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What to expect from the next model year Prius - READ ONLY

311 messages,  Last post on Apr 26, 2009 at 6:43 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Car Buying, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 32 of 32

#302 of 311 Which will be cheaper built, Insight or Prius? [kdhspyder] by gagrice

Jan 19, 2009 (6:35 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Jan 18, 2009 8:29 pm)
Do hybrid buyers even care about quality parts?
 
Indeed, Honda has radically reduced the quality of materials in the new Insight. The interior cloth trim - seats, doors, etc. - is incredibly thin, the flimsiest such cloth seen in a Honda since an early '90s Civic.
 
Ditto the roof liner, which gives new meaning to the term "rat's fur." The interior's plastics are not much better. Though the dashboard is reminiscent of the Civic's futuristic gauge display, its plastic surround is not nearly of such high quality.

#303 of 311 Re: Which will be cheaper built, Insight or Prius? [gagrice] by kdhspyder

Jan 19, 2009 (8:12 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 19, 2009 6:35 am)
This has been my contention all along. The price of the Insight II controls what the content will be. In order to appeal to the pricing demographic at which it's targetted, the content has to be modified downward. No manufacturer can put a $25000 vehicle into an $18500 MSRP and expect to remain in business. To sell a vehicle with an MSRP of $18500 including a $1500 hybrid option the vehicle has to be a non-hybrid with a $17000 MSRP.
 
Think of which vehicles today have a $17000 MSRP, the Aveo, the Yaris, the Fit and the Versa. These are all a class below the Cobalt, Focus, Corolla, Civic and Sentra in content, materials, performance, smoothness and quietness.

#304 of 311 Re: Which will be cheaper built, Insight or Prius? [kdhspyder] by gagrice

Jan 19, 2009 (8:37 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Jan 19, 2009 8:12 am)
The misconception is that a little car costs less to build than a big car. The difference in the cost of a fender for a big PU truck and a Corolla is probably just in the cost of the metal. Same labor and tooling cost. So to sell a Yaris for $12k as my son in law bought, something has to be eliminated. For those that have to have a hybrid and cannot afford more than $20k the Insight will probably be the ticket. I think I would rather have more plush and forgo the economy if I were to buy a sub $20k car. Of course that is unlikely.

#305 of 311 Re: Which will be cheaper built, Insight or Prius? [kdhspyder] by dodgeman07

Jan 19, 2009 (4:01 pm)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Jan 19, 2009 8:12 am)
...smoothness and quietness.
 
That is where Toyota will be 2 notches above the Insight. The Insight EX w/navi for $23K could hardly be considered "de-contented" as far as options go and the performance will be similar also.
 
NVH and interior materials are a different story. Honda smells a victory here and will get with many buyers who aren't that picky (read under 30). Those willing to pay for refinement will stick with the Prius because it's clearly a lot more car - you just have to be willing to pay for it.

#306 of 311 Interesting new report out of Japan by kdhspyder

Jan 19, 2009 (4:48 pm)

Nikkei today reporting that Toyota is going to keep the Gen 2 ( for how long ) and decontent it in order to lower the price to compete with the Insight.
 
The new Gen 3 then will launch as planned with prices in the $25000 - $35000 range. Interesting but it makes sense in Toyota's marketing scheme. Today the Corolla covers the backside of the Camry and the Yaris covers the backside of the Corolla. Thus the Camry doesn't have to be discounted to fight every new player trying to buy into the market.
 
The Gen 2 Prius if it kept in production for this weirdo year of 2009 would protect the backside of the Gen 3 being priced from $20000 - $25000.
 
The gentlemanliness of the hybrid market is breaking down with the vehicle makers going after one another now... Insight vs Prius vs HCH...FFH vs TCH... Vue 2-Mode vs HH and FEH.

#307 of 311 Re: Interesting new report out of Japan [kdhspyder] by gagrice

Jan 19, 2009 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Jan 19, 2009 4:48 pm)
The Gen 2 Prius if it kept in production for this weirdo year of 2009 would protect the backside of the Gen 3 being priced from $20000 - $25000.
 
Using the Edmund's View Inventory feature, Noticed one dealer here has a 2009 Prius with MSRP of $19,314. I did not think they sold any under $20k.

#308 of 311 Re: Interesting new report out of Japan [gagrice] by dodgeman07

Jan 22, 2009 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 19, 2009 9:16 pm)
Using the Edmund's View Inventory feature, Noticed one dealer here has a 2009 Prius with MSRP of $19,314. I did not think they sold any under $20k.
 
By spring we should low-optioned '09 Prius' at $20K regularly. Toyota going the route kdhspyder suggested above makes this all but certain.
 
If I can find a nicely equipped '09 Prius for $22K this summer - it's sold!

#309 of 311 Re: Interesting new report out of Japan [dodgeman07] by gagrice

Jan 22, 2009 (10:49 pm)

Replying to: dodgeman07 (Jan 22, 2009 8:03 pm)
If I can find a nicely equipped '09 Prius for $22K this summer - it's sold!
 
If gas prices go up for any reason, I would not expect the current prices to stick. It would not surprise me to see the Feds and some states tack on 50 cents a gallon while prices are low. I don't anticipate lower prices than right now. If money loosens up they will also start selling causing the prices to rise. Unlike our domestic builders. Toyota will just shut down production till the current glut is sold.

#311 of 311 Re: Interesting new report out of Japan [dodgeman07] by wvgasguy

Apr 26, 2009 (6:43 am)

Replying to: dodgeman07 (Jan 22, 2009 8:03 pm)
If I can find a nicely equipped '09 Prius for $22K this summer - it's sold!
 
Since the 2010 Prius II will list for $22K you should be able to find a new one in your range.

Messages Page 32 of 32

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