thing got my attention, but now it's like pushing a vacuum cleaner.

    Second issue: I leased it, and obviously will go over the allotted miles and have to pay for them - but my intention was to buy it out at the end of the lease anyway.

    So what's my situation? I may trade it in for a nice Volkswagen GTI, manual and fully loaded with nav/leather/etc. It gets about 22 MPG city and 31 MPG highway. I know, not 55mpg - but I've owned a GTI before and it will be much more engaging to drive. Plus I'd not be leasing, just financing it.

    I've basically gotten an offer to switch it out for the Prius, thus me not having much negative equity normally associated with lease early buyouts. I'd be as upside down on the GTI as I would be on the Prius lease so it's a wash, and I don't lose any money out of pocket.

    Basically dealer will give me $25k for my base Prius Plugin, which is pretty good considering how far they've dropped.

    Oh, but the MPG is so good...help me out here guys. Am I wrong to trade it in for a little fun?

    Notes:

    I also have a paddle shifting BMW 335i, but the prius/GTI is my DD.
    I use the car for work; I give estimates and things of that nature at homes. Obviously the Prius is more neutral, and the GTI a bit more boyish, but in the color/rims I am getting it's not too flashy so should not stand out. (I want fun driving, but neutral outside for people not to notice too much)
     
    #1 rondocap, Jun 13, 2013
  2. snoctor

    snoctor Member

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    I personally haven't gotten tired of the challenge to get good mileage. But if you really need more umph, aren't there other options out there with better mileage?
     
    #2 snoctor, Jun 14, 2013
  3. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    There are; mainly the diesel TDI cars. But I just have not found one that excites me like the GTI.
     
    #3 rondocap, Jun 14, 2013
  4. snoctor

    snoctor Member

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    And if you're driving up to 100 miles a day you could consider the Rav4 EV. Can be efficient if you go easy on it, and will drive like a bat out of hell if you want. Definitely engaging.... but the range would have to work for your needs. I'm getting 130 range per charge, but I drive easy.
     
    #4 snoctor, Jun 14, 2013
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    If the car doesn't make you happy then get rid of it. Life is too short.
     
    #5 F8L, Jun 14, 2013
    TheEnglishman, Chris S, WE0H and 3 others like this.
  6. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    OP,
    Spell out the trade-in terms. All of them, if you can.

    Cash down,
    Taxes
    Interest rates
    Term

    You already know that your monthly fuel bill will ~ double.

    I'll go out on a limb and guess that you have been offered a similar monthly payment, but for a long time.

    You should at least know how much your 'fun' is going to cost.
    Also, do you use HOV lanes ?
     
    #6 SageBrush, Jun 14, 2013
    rondocap likes this.
  7. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    Sagebrush, I am glad you asked. I owe about 26k on the prius, 11 months into a 3 year lease. They will give me 25k for it.

    The car i want is $25k, and $574 in DMV fees. They said something about the trade in covering the tax. No cash down. I'm sure this car could be $24k but they keep the value up to counter the prius negative equity it seems.

    So basically I'd have the same $26k balance I do now. Did not choose payment term length yet. Or get rates.
    My credit is good though.

    Does this sound right? They do a lot of games with numbers so it can get confusing...
     
    #7 rondocap, Jun 14, 2013
  8. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    How is the amount owed on the Prius calculated ? Perhaps a better number to know is your current monthly payment and lease buy-out amount.
    Did you receive a Tax credit you will have to return ?
    Does CA calculate sales tax as the difference between new car and trade-in value ?
     
    #8 SageBrush, Jun 14, 2013
  9. rondocap

    rondocap Member

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    It's the payoff from Toyota. I'm in nj so I think the trade in affects the tax.
     
    #9 rondocap, Jun 14, 2013
  10. D-Man

    D-Man Junior Member

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    How about trading in the BMW for the GTI? Then you have a sporty car and a fuel efficient car.
     
    #10 D-Man, Jun 14, 2013
    Godzuki and SageBrush like this.
  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Somebody else is looking for that PiP.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #11 bwilson4web, Jun 14, 2013
  12. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Before you do that, go and test drive a Volt. You apparently get better EV in exchange for lower FE when you use gas. GM's incentives on Volts are big right now. Volt drivers suggest Sport+Low for best driving experience.

    (I could suggest trying to get a test drive of a Model S, but that is apparently a very risky thing to do.)
     
    #12 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Jun 14, 2013
  13. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    +1 on the Volt.
     
    #13 css28, Jun 14, 2013
  14. exbauer

    exbauer Active Member

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    I would suggest keeping your Prius. I thought really hard about the GTI, but the price omission was too high for me. Premium gas and the MPG. I have been driving hybrids for too long. But, the main reason was that it's the last model year for the current design. The new 2015 coming out in 2014 looks great and gets better MPG with more horsepower. I would have gotten the GTI if it was available.
     
    #14 exbauer, Jun 14, 2013
  15. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    LOL, When I clicked this thread, I expected talk about trading for Volt or Tesla. At least that would be my own trade in path when I'm bored with my Prius. I typically get bored with cars closer to 10 years.
     
    #15 Former Member 68813, Jun 14, 2013
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I suppose I am lucky in a way. I find ALL cars boring, at least for highway driving.

    They all have a seat and a wheel, and the driver has to push a pedal for hours.
     
    #16 SageBrush, Jun 14, 2013
    vietalogy likes this.
  17. eliteconcept

    eliteconcept 700 mile club, top tank mpg 69.5

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    I'd never consider trading my Prius for any VW car, ever. All VW cars I've had experience with don't age well, and I've been under impressed with their quality. Plus replacement parts are ridiculously priced
     
    #17 eliteconcept, Jun 14, 2013
    billinmd and JMD like this.
  18. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    I'll second that. No more VWs for me, though my fiancee really wants a Beetle for her next car. :banghead
     
    #18 car compulsive, Jun 14, 2013
  19. eliteconcept

    eliteconcept 700 mile club, top tank mpg 69.5

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    Run away from those damn things. my sister and law had an 2005 that thing was f-ing junk
     
    #19 eliteconcept, Jun 14, 2013
  20. Maroon

    Maroon Member

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    My 2004 Passat with 340k miles begs to differ, but everyone's ownership experience is different.
     
    #20 Maroon, Jun 14, 2013
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