Buying a Yaris is more economical in long run vs.Prius/Insight

[Yawesh]

well, we all know that we need to calculate the offset for hybrid vehicles, which includes how many years a person has to drive the hybrid/using gas to actually negate the extra price paid for the hybrid.

but also, we have to match car specifications as in terms of each vehicles size comparison and luxury,etc.

Is it true, the Honda Insight/Toyota Prius are the same as an yaris/corolla? as in terms of ride quality, space, etc. (i do know prius is larger than yaris)

If so, is it true then - people are only paying for the hybrid when choosing between yaris and prius? nearly 8k difference

So, basically, we would have to use nearly $8k in fuel to make up the difference between these cars....

So, I believe buying a Yaris is still worth it, though one can feel better that you are not polluting the environment driving the Prius.(or pray that gas won't hit near 5 bucks again)

[Kal-El]

There's no comparison between a Yaris and Prius in terms of class. The Prius is a much more refined car. Have you seen the Prius' interior? It's not far off from a Lexus. The Yaris on the other hand is infamous for it's cheap interior although I think it's a very good interior for what it is. Also, the Prius is classified as a mid-sized car even though it is fairly compact on the outside. That's two sizes up from a Yaris. Driving refinement reveals a big difference too. The Prius is one of the smoothest cars out there and even though it's no sports car, it handles better too. Bottom line is that a Yaris is an economy car. The Prius isn't (even though it's built to be economical on gas).

There's really no reason that one would cross shop the two but I'm sure there's a few people who have. The Prius isn't intended to be the cheapest to own, the Yaris is.

[captainm27]

Just wait till the Yaris Hybrid comes out.....one day....

[john21031]

When you talk about polution, do you take in consideration the polution that resulted in the process of manufacturing prius batteries.? Top of the line Yaris is probably only 3,000 different than the most basic prius.

When people buy cars, they consider their greedy interests first and not the environment.

[Sidicas]

Also, the Prius is seen as a revolutionary and forward thinking car.. A lot of people pay extra just to be able to drive that and be a part of history..

There's not a whole lot that's special on the Yaris. Aside from the cheap (cost wise) traction control and stability control in the 2010 Yaris, you can get all the features of a Yaris and then some in more expensive cars.. Of course, there are much more expensive cars than the Yaris that DON'T have traction control and stability control, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Generally everything in the Yaris you can find in more expensive cars, not so with the Prius..

You can't get the gas mileage of a Prius in your Mercedez Benz.

[DevilGirl]

There's no comparison between a Yaris and Prius in terms of class. The Prius is a much more refined car. Have you seen the Prius' interior? It's not far off from a Lexus. The Yaris on the other hand is infamous for it's cheap interior although I think it's a very good interior for what it is. Also, the Prius is classified as a mid-sized car even though it is fairly compact on the outside. That's two sizes up from a Yaris. Driving refinement reveals a big difference too. The Prius is one of the smoothest cars out there and even though it's no sports car, it handles better too. Bottom line is that a Yaris is an economy car. The Prius isn't (even though it's built to be economical on gas).

There's really no reason that one would cross shop the two but I'm sure there's a few people who have. The Prius isn't intended to be the cheapest to own, the Yaris is.

Unfortunately I have seen the interior of the Prius. :barf::barf::barf:

[Kal-El]

Unfortunately I have seen the interior of the Prius. :barf::barf::barf:

What don't you like about it? I personally love it (3rd generation that I pictured).

[MadMax]

Unfortunately I have seen the interior of the Prius. :barf::barf::barf:

Agreed, I don't want to drive the Battlestar Galactica!

Plus, there is the definite "smug factor" in driving the Prius...

http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/south_park_smug.jpg

Makes me want to drive over them with my Jeep! :headbang:

And there is no way a Prius comes anywhere close to the Yaris in terms of coolness! :w00t:

[DevilGirl]

What don't you like about it? I personally love it (3rd generation that I pictured).

1. the price for what you get
2. the shifter and it's funky placement
3. the shifter and it's funky selection
4. the push button park
5. the way the dash comes down to meet the center consol. doesn't allow for much hand holding or thigh rubbing.
6. push button start (I like the feel of a key in my hand)
7. lack of a decent trunk (gotta stick those batteries somewhere, and if I'm gonna go back to a sedan, it damn well better have a usable trunk!!)
8. lack of a glovebox above the steering wheel (very handy)
9. where are the cup holders?

[DevilGirl]

Agreed, I don't want to drive the Battlestar Galactica!

Plus, there is the definite "smug factor" in driving the Prius...

http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/south_park_smug.jpg

Makes me want to drive over them with my Jeep! :headbang:

And there is no way a Prius comes anywhere close to the Yaris in terms of coolness! :w00t:

Me too!!! On both accounts!

[eric81]

The Yaris is deffinately a inexpensive car that gets good mileage. But there are perks to the Prius... lets start with the nicer interior and optionsal heated leather seats, touch screen/ voice activated Navigation, back-up camera, solar power roof, .... oh yeah, and the HUGE tax break on the Prius. Now, with some small modifications, I believe the issues (yes, even I have complaints with the interior style of the Prius) could be fixed and you could have cup holders, finer cut interiors, and not feel like you were in something NASA built. I also believe that the Yaris has just as many improvements that could be made on it too though. For instance, the intake on the Yaris is more like sucking a concrete malt through a coffee stir stick... it is VEY difficult to get stuff through that thing. And have you SEEN the mufflers? You need a GPS to find your way out! The seats are not the most comfortable, and the blu-tooth is in a very inconvienient spot. Now, they both stand the test of time and miles, and they both are priced VERY well for what you get, especially for being Toyota's. I think on the next version of the Yaris, they will get a lot more right, and it shoulf be a great car. The Prius did fix some complaints, but they were trying to get more efficiency out of it as well as more power, and they succeeded, with honors. So it's more of a style thing to either side of this battle. Get what you want and make sure it lasts as long as it takes to pay it off, and you are fine.

[Kal-El]

For the record, the Prius does of course have cupholders. They're right behind the shifter like most cars.

[90tsi]

CNN did an article on hybrids and cost/economics of them. if i remember they said it would take about 7 to 8 years to save the cost in fuel to make up for the price tag and by then the repairs/upkeep would still out weight the cars in the subcompact class... basically save your cash buy a lil car if your wanting to be cheap.

[indyhairball]

I have a 2009 Yaris and a 2008 Prius. Comparing them is like comparing apples to oranges. I like the Yaris to drive around town. Small and maneuverable and with great pick it's just the thing for city driving. However for the road trip a Yaris just doesn't compare to a Prius. The Prius is more comfortable with atuomatic climate control and the great mileage. They both have great attributes.

[nemelek]

The Yaris for the money is one of the most economical forms of transportation when buying a new car.

[jambo101]

When you talk about polution, do you take in consideration the polution that resulted in the process of manufacturing prius batteries.? Top of the line Yaris is probably only 3,000 different than the most basic prius.

Theres also disposal issues with those batteries when they need to be replaced.Personally i dont like the idea of owning a car that somewhere down the road is going to need a $6-$8k battery change when the car will probably be worth less than $5k at the time,also those hybrids are much more computer intensive than a plain old Yaris and when it comes time for repairs i'm sure the Yaris will be a lot cheaper..

[Yawesh]

I have a 2009 Yaris and a 2008 Prius. Comparing them is like comparing apples to oranges. I like the Yaris to drive around town. Small and maneuverable and with great pick it's just the thing for city driving. However for the road trip a Yaris just doesn't compare to a Prius. The Prius is more comfortable with atuomatic climate control and the great mileage. They both have great attributes.

but doesn't a hybrid save the most gas when in city driving?

[Yawesh]

does anyone know how much tax credit one gets from the pruis? (as in how much refunded back to u? )

[indyhairball]

but doesn't a hybrid save the most gas when in city driving?
Yes it does. However I still feel the Prius is a great "road car". We took a trip through the southwest last fall (2500 miles) and the Prius was so comfortable to drive and 40 mpg is bad for mostly 75 mph driving. I would not have wanted to take that trip in my Yaris.

Having said that I also drive my Yaris downtown every day and park in a parking garage. It is so maneuverable and it's pick it great for city driving.

[Hershey]

in 2 > 4 years hybrids should less than $17,000 as more automakers jump on the bandwagon and need to be more competitive . Would be nice to have a 2 door TACOMA with a hybrid engine that has a choice between a 1.5 ltr. , 1.8 ltr. or the 2.4 ltr. combo . We'd likely pick the 1.8 ltr. hybrid .

[DevilGirl]

in 2 > 4 years hybrids should less than $17,000 as more automakers jump on the bandwagon and need to be more competitive . Would be nice to have a 2 door TACOMA with a hybrid engine that has a choice between a 1.5 ltr. , 1.8 ltr. or the 2.4 ltr. combo . We'd likely pick the 1.8 ltr. hybrid .

That sounds like a very under-powered truck to me... Then again, I think of trucks as trucks that are actually used, other than for just 4WD...

[Hershey]

there were many small pickups with small engines in the late 70's to the early 90's . MITSU , MAZDA , VOLKSWAGEN , etc.. There was a VOLKSWAGEN diesel pick up that got near 50 m.p.g. .

[Yaris Hilton]

Trucks that are actually used for hauling stuff don't need a lot of power and traditionally have had "just enough." Huge wheel-spinning, gas sucking V8s in pickups originated fairly recently with the nightclub cowboy showoffs.

[bankrobber]

I bought my Yaris in Jan 08. I was driving a Dodge Ram that got 18 MPG. With the savings in gas the Yaris will pay for itself at about 140,000 miles. So I will have basically gotten it free and can probably get to 250,000 miles. At which point I plan to race it at the local track that has a series for old street cars. Cant wait

[bankrobber]

Trucks that are actually used for hauling stuff don't need a lot of power and traditionally have had "just enough." Huge wheel-spinning, gas sucking V8s in pickups originated fairly recently with the nightclub cowboy showoffs.

I have an 8,000 pound boat that takes a big truck to get up the boat ramp.
Yaris=daily driver
Truck=weekend boat hauler

[Ramblin yari]

I have an 8,000 pound boat that takes a big truck to get up the boat ramp.
Yaris=daily driver
Truck=weekend boat hauler

You are the minority. So many people drive the big trucks, yet they somehow never get dirty or scratched up.

There are people that need heavy duty trucks that can tow and there are people that would love to see a 40 mpg diesel truck that might not mind making multiple trips to get the job done.

[Hershey]

You are the minority. So many people drive the big trucks, yet they somehow never get dirty or scratched up.

There are people that need heavy duty trucks that can tow and there are people that would love to see a 40 mpg diesel truck that might not mind making multiple trips to get the job done. +1 . A small hybrid P.U. that managed to get 35 + miles per gallon be a good thing as well . Would trade in one of the YARII in a split second :wink: .

[Hershey]

www.mpgomatic.com/45_MPG_Pickup_Truck.html . :clap:

[DevilGirl]

there were many small pickups with small engines in the late 70's to the early 90's . MITSU , MAZDA , VOLKSWAGEN , etc.. There was a VOLKSWAGEN diesel pick up that got near 50 m.p.g. .

That would be the important part of what you are talking about. The diesels will always get higher MPGs.

[eric81]

Everyone should look at the Highlander Hybrid on the Toyota website. It is a true Hybrid and gets alright MPG for an SUV, but IMO it is not worth the extra $8,000 just for the Hybrid version vs the regular version. Not a lot of power difference, but the MPG savings isn't that huge either. A good way to spend the money if you have it, because it is a greener vehicle, and there is a tax break on it.

[BailOut]

That sounds like a very under-powered truck to me... Then again, I think of trucks as trucks that are actually used, other than for just 4WD...
I understand what you're getting at, but I think you're a bit misguided on power requirements.

Back in the day when we had a boat it weighed just shy of 5,000 pounds when loaded with fuel and trailered. I used to pull it - in the mountains - with a 10 year old Tacoma with a 3.6L V6 and 5MT. With that setup 2nd gear at 5k RPM produces 190hp and will pull its maximum rated load up a steep hill at 50 MPH and never even run hot. It also got double the MPG of a Chevy Tahoe with a 5.7L V8 auto that could only do 38 MPH up the mountain with the boat.

Yet horsepower is where the auto manufacturers have generally focused at for several decades, and have marketed it to a simply ridiculous point. Folks now seem to believe that it takes 300whp to get groceries, or 400whp to pick up the kids from soccer practice. Power requirements have become so skewed as to be virtually meaningless nowadays.

[Zaphod]

Trucks that are actually used for hauling stuff don't need a lot of power and traditionally have had "just enough." Huge wheel-spinning, gas sucking V8s in pickups originated fairly recently with the nightclub cowboy showoffs.
:laugh:
So true, how much power did those 1950s trucks have? Sure, I've driven one (was looking to buy a fixer upper), and yeah they're slow ... but you know they got the job done and then some.

Now picture Mr. Mall Cowboy, steppin out of that truck with his snakeskin boots and cowboy hat, wanna be a cowboy in that gett(y)up two steppin into the country club dance scene ...

No offense, if it's your scene goferit!

I actually think it's funny, but it does seem like the a lot of that how to turn a pickup into a sleeper thing kind of started out with S10s in South St. Louis.