Hammer Time: Who Wants A Brown Prius?

"Steven Lang" (StevenLang) 12/24/2014 at 11:12 • Filed to: None

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When you have over 120 pairs of eyeballs looking at the same exact vehicle at an auto auction, you know the price of whatever sells is going to be high.

So what do you think this 2014 Toyota Prius with only 344 miles went for?

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$22,000?

$20,000?

Try $16,900.

Now before you offer a gasp or a raising of the eyebrows, let me ask you a quick question.

How many of you would want a brown Prius?

Yep. This vehicle is pretty much the automotive novocain of the enthusiast community. But think about it. We're only maybe 5% of the entire car buying world, and most of us opt to buy on the used car side of the ledger because that's where the deals are typically at.

How about the other 95% who may glance through Consumer Reports, play around the internet, and ultimately find themselves a transient presence in the car shopping universe?

Well believe it or not, as a guy who has been in the world of automotive remarketing for well over 15 years now as an auctioneer, car dealer, and part owner of an auto auction, I can tell you exactly what these folks end up doing.

They take a step or two to the left.

The ones who would usually look at a Prius that offers maybe 50 miles per gallon? They will look at a crossover that's advertised with just having over 30 miles per gallon and say, "That's good enough for me."

The compact buyer? He or she will opt for the bigger engine and the greater power that is horsepower.

There is a reason why you're starting to see more exposure for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! these days. Gas is cheap. And when gas is cheap, the money starts drifting back towards those models offering more grace, pace and space.

You may not jump in the icy cold that is 16 miles per gallon in a large pickup truck that can haul well over five tons. Most folks don't jump to the extremes. But, when you see a Chevy Corvette and Dodge Hellcat !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and you're among the 95% that is merely just shopping for the here and now, chances are that if you find yourself at a dealership that sells those brands, you will consider the higher horsepower, better equipped versions of the model that interests you.

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So a car like the Prius is going to start nosediving a bit when it comes to sales, especially if it's low on features. This reality is not only true for the new and the near-new hybrid marketplace, it's also true for the older hybrids as well.

The 2001 Honda Insight you see here... I bought it for only $4000 at an auto auction back in the spring of 2009. It had 145,000 miles, and thanks to a gallon of gas being closer to $2.00 at that time, what would normally cost me over $5500 at a dealer auction wound up being only four grand even.

There were other small things as well that helped my cause. The check engine light was on. The transmission fluid was underfilled, and the oil was a quart overfilled.

Normally, a franchise car dealer will go through a trade-in and figure out whether it's worth investing in for a retail sale.

But when it came to hybrids at that time, reconditioning and retailing a low volume trade-in was an exception. Many brands were still well out of the hybrid marketplace, and only the Prius was considered to be a true retail king in that segment.

A lot of dealers were also cutting inventory and fighting the enormous losses that came with retailing vehicles during the early part of the Great Recession.

Low gas prices. Unfamiliarity with the product, and tight budgets meant that a lot of borderline trade-ins like this Honda Insight were simply wholesaled and forgotten about.

So I bought it for $4000, drove the Insight for approximately four years and 48,000 miles, sold it for $4000 in the summer of 2013 when gas prices were back at the $3.50 level. I did a similar formula with a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid that I bought with 102k for $6500 around the same time, and sold for $6450, four years and 50,000 miles later.

So is this barely used Prius a good deal at $16,900? Compared to a new car, most definitely. But those in the industry who want to keep a car for the semi-long haul, especially us enthusiasts who like to hit em' where they ain't, can do a whole lot better.

Coty > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 11:14

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It's hard to price a car from 900 years in the future.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 11:22

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That's a ridiculous deal. You can't buy a Corolla for $16,900...or if you do, it's a base base baaaaaaaase model with a stick and power nothing. I mean yeah, it's a base Prius, but a base Prius at least has power windows and locks.

Also, I think the color is Winter Gray. The light seems to be turning it brown, and I don't think Toyota ever offered a brown on the 2014 Prius. If it's gray, it's just an even better deal.

Evil-B > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 11:25

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"So what do you think this 2914 Toyota Prius with only 344 miles went for?"

I didn't know they were for sale yet. I told doc brown to stop bringing cars back with him.

EL_ULY > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 11:31

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I'd take it. It would make a good DD in my town and duh take it autoXing and into muddy open construction site for some hoonage :]

Nibby > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 11:40

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Looks pretty gray to me.

Steven Lang > Evil-B 12/24/2014 at 11:48

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Doh! When you're using an old laptop, sometimes the 9's and 0's run together. Thanks for the heads up.

Evil-B > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 11:49

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Sorry man I was just messing. ***evil laugh***

Steven Lang > Nibby 12/24/2014 at 11:50

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It looked brown in person. But certain colors often leave me a little color blind.

https://www.facebook.com/steven.lang.92…

Scroll down a bit and you'll see a green Prius that everyone tell me is blue.

RichardNixon72 > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 12:09

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that's a good wholesale buy regardless of color. Pkg III isn't the best, but these bring low 20s in Orlando. If you bought it list it on OVE. Some Toyota store will Snap it up after Christmas

Battles > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 12:14

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C'mon, when oil is artificially and unexpectedly cheap and the mainstream media seems to be telling people it's going to last forever this is the perfect time to grab ANY Prius if it's well priced, your Honda Insight exanmple proves that.
Actually, maybe it only works if you can afford to have it sitting in inventory until oil goes back to $80-$90.

Aaron James > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 12:20

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People tell you it's blue because it's blue.

Steven Lang > Aaron James 12/24/2014 at 12:27

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It's a conspiracy I tell you!

Funktheduck > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/24/2014 at 12:32

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Can't get a new corolla in stick anymore. Base model has the same 4 speed auto they've used for over a decade. All others come with a cvt

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Funktheduck 12/24/2014 at 12:55

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No shit? That's kinda disappointing. A base Corolla with a stick wasn't the worst car in the world to drive, as long as it belonged to somebody else. And on the one hand I can't believe they still rock the 4 speed auto, but I guess it gets good enough mileage than an upgrade isn't worth the money.

Funktheduck > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/24/2014 at 13:13

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A client of mine and I had twin corollas. Hers was a stick, mine auto. I repeatedly tried getting her to trade with me. No luck.

it was a decent auto. Not great. It's what you'd expect from one a decade ago. Seriously needs to be upgraded.

Lee Wilcox > Steven Lang 12/24/2014 at 19:35

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I think a Prius is likely to be the next new car I buy. That is whether gas is cheap or not. Have two daughters who drive them and they are doing the same sort of mixed country/city driving that I do. Might be about the only new transmission I trust to keep on trucking.

Of course the 95 4Runner is likely to outlast me and I'm shooting for that. With some types of use you just cannot expect economy. 18-19 while used partially as a tractor isn't too bad.

FrederickLawOlmsteez > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 14:52

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Well, there's your problem. There's a duck stuck in the place of a shifter.

Lets get this SHO on the road > EL_ULY 12/29/2014 at 14:55

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I had an Gen 2 for a year and a half. They're shockingly good in the snow, comfortable enough to live with, the JBL was great, they're amazingly reliable, and get great mileage.

However, once you do the special sequence to turn the traction control off, it was a hoot. Shocking amounts of torque if you could put your foot in the right place, and would gladly slide with a bit of help from the e-brake.

So much fun to see the shock and awe on faces as I slid a Prius around a snowy parking lot.

herald > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 14:56

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If you GAVE me 22K to take this hideous POS, I'd still say no. Prii are the new Yugos, but even less fun.

timgray > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 14:58

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$16K+? no thanks. you can pick up a New Abarth 500 for that.

StevenG > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 14:58

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For that price I will take it. Not kidding. Would take it in a heartbeat.

That is nicer than a Camry and the same size.

Leonard1818 > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:00

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I've seen the Prius in brown.

Quite honestly: Good. Better than silver. They're all silver. Or that dark red color. I love when people get something subtle but different (read: No orange or yellow — those are reserved for specific make/models IMO).

When we went car shopping last year, we ended up with a "Spruce Mica" colored vehicle. It's dark green. the metallic flakes are (duh) mica — almost a goldish color. Also has some blueish flakes in there too. I love black but I also love being different and green is very different. So is brown. So whatever. Go for it and good for them.

EL_ULY > Lets get this SHO on the road 12/29/2014 at 15:02

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niiice!!!!! Hoon on buddy! so rad!

StevenG > timgray 12/29/2014 at 15:05

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Which is fine if you are 19, but for folks with families the Prius is going to be a better choice.

The 500L is an abomination. Saw one the other day and it looked like a cheap chinese knockoff of a car.

timgray > StevenG 12/29/2014 at 15:09

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What 19 year old do you know that can get a $17,000 loan?

I'm 45 and it's PERFECT for my family, mostly because I wasnt dumb and waited until I was 35 to have kids. Oldest is gone and in college, youngest is 16 and is loving learning to drive in it.

Driving_Impaired > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:09

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I burst out laughing when I saw that... it can not be more blue. hahaha

MrMcQueen21v2 > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:14

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The only reason I clicked this is because I thought it said "blown Prius". A prius might as well come with a vasectomy, but a prius with a big honkin' blown V8 could be atleast nifty.

Mandorake > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:15

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That is a killer steal. I got my 2010 Prius IV at 17k(Although it has heated seats, backup camera, etc..). Give that car a few years for gas to go back up and you can easily re-sell it at the same price but with 50-70k more miles on it.

Steven Lang > FrederickLawOlmsteez 12/29/2014 at 15:19

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I just hope it's the head.

StevenG > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:20

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I want one of these soo bad. Ultimate nerdmobile.

venable_STEVEN > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:20

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I'm actually in the market for a Prius as DD'ing my CTS-V was not the wisest of choices at an average of 10mpg.

The Little Engine That Couldnt > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:21

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I love that the companion post to this is Hellcat vs. Corvette.

ezeolla > Funktheduck 12/29/2014 at 15:23

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You can get a Corolla with a stick in the base "L" model according to Toyota's website

Steven Lang > The Little Engine That Couldnt 12/29/2014 at 15:24

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Well, if you were going to have an automotive version of, "The Odd Couple", what better combination would there be than Felix the Prius, and Oscar the Hellcat.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Funktheduck 12/29/2014 at 15:24

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Actually, you can get a Corolla L (base) and S trims in 6-speed manual. You can even see some on Carmax by searching for "Corolla", checking the box for "Manual Transmission", and sorting the results from new to old.

TimothyinBoston > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:25

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But what about that B5.5 Passat in the background...

boneheadotto > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/29/2014 at 15:27

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you are all about that base

gm0n3y > Battles 12/29/2014 at 15:41

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But oil isn't artificially cheap. It WAS artificially high for a long time. Of course it could certainly go back to that any time.

JB1 > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:41

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For a moment, I thought the article said, "who wants a blown toyota prius" and I was dumb founded. Read the entire article and didnt find anything about forced induction. Re read the title and realized, I've been staring at a computer screen WAY too long.

Steven Lang > JB1 12/29/2014 at 15:43

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Try writing an article and finding out that you forgot a few words, phrases, sentences, paragraphs.... wait.... where am I?

lmacnit > Funktheduck 12/29/2014 at 15:47

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I beg to differ. The base model is the Corolla L and that comes standard with a 6-speed stick… IF you can find one. The auto available is the 4 speed slush box. You have to step up to the LE to get the CVT.

Jimmy Joe Meeker > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:48

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What sort of auction is this? That's how I would judge it.

If this is the sort of 'you need a dealer's license' to enter auction most if not all people there will be bidding so they can resell at a decent profit. Which means they have a number in mind at which any car is worth the risk and effort to them that is well below what they'll sell for retail and thus pay the bills and leave some net profit for them.

Now a public auto auction is a little different, some people will bid higher looking for a bargin for themselves vs retail price. In that case it matters who's there. If only one person there wants a particular car for himself it will go cheap, probably around where it makes for a good resale, where the person bidding on it just to resell it drops out.

Uug > timgray 12/29/2014 at 15:51

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it's PERFECT for my family

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Lee Wilcox 12/29/2014 at 15:51

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FWIW, the seats in the Prius are the most comfortable of any current econo car.

Scott Swenson > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 15:54

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I think even the general buying public has an aversion to the Prius just from the stereotype of the owners. If this was any other decent hybrid, I wonder if the results would have been different. Even those I know who are very sensible with purchases won't consider the Prius because of the stereotype.

Steven Lang > Jimmy Joe Meeker 12/29/2014 at 16:01

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Right you are... many years ago I wrote an article about that for Edmunds.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/con…

Bo Darville > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 16:01

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I have to laugh, because I drive an identical Prius for work and everyone tells me it is black. That's a good deal for someone, but after driving one for 2 1/2 years I wouldn't even pay $5k for it.

Conversely, the first time gas prices started rocketing (2008?) I almost bought a slightly used Escalade because their value dropped significantly. I'm going to have a gas-guzzler in the fleet no matter what, so might as well buy it cheap, right? 3 years later I was shopping more seriously, and the same year but with 3 more years worth of miles was selling above the 2008 price. People get super emotional about gas prices.

TurboS60 > Funktheduck 12/29/2014 at 16:07

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Base model L which starts @ 16,900 come with 6-speed stick.

Erik W > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/29/2014 at 16:30

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Base Prius also has Bluetooth and steering wheel controls.

baabaabooie > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 16:34

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Much as I hate Priuses I have to say that's a pretty damn good deal. Hell, I'd buy that turd, beat up on it for a few years and when gas goes back up sell high.

Built BMW Tough > Funktheduck 12/29/2014 at 16:51

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You can, but they aren't easy to find. I had a customer specify a manual transmission model, and that was a PITA to lock down.

RazorGP > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 17:13

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This thing is destined for a few years of cab duty.

Battles > gm0n3y 12/29/2014 at 17:26

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Okay, think we'll have to agree that the price of oil is generally artificial.
I think it's been lowered now based on a political agenda that demonstrates the power of certain countries and deliberately hurts certain other countries.

DavidHH > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 17:37

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Prius the car that CO$T$ $600 to $800 if you leave the lights on, and costs $650 to replace a headlight. I take it that the general public has finally realized it is a badly designed piece of unserviceable junk.

Unfortunately they have not noticed that it also is very horrible for the Environment. Where does the Toxic waste from Japan go? The F-ing Ocean, if the third won't won't take it. Seriously, they ether incinerate it on a ship, or just dump it overboard, and has been going on since the first OPEC Oil Embargo of the 1970's.

DavidHH > Battles 12/29/2014 at 17:42

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Oil Production, Gasoline and Diesel are International Commodities, and subject to the same Economics as other Commodities, i.e. people Betting on Futures. Futures being the future cost and demand.

DavidHH > Lee Wilcox 12/29/2014 at 17:47

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"Have two daughters who drive them": do they know about the traction control bug, and software update?

A friend found out by getting rear ended, as his Prius thought that a hard 90 degree turn while accelerating hard was a tire spinning in the snow and cut most of the power to the wheels. It was actually a speeding truck, that he pulled out in front of. I'll drive an E-150 from 1978, or an Audi from 1984, and even a Vanagon Westy from 1991, but I won't ride in a death ride like the Prius. Besides, they are one of the absolutely worst cars in the world for the environment.

Coalman > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/29/2014 at 17:59

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The 8th Gen Corolla, which ended in '02, had a 3 speed auto w/the differential having separate fluid. The 4 speed was an upgrade and got significantly better mpg. Believe the manual got the best being a 5 speed of course.

Lopoetve > ezeolla 12/29/2014 at 18:03

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And in the 'S' model as well - not the 'S' premium, but the 'S' plus is available with it.

thebigbossyboss > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 18:04

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Would not buy prius at any price. cp.

Paullubbock > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/29/2014 at 18:54

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A stick is a plus not a minus. Unless your lame and don't know how to drive a manual.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 19:11

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"How many of you would want a brown Prius?"

ME!! I would like to have one in an unusual colour like that.

And for $16,900, that's a fantastic deal. I would go buy it now if I had the money and/or I was in the market for a car.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > DavidHH 12/29/2014 at 19:18

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Troll does trolling well!

iaintafraidofnoghost > timgray 12/29/2014 at 19:32

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When I was 17 I bought a used car for $18k with my own money. It's called hard work and savings; something that is lost on a lot of youth.

iaintafraidofnoghost > DavidHH 12/29/2014 at 19:39

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If you're betting on oil futures to go up right now, it is very safe to say you're going to lose.

iaintafraidofnoghost > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 12/29/2014 at 19:40

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I'd give him 3/10 just for opening statements being too obvious.

timgray > iaintafraidofnoghost 12/29/2014 at 19:42

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Exactly, and that is the right way to do it. A loan is the stupid way.

you earned the money and respected the car and the costs, Rich twit that daddy buys a car for to make them happy will not respect the car or others cars, and only end up being the horrible drivers we have to deal with daily.

They end up as people that are happy to drive a Honda Oddysey Minivan and talk about how practical is important.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 19:43

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no matter how cheap , the answer to this question is NOPE!

iaintafraidofnoghost > timgray 12/29/2014 at 19:48

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I never knock the rich. Good for them. I would be lying if I said I wouldn't want something awesome handed to me. I agree the value is often lost, but I can see either side of the coin.

I just meant we live in a world where opening a line of credit is the go to. It is sad.

I agree on the driving points. The worst drivers on the road are luxury/Prius owners followed by pick up drivers.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Paullubbock 12/29/2014 at 19:49

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He was saying the stick was preferable.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Paullubbock 12/29/2014 at 19:50

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He was saying the stick was preferable.

timgray > iaintafraidofnoghost 12/29/2014 at 20:05

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I don't knock the rich that make their kids work for things like their first car. Ones that are just handed things to make them happy? No respect at all given. Best friend in highschool was millionaire rich, his dad made him EARN every dollar to buy his first car and that first car was a POS Super Beetle that he had to work on constantly.

gm0n3y > Battles 12/29/2014 at 20:41

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At the moment, oil is closer to it's "natural price". Previously, production rates had been artificially lowered (via the OPEC cartel) to keep prices higher. Without the cartel, oil would be prices somewhere a bit above it's cost to extract and refine it.

dogisbadob > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 20:44

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Being brown isn't enough; it has to be a wagon, too; that's what the Prius V is for :)

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Tarukai > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/29/2014 at 21:22

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Mileage is worse than most other new cars in the same class. The 4 speed and all of the cars underpinnings are so old that it's amazing they haven't changed it yet.

Carbonite > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 21:24

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just have to be willing to settle for the right deal.my fiance bought a brand new fiat 500 pop with no money down for $12k you just can't get a new car for that. It's a manual base model but it's exactly what she needs for transportation and it's a fun little car. The deals are out there.

718Rogue > Lets get this SHO on the road 12/29/2014 at 21:27

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You're tempting me to steal my dad's and take it to GMR to see if I like it any better than the Mazda3 I'm allowed to drive when I'm around...

jalop1991 > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 21:28

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brown...and it has a liftgate, so it's a wagon, right?...

jalop1991 > Lets get this SHO on the road 12/29/2014 at 21:31

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The problem with turning off the traction control is, you can overrev and burn out the electric motor/generators.

On the Prius, TC isn't there to nanny-control the driver. It's there to protect the expensive bits that the average driver or average Jalop knows nothing about.

Frenchlicker > timgray 12/29/2014 at 21:32

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I have a friend that age that just bought a house. True story, from a middle class family and works a normal job.

jalop1991 > DavidHH 12/29/2014 at 21:34

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Prius the car that CO$T$ $600 to $800 if you leave the lights on, and costs $650 to replace a headlight. I take it that the general public has finally realized it is a badly designed piece of unserviceable junk.

I don't know why you're making shit up out of thin air here, but you are.

What costs $600 to $800 if you leave the lights on? Oh, wait, nothing—because you can't leave the lights on. If you don't turn the switch off, the lights go off the moment you open the driver's door to get out.

So now we know you don't know anything about Toyotas, because they've been doing this since at least 1988—and likely before.

As for "badly designed piece of unserviceable junk," do you care to put your beer and your rifle down and go into details? I'd LOVE to hear those.

jalop1991 > Steven Lang 12/29/2014 at 21:34

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Duck head?

No thanks.

jalop1991 > DavidHH 12/29/2014 at 21:36

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How are they bad for the environment?

yeah, I thought so—here you come with the old saw that's been disproved time and time again...

Frenchlicker > iaintafraidofnoghost 12/29/2014 at 21:42

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I wouldn't be so sure of that

iaintafraidofnoghost > Frenchlicker 12/29/2014 at 21:50

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If you say so. The trend and reasoning for a weak barrel price seems to be showing long term. Until the US/Canada reduces its output OPEC will continue to flood the market with cheap oil.

If you have s good reasoning otherwise, I think you're wrong.

iaintafraidofnoghost > timgray 12/29/2014 at 21:51

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They probably don't care if you respect them. All I was saying is everyone lives their life differently and it is pointless to judge on mundane things.

vellum > jalop1991 12/29/2014 at 22:28

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The nickel mined from Canada and/or China is a dirty business. The environmental unfriendliness comes from the energy used to convert those raw materials into the hybrid batteries.

jalop1991 > vellum 12/29/2014 at 22:36

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I know you heard that somewhere.

This is the internet. Lots of people say lots of things, without anything to back them up.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Paullubbock 12/29/2014 at 23:29

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The stick is a plus for us here, yeah...though there are absolutely times when I just want to toss a car in gear and be on my way. Most people who buy those cars though, they want the autotragic. Back when I sold Toyotas, my GM would try swap out manual tranny Corollas whenever we got them, we sold maybe six a year. And even that seems high. So that Prius for stick shift Corolla money was a ridiculous deal.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Tarukai 12/29/2014 at 23:31

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Yeah, they say you can't get blood from a stone, but Toyota is wringing gallons of it out of that Corolla platform. That's a car that really sells on name and reputation and not much else.

Stef Schrader > Lets get this SHO on the road 12/29/2014 at 23:55

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I got a '14? as a rental. Man oh man oh man did it need a real e-brake for maximum lulz. The potential for lulz is alive and well with that torquey hybrid engine in "Power" mode.

But they went to an electric parking brake over a nice, solid lever. :o( I hate electric parking brakes.

Stef Schrader > StevenG 12/29/2014 at 23:56

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These cars kick my butt at autocross. True story. Torque + tiny package = pretty competent in H Street form.

Stef Schrader > FrederickLawOlmsteez 12/29/2014 at 23:58

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Where's Dusty?

This—I will admit—is a duck.

Dusty Ventures > Stef Schrader 12/30/2014 at 00:01

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I thought you didn't believe in ducks

Tohru > Funktheduck 12/30/2014 at 00:33

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My dad has a '14 Corolla S Plus 6MT on the lot at his work.

DonKeybals > Steven Lang 12/30/2014 at 02:28

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Once again, let's not write off the validity of a Prius. I would never own one, but I don't have a need for a fuel miser. People who commute from their homes in Riverside to work in LA do. That's not me. I have a home office. I can have my M3 and a low-mile 1996 Bronco that, on a good day, maybe gets 14mpg.

However, if my work situation was to change, and I need to commute 80 miles a day, I'd get a Prius. And since I'm getting a boring fuel miser, I might as well go for something with a unicorn factor. In a sea of black, white, and silver Priuses, the brown one will stand out. I will then bastardized the shit out of it by adding tons of Mugen, 5Zigen, and Tokiko decals to its brown body. Maybe some fake xenons to blind the shit out of oncoming cars.

Burrito de EJ25 > Funktheduck 12/30/2014 at 02:48

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You can get the S with a stick shift, I believe.

Tarukai > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 12/30/2014 at 03:07

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Sad days for other manufacturers when a platform can be wrung for 14 years with no improvements just based on "oh I've heard they're really reliable/efficient" despite the latter part being untrue compared to the rest.

Lets get this SHO on the road > 718Rogue 12/30/2014 at 08:16

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I honestly prefer it to a Corolla and put it on par with a Camry. They're great cars. But they're still nothing special, great DD's if you ask me.

Lets get this SHO on the road > Stef Schrader 12/30/2014 at 08:17

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Did they? I had a Gen 2 ('08) and I had a pedal. Which was good enough for what I needed it for.