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Hybrid Vehicles Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Toyota Prius v. ??? (fill in the comparison) 
393 messages, Last post on Mar 28, 2005 at 7:51 AM
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For those of you who have purchased a car since October 2003, did the current-gen Prius factor into your decision at all? That is, if considered a Prius but bought something else, why? And if you bought a Prius, what other vehicles did you consider and why did you choose the Prius? Here's what I said on that question: backy Aug 8, 2004 7:07pm |
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Don't worry. I find it rather entertaining that ACCORD is now the "vehicle of choice". Previously, it was FOCUS. Before that, it was INSIGHT. And before that, it was COROLLA. That really makes me wonder which vehicle will be next and how soon that abrupt change to argue in favor of something else will come. JOHN
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Compared to a similarly priced LX Accord, here are some Prius advantages: Longer drivetrain warranty (5/60 vs. 3/36) Longer seat belt/airbag warranty (5/60 vs. 3/36) 8/100 Hybrid system warranty Alloy wheels standard Rear window wiper Hatchback versatility with 60/40 seat vs. 1-piece/trunk Heated mirrors Steering wheel climate controls Automatic climate control with humidity control Outside temperature gauge Trip computer Brake assist and traction control Smaller turning radius More rear seat legroom Larger cargo space Better gas mileage! Lower emissions Federal tax deduction Anyone want to add?
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Replying to: toycash (Aug 21, 2004 11:28 am) |
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Replying to: toycash (Aug 21, 2004 11:28 am) To the important aspects. The Jetta has more room for stuff by double. It out handles the Prius. Has 4 wheel disc brakes. I could go on and on. You all know it is more car for the money. The only thing the Prius has going for it is good mileage for drivers willing to nurse it around town and keep the tires at precisely the correct pressure. Also debatable is the emissions advantage, when looking at the whole picture. When I look at the pictures of the EV-1 cars smashed and stacked I wonder if the Prius will have the same fate. If Toyota gives up this venture for lack of profit, is this what you will see???? http://ev1-club.power.net/archive/031219/jpg/after2.htm
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 22, 2004 7:22 am) I'm not sure why you say that the Prius' emissions advantage is "debatable". Prius offers AT-PZEV emissions performance in all 50 states. The Jetta Wagon's standard gas engine is only ULEV, plus it burns much more fuel per mile than does the Prius. And I don't think you would debate that the emissions of the Prius are lower than those the TDi Jetta's.
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Replying to: backy (Aug 22, 2004 8:45 am) Reliability is an issue with VW that I think they are trying to correct with longer warranties bumper to bumper. If I were to buy a VW TDI I would only run ULSD which is what is used in Europe from my understanding. I really believe if the Hybrids were money makers the auto companies would be really boosting production. According to Toyota they have no plans to increase production of the Prius until next year. I think they have gotten into a dilemma. I don't believe they thought the Prius would take off as it has. Generally speaking for every Prius they sell they potentially lose the sale of one of their other more lucrative cars. If you were in business which would you push? I am sure whatever made you the most money. I'm sure they make more on a Camry or Solara than a Prius.
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 22, 2004 7:22 am) I can talk about this a little.. I went from a Jetta GLS 1.8t to a Prius. There's no doubt the Jetta outhandles the Prius.... and no doubt the Jetta does have a nicer interior (soft touch everywhere). But... the Jetta has higher maintainence costs, and some sort of funky oil (at least the turbos) that only the dealer can get. And in the 3.5 years I owned mine I had 3 window regulator failures, one ignition pack replacement, 2 airflow sensor failures, 1 temperature sensor failure, 1 brakelight sensor failure, etc. And the sad part is, I'm sure I'm missing a few. Those are a lot of repairs for a 3.5 year old car. Do the math, you're looking at a major repair around once a quarter. And while most were covered under warranty, it's a lot of time to have your car in the shop and a hassle. Do I miss the way the Jetta handles? Absolutely. Do I think Toyota dropped the ball with the standard tires on the Prius? Yep. Does anyone have any clue why overseas versions of the Prius get 4 wheel disc brakes and US versions get disc/drum? Am I happy with my Prius despite those issues? Mostly. 
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 22, 2004 10:22 am) Long warranties don't by themselves help improve reliability, but at least a problem is more likely to be covered. I'd rather see both a long warranty and significant improvements in reliability, on which VW has yet to deliver according to CR's surveys and the reports I see from owners on the VW discussions here. VW makes some fine cars, but I will steer away from them until they improve in reliability. Your statement about "... if the Hybrids were money makers the auto companies would be really boosting production" seems to contradict actual events. Other automakers are boosting production of hybrids--witness all the hybrid models available now or due out in the next year or so. As you noted, Toyota is increasing production of the Prius. They already bumped up production levels during 2004 and will increase them again in 2005. As fixed costs are distributed over more units, costs per unit decrease and profits increase. Also, spreading development costs over more units helps recoup development costs faster. Toyota is not only spreading HSD development costs over more Priuses (Prii?), it is spreading them across other models that use HSD, like the RX400h and Highlander Hybrid, and others in the future--including the Camry. Of course the more expensive models like luxury cars, trucks, and SUVs have more per-unit profit. But automakers realize they can just sell those kinds of vehicles, because not everyone wants them or can afford them. Automakers need less-expensive models to entice these buyers, and build brand loyalty, even if per-unit profits are less. Also, the smaller cars help the automakers meet their CAFE targets.
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