Comments on: Is My Toyota Prius Hybrid Worth It?

By: priusguy

priusguy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:29:28 +0000

I’ve had a prius since 2004. Many of my friends tried to chide me with the “you’ll never get your money back” argument. Their argument always consisted of a cost and mileage comparison against various cars. I always made a point to ask which specific car they were using for comparison. Then I would remind them that the prius had no gas only alternative. My argument is that the prius cannot truly be compared on a cost basis against other cars because each is different. The prius had to satisfy all my criteria before I would make the purchase. I wanted a car to carry my family of 4 comfortable. I wanted a hatchback. I wanted the smart entry and start feature that the prius had. I had to like the looks of the interior and exterior. I wanted as many safety features as possible including dual and side airbags, ABS, vehicle stability control, traction control and HID headlights. Now once all those criteria were met. I went for the car with the best mileage and lowest emissions. The prius was the best.

Car purchases are not simply cost equations, and unless you have hybrid and gas only versions of a vehicle that are otherwise identical, then a cost comparison is misleading. You can always find another comparison vehicle to prove whatever you want if cost is the only factor. Many of the articles compare the prius against a base civic or perhaps a tercel. What if we compare it against a hummer or a perhaps a bmw 325i? I mean if cost is really the only factor, then the prius looks really great vs the latter.

Now assuming the prius was like the civic and had a gas counterpart then there might be an argument. However with $4.00 gas in the US and no relief in sight, I’m still pretty pleased with my purchase. I regularly get 45-50 mpg with every tank. Going weeks between fillups instead of paying once or twice of week is absolutely huge right now.

I tell anyone who will listen that if they like the looks and the car fits their needs, then buy a prius and don’t look back. It’s definitely been worth it.

By: 2007 Toyota Prius MPG: Actual Results at Brian Berliner’s Brain

2007 Toyota Prius MPG: Actual Results at Brian Berliner’s Brain — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 02:22:37 +0000

[...] And, with the HOV car-pool sticker, I am even more pleased with my purchase. [...]

By: Getting there without hurting the environment

Getting there without hurting the environment — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 22:19:36 +0000

Made my first attempt to buy a Prius today…

Unsuccessful. Stupid me: all dealerships in my area are closed on Sundays. That’s a bummer because I was really looking forward to it.
I really wanted to test-drive their new Touring package. I drove the regular one this summer and it felt much …

By: Getting there without hurting the environment

Getting there without hurting the environment — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 22:19:35 +0000

Made my first attempt to buy a Prius today…