MM Review: 2012 Toyota Prius c
03-18-12, 03:08 PM
#31
problem is, their math is faulty, and typically a hybrid will cost a person money except under specific circumstances (like heavy city use). not to mention the trade-off of loss of cargo room, gutless power trains. the rx450h is probably the best 'execution' of this though, although the cost premium is still high.
with lexus hybrids it is different because you get more than just frugality.
03-18-12, 05:50 PM
#32
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
hybrid depreciation is a complete wild card.
i don't expect them to be worse than normal, but i doubt they're particularly any better.
03-18-12, 06:23 PM
#33
Guest
Posts: n/a
i just did the rough math - if i sold my 17mpg explorer and bought a mid-level prius c, it would not be until the 5th year that i'd have saved any money. in the mean time i'd be driving a tiny gutless compact vs. my explorer with v8 and tons of room.
i realize most are math challenged and thus see the appeal of this, but the left side of my brain can never make this work...
on the car itself, i think this is easily toyota's best looking (most normal) hybrid, and should do very well in europe where gas prices are at least 50% higher!
i realize most are math challenged and thus see the appeal of this, but the left side of my brain can never make this work...
on the car itself, i think this is easily toyota's best looking (most normal) hybrid, and should do very well in europe where gas prices are at least 50% higher!
AgainI don't understand using this math only against hybrids when we can apply it to any vehicle.
Also are we assuming the price of gas won't change? It continues to climb, a Prius C owner is almost hedging bets that gas prices are going to increase.. So as the price of gas increases so will savings. If you start driving more (for whatever reason) then the benefit it to the Prius. Running costs for the Prius will be much smaller as well. You also get a new car with newer features.
Its not fair to hybrids to just do a cost/benefit analysis only on current gas prices.
03-18-12, 06:26 PM
#34
Guest
Posts: n/a
As for the car, it is a huge hit.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/t...t-nissan-leaf/
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/16/t...t-nissan-leaf/
Prius c Launch Kicks Off with Strong Sales
Prius Family Sales Nearly 10,000 in First Half of March
TORRANCE, Calif. – Toyota's subcompact Prius c five-door hatchback, the newest member of the Prius family of hybrid vehicles, is off to a quick start since going on sale March 12.
In its first three days on the market, it sold 1,201 units, making it one Toyota's fastest-selling vehicles and eclipsing Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf sales for the entire month of February.
"A number of factors drive the auto market, and fuel prices is one of them," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. "With 53 miles-per-gallon in the city and priced under $19,000, the timing for Prius c couldn't be better."
During the first half of March, the four-member Prius Family, including the new Prius c, roomy v, third-generation Liftback and new Plug-in Hybrid, accounted for sales of 9,821. Last month Prius sales totaled 20,593 and 32,593 year-to-date.
Prius Family Sales Nearly 10,000 in First Half of March
TORRANCE, Calif. – Toyota's subcompact Prius c five-door hatchback, the newest member of the Prius family of hybrid vehicles, is off to a quick start since going on sale March 12.
In its first three days on the market, it sold 1,201 units, making it one Toyota's fastest-selling vehicles and eclipsing Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf sales for the entire month of February.
"A number of factors drive the auto market, and fuel prices is one of them," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division. "With 53 miles-per-gallon in the city and priced under $19,000, the timing for Prius c couldn't be better."
During the first half of March, the four-member Prius Family, including the new Prius c, roomy v, third-generation Liftback and new Plug-in Hybrid, accounted for sales of 9,821. Last month Prius sales totaled 20,593 and 32,593 year-to-date.
03-18-12, 07:33 PM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
my math was based on the idea that trading in my gas guzzling explorer to buy one of the most fuel efficient vehicles available might save me money but it turns out it won't in 5 years of ownership. obviously if i trade it in for something less fuel efficient, the math doesn't get any better on gas savings.many people trade in cars more efficient than my explorer to get a hybrid (or yes, non-hybrid more fuel-efficient vehicle), but that math just has no chance of making any economic sense.
AgainI don't understand using this math only against hybrids when we can apply it to any vehicle.
Also are we assuming the price of gas won't change? It continues to climb, a Prius C owner is almost hedging bets that gas prices are going to increase.. So as the price of gas increases so will savings. If you start driving more (for whatever reason) then the benefit it to the Prius. Running costs for the Prius will be much smaller as well. You also get a new car with newer features.
). his gas bill went from $1300 to $300 a month 
but of course he's driving a shoebox now compared to a shoe store.
03-19-12, 11:15 AM
#36
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Not surprising at all. A lot of people who juts don't like the Insight, for whatever reason, were probably waiting in the wings to just pounce on this car....that was one of the things I brought out in the review. But, as I also said, I'm concerned that, with the very-likely dealer price-gouging, there goes the chance to get a new one at 19 or 20K like my test-car.
03-19-12, 11:26 AM
#37
maybe that's true for hybrids where you are but there's conflicting info on depreciation of hybrids here.
http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/...ed_to_know.htm
i don't expect them to be worse than normal, but i doubt they're particularly any better.
http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/...ed_to_know.htm
i don't expect them to be worse than normal, but i doubt they're particularly any better.
I just checked cars.com for used 2010 Prius G3 and 30k mile models are 22k. This is 3 year old car now, but newer model Prius that cost 25k new.
So there is nothing unpredictable there really, just check used cars sites to see the depreciation.
03-19-12, 11:31 AM
#38
Excellent review, as always! I like the car, but hate those taillights. When someone comes out with a taillight tint kit, then that should make it look much nicer. Especially on a black or darker colored car.
I've seen a few driving around SoCal lately. I like!
I like the car, but hate those taillights. When someone comes out with a taillight tint kit, then that should make it look much nicer. Especially on a black or darker colored car.I've seen a few driving around SoCal lately. I like!
03-19-12, 12:07 PM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Thanks.
Cars like the Prius c, though, are usually not of the sporting-type that the young guys with their caps-on-backwards would usually spend money on with customizing.
Keep looking.They are (probably) going to multiply like well,............
I like the car, but hate those taillights. When someone comes out with a taillight tint kit, then that should make it look much nicer. Especially on a black or darker colored car.
I've seen a few driving around SoCal lately. I like!
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