Is the Toyota Prius even worth it?

[steppinthrax]

So here's the deal, I'm in the process of looking for a new vehicle. I live in the DC/MD area and sometimes I have around a 40 or so mile commute.

I've looked at the Prius primarily for the fuel cost. My Camry right now gets around 28 to the gallon. I'm looking at used prius with low mileage <40K at around 12 - 14K used.

However if we are talking a ICE (Internal combustion engine), I've found cheaper. I'm just curious for the price, are these vehicles worth it?

 

[RLGL]

It all boils down to the length of ownership and the mileage driven. Everything I have seen points to 150K plus miles to get to the break even point with a new vehicle. The interesting thing I have not been able to find is the amount of kWh consumed per mile to compare the price per mile.

 

[C1]

I wouldnt be mess'n round with a hybrid unless your daily mileage is over 60 miles/day. The batteries in these hybrids dont like low use in that it shortens their life.

This whole topic about hybrid cars & battery life came up the other weekend on the local "Auto Talk" radio program. Unless one drives 60 miles daily then battery life is affected/reduced. Hybrids are good to use for taxis (and you see lots of them in that way), but not for short trips to the local stores.

Dont believe me, then give them a call:

http://www.760kfmb.com/story/12635924/auto-talk

 

[Blackjack200]

My perspective as a 2011 Prius owner for almost six years (bought new, now with 115k miles) is I would probably never seriously consider any other car. The only thing I would do differently is I would buy a used rather than new Prius.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "if we are talking ICE, I've found cheaper". Do you mean comparing the Prius to non-hybrids?

 

[Blackjack200]

I wouldnt be mess'n round with a hybrid unless your daily mileage is over 60 miles/day. The batteries in these hybrids dont like low use in that it shortens their life.

This whole topic about hybrid cars & battery life came up the other weekend on the local "Auto Talk" radio program. Unless one drives 60 miles daily then battery life is affected/reduced. Hybrids are good to use for taxis (and you see lots of them in that way), but not for short trips to the local stores.

Dont believe me, then give them a call:

http://www.760kfmb.com/story/12635924/auto-talk

Hybrid battery hysteria is nothing new but hasn't been legitimate in almost 15 years.

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/03/20/toyota-prius-ass-kicker-or-trouble-maker/

TLDR: You can expect your hybrid battery to last at least 200k miles, and probably much more. The cost to replace it is about $1k at an independent mechanic.

 

[NutBucket]

I wouldnt be mess'n round with a hybrid unless your daily mileage is over 60 miles/day. The batteries in these hybrids dont like low use in that it shortens their life.

That's a pretty sweeping statement.

We cannot assume that the OP's commute is 40 purely highway miles with minimal traffic in which case a hybrid probably isn't the best choice. We do know DC has some of the nation's worst traffic in which case a hybrid is the ideal choice if an EV doesn't fit the bill.

We also know the OP is considering a used Prius and we also know the Prius has an impeccable reliability record. Therefore whatever premium he's paying over a comparable traditional car is reduced and his cost of ownership will most likely be very low.

 

[Blackjack200]

That's a pretty sweeping statement.

We cannot assume that the OP's commute is 40 purely highway miles with minimal traffic in which case a hybrid probably isn't the best choice. We do know DC has some of the nation's worst traffic in which case a hybrid is the ideal choice if an EV doesn't fit the bill.

We also know the OP is considering a used Prius and we also know the Prius has an impeccable reliability record. Therefore whatever premium he's paying over a comparable traditional car is reduced and his cost of ownership will most likely be very low.

He also has not provided any documentation for his claim.

 

[steppinthrax]

That's a pretty sweeping statement.

We cannot assume that the OP's commute is 40 purely highway miles with minimal traffic in which case a hybrid probably isn't the best choice. We do know DC has some of the nation's worst traffic in which case a hybrid is the ideal choice if an EV doesn't fit the bill.

We also know the OP is considering a used Prius and we also know the Prius has an impeccable reliability record. Therefore whatever premium he's paying over a comparable traditional car is reduced and his cost of ownership will most likely be very low.

In my current position I take a commuter bus to work, so I have a 8 mile commute (each way), after work I have a 20 mile commute (total both ways) taking my kids to swim practice. So we are looking on a good day 30 miles a day. If I get up late or have some irregularity in my scheduled I take the train, which makes my commute 80 miles that day. However, my position is not perm and I'm always around, there's a possibility I can be in NoVa or can be in downtown DC on the regular basis, which could easily bring my commute over the 60 miles a day...

Issue is right now my car is so old that I"m thinking it's more expensive in the long run in fuel than to spend the money now to get something more fuel efficient. Now, I have a 4 door camry and in all honesty the maintenance cost is near 0. It has around 180K on it and I've done damn near notting on it other than oil changes, timing belt and brakes...

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You won't find a much better car for the price, for a commuter. They're not fun, but they're pretty comfy and get excellent mileage.

Will gas stay as cheap as it's been?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

In my current position I take a commuter bus to work, so I have a 8 mile commute (each way), after work I have a 20 mile commute (total both ways) taking my kids to swim practice. So we are looking on a good day 30 miles a day. If I get up late or have some irregularity in my scheduled I take the train, which makes my commute 80 miles that day. However, my position is not perm and I'm always around, there's a possibility I can be in NoVa or can be in downtown DC on the regular basis, which could easily bring my commute over the 60 miles a day...

Issue is right now my car is so old that I"m thinking it's more expensive in the long run in fuel than to spend the money now to get something more fuel efficient. Now, I have a 4 door camry and in all honesty the maintenance cost is near 0. It has around 180K on it and I've done damn near notting on it other than oil changes, timing belt and brakes...

At 180k, a Camry is just getting broken in.

It's better for the environment, in aggregate, to drive a used car than to get a new one.

Keep it until you NEED a new car, then take a good look at a Prius.

 

[NutBucket]

Right, you're not saving any money by replacing a serviceable (and by your account cheap to operate) vehicle.

Even if gas prices quadruple it's still cheaper to keep the Camry.

 

[steppinthrax]

At 180k, a Camry is just getting broken in.

It's better for the environment, in aggregate, to drive a used car than to get a new one.

Keep it until you NEED a new car, then take a good look at a Prius.

Dude, you are preaching to the choir. But here's the thing, It's a 99 and the body has been looking raggidy. I side-swiped a deer with it about a year go and it's misaligned the front door, there are dents etc on the body. The body is "old" you know the older generation. Also the inside is stone age. I rented a Kia Soul while i was in California and I fell in love with it, I hooked my cell phone to the USB por on it and the car "took over" my android and it's screen appeared on a front display. I also really liked the back up camera when I went into reverse. It kinda made my Camry look like an abacus.... And that's a KIA!!!!!

 

[Blackjack200]

And that's a KIA!!!!!

Kias and Hyundais are on par with or better than other makes when it comes to comfort and interior. You go with the Toyota or Honda because they're bullet proof. If I was getting a new car and didn't care about mileage I would seriously consider a Kia or Hyundai.

 

[steppinthrax]

Kias and Hyundais are on par with or better than other makes when it comes to comfort and interior. You go with the Toyota or Honda because they're bullet proof. If I was getting a new car and didn't care about mileage I would seriously consider a Kia or Hyundai.

What do you mean you don't care about mileage, you mean you're okay if it shits out at 60K miles?

 

[Blackjack200]

What do you mean you don't care about mileage, you mean you're okay if it shits out at 60K miles?

No, I mean I'd consider a Kia or Hyundai if I didn't care about gas mileage. I don't know how reliable they are at this point. My WAG would be that they're more reliable than they used to be, but still not quite to the level of Honda or Toyota.

 

[Yuriman]

For what it's worth, Kia and Hyundai have the highest fuel economy car on the road right now - the Ioniq and its twin the Niro. The Ioniq is rated for 59mpg - better than a Prius.

My only reservation with going with Hyndai/Kia is the transmission; their DCT used in other models is not reliable. Toyota's HSD is bulletproof.

Regarding hybrid batteries, the one in my Insight is 17 years and 225k miles old, and works fine. I'm sure it doesn't have the same capacity as when it was new, but never in my life have I had a 60 mile per day commute. I wouldn't worry about the batteries unless you lived in some place extremely hot, like Arizona, NM or parts of Texas.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Dude, you are preaching to the choir. But here's the thing, It's a 99 and the body has been looking raggidy. I side-swiped a deer with it about a year go and it's misaligned the front door, there are dents etc on the body. The body is "old" you know the older generation. Also the inside is stone age. I rented a Kia Soul while i was in California and I fell in love with it, I hooked my cell phone to the USB por on it and the car "took over" my android and it's screen appeared on a front display. I also really liked the back up camera when I went into reverse. It kinda made my Camry look like an abacus.... And that's a KIA!!!!!

If it's worth it to you to replace it, then do it.

I guess I should also point out the existence of the Camry hybrid.

The electronics wizardry is pretty much across-the-board now, but there's also essentially parity. "It's a Kia" isn't a bad or a good thing, as far as that stuff goes.

 

[Blackjack200]

The electronics wizardry is pretty much across-the-board now, but there's also essentially parity. "It's a Kia" isn't a bad or a good thing, as far as that stuff goes.

I agree that Kia and Hyundai have closed the gap, but I think there's something to be said for the Prius (and Camry hybrid) track records. 20+ years of an incredible reliability record. With the Korean makes, we just can't know if that's the case until the time goes by. Good chance we're sitting here in 15 years saying that they're bulletproof as well.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I agree that Kia and Hyundai have closed the gap, but I think there's something to be said for the Prius (and Camry hybrid) track records. 20+ years of an incredible reliability record. With the Korean makes, we just can't know if that's the case until the time goes by. Good chance we're sitting here in 15 years saying that they're bulletproof as well.

Well, right, if you're talking about engines and transmissions.

By "electronics wizardry" I'm talking about the nav systems, Android Auto, etc. All that stuff's going to be obsolete junk in <10 years anyway, regardless of whose car it's in. But until then, a Kia's nav unit is going to tick all the same feature boxes as a Toyota's (or, for that matter, a Ford's) and probably work just as well.

 

[Blackjack200]

Ahh, I see now, I misread it. Yes, I'd agree with that.

 

[NutBucket]

The only complaint I've heard with the new Camry is with the infotainment system.

 

[herm0016]

Can you charge at work? A volt would allow you to use almost no gas if you have spots to charge. My wife drives our about 30 miles a day commuting and never uses gas. It costs less than a dollar to go that 30 miles. our avg not counting electricity is over 150 mpg. even on gas it gets 40 mpg. also, the batteries are not degrading, there are a few over 300k with more than 90% of charge capacity. a used 1st gen can be had for the same price as the prius.

 

[eng2d2]

do you like prius? If so yes its worth it.

 

[lakedude]

I've got a new Camry Hybrid and I like it fairly well. New for this year the EPA rated mileage is as high as a Prius.

The bad:

Not a fan of the Scoutlink "connected" GPS. It does not work at all for me because I don't have data on my phone.
Everybody says the GPS is terrible. It requires the use of your phone's data. Toyota plans to charge you for this after a free 3 year trial.
There is no carplay or android auto, only Scoutlink as I understand it. No 3rd party GPS available.
I don't care for the way you select the forced air output location but this is a minor nitpick.
Can't seem to find a tachometer anywhere.
So far I'm not getting the rated mileage at highway speeds. Warmer weather might improve things.
I don't love the exterior styling, especially on the Hybrid LE (the one I have).
It was a bit expensive but not so bad.
Headrests tilt too far forward. Not so bad after reclining the seats a bit.
EV mode does not work when cold so there no way to pull out of the garage without the engine starting.

The good:

Power (208 Horsepower) when you need it. This car has the best combination of power vs mileage.
Mileage is very good. My highway MPGs have been in the low forties (lower than claimed but still good).
Interior styling.
Big trunk with fold down seats and a spare (rare these days).
Bright LED headlights, with auto dim high beams.
Radar adaptive cruise, automatically slows down if need be.
The radio and features are really pretty nice except for the GPS business.
Heated seats (my first).
Just enough rear seat head room for me.
I really like the different ways you can lock or unlock the car and the different ways you have to open the trunk. Very handy, no need to fumble for keys.
Overall comfort and convenience is very good.
EV mode is pretty cool once the car warm up.

An Ultra-Gauge will fix the tachometer issue and a Garmin will fix the GPS issue.

The new non-hybrid Camrys are rated very high on their highway MPG so the hybrid might not be worth the trouble if you are driving at highway speeds...

Stuff I don't care about but you might find interesting:

Lane departure monitoring
Sport mode shifting

 

[paperfist]

You won't find a much better car for the price, for a commuter. They're not fun, but they're pretty comfy and get excellent mileage.

Will gas stay as cheap as it's been?

Totally no fun at all except when you feel like running unsuspecting people over

I hated mine at first, but it's really a point A to B car for me. I do 100 miles a day (or close to it) on my 2010 and I'm approaching 200k. I get around 44MPG mostly on the highway. I've only had to replace the front axles and wheel bearings so far.

It's apple to oranges but I was always a Chevy guy before this and I'm amazed how well the paint is holding up on this thing. My previous vehicles would always have scratches down to the primer all over the place and be rusting by year 8. No so with the Prius. The interior hasn't even ripped yet and seems to be holding up well. I'd buy another for sure.