I have an '04 Prius and plan to buy an '09 in the late fall. I’ve been very happy with mine for the last 145000 miles.
Hell, I’ll take it if you don’t want it 
Amen. You can get a loaded 07/08 new/slightly used Yaris still under factory warranty for 12~13 thousand from a dealer if you haggle well enough. The mileage on them is 34/39mpg. Do you really think you’ll keep the Prius long enough for the better mileage to make up the difference in price? Also the warranty on a 54000 mile Prius is all but gone so all repairs come out of your pocket instead of being paid for by the factory. The Prius is the best selling car in the US right now, that adds a decent amount to its price. So unless your goal is to own the best selling car in the US, I’d say go with a newer Yaris/Matrix/Fit.
As much as I love my Prius, I kind of have to agree with buying a cheaper very economical car.
I’ve been thinking what I’d do if for some reason I had to buy a new car right now. Would I get another hybrid? Go for something tiny yet cheaper? I think that if you look at the fully loaded cost of a car (purchase price, maintenance costs, registration, fuel, etc.) something like a Fit or Yaris probably comes out ahead of a Prius.
I totally bought the Prius because I thought it was cool, but also because I liked how efficient it was. (note: I don’t drive stick, but have been pondering learning how because manual transmissions get better fuel efficiency) It may not have been the best economical choice, but as anyone who has bought a car knows, financing isn’t everything.
So it all depends on what your motivation is for being in the market for a car. Which is something that’s going to vary by person.
The Prius has a lot of cargo space. I’ve seen my friend pack what appears to be nearly as much as my Cherokee will hold. (Of course a Cherokee has about the same footprint as a Honda Accord.)
Motivation? Saving gas is one thing. Being cheaper to run equals freedom. Helping out a friend is another. (Though I’m sure he can sell it readily, especially now.)
The points about cheaper new cars are well taken. OTOH, a $13,000 new car loses value as soon as I sign the papers. My friend has already taken that hit.
Most of my driving is on the freeway. 100 miles each way to work three days a week. Last (or first, depending on direction) 20 miles is often stop-and-go. On weekends there’s some freeway driving, and some rural driving. I’m hoping to only be commuting to Seattle two days a week come April.
Sounds to me like you’re leaning towards buying it. You won’t hear argument from me! 
I’m planning to buy a Prius this week, also- I am totally enamored with the mileage and it will cut my fuel costs by two thirds. I also qualified for a program and the state of Texas will be giving me $3500.00 toward the down payment.
Not nessesarily so, depends on the car and your down payment/trade-in. That being said, 18K is a lot for those 51K miles. Use the above calculator Jenny linked to.
The Yaris is not a good car, in fact it’s about the worst Toyota makes. If you want a good deal, get the Honda Fit. The Nissa Versa is Ok, also, and so are several Hyundai’s.
You already have too many cool vehicles so my answer is no! Stop it!
I could sell the Triumph. 
Way-ull…
I put in a loan application with my credit union over the phone today. A lot of money for the car, but I’m getting it for $3,500 under Blue Book.
So, the Prius has been driven and the girlfriend is getting 45 miles per gallon at last check. It’s flippin’ cold here too.
How much did you sell the Triumph for?
I haven’t. Maybe I’ll sell it this summer. Or not. I should though, since the MGB is much nicer. (FWIW, it’s a '63 Herald 1200 convertible. If I can get $3,500 for it I’ll be happy.)
See what I’m saying? Way too many cool cars! I shall settle for nothing less than wholesale liquidation!
Could be worse…
**Fuffle:**Change CD.
P. I’m sorry, Dave, I can’t do that…
F:Change CD!, and It’s Fuffle, not Dave
P: deactivating life-support systems…
F: CHANGE <gasp> CD!
P: Brewing a refreshing cup of Advanced Tea Substitute , Share and Enjoy!
F: (in an act of desperation, shatters the window with the seatbelt buckle)
P: Glassbreak sensor triggered, this vehicle is being stolen, activating MagnaVolt™ security system!
MagnaVolt system: ZZZZZZZZAP!
F: <thud>
just be glad it’s not like that horrid “Sync” system from micro$oft that ford uses in their new vehicles, now there’s a concept that should strike terror into the hearts of the motoring public, microsoft and ford in a joint venture <shudder>
…almost as bad as the ford Nucleon…
does the word ford and nuclear reactor strike fear into anyone else?
anyway, back on tangent, as long as you’re in an area that’s Hybrid freindly, it should be okay, but I’d also look into a small VW diesel as well, Diesel is a proven technology, unlike hybrids
I dunno. We get 34/35 mpg in our summer- '07 Yaris, and our friend gets 60 mpg in his used Prius. We paid something over $12,000 and he paid over $15,000, so let’s say the difference is $3,000-$3,500.
The 25 mpg difference will be about 600 gallons in a 15,000 mile driving year such as my wife typically does.
This US Govt statistics page says East Coast prices are currently averaging $3.168 per gallon.
That means the Prius saves $1900.80 per year in gas costs alone. It makes up the price difference in two years even if the price of gas does NOT go up.
Also, a Prius holds resale value well, as discussed above. A Yaris…well, they’re cute!
I would have bought a Prius except for immediate cashflow issues.
Sailboat
FWIW I refuel at the a place near my house that has consistently had the lowest prices in the area. This morning regular fuel was $3.479/gallon. Even the casino 30 miles down the road is up to $3.399/gallon.