Car buying question: Appliance edition

"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin) 10/23/2020 at 17:04 • Filed to: None

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I’m consolidating my garage. Getting rid of my Impreza and Civic coupe and going down to one car for now. I’m down to 3 choices and they all have their pros and cons but I’m curious as to what you guys think.

I will preface that my ideal appliance car would be a hybrid corolla wagon but we don’t get those in the states (not even a hybrid hatch!).

Corolla Hybrid- $23.5k

This is my #1 choice. It’s the cheapest by far and I think it looks the best. It also gets the best gas mileage. Unfortunately, it’s missing some features that the other two have available like wireless charging and backseat USB ports for my kid. It’s also missing a hatch and AWD. Neither are necessary but are great for utility and resale.

Prius AWD- $30k

The Prius hits all the buttons except for the way it looks. The AWD has the refresh which doesn’t look as bad as the original 4th gen but it’s still homely. The other big knock against it is the price. $6500 more! Hard to justify paying that much more for just vanity features and a hatch

Camry Hybrid LE - $32k

This one is the true upgrade over the Corolla. A lot more space, looks great, has all the features I want except a hatch but has a large trunk to make up for it. It also has nearly double the hp of the Prius and Corolla while still getting over 50mpg like the other two. The big hang up is the price. $8500 more than the Corolla! That’s a nice chunk of change that I would rather use in the future towards a second (sporty ) car, however the Camry is the only one of these three that I could justify driving beyond 4-5 years and could even be given to my daughter in 10 years when she learns to drive.

So, which one should I pick?

For Sweden > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:07

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Rally Prius

Long_Voyager94 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:13

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Option D, none of the above?

dogisbadob > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:14

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What about the Honda Clarity Plug-In ? or the Accord Hybrid?

HammerheadFistpunch > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:15

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I wouldn’t count on the AWD in the prius being any kind of real advantage.  

Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:17

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I dunno, if your willing to splurge for a Camry Hybrid but wish a hatch then Rav-4 Hybrid LE AWD like everyone does?

I think you need a trip down to Toyota for some drives at least.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:19

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Gas Corolla hatch is worth a test drive though. It's a real looker too. But yeah I don't think any of those justify themselves next to the budget friendly Corolla sedan (give us a hybrid hatch!). 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:20

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Think of how many used Audi’ s you could buy for the price of one new Co rolla?

hillrat > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:21

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I bought a used Sonata hybrid a couple of years ago for $15k and haven’t regretted it for a single second. We drove the Camry and preferred the Hyundai interior, you might want to take a look.

Allow someone else to have that first 6 k miles and get this 2019 cream puff for 3 stacks less than the Co rolla.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/825130098/overview/

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > HammerheadFistpunch 10/23/2020 at 17:22

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Nah, it’s more that I live in O hio and know that if I get rid of it in 4-5 years, the AWD will make it an easy selling point. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:22

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Does it have to be new?

Research the Honda Insight and the Accord hybrid as well.

If you want to stick with new cars the latest Hyundai Elantra has a hybrid too

avalonian > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:22

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Or look into the Honda insight. Those are superb and I think they come with AWD. 

HammerheadFistpunch > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:23

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$6500 more?

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2020 at 17:24

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I’d definitely look at the Rav-4 Hybrid, as the XLE trim is is within spitting distance of the Camry’s price. There may also be a tax credit available, which could take some of the bite out of the higher price.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Exage03040 @ opposite-lock.com 10/23/2020 at 17:25

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I’ve driven them all, I actually like the corolla the best, camry second but all three are so close in dynamics it’s kind of moot. I drive enough that the difference between 40 mpg and 50mpg is $400 a year in gas alone, plus the Rav4 would be even more expensive the way I want it than the C amry

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > dogisbadob 10/23/2020 at 17:29

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The Clarity was on the list but me and Honda seats don’t get along. My Civic is the only exception I’ve found, the b ol st ering is different on the coupes that the seat is comfortable for me. When I test drove the Insight and the clarity, my back hurt at the end.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Long_Voyager94 10/23/2020 at 17:30

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Sadly the 50 mpg club is a small one and after test driving them , I like the Toyota seats best.

dogisbadob > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:30

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ouch!

Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the Toyotas, so get whichever one you can get the best deal on

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > For Sweden 10/23/2020 at 17:30

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I wish! I would rock a rally prius so hard! 

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > HammerheadFistpunch 10/23/2020 at 17:33

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AWD is only $10 00 more over the equivalent FWD Prius, the other $5500 is features and the hatch not found on the corolla hybrid

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > dogisbadob 10/23/2020 at 17:34

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Yeah, it’s the end of the year so hopefully I can get a good deal on a 2020

Milky > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:38

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$30k appliance? Get something nice (meaning you’ll actually  want to drive it) with a 100k powertrain warranty.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:38

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Why not the Corolla hatch no-hybrid? Still gets “up to” 41 highway.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 10/23/2020 at 17:39

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yeah, the price is what is leaning me towards the Corolla. That would put that much closer to a fun second car.

kleeBRZ > hillrat 10/23/2020 at 17:41

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its hard not to look at the hyundais lately.

kleeBRZ > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:42

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Ford Escape Hybrid?

$28k MSRP

hatch

EPA 44/37mpg

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/23/2020 at 17:44

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I’d totally get one if I didn’t drive so much. The difference between 40 mpg and 50 mpg is about $400 a year for me, plus the hatch is more expensive. The GR Corolla hatch is on the list for fun second car if it ever comes out.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:46

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Plus I believe it's the best looking of the bunch. The current one is pretty good looking for what it is. 

SpeedSix > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:46

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If mpgs matter so much to you, as you commented elsewhere in the post, then an Ioniq hybrid hatchback would probably suit your needs - Ioniqs are rated higher than Corolla hybrids. The Kia Niro is the same powertrain, but in a small wagon body, and with slightly less mpgs.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 17:52

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Hmm well I apologize that you’re looking at that as an constraint. I don’t feel that $33.33 savings in gas a month is worth not driving something you want more...

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 18:01

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Corolla. It's much the same hybrid system as the Prius in a newer platform for much less coin.

Textured Soy Protein > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 18:29

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Kia Niro? It’s my wife’s likely next car. Has a hatch and can be pretty loaded up with options. I’ve seen CPO loaded up Touring trims in the $17-19k range.

nermal > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 19:34

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Skip the appliances, get 2 door Jeep with minimal options, should be in same low-$30k-ish price range.

Pros: Slower, so less chance of speeding ticket. Roof comes off. Doors come off. Good in winter, lots of ground clearance in case you slide off the road into a ditch . Better resale.

Cons: Uses more fuel (low 20s mpg). I diots in other Jeeps waving at you is really annoying . Kinda cramped interior. Have to purchase from FCA dealership.

Total ownership cost should be about the same once you take into account extra fuel cost vs extra resale when you get rid of it. Wayyyyyyyyyy more fun as well. 

Long_Voyager94 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 19:35

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Find one of these:

Restore it. Then have a 45-50 mpg car that is a riot to drive and it’ll cost you less even after restore, plus it’ll be cheaper to ensure and they get around amazingly in the winter, plus it’s a hatch!

;)

I know everyone here touts Toyota for their reliability, but you couldn’t pay me to own another. Every single one we’ve had in the family have been absolute unreliable garbage. None have ever gotten anything resembling good economy either ( definitely nowhere near sticker ).

I hope your search goes well, just for comfort sake, I’d go for the Camry, but I’d honestly buy anything else first......

Long_Voyager94 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/23/2020 at 19:38

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2nd this. 

notsomethingstructural > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 19:38

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Imo if you have to buy a car you’re not gonna love then buy the cheapest one that meets your NEEDS 

Long_Voyager94 > notsomethingstructural 10/23/2020 at 19:40

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I’ll never understand paying money for something you don’t really want....

Maxima Speed > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/23/2020 at 19:59

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Honestly i would be a very very nice used camry for 10k or so from carmax. You get something for alot cheaper, its still nice, you get bluetooth calling, get a bluetooth adapter even for playing music without using an aux cord, still suuuuper reliable, all the money you save more than makes up for the mpg difference.

notsomethingstructural > Long_Voyager94 10/23/2020 at 20:07

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I want steak every night but I’ll pay for the occasional salami sandwich

Long_Voyager94 > notsomethingstructural 10/23/2020 at 20:38

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Little different story than buying a new car.

If I’m buying a new car, it had better be exactly what I want. If I can’t get the exact vehicle I want, I walk away. If I’m not going to get what I want, it better be damn cheap (read used), that way I don’t feel bad about modifying it into what I want.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Long_Voyager94 10/23/2020 at 21:08

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I’ve been been able to match or beat all EPA estimates in my many (though often very old) Toyotas, but I’ve never purchased a true economy car where that would actually matter to me enough . But if I paid $20+k for a Prius of Corolla and got a few MPGs less than expected, you’d better believe I’d be pissed.

Long_Voyager94 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/23/2020 at 21:34

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We bought our 2012 S manual with the intent of getting an efficient car that I could still have a little fun with. EPA rated 27/29/33.

Best economy I ever got was 28 mpg on a trip to Iowa. Ended up needing to be towed home as something let fly in the trans and it locked between 1st/reverse...
Warranty trans #1.

That car ended up eating 2 engines and 2 more transmissions after that while under warranty. We ended up driving the 95 Acclaim it was bought to replace more than we drove it as it was always in the shop. Surprisingly, that little Acclaim averaged the Corolla’s EPA numbers!

In general the Corolla averaged around 22 mpg no matter how it was driven.

We hated that little car with a passion by the time we traded it off. I left us stranded numerous times, had sloppy handling yet rode terrible, rattled everywhere.

Do n’t get me wrong, I love old Toyotas, but given our experience, I will say Toyota is 100% living off their 80s/90s reliability and the general public doesn’t notice.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Long_Voyager94 10/23/2020 at 21:55

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In the late oughts and early teens, there’s no denying that buyers of Corolla/Camries/Matricies/tCs came away disappointed with fuel economy. The 2.4s in Corolla and their siblings were lucky to crack 30, and they might burn oil. The 2.5 in the Camry and tC got 25, 25, 25, and sometimes 25.

Our Pontiac Vibe with the 1.8 1ZZ gets 29-31, putting is squarely in the realm of the EPA range of 26 city and 33 highway. As long as it runs and drives, we’re driving it until the wheels fall off. I’ve been stranded twice, once with a 10 year old battery (can’t blame the car there), and then a fuel pump (luckily, stranded in my driveway), which I was able to replace myself. It’s been an alright car that has little resale value — and we are a conservative household, so we’re just driving it into the ground or until it becomes unreliable. It is a brutally honest vehicle built down to the Toyota-GM bean-counting dollar.

Sovande > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/24/2020 at 05:47

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My entire family (except me) drives Toyotas and I can’t remember a single problem either . My dad’s frst gen Tundra didn’t even have frame rust issues.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/24/2020 at 06:12

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camry, go hard or go home.

get the maximum appliance you can

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 10/24/2020 at 11:38

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That’s a great way to put it. I was looking yearly but $33.33 a month seems silly to fret over. Then I’d get what I want.

I think you convinced me lol

hillrat > kleeBRZ 10/26/2020 at 14:17

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My Hyundai has been great and when I buy my next appliance-vehicle it will likely be another one.

AlfaCorse > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 10/26/2020 at 14:34

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Make sure you check out the size of the trunk space in the Corolla hatch, it is tiny, pretty much the same trunk space as a Mirage hatch.  The Corolla sedan has way more trunk space.