Midsize Sedans 2.0

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Jan 03, 2009 12:56 pm)

The Prius really is not $10k less than the Fulan hybrid. The Fusion hybrid starts at $28k. The Prius starts around $23k. I don't know how the equipment levels of these base versions compare, but it's at best a $5k difference. Loaded, the Prius is pretty close to if not over $30k, while the C/D Fusion tester seemed pretty loaded for $32.5k.
 
We are forgetting one thing though comparing the Prius to the Fusion hybrid. The 2010 Prius is coming very shortly (will be unveiled officially in Detroit in a week or so). It should be an evolutionary improvement over the current Prius, and is expected to offer more power and also better fuel economy than the current Prius. As for interior room and handling improvements, we'll have to see about that. But I personally consider the Prius, and even the Insight, to be competitors to the likes of the Fusion and Camry hybrids. I don't need as much interior room as those sedans provide, I prefer a hatch configuration, and the 2010 Prius at least (don't know about the Insight) should easily exceed the FE for the hybrid mid-sized sedans--as it should as it's smaller, lighter, and lower-powered. I also like the swoopy looks of the 2010 Prius and Insight better than the mid-sized hybrid sedans. And the payback proposition is better with a lower-priced hybrid like the Prius or Insight. Especially for people like me who don't drive a lot, maybe 10k max per year for my wife's vehicle, which is what I am looking at a hybrid to be a few years out, once we are done with minivans.
 
Now, if gas stays around $2 a gallon and Ford et. al. are forced to offer discounts on the mid-sized hybrid sedans to move them, e.g. a base Fusion hybrid for the low $20s, then that could be compelling. But at $28k and up? I'd probably pass. Or maybe buy a 2010 Fusion hybrid in 2012 or 2013.

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• explorerx4 (Jan 03, 2009 2:00 pm)
  • backy (Jan 03, 2009 2:10 pm)
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Replying to: plekto (Jan 03, 2009 9:00 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 03, 2009 1:42 pm)

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• backy (Jan 03, 2009 2:10 pm)
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Jan 03, 2009 2:00 pm)

Actually the cargo cover is standard on the Prius, always has been AFAIK.
 
Yes, that is one way to keep prices up, by limiting supply. There was a tongue-in-cheek comment in the C/D review about Chevy saying that the Malibu hybrid is "very limited availability." C/D remarked something to the effect of that won't be a problem as not many people will buy it.

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• explorerx4 (Jan 03, 2009 3:37 pm)
  • backy (Jan 03, 2009 4:01 pm)
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Not to change the subject from the hybrid debate, but I saw this advertised today.
 
Hyundai Assurance program
 
What do you think? Will this help spur sales? Would this or maybe something similar from another manufacturer make a buying decision easier for you if you were on the fence? Just curious.

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• joe97 (Jan 03, 2009 2:25 pm)
• backy (Jan 03, 2009 2:26 pm)
  • tenpin288 (Jan 03, 2009 2:37 pm)
    • backy (Jan 03, 2009 3:30 pm)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jan 03, 2009 2:16 pm)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jan 03, 2009 2:16 pm)

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• tenpin288 (Jan 03, 2009 2:37 pm)
  • backy (Jan 03, 2009 3:30 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 03, 2009 2:26 pm)

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• backy (Jan 03, 2009 3:30 pm)

Replying to: tenpin288 (Jan 03, 2009 2:37 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 03, 2009 2:10 pm)

unlike you, i checked the toyota website before posting.
it is part of packages 2 and up.

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• backy (Jan 03, 2009 4:01 pm)
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