# I'm thinking about getting a Prius **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 29, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936 "2005-05-29T00:27:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/21 "2005-05-30T15:53:24Z")
> [@sewalk](#): > > Resale is high right now but when these things start coming out of warranty and word gets around on what it costs to replace the battery bank, prices will be sinking faster than the Italian navy. There’s also a lot of “gee whiz” electronics to go wrong on the hybrids and the cost of getting those repaired (which will no doubt be necessary if you want the car to even **run** ) is probably going to be **expensive**. Hybrids are wonderful vehicles, but the technology (at least as far as cars go, locomotives have had hybrid technology for a couple of decades now, IIRC) is still a bit unproven. If you do decide to buy one (and if you really like the car, I think you should, there’s nothing worse than buying a car you only sort of like), be prepared to dump it before the warranty runs out. That way if it turns out they’re _really_ expensive to maintain without warranty (which is an unknown at this point) you’re not stuck with a car you can’t afford to replace, and can’t afford to repair. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/22 "2005-05-30T17:22:22Z")
We have some in the fleet at work and the wind blows them around something fierce. And I also think they are butt-ugly, but obviously YMMV. Personally I’d go with the hybrid civic if you want an alternative. Roomy for a small car and a tried and true design that should last ( the hybrid technology being the only question mark ). But again, a test drive to compare them would definitely be in order. - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/23 "2005-05-30T18:31:44Z")
> [@Pushkin](#): > > Tsk, why can’t the US just start liking diesel cars. > > The MPG on the hybrids seems marginally better than ordinary petrol engined cars depending on where you drive. I suppose if its mostly city driving it might make a difference, but otherwise? Ford may bring the [turbo-diesel Focus](http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/wagon/112_0208_focus/) to the States if they can iron out some California emissions problems. It’s peppy and fuel efficient and they are generally just fun to drive. Unfortunately it won’t help Enderw24’s time constraints. The problem with hybrids is the incosistency of fuel economy. Some people get great mpg numbers and some get really poor numbers. I would have to guess that the type of driving involved is the culprit. Maybe a poll of city/highway and hilly/flat terrain will reveal the culprit. The only negative article I read about referred to a person in Cincinnati Ohio which is hilly and full of the usually traffic SNAFU’s found in a large city. There are websites devoted to the topic of hybrid gas mileage such as [Greenhybrid.com](http://greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/) There are gas engines that do fairly well and are cheaper so the ROI on investment should be compared to the best non-hybrid cars (not your old car). Take the total mileage cost plus the purchase price and divide it by miles driven over 3, 5 and 7 years and then factor in resale cost. That will give you an idea what the car is costing you over time. You should also include the expected maintenance cost of the battery pack as a separate item in your timeline comparison. You can also look at high mileage cars with poor resale and buy a used car. As an example, my 2000 Saturn gets 33/36 mpg with an automatic and I don’t think the resale is very high. (it’s a very small car and is not practical for hauling 4 adults). 33 is combined driving and 36 is pure highway so you could expect a low of 30 around town. If you’re really interested in “livin green” then buy a used hybrid with low miles. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/24 "2005-06-03T23:05:55Z")
If you’re still leaning that way, you might find [this news story](http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=8506801&src=rss/technologyNews) of interest. Note that it only involves the Prius, and there’s only been a small number of cases reported so far, but there’s _nothing_ better than having your car stall in front of a semi, for getting your colon cleaned out. :eek: (I say that if you _really_ want a hybrid, you shouldn’t let that stop you, since Toyota will no doubt quickly have the problem sorted out.) ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/25 "2005-06-04T15:41:17Z")
The Camry is probably a better comparison vehicle than the Corolla. I suggest you check out [www.priuschat.com](http://www.priuschat.com) The Prius’s rear seats fold down - combined with the hatchback makes it a decent cargo hauler. > **[Prius Keeps Car Dealers -- but Not Repairmen -- Busy](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-jun-01-fi-prius1-story.html)** > > The technologically complex, top-selling hybrid from Toyota has rated high in reliability. quote: Battery replacement costs have dropped to about $3,000 today from $10,000 or more in 2001 — about the same cost as replacing a worn-out gasoline engine in a conventional vehicle. Toyota has said the cost should continue dropping as battery volumes increase along with hybrid production. [http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo\_library/display\_release.html?id=20040623](http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_library/display_release.html?id=20040623) quote: The Prius battery (and the battery-power management system) has been designed to maximize battery life. In part this is done by keeping the battery at an optimum charge level - never fully draining it and never fully recharging it. As a result, the Prius battery leads a pretty easy life. We have lab data showing the equivalent of 180,000 miles with no deterioration and expect it to last the life of the vehicle. We also expect battery technology to continue to improve: the second-generation model battery is 15% smaller, 25% lighter, and has 35% more specific power than the first. This is true of price as well. Between the 2003 and 2004 models, service battery costs came down 36% and we expect them to continue to drop so that by the time replacements may be needed it won’t be a much of an issue. Since the car went on sale in 2000, Toyota has not replaced a single battery for wear and tear. Note that in CA and some other states the battery is warranteed for 10 years. The Prius is by no means perfect, but is a a viable choice. Oh, and diesels still have bad emissions (compared to regular cars, much less the Prius), even newer ones with cleaner fuel. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/26 "2005-06-04T16:12:42Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > The Prius is by no means perfect, but is a a viable choice. > Oh, and diesels still have bad emissions (compared to regular cars, much less the Prius), even newer ones with cleaner fuel. > > Brian IIRC, some of the new ones easily meet emissions regulations for gassers, and I know that one of the reasons for stripping the sulphur out of diesel is so that they could put a catalytic converter on the engines. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Stilettos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/fbc32d/32.png) [@Red\_Stilettos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Stilettos)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/27 "2005-06-04T16:40:35Z")
I bought a Prius in January and I love it. The economic issues you are concerned about have either already been addressed or they can’t be addressed with any authority right now. So, I’ll stick to the comfort issues. > [@](#): > > Headroom issues in the backseat. It’s quite roomy but if you lean your head back you hit the ceiling, which is a bit unexpected. I’ve never had anyone complain about this and I have become the default driver among my friends. In fact, most people can’t stop talking about how roomy the car and backseat in particular is, especially since the car looks so small from the outside. > [@](#): > > Rear window visability. It’s both very strangely placed and there’s a bar across the middle of it. Yeah, I thought that would be a problem too. You’ll adjust to it very quickly. I don’t feel like my visability is any less than in a more traditionally designed car. > [@](#): > > The gas savings alone should be ~$450 a year. Not to mention, as some people know, I always put off going to the gas station until I’m at about negative 2 gallons, which tends to cause problems. So going to the gas station might be beneficial. If you have a tendency to avoid the gas station, it will only get worse with a Prius. I drive in town a lot and I can usually go 2-3 weeks between fill ups. I don’t avoid the gas station as much as I just forget. In my previous car, it was habit to routinely check the tank. Now, I just forget to check. Luckily, you can be “running on empty” for quite a while, so I’ve never felt like I’m going to get stranded. If it matters to you, the Prius has lots of storage. In addition to the cargo space in the back, there’s 2 glove compartments, the center console, a lower drawer in the center console, a storage space below the radio, a sunglass holder in the ceiling, map pockets in the door and a shallow cargo space below the rear deck. As **Tamerlane** said, it does catch the wind more than you would expect. From the front, they are very aerodynamic, but they are pretty much flat on the sides. Also, be prepared to take a lot of flak for buying one. As you can see from this thread, opinions on the Prius are very polarized. The quote from **Sam Stone** is the best reply I’ve found for the people that want to argue. For me, buying a car is more than an economic decision. I haven’t regretted the Prius for a second. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/28 "2005-06-04T16:53:41Z")
Re the three-month waiting period: daowajon got hers in two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/29 "2005-06-04T23:01:12Z")
I’d like to echo what \*\*Red Stilettos \*\* said. I love my Prius. I got it in April, after a wait of about 6 weeks. I started looking into the possibility of purchasing one in Feb. 2004 and researched and considered and talked to people. I was unsure. But ultimately I got what I wanted, plus all the bells and whistles. So, for what it’s worth, I love my Pruis. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/30 "2005-06-04T23:02:26Z")
:smack: Prius!!! And I even previewed! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/31 "2007-04-25T10:47:04Z")
EDIT: This was posted by Arwin, who sometimes shares a computer with Maastricht. But not very often these days for Straightdope, so he didn’t pay attention. Sorry love! —begin of original post, as stated, written by Arwin 😉 – I’m actually getting one in a few months now. 🙂 A white one - somehow that color is just great on this car. Apparently the European version is slightly different from the U.S. version, in that you can enable the electricity only option, which you aren’t allowed in the U.S. for some reason I believe. There might be one or two other differences. In the Netherlands you get a few thousand worth of tax-break on this car, which makes it a fairly good deal even compared to normal cars, without taking fuel consumption into account, especially if you wanted an auto transmission anyway (which I do, roads are rather busy here 😉 ). Interesting note: apparently there’s a Prius taxi in Vancouver which was one of the first known to have driven 200.000 miles, after which Toyota offered to exchange it so they could study its durability. The results were that the batteries at this point in time still showed no signs of getting tired. Also interesting is that the brake pads on this car, because the braking energy is cleverly recycled, wear about half as fast as in normal cars. Heck, I’ve studied and read on this car so much now, that once I get the car, I can open an ‘Ask a Prius Driver’ thread. 😉 (and yes, I’ve also come across a few sites claiming that the Prius is less environmentally friendly than a Hummer, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/32 "2007-04-25T11:10:44Z")
I didn’t realize the waiting list was _that_ long! ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/33 "2007-04-25T11:16:10Z")
Heh. **Reply** , yes, it’s a zombie thread. I e-mailed a link to this old thread to Arwin with a note along the lines of: … “look what you posted in 2005, and now you’re getting a Prius yourself”. And **Arwin** jumped in and posted, bubbling with enthusiasm. FWIW, he really ought to start an “ask the Prius driver”-thread. He knew more about it then the car-salesman. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lips\_Obsession](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bbce88/32.png) [@Lips\_Obsession](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lips_Obsession)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2007, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/34 "2007-04-25T18:18:12Z")
Be careful if you use the tax credit as a reason for buying the Prius (or another Hybrid) vehicle. My parents already owned one Prius, and based on their love of the first one, replaced their 2nd car with a 2nd Prius, looking forward to the tax credit. They found out that due to the Alternative Minimum Tax, they won’t be getting either of the Prius tax credits they were hoping for… So…buyer beware… you may want to speak to your tax adviser before purchasing if this is an important part of your decision-making process. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/35 "2007-04-26T05:45:03Z")
Everyone I know who has one loves it, and would buy another one. Which matches with Consumers Reports: they list this as the highest score they have ever seen on the “would you buy this car again?” question – around 95%, as I recall. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/36 "2007-04-26T07:19:35Z")
[QUOTE=Enderw24] F Con: No negotiating. The demand is so high for these things, the MSRP is the MSRP is the MSRP. Rear window visability. It’s both very strangely placed and there’s a bar across the middle of it. Pros: Saving the environment one car at a time. Huzzah. I feel all green and fuzzy. Significant tax deduction. The gas savings alone should be ~$450 a year. Not to mention, as some people know, I always put off going to the gas station until I’m at about negative 2 gallons, which tends to cause problems. So going to the gas station might be beneficial. Surprisingly strong acceleration for a car with a moderate amount of HP. . [/QUOTE] More cons- You have to buy from a _Toyota Dealer_, who know he has you over a barrel and will rat-fuck you like there’s no tommorow. Yes, I know some folks don;t like the negotiation part, but here it isn’t being replaced by “no haggle” it is being replaced by “rat-fuck”. **Bad.** Toyota has sold so many Hybrids the Tax **Credit** on their cars is half what it “should be”. (Not so for other car companies) Now- all those Pros are also available on a Honda Civic Hybrid, with none of the Cons I have listed. Thus, I suggest the Honda Civic Hybrid. When we compare the price/cost on 'hybrid vs regular gas engine" we have to figure in a few more things: Good: The tax _credit_. Very very nice. Yes, for a few, the AMT will come into effect. Bad: just comparing the “MSRP” is bogus. See, you’ll pay MSRP+ for a Prius, but get a significant discount off a Honda Civic. Thus the difference is a lot more than just “MSRP”. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/37 "2007-04-26T16:53:38Z")
Yea, but the Civics back seats don’t fold down. With the fold down seats and hatchback the Prius makes a better cargo hauler. The hybrid drive on the Prius is more integrated into the system then the Civic (The Civic cannot run on electric alone). But the Civic is certainly a viable choice. Brian ---
**Author:** ![wasson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@wasson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wasson)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/38 "2007-04-26T17:09:26Z")
The other alternative is a diesel. I just recently bought a 2006 Jetta Diesel, and man, this thing is SWEET. On the highway it blows away the mileage of the Prius. I consistently get 55 miles per gallon on the highway. In the city I get about 40-45. Right now I’m buying diesel at the pump. 11% biodiesel, which helps the environment, our economy, and our dependence on foreign fuel. This summer I’m going to tinker around making my own biodiesel, saving money as well. No tax credit, but I love, love, love, love my little diesel. ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/39 "2007-04-26T18:33:36Z")
[QUOTE=wasson] The other alternative is a diesel. I just recently bought a 2006 Jetta Diesel, and man, this thing is SWEET. On the highway it blows away the mileage of the Prius. I consistently get 55 miles per gallon on the highway. In the city I get about 40-45. Right now I’m buying diesel at the pump. 11% biodiesel, which helps the environment, our economy, and our dependence on foreign fuel. This summer I’m going to tinker around making my own biodiesel, saving money as well. No tax credit, but I love, love, love, love my little diesel. [/QUOTE] How do you find gas stations that serve diesel? What if you’re traveling to a new place far away? ---
**Author:** ![wasson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4da419/32.png) [@wasson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wasson)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936/40 "2007-04-26T18:46:27Z")
[QUOTE=Reply] How do you find gas stations that serve diesel? What if you’re traveling to a new place far away? [/QUOTE] Diesel is only slightly harder to find than regular gas. I used to drive a car that I wouldn’t put anything less than 93 octane in. THAT was hard to find. Remember, semis use diesel, so there’s stations all over, especially off the interstates. Biodiesel is harder to find, but hopefully that’s growing in popularity. It has happened once or twice that I’ll be at the diesel pumps with semis to my left, right, and behind me. My poor little Jetta looks tiny. Plus I can go 600 miles on a tank, so I don’t have to fill up often. But finding diesel has never been an issue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-thinking-about-getting-a-prius/305936.md?page=3)