*EDIT: It is done* I can't believe I'm creating this thread. And neither can you.

[hans007]

dont do it!!!!

i've never been in a new prius. My coworker and I did rent a hybrid camry once, and the first thing he said was "my honda oddessey drives a lot more fun than this".

it also had a horrible, and i mean truly horrible interior. The new camrys all do. ALL OF THEM.

 

[ponyo]

Clark Howard has been talking about the great deals on the Prius on his radio show. Said the sales were down like 40% yty in the US which is amazing considering '10 was a redesign. $20k for a new Prius? Sounds like a deal to me.

Insight sales are terrible as well. There are supposed to be great deals on the Insight as well but I rather have the Prius than the Insight.

 

[theeedude]

If you don't care about driving being fun, get a Prius. Seriously, it's no big deal. I know some hardcore people who do crazy skiing and biking, but they drive boring cars, because driving is not where they get their kicks from. I love carving canyons in my Mazda on the way to the trailheads, so Prius probably wouldn't work for me. But it may work for you.

 

[StageLeft]

Get something at the end? If you actually get the thing you'll get something in your end by driving a Prius. Make sure it doesn't come from the dealer with a rainbow sticker pre-installed as every Prius around here has one or an = sticker.

Is the Maxima paid off? If so this is even a more idiotic move than I thought. Also have you checked insurance rates on the Toyota?

Max is paid off. Insurance is about $12/month more on prius.

I've run the numbers extensively (maintenance, repairs, tires, insurance, gas, depreciation). Cost of ownership is projected to be marginally higher over three years, anywhere from $1100-2000 depending on if I leased it for 12k or for 18k and used it as primary family vehicle, this with gas at $2.95 which it is around here. I have no idea what it will average over next three years but probably around this. But that presumes $2000-2600 in repairs on Max over that time, which is a crap shoot, it could be less it could be more. I've confidently broken everything down further to the point that I'd be paying, everything else considered, $80/month to have a Prius instead of the Maxima. Not so attractive from that perspective, but I won't lie I'm kind of tired of maintaining two older vehicles and we do a decent number of long road trips, which unquantifiably are more attractive in a vehicle with less miles (less chance of vacation mess up from break down).

 

[PricklyPete]

Skoorb...what are the numbers you're talking about? I'm assuming you're making this decision purely on a financial basis. If so:

Cost of Prius for 3 years, 10K a year:
$7164 = $199 a month x 36 months
$1909 = (30K miles/55mpg) x $3.50
$1700 = sales tax and fees
$10,773 = Total

Cost of Maxima for 3 years, 10K a year:
$5250 = (30K / 20mpg) x $3.50
$5,250 = Total

So you would have to incur over $5.5K in maintenance, repairs, and depreciation on the Maxima for this to break even. I didn't even include insurance which would likely go in the favor of the Maxima even more.

So in the end you'd most likely be spending thousands more over the next 3 years for a car that drives worse than your current car.

Am I missing something?

 

[PricklyPete]

Please go test drive a G37 to get this nonsense out of your head.

 

[dbk]

Skoorb...what are the numbers you're talking about? I'm assuming you're making this decision purely on a financial basis. If so:

Cost of Prius for 3 years, 10K a year:
$7164 = $199 a month x 36 months
$1909 = (30K miles/55mpg) x $3.50
$1700 = sales tax and fees
$10,773 = Total

Cost of Maxima for 3 years, 10K a year:
$5250 = (30K / 20mpg) x $3.50
$5,250 = Total

So you would have to incur over $5.5K in maintenance, repairs, and depreciation on the Maxima for this to break even. I didn't even include insurance which would likely go in the favor of the Maxima even more.

So in the end you'd most likely be spending thousands more over the next 3 years for a car that drives worse than your current car.

Am I missing something?

New car vs old car...?

 

[PricklyPete]

New car vs old car...?

I have a feeing Skoorbie is getting new car fever and it is getting the best of him. New car feeling is nice...but it turns into huge regret when you realize your last car kicks your current cars butt.

Another thing...and this may be me only...but I get somewhat attached to my old cars. I've invested time and money into keeping them in good order. I'm sure I'd be pretty partial to a Maxima that I've owned as long as Skoorb has owned this one. Plus you're over the "new" faze and don't care when some idiot backs into you and such.

 

[Kntx]

oo

 

[Throckmorton]

If you're gonna drive a FWD car, you might as well drive an efficient one!

 

[yh125d]

Actually look at the TDI like I am. Prolly a bit smaller on the inside, but looks a ton better and much better interior imo. Mileage not that different and I'm sure AT:Garage would prefer them to a preeeeeeeeus

 

[StageLeft]

Skoorb...what are the numbers you're talking about? I'm assuming you're making this decision purely on a financial basis. If so:

Cost of Prius for 3 years, 10K a year:
$7164 = $199 a month x 36 months
$1909 = (30K miles/55mpg) x $3.50
$1700 = sales tax and fees
$10,773 = Total

Cost of Maxima for 3 years, 10K a year:
$5250 = (30K / 20mpg) x $3.50
$5,250 = Total

So you would have to incur over $5.5K in maintenance, repairs, and depreciation on the Maxima for this to break even. I didn't even include insurance which would likely go in the favor of the Maxima even more.

So in the end you'd most likely be spending thousands more over the next 3 years for a car that drives worse than your current car.

Am I missing something?

Yep, you forgot depreciation of Max and also the maint/repairs, primarily. Here is what I got:

*BASED ON 12K/YEAR LEASE* for 3 years

Prius:
$1950 up front (this covers taxes and all the rubbish doc fees, etc. and one payment)
+ 6615 (35* 189)
+ $2212 in gas (48 city/51 highway and it takes 87 grade)
+ $360 insurance premium
= 11137 total cost ownership

Maxima:
$2000 repairs, cost of tires being more (this is a crapshoot, though, it could be more/could be less)
+1800 in depreciation selling then vs selling now (guess)
+5154 in gas
= 8954 total cost ownership

That difference of $2100 shrinks to about $1100 if I pay $25/month more to get 18k miles/year and start using it in place of our minivan.

I did these calcs on $2.95 87 grade gas, which is what we have now.

I have to emphasize there is nothing exciting about this car. If I'm under any fever it's not new car fever so much as boring old family man fever. Above all else in life I like financial predictability and this gives it to me for a very small premium and reduces all risk of major repairs or highway breakdowns. Those are not really possible to put a cost on. Costs alone the math is in favor of the Maxima I would say, overall.

 

[StageLeft]

Actually look at the TDI like I am. Prolly a bit smaller on the inside, but looks a ton better and much better interior imo. Mileage not that different and I'm sure AT:Garage would prefer them to a preeeeeeeeus

Find me one for under $200/month and I will never again mention a Prius. I did in fact just check. Their fuel economy is worse but more importantly, far, far too expensive. If I cannot come close to a financial wash I will not go from a fast car I enjoy driving to a souless person-mover. The TDI is a nicer vehicle, granted, but for the cost of one I'd just not bother at this time.

 

[Throckmorton]

Run the numbers for a Corolla

 

[caspur]

I'd personally go for the TDI.

However, Skoorb if you are in the Denver area and would like to test the 2010 Prius please let me know. And I should be able to dig up a 370z if you want to do comparison testing.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Yep, you forgot depreciation of Max and also the maint/repairs, primarily. Here is what I got:

*BASED ON 12K/YEAR LEASE* for 3 years

Prius:
$1950 up front (this covers taxes and all the rubbish doc fees, etc. and one payment)
+ 6615 (35* 189)
+ $2212 in gas (48 city/51 highway and it takes 87 grade)
+ $360 insurance premium
= 11137 total cost ownership

Maxima:
$2000 repairs, cost of tires being more (this is a crapshoot, though, it could be more/could be less)
+1800 in depreciation selling then vs selling now (guess)
+5154 in gas
= 8954 total cost ownership

That difference of $2100 shrinks to about $1100 if I pay $25/month more to get 18k miles/year and start using it in place of our minivan.

I did these calcs on $2.95 87 grade gas, which is what we have now.

I have to emphasize there is nothing exciting about this car. If I'm under any fever it's not new car fever so much as boring old family man fever. Above all else in life I like financial predictability and this gives it to me for a very small premium and reduces all risk of major repairs or highway breakdowns. Those are not really possible to put a cost on. Costs alone the math is in favor of the Maxima I would say, overall.

There's something to be said about not having to pay someone every month so you can drive. Having a paid off vehicle is a nice feeling. Not having to wonder. If I get laid off and am out of work long enough how am I going to keep paying for this?
The Max has to be a better car all around as far as driving and moving people. If you want to be "fiscal" Keep the max and put the $200 a month you'd be paying on the Prius into savings or where ever. At the end of the year put that $2400 into your retirement account/Kids college fund.

 

[StageLeft]

Run the numbers for a Corolla

They'll end up similar but I'd rather cut my hands off, eat them, then shoot myself in the head with my feet than own a Corolla. I hate them. Also, Prius doesn't quite say "my first car I got after college, co-signed with my Daddy" like a Prius does.

Having a paid off vehicle is a nice feeling. Not having to wonder. If I get laid off and am out of work long enough how am I going to keep paying for this?

It is, but from a total overall cost I'm paying out one way or the other, whether it's in payments or repairs/gas, and a hundred bucks or whatever is almost totally inconsequential even if I get laid off.

The Max has to be a better car all around as far as driving and moving people. If you want to be "fiscal" Keep the max and put the $200 a month you'd be paying on the Prius into savings or where ever. At the end of the year put that $2400 into your retirement account/Kids college fund.

$75 of that $200/month on the prius is gas savings remember!

In a strange turn mrs is so far putting up a block to this. I won't champion it too hard, so we'll have to see.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Might want to have a look at Nissan as they are doing its best to give away Altima Hybrids right now.

Under $20K after discounts. You can also get about $7K off on the more loaded up models.

They use the Camry hybrid system.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

In a strange turn mrs is so far putting up a block to this. I won't champion it too hard, so we'll have to see.

Now we really know who has the balls in the Skoorb family

 

[StageLeft]

Now we really know who has the balls in the Skoorb family

I'm SURE you made a joke to that effect a week or two ago and I think my response then was also: "her, when I give them to her", but maybe not

I briefly checked no nissan but it is worth another look. I really cannot imagine I can get an altima hybrid at a rate close to this, though, and its mileage is worse, but I'll check.

 

[desy]

Thats the problem with hanging around car forums

My 2001 Windstar w 120K miles is perfectly functional, mechanically sound and paid for.
Its dirty right now and its rattley and I've been driving it for 7 yrs now and there are soo many other interesting cars out there . . .

 

[EightySix Four]

Might want to have a look at Nissan as they are doing its best to give away Altima Hybrids right now.

Under $20K after discounts. You can also get about $7K off on the more loaded up models.

They use the Camry hybrid system.

Interesting. $7k off of one loaded? What part of the country are you in?

 

[hans007]

tdi's do get a tax credit.

so would nissan probably on the hybrid altima. i am pretty sure toyota has used up its alloted 65k uses.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Interesting. $7k off of one loaded? What part of the country are you in?

Over Presidents Day they were $7,250 off MSRP for all Hybrid Altimas.

http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=1248255&adid=9064293&cat=3379


http://newspaperads.mercurynews.com/ROP/ads.aspx?advid=1215240&adid=9064316&cat=3379

 

[Fenixgoon]

how is leasing a prius going to be cheaper than your maxima (which im assuming you have paid off)