JHZR2
Staff member
Originally Posted By: montero1
I drive around 600 miles a week. I've narrowed it down to the Prius, or the Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0. The five year total cost figures are within $900 or so (in favor of the Lancer), considering the Lancer will be @ 1.9% financing, and costs $6000 less.
Prius is a decent vehicle, and while the true environmental implications of batteries have not truly been solved (batteries are NASTY things), as far as operational efficiency, youll have no better option that gives you decent space and performance.
Did you have a look at this month's C&D, where they review the lancer? It was the most expensive of the bunch (not necessarily indicative of anything), and while it did most things well, the only area where it really won was in acceleration areas... This means that FE suffers proportionately. The lancer had the poorest FE of the test.
IMO, youre looking at an apples to oranges comparisson. The prius is an economy car with a high pricetag. The lancer is a wannabe sports car (can't stand all the posers with their big fake wings on not-fast lancer cars), with a more or less economy pricetag. In the end all, lifecycle costs might be a wash, but I'd be careful with my approach to the lancer.
Some things that will eat you alive are "performance" looking items like really big wheels with super low-profile tires. Not a very good choice for a car being driven 600 miles a week, as youll eat through them quick, and may be forced into having summer/winter tires.
I'd try to do a detailed analysis of two similarly equipped cars, to see how much gas you'd have to save to make the prius cost effective. Start with a zero residual value (since you drive so much, youre a prime candidate to drive the car's value to nothing, get some years of effectively free service, and make out well), then do another with, say an estimate of value 5 years and whatever mileage youll have at that point. See how the numbers work out.
As for the prius being old technology, they likely are talking about the fact that it does not have advanced lithium-ion batteries, and also perhaps that it is not a partial plug in hybrid vehicle, or capable of being run electric only (at least here in the US). Those things are coming, but Id venture that (a) when Li batteries become more accepted, there will be a retrofit for interested parties, maybe from a 3rd party company, maybe from Toyota, and (b) evenif you graduate from a regular hybrid like we have today to some plug-in variant, the extra efficiency gans are small compared to what youre getting here. And for someone doing 600 miles, they will be irrelevant to you for the most part anyhow.
Id calculate real dollars and what the results are... and go from there. Also see what kinds of deals you can get practically. Id assume that a better discount and deal is available on a lancer than a prius. Again, you may really need to save a lot of gas to make up the difference.
I'd also look at some other options, too. Hondas arent good deals in the secondary market, but considering your use, a civic or last-gen MT 4-cyl accord could be a great choice. I agree with folks saying to try to grab an 08 corolla while you can. The next gen gets bigger, and likely will be thirstier for all practical purposes.
Folks like to be down on VW, but considering our good experience thus far with the rabbit, and the great value that the VW products offer, I'd have a look at a 2.0T equipped Jetta or passat. I had a passat as a rental the other day, and it was efficient, comfortable, spacious, etc. I averaged >34 MPG doing 70-80 on the highway, and it was an AT-equipped car.
Id re-scope your options, re-verify what is available and what might be attractive. Try to get to an auto show if you can, they can help quite a bit...
Good luck,
JMH
I drive around 600 miles a week. I've narrowed it down to the Prius, or the Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0. The five year total cost figures are within $900 or so (in favor of the Lancer), considering the Lancer will be @ 1.9% financing, and costs $6000 less.
Prius is a decent vehicle, and while the true environmental implications of batteries have not truly been solved (batteries are NASTY things), as far as operational efficiency, youll have no better option that gives you decent space and performance.
Did you have a look at this month's C&D, where they review the lancer? It was the most expensive of the bunch (not necessarily indicative of anything), and while it did most things well, the only area where it really won was in acceleration areas... This means that FE suffers proportionately. The lancer had the poorest FE of the test.
IMO, youre looking at an apples to oranges comparisson. The prius is an economy car with a high pricetag. The lancer is a wannabe sports car (can't stand all the posers with their big fake wings on not-fast lancer cars), with a more or less economy pricetag. In the end all, lifecycle costs might be a wash, but I'd be careful with my approach to the lancer.
Some things that will eat you alive are "performance" looking items like really big wheels with super low-profile tires. Not a very good choice for a car being driven 600 miles a week, as youll eat through them quick, and may be forced into having summer/winter tires.
I'd try to do a detailed analysis of two similarly equipped cars, to see how much gas you'd have to save to make the prius cost effective. Start with a zero residual value (since you drive so much, youre a prime candidate to drive the car's value to nothing, get some years of effectively free service, and make out well), then do another with, say an estimate of value 5 years and whatever mileage youll have at that point. See how the numbers work out.
As for the prius being old technology, they likely are talking about the fact that it does not have advanced lithium-ion batteries, and also perhaps that it is not a partial plug in hybrid vehicle, or capable of being run electric only (at least here in the US). Those things are coming, but Id venture that (a) when Li batteries become more accepted, there will be a retrofit for interested parties, maybe from a 3rd party company, maybe from Toyota, and (b) evenif you graduate from a regular hybrid like we have today to some plug-in variant, the extra efficiency gans are small compared to what youre getting here. And for someone doing 600 miles, they will be irrelevant to you for the most part anyhow.
Id calculate real dollars and what the results are... and go from there. Also see what kinds of deals you can get practically. Id assume that a better discount and deal is available on a lancer than a prius. Again, you may really need to save a lot of gas to make up the difference.
I'd also look at some other options, too. Hondas arent good deals in the secondary market, but considering your use, a civic or last-gen MT 4-cyl accord could be a great choice. I agree with folks saying to try to grab an 08 corolla while you can. The next gen gets bigger, and likely will be thirstier for all practical purposes.
Folks like to be down on VW, but considering our good experience thus far with the rabbit, and the great value that the VW products offer, I'd have a look at a 2.0T equipped Jetta or passat. I had a passat as a rental the other day, and it was efficient, comfortable, spacious, etc. I averaged >34 MPG doing 70-80 on the highway, and it was an AT-equipped car.
Id re-scope your options, re-verify what is available and what might be attractive. Try to get to an auto show if you can, they can help quite a bit...
Good luck,
JMH
