Prius V Five vs Acura tsx Sport wagon

[hevysrf]

I'm looking at one of these two vehicles to replace my wife's 2007 CX7. CPO vehicles, less than 15 k miles, around $25k advertised price.
We have kept our last 3 vehicles about 8 years each, 80 to 120 k miles. Acura has power seats, needs premium fuel, Prius gets better mileage, but concerned about resale value of car near end of battery life. I'm sure I could replace batteries cheaply, but cable end or terminal corrosion might add to cost significantly.
Any thought on which might make a better purchase?

 

[supton]

10-12kmiles/year, 8 years, doubt the Prius battery will be an issue. Acura, does that have a timing belt? Not sure but it sounds like that may be something you don't want to deal with. I don't think I've heard of cable corrosion problems on the Prius.

I'd go with the vehicle you like better. My gut says depreciation will be similar on both. Then again, I'd probably keep the (paid off?) CX7, unless if it's some sort of money pit or truly hated.

 

[dparm]

The Prius V is not well-regarded. It's basically a hybrid Yaris.

The Acura is a great vehicle. Even with the 4-cylinder it has good driving dynamics -- very fun. Should hold its resale value very well.

 

[kkreit01]

That's an odd choice. I'd pick the TSX based on looks.

 

[rjundi]

I got a TSX wagon as a loaner and its a great car even with automatic. I think basically the non-us spec Accord in really nice clothes. It has that wonderful 2.4L(timing chain) that may just recommend not require premium.

The Prius well lacks ANY driving dynamics.

These are very opposite vehicles and go with what you like more.

 

[FutureDoc]

I personally had a thing against the Acura because they did not have a manual option...kinda defeats the point of a "sport wagon" but oh well.

The Prius is bland. No way around it. Good solid basic transportation with low fuel cost... but drives like a bowling ball.

The Honda... err, I mean Acura is nice. I still do not see the appeal of it over a loaded Accord/Crosstour. Sure the Acura might be a bit nice, but the gap never justified the price in my mind.


If you want a little bit of both worlds, look into the Lexus CT 200h. It is basically a Prius in some ways but with a better handling kit and a bit more luxuries.

 

[nwjones18]

I'd take the wagon. They are pretty hard to find.

 

[hevysrf]

I've heard of some 2.4 acura's using oil, and having pistons and rings changed. I guess it wouldn't matter if done under warranty. I feel the CX7 was a good car, but fuel cost and depreciation have spoiledthe experience.

 

[440Magnum]

People forget that the Prius is pretty much the bottom of the Toyota barrel in terms of suspension, driving dynamics, etc. All the focus is on the hybrid drivetrain and low drag coefficient, overlooking the rest. I'd go Acura.

FWIW, the Prius battery pack isn't lead/acid, so it doesn't have terminal corrosion issues.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: hevysrf
I'm looking at one of these two vehicles to replace my wife's 2007 CX7.

Since it's going to be your wife's car, why not let her drive both to help decide?

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: dparm
The Prius V is not well-regarded. It's basically a hybrid Yaris.

You're thinking of the Prius C.

The Prius V is the model that's larger than the regular Prius.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: hevysrf
I'm looking at one of these two vehicles to replace my wife's 2007 CX7.

Since it's going to be your wife's car, why not let her drive both to help decide?

You're are so logical, it isn't fun.

Prius and TSX are 2 completely different vehicles. One is fun to drive and the other is a good gas mileage to go from point A to point B.

 

[strat81]

The TSX Wagon is a good choice compared to many vehicles, not just the Prius.

 

[Danh]

Fwiw, Truecar.com says you can buy a new 2014 Prius V level II for about $25k. Obviously the asking price for the CPO Prius can be negotiated, but it has to negotiated a lot to make sense.

And I second the comments others have made: these are 2 really different automobiles. The Prius V is really an appliance and will entertain you only at gas stations. The Acura is much, much more of a driver's car.

 

[MK2]

TSX or the Mazda3 wagon.

 

[The Critic]

Acura TSX is getting discontinued after the 2014 Model Year, so resale is really going to stink. I'd get the Prius V.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Acura TSX is getting discontinued after the 2014 Model Year, so resale is really going to stink.



No it wont. They're just "replacing" it with the TLX, which is basically a merger of the TL & TSX. The TSX is a perennial favorite and there will be plenty of demand for it for a long time.

 

[Cujet]

Acura, hands down. It's a drivers car. The Prius V is a slug that is a bit more mushy than a regular Prius.

 

[FutureDoc]

The Acura is not a drivers car... it is a posers car for people who want to fake at being a driver.

It is empirically proven that any car that makes the gear-shifts for you is NOT a drivers car and is not fun.

If they remove the third pedal, the did a fun-ectomy.

Ok, I am poking some fun, but seriously, the automatic disqualifies it from the fun/drivers option.

 

[FutureDoc]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Prius and TSX are 2 completely different vehicles. One is fun to drive and the other is a good gas mileage to go from point A to point B.


Hypermiling can be fun but it does not make the Prius a fun car to drive.