Someone explain to me the logic behind buying a Toyota Prius over a Toyota Yaris

[Mo0o]

The prius is a pretty roomy car, i think its bigger tha nteh yaris isn't it?

 

[sandorski]

If Cost is the only concern: Someone explain to me the logic behind buying a Yaris over a pair of Nike Shoes??

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: JeepinEd
I average 48 MPG in the summer and 45 MPG in the winter. This is with an original 2001 Prius. I understand the newer ones get better MPG. My commute is abut 140 miles/day and goes from an elevation of 3500 feet to sea level and is pretty much all freeway. Although they say the Prius is supposed to get better gas mileage in city traffic, my MPG usually goes down in the city.

Sweet, my '96 Sentra gets only slightly less mileage and only cost me $1500.
I get about 42-45 mpg summer and 38-40 mpg winter.

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
A 2006 Yaris costs $10950 MSRP and the 2006 Prius costs $21725 MSRP. Highway MPG are 39 and 51 respectfully.


Lets say we drive 20000 miles every year and the gas price is a consistent $3.00 (gas price fluxuations do not make a difference)

Fuel costs for the Prius annualy would be $1176 while the fuel costs for the Yaris would be $1538. You would be saving $362 a year on gas if you purchase the Prius. But the Prius costs $10775 more than the Yaris. What added value are you gettng with this $10775? It would take you 29 years to make up that difference in gas savings alone.

This doesnt take into consideration depreciation, maintenance costs, and insurance.

That Yaris could be replaced with a Chevy Aveo, or a Honda Fit, hell even a used Toyota Echo.

I think the Hyrbid idea was fantastic, although it's more of a marketing scheme at the moment.

And it worked because people bought it. What's your point?

 

[Amused]

I'd rather buy a Jetta TDI over either of those cars.

But the OP's point is correct. Hybrids are economically foolish cars.

Oh, BTW, the resale value of them will plummet when people start realizing what a finite life the batteries have.

 

[bobdelt]

Ecnomies of Scale... unless these become drastically more popular they wont lower in price. Also, they are selling at the current prie because people are stupid.

Also keep in mind that the Yaris is based on R&D that is many years old, and that R&D has already paid for itself.

But the Prius is new, and has incurred new R&D costs, so it must be charged a premium, to pay for all that research and development.

 

[JeepinEd]

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: JeepinEd
I average 48 MPG in the summer and 45 MPG in the winter. This is with an original 2001 Prius. I understand the newer ones get better MPG. My commute is abut 140 miles/day and goes from an elevation of 3500 feet to sea level and is pretty much all freeway. Although they say the Prius is supposed to get better gas mileage in city traffic, my MPG usually goes down in the city.

Sweet, my '96 Sentra gets only slightly less mileage and only cost me $1500.
I get about 42-45 mpg summer and 38-40 mpg winter.

That's great. I din't know they got such good mileage.
Like I said before, I din't buy the Prius purley for the gas mileage. I bought it because It was unique at the time and I found the technology very interesting. I'm a gadget guy and I don't like driving dull econoboxes.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Amused
I'd rather buy a Jetta TDI over either of those cars.

But the OP's point is correct. Hybrids are economically foolish cars.

Oh, BTW, the resale value of them will plummet when people start realizing what a finite life the batteries have.

...or when they're no longer trendy

...which will be aided when the government stops giving welfare to buyers...

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: JeepinEd

Originally posted by: psteng19

Originally posted by: JeepinEd
I average 48 MPG in the summer and 45 MPG in the winter. This is with an original 2001 Prius. I understand the newer ones get better MPG. My commute is abut 140 miles/day and goes from an elevation of 3500 feet to sea level and is pretty much all freeway. Although they say the Prius is supposed to get better gas mileage in city traffic, my MPG usually goes down in the city.

Sweet, my '96 Sentra gets only slightly less mileage and only cost me $1500.
I get about 42-45 mpg summer and 38-40 mpg winter.

That's great. I din't know they got such good mileage.
Like I said before, I din't buy the Prius purley for the gas mileage. I bought it because It was unique at the time and I found the technology very interesting. I'm a gadget guy and I don't like driving dull econoboxes.

Yeah, they were rated at 38 hwy or something.
But a 1.6L, 115 hp engine in a 2400 lb car is going to be very fuel efficient.

85% highway @ 65 mph
Skinny 13" tires (165/70/13 I believe)
5 speed manual with lots of anticipating traffic and coasting
No passengers, excess weight removed
No AC (freon leaking somewhere)

I'm not thrilled driving it either, but knowing what a great deal I got on it, and how it continues to save me money makes me