Toyota...We're Number....Two???

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Heres my math:

Yaris $15,000
Prius $25,000

Driving a Yaris 100,000k miles @35 mpg burning gas @ $2.50 a gallon costs $7142
Driving a Prius 100k miles @45 mpg gas @ $2.50 costs $5555

Thats saves >$2000. So you STILL have $8000 in outlay to recover. That wont happen till 400,000 MORE miles. (@$2.50 a gallon)

Am I wrong?

One thing people need to get straight is not comparing the Prius and Yaris as if they are just different apples.

You can not argue an economic comparison pertaining to fuel cost benefits between the two. Makes no sense because the Prius is in an entirely different class.

Take a look at the Prius' interior below. Does it look like the simple plastic interior of the Yaris? Um, no. It is closer to a luxury car. That costs money.

Plus, the Prius has a much more premium driving feel.

It's like asking why someone would pay extra for an MB S-Class when you can just get an E-Class which will still get you to your destination.

[Homeboy]

Being # 1 as car manufacturor is nice, but I still think it's more important that you obtain a high customer satisfaction, because in the end, satisfied customers will by another Toyota.

Last year, FY2008, when the financial figures were pretty good for Toyota, we were aiming for that # 1 position on the market and we were striving to beat GM and keep that position.

But this year, when everyone is suffering from the economic crisis, Toyota is no longer interested in that number 1 position of car manufacturing. Our core business is producing cars, the mission is to be # 1 in customer satisfaction. Production has been schaled down in Toyota plants all over the world, in order to save costs. (e.g. Yaris production in Valencienne was at certain level only 50% compaired to FY2008).

Each car, each brand has its pro's and contra's. It's all about each individual's perception. And everyone has experienced some bad issues with his/her car(s), but in the end you're happy driving in it.

[BuildCode]

Originally Posted by Homeboy

Being # 1 as car manufacturor is nice, but I still think it's more important that you obtain a high customer satisfaction, because in the end, satisfied customers will by another Toyota.

Last year, FY2008, when the financial figures were pretty good for Toyota, we were aiming for that # 1 position on the market and we were striving to beat GM and keep that position.

But this year, when everyone is suffering from the economic crisis, Toyota is no longer interested in that number 1 position of car manufacturing. Our core business is producing cars, the mission is to be # 1 in customer satisfaction. Production has been schaled down in Toyota plants all over the world, in order to save costs. (e.g. Yaris production in Valencienne was at certain level only 50% compaired to FY2008).

Each car, each brand has its pro's and contra's. It's all about each individual's perception. And everyone has experienced some bad issues with his/her car(s), but in the end you're happy driving in it.

Regarding "we" and "our" - do you work for Toyota or just feel really close to them?

[Homeboy]

Originally Posted by BuildCode

Regarding "we" and "our" - do you work for Toyota or just feel really close to them?

Yes, I work for Toyota at TPCE (Toyota Parts Center Europe) as buyer / logistics coordinator.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

One thing people need to get straight is not comparing the Prius and Yaris as if they are just different apples.

You can not argue an economic comparison pertaining to fuel cost benefits between the two. Makes no sense because the Prius is in an entirely different class.

Yeah when Prius owners realize theyve taken a financial bath to save a minute ammount of fuel over the cars lifetime (if they EVER realize it) thats the argument they fall back on. The car is predicated on the fact that youre saving gas and so saving money. But you ARENT saving money! Youre spending MORE money. Ive even heard the ludicris argument the Prius is a "midsize" car The Prius has the same gas engine as an ECHO/Yaris with some modifications so its the same car. It has the same interior room as an ECHO/Yaris. And the first ones had very limited trunk space because of the batteries, compared to a Yaris. But theres the fancy schmancy lie-o-meter dashboard with pretty buttons and knobs to make you think youre driving a space ship or something. My suggestion is to put a feather on a stick which tickles the drivers arse at regular intervals.
Ok Im sorry I got carried away there.

[RUFFSTUFF]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Yeah when Prius owners realize theyve taken a financial bath to save a minute ammount of fuel over the cars lifetime (if they EVER realize it) thats the argument they fall back on. The car is predicated on the fact that youre saving gas and so saving money. But you ARENT saving money! Youre spending MORE money. Ive even heard the ludicris argument the Prius is a "midsize" car The Prius has the same gas engine as an ECHO/Yaris with some modifications so its the same car. It has the same interior room as an ECHO/Yaris. And the first ones had very limited trunk space because of the batteries, compared to a Yaris. But theres the fancy schmancy lie-o-meter dashboard with pretty buttons and knobs to make you think youre driving a space ship or something. My suggestion is to put a feather on a stick which tickles the drivers arse at regular intervals.
Ok Im sorry I got carried away there.

No it's all good. Hybrids are the auto manufacturers way of saying "you're stupid give us your money." And right on cue... the stupid people did and bragged about it!

[fmicle]

Originally Posted by bronsin

But theres the fancy schmancy lie-o-meter dashboard with pretty buttons and knobs to make you think youre driving a space ship or something. My suggestion is to put a feather on a stick which tickles the drivers arse at regular intervals.
Ok Im sorry I got carried away there.

[supmet]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

Plus, the Prius has a much more premium driving feel.

have you ever been in a prius?

[RUFFSTUFF]

Originally Posted by supmet

have you ever been in a prius?

These guys drove one...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...a_prius_page_3

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by RUFFSTUFF

These guys drove one...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...a_prius_page_3

Wow and the Metro tied the Prius with 42 mpg! Whats a 1998 Metro in really good shape go for...$2000? And the Prius is like $25K! And it gets the SAME mileage.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Wow and the Metro tied the Prius with 42 mpg! Whats a 1998 Metro in really good shape go for...$2000? And the Prius is like $25K! And it gets the SAME mileage.

They must of beat the crap out of that Prius to get only 42 MPG.

Plus, making this comparison to a 3-cylinder Metro with no power, half the size, and no feature content at all is also ridiculous especially in an effort to diminish the Prius' qualities.

[Kal-El]

Originally Posted by supmet

have you ever been in a prius?

Of course but clearly you haven't if you think that the Yaris drives with similar refinement. And the new 3rd generation is another huge step and has gotten great reviews for it's driving feel considering what it is.

The Prius has a lot more in common with the Camry than it does a Yaris.

[supmet]

Originally Posted by Kal-El

And the new 3rd generation is another huge step and has gotten great reviews for it's driving feel considering what it is.

I've noticed most of your comments are based on the newest model years reviews, and never on real world experience. I think that's where most of your confusion comes from.

And please tell me how the prius is so much better? Every review I've read has pretty much said its crap, and my Dad's prius is annoying as hell to ride in. You can feel every time it goes from electric to gas, and while it may be quieter, constant noises are always less annoying then noises that start and stop, start and stop. They can't handle for anything, so I really don't know what you think is so great and special about the prius.

Its a cool gadget, you can't argue it being a good value in any way shape or form