Here are rational/reasonable numbers and stats and heres how it works... Keep in mind these numbers ONLY apply if you pay cash/no financing. If you pay interest on either of these cars (Corolla or Prius), it will take even LONGER to recoup the loss (higher price) for/on the Prius.
So, let's compare 2008 Prius to Corolla (Toyotas)
gas mileage on Prius 44 mpg versus 32 mpg for Corolla (this combines highway and city average as nobody drives on only/strictly one or the other) take annual miles driven (avg. Person is 14,000 miles times/x $4 avg. Price per gal. Of gas = total annual cost of gas) for Prius it's $1,400 and Corolla it's $1,866 for total annual cost of gas... Gas savings of Prius per year is (difference between the two) = $466
then take the purchase price (difference between the two) = $4,500 of savings per year over Corolla
divide/$4,500 by $466 which = 9.7 years to break even for initial upcharge/higher purchase price of Prius.
Yes, that's YEARS to save for the additional purchase price, which get you nothing more than a backup camera versus the Corolla. The ride of the Prius is stiff, similar to Corolla. It has the same power (windows and locks, etc.) as Prius. The Corolla and Prius sizes are similar for cargo/luggage and seating capacity, except one is a hatchback. The only other difference is the smart key (which Corolla may have soon) and the tire monitoring/display for the Prius. Does that really matter? Hand-held tire gauges have been around for years. Don't you normally get them checked whenever your vehicle is in for service (oil change, etc.)? The Prius is much more complex and CANNOT be serviced at a regular garage, a distinct DISADVANTAGE. Even a normally simple tire change becomes cumbersome and complicated due to the tire monitoring system and special valve/stem on the Prius. Unless you go to the higher-numbered packages to get navigation system, etc., the Prius does not have any true advantages. You can also upgrade Corollas to get these options; hence making it a non-advantage. So, I'm beginning to wonder, why would anybody buy a Prius? I'm surprised hundreds of other people aren't already doing the same thing. If you're smart, you'll stay away from ANY dealership that plays these types of games with numbers, savings, etc.! I've also heard that some dealerships are selling these cars OVER/above sticker price. Has people simply lost their minds? Why would anyone pay more than MSRP for ANY/a car? It's just ridiculous. I'm NOT making fun of anybody, especially Prius owners. I'm just saying this car/Prius is not a limited edition or some other "collectible" car. Come on, people should do their research and buy a different car. Had I to do it all over again, I would give my money to an American car company, or at least to one that treats me with respect and dignity! The advantage we have as Americans is that we do NOT have to buy merchandise from degrading companies like Toyota/dealerships. Now, wouldn't it be nice if we had the same option for gas? You can drive down the road to save a couple cents, but don't go too far, because then you've wasted the money by driving. It's all a con. It's sad, and a sorry statement for us a people that we have businesses like this at all. It's a shame we can't make them go out of business or at least CHANGE the way they do business!
One other thing, for those of you that are green-minded regarding carbon emissions and all that stuff... Do you have any idea how difficult and unsafe the Prius batteries are regarding disposal? They are far worse than a regular battery as it relates to its impact on our earth/planet. Like nuclear power, the Prius/hybrid will never be truly green for they hide their biggest problem. How can something be truly green if its disposal causes more long-term issues than the problem they seek to avert?
I think I heard Toyota lobbied hard to have the a Bill passed as opposed to a more eco-friendly bill that was proposed earlier in the year that called for higher mpg standards. If they are so green and are luring all of the enviro-conscious consumers on the basis that they are green, then why lobby against a better MPG Bill while trying to state they are doing something positive by backing an alternative "H-T Bill?" This makes no sense, and neither does buying a Prius until they lower the price and control/monitor their dealerships!
Ladydianade
Milford, Delaware
U.S.A.
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