So I'm thinking about buying a Prius

"promoted by the color red" (whenindoubtflatout) 04/20/2016 at 01:44 • Filed to: None

1

18

Yup, you heard me. I’m looking at the third-gens because they look the least...awful? Yeah, let’s say that.

Mileage wise I’m not actually saving all that much more since I have a mostly highway commute and the Camry tC Gran Coupe handles it with aplomb. While $70/mo in my pocket isn’t something to sneeze at, I’m looking at Prii because they’re sized about right for my city and pretty much anything ICE’s MPG takes a nose-dive when I’m doing the occasional downtown/city run.

Plus I took one of these on a joyride via the local car-share service a few years back. It was kinda funky, like piloting a spaceship. It really is detached, but I figured I’ll just sell it in two years after putting ~40-50,000 miles or just give it to my mom who commutes exclusively in the city. I should have a better idea of what the hell I’m doing with my career by then.

Now, what of the WRX? After careful analysis of the numbers (I Googled “WRX costs” every day during lunch) I saw that all the numbers were big...except for the fuel economy. Yeah, there’s the whole keeping it out of boost thing, but that’s not something that I’m going to do. If I’m going to drive it like a Prius, I ought to just buy a Prius, right?

I’m hoping to have the cash saved up in the next few months, so here’s to hoping my situation changes so I can drive something that’s not a Prius or a Camry.

bob and john > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 01:47

0

why not look into a volt? extended range vehicles, somethign with a bigger battery for the city

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 01:53

1

Why not an i3 or Leaf?

TheHondaBro > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 01:59

2

If there are any Honda dealerships with Insights left on their lot, I’m pretty sure they’d give you a storming deal on one.

RyanFrew > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:02

3

You shouldn’t have to defend yourself! If this is a wise move for you, financially, then it’s the right car.

promoted by the color red > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 04/20/2016 at 02:04

0

My commute is 120 mi/day, so most full electrics are out.

Sneaky Pete > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:07

1

Why not keep commuting in the camry, save for the next couple years, then buy something badass when you’re settled in your career?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:08

0

Get the Prius C. Cheaper, less of an eyesore, better mileage, pretty honest car.

JDMatt > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:13

1

Upside to driving a Prius in San Francisco: hill hold. Just press the brake pedal all the way down until you hear the traction control beep. holds you for 3 seconds.

Downsides to driving a Prius in SF: you learn to drive with the doors locked. Alot of uber drivers use prii, and customers that don’t know better will get in your car because priuses in all colors are really common here.

promoted by the color red > Sneaky Pete 04/20/2016 at 02:17

0

That’s not a bad idea, but the Camry needs new shocks among other things and it’s embroiled in its own weird personal drama. To make a long story short, I bought it off my dad and I’m realizing now that it was a horrible mistake.

promoted by the color red > JDMatt 04/20/2016 at 02:27

0

I used to eye Prii with envy when I worked as a delivery guy. I’d watch my Integra’s MPGs nosedive from the idling and short jaunts and the lack of any ride comfort while the rideshare guys zipped on by as if on a cloud while returning double the MPG.

The only solace was that I could rip off a rev-matched heel-toe downshift off the Embarcadero onto Townsend at legal speeds if I timed the light right.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:28

0

My goodness that’s a long commute. In that case your Prius idea is probably the way to go. Unless you want a CR-Z. I’ve never driven one but I’ve sat in one and it wasn’t so bad. Price is lower than a Prius I would imagine too.

CRider > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:31

0

Tohru > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:33

1

Username checks out.

JDMatt > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 02:36

0

I’ve driven dozens priuses on the embarcadero and within SOMA because of my old job. If you own a prius you’re going to inadvertently drag race taxi drivers. But credit where credits due, the prius handles city traffic very well.

Personally I’d buy a car that has a stop/start function, because when you’re not stuck in traffic your driving a normal car.

Illegitimus Prime > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 07:17

0

Not to derail your thread here, but I have a question about prii. Is the first gen prius a good buy or are the batteries bound to be shot?

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > JDMatt 04/20/2016 at 07:42

0

A lot of cars have Hill Hold as an option now I think.....pretty sure the FIAT 500 does on it’s manual models! (Not sure about the autos though)! :)

JGrabowMSt > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 08:05

0

I would suggest looking at the CRZ before making a final decision. Theres no reason you cant have the best of both worlds.

JRapp: now as good as new again > promoted by the color red 04/20/2016 at 17:17

0

Dieselgate aside, have you considered a VW TDI? Even with the botched emissions numbers, the mileage you can get from a Jetta TDI will easily rival that of a Prius. Especially on long drives. Plus you won’t find yourself explaining to car enthusiasts (if you hang around any) why the Prius is the right choice for you (not to say that it isn’t a reasonable choice).

Of the Volt, which is at least a bit more interesting and rarer than the Prius and offer you the choice of plugging it in should you choose though, which is by no means a requirement.

Or the Lexus CT200h, which is built on the same platform as the Prius, but doesn’t look it.

And then there’s also the Accord Hybrid, which is as much a regular car as you can get in hybrid form.

To me the Prius just seems like too much of an unimaginative choice. At least do yourself a favor and look into other hybrid alternatives to the Prius.