What is the MSRP of the Prius?

[northernsoul]

I'm probably going to have to buy a new care in the next year or so, and I want to start planning now. Fuel efficiency is a huge priority for me - any thoughts?

[Buzz Clik]

1. I'd suggest researching this pretty carefully.

There are plenty of options now, and the Prius is just one of them.

[northernsoul]

3. any reccomendations outside the Prius?

I've heard the Honda Accord Hybrid is pretty cool, but I don't know if it's in my price range.

[Catshrink]

4. I was looking at hybrids yesterday...

the Prius, Civic, and Saturn Aura hybrids are both around $23K while the Accord hybrid is closer to $30K.

Check out cars.com. I found a page that lets you compare hybrids.

[Buzz Clik]

5. I've driven only the Prius and Accord hybrids.

They are totally different cars -- the Prius is super mileage in a small vehicle. Honda's Civic hybrid has enormous mileage, also. The Accord is basically a luxury car with improved mileage through hybrid technology (the Toyota Camry hybrid is similar). You can also get hybrid SUVs.

If mileage is your only thing, Prius is a great car, and Civic gets excellent ratings, too.

[Kolesar]

2. www.toyota.com

www.toyota.com

The Toyota that impresses me is the Camry. It's roomy passenger car that gets 34 mpg highway due to its aerodynamic treatments.

[DUgosh]

6. I have an 06 Corolla

Manuel transmission, 5 speed. It gets 42 mph. I'm not kidding.

[LiberalEsto]

7. About Camrys

I can't speak for the hybrid Camry, but we own a 2001 Camry that is a complete lemon.

The car was only 5 years old when the engine died for no apparent reason (and it wasn't sludge - we had that checked by our reliable mechanic). We'd bought it as "Toyota Certified" -- a completely worthless designation -- and the engine replacement was not covered. We're still paying off the $4500 it cost for the engine replacement.

We've also replaced its manual transmission twice. In addition, the interior plastic and the dark green exterior paint both scratch far too easily.

My family members drive nothing but Toyotas. Our 1989 Corolla would still be running if my brother hadn't totaled it. It was a manual transmission, and the exterior paint rarely if ever scratched.

The family's 1992 and 1997 Corollas have had far fewer repairs than the 2001 Camry.

So far the 2005 Matrix seems okay, except for the lousy, easily scratched paint job and the flimsy plastic interior material.

I will personally never buy a Camry again, and I'd be super-cautious about the exterior paint quality on any new Toyota car.

[don954]

9. 2001...

i think that was close to when Toyota started having ford plants assemble their car stateside for tax benefits.. possibly they had a learning curve?

[MemphisTiger]

8. www.toyota.com

build your own on their website

[TreasonousBastard]

10. Lots of options...

and the Prius is in the middle of the list-- note that you don't get much of a hybrid rebate now that they've sold over a hundred thousand of them.

All little econoboxes will get you well over 30 highway mpg and I have owned a Corolla 5-speed that gave me over 40. Also owned a large Saturn that gave me 35. I personally know people with Minis that get 35-40 mpg overall and 4-cylinder Accords that get well over 30 highway. They don't make the large 4-Cylinder Saturns any more but the Accord is almost the same car for more money and a very nice ride.

Focus, Scion, Elantra, Chevy HHR... all sorts of cars out there to look at. Even the Mercedes Bluetech diesel will give you almost 30 mpg if you want to spring 55 grand for "green" luxury. VW's bringing back more reasonably priced diesels, though, as are some others.

And, there's the Ford Escape hybrid that will get you at least 30 in town-- stickered at 25 grand before the rebates and one of the better SUV deals going.

So, if pure economics is the point then you have to figure out of you're going to be driving enough to save enough gas to pay the $2-5,000 premium for a hybrid after whatever rebate you might get. Figure you'll get maybe at most 10-15 mpg over what an econobox gives you and you'll soon see that you have to drive a LOT to get a payback. And by the time you get the payback, your warranty will be shot and you might have to replace those tired batteries yourself. FWIW, the Escape batteries are $7,000 at the dealer right now.

One of the easier car sites to do some quick research on--

http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp

[Kolesar]

12. A car that is specified for around 25/33 mpg city/highway makes a lot of sense.

One need not go to the extra expense and reliability risk of a hybrid to motor responsibly.

[northernsoul]

13. My uncle got an Escape Hybrid

and he hates it. Apparently you can't run heat/AC while the engine is in electric mode. As I live in Minnesota, I try not use climate control, but there are days when you absolutely have to due to our profound temperature extremes.

[cloudbase]

11. Great information resource here

http://www.edmunds.com

[guruoo]

14. 1989 Honda Civic CRX HF: 50 city, 56 highway

It really is true,
they just don't make them like they used to.


1989 Honda Civic CRX HF
Fuel Economy
Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 50
MPG (highway) 56
MPG (combined) 52
Fuel Economics
Cost to Drive 25 Miles $1.43
Fuel to Drive 25 Miles 0.48 gal
Annual Fuel Cost $855
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/5263.shtml

Kelly Blue Book value Tennessee - 05/07/2007: $1,825

1989 Honda Civic CRX HF Hatchback 2D

Engine: 4-Cyl. 1.5 Liter
Drive: FWD
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Mileage: 200,000
Equipment: Air Conditioning AM/FM Stereo

http://www.autobytel.com/content/Research/kbb/index.cfm

[SharonRB]

15. If you're looking for something inexpensive and a two-seater isn't a problem,

check out www.smartusa.com. The SMART car will be available in early 2008 in the US. They are taking $99 refundable deposits now if you want to get on their "insider" list. They will be doing a five-month tour around the country and if you're on the list, you'll get notification of when they'll be in your area for test drives, etc. If you decide not to get one, you can get a full refund.

I really wanted a US-made hybrid when my lease is up in about a year and was leaning toward the Aura, however (and I know this seems shallow to some), you can't get leather seats in the Aura hybrid and I really don't like cloth seats. So, now I'm back to thinking about either the SMART or a MINI. Neither is a hybrid, but they are both high mileage cars. The MINI is about twice the price of the SMART, but still less expensive than my current Lexus 330.

No American manufacturer currently has a hybrid that fits my criteria, so I'll wind up with a foreign car again. Living in the Detroit area, I really was guilting myself into American (I haven't had an American car my last three cars), but the Big 3 are their own worst enemies. They just don't make a high-mileage car or hybrid that fits what I want. Maybe some day they will.

If the SMART will hold my groceries, I just might get one. I rarely have to drive with other people in my car with me. My hubby hates it, but I really want to cut my car payment and my gas usage. If the SMART doesn't work out, I'll probably go with the MINI, although I haven't totally ruled out a Prius, a Camry hybrid, an Altima hybrid or an Accord hybrid. I think equipped the way I'd want them, though, the latter three will be about the same as what I'm paying now, and I really want to reduce my payments.

[july302001]

16. Prius

I drive an '03 Prius that I bought used and I love it. I bought it for under $15K.

I've lived "low on the hog" with lots of old cars before. Had old Subarus that were GREAT, old Buicks and Mercurys that were TERRIBLE, and a Suzuki Samurai that was the best little old vehicle I think I've owned.

Gas mileage counts for me.

My Prius is certainly roomy enough for me and a passenger or two.

I guess the one drawback is that it isn't a pickup truck or 4WD vehicle so I can't really haul a lawnmower or go off-roading with it.

I have no desire whatsoever for a car or SUV that is just *larger* than my Prius.

The Prius is actually a medium sized car and is not that small.

I've taken Priscilla from around 65,000 miles up to the 80,000 mile mark with just a couple oil changes and some new tires.