Bronsin Goes To The Toyota Dealer To See What Sup Wit Dat

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

My aunt has a non-hybrid RX and we drove about 2,000 miles on a vacation with 2 other people. She had me do all the driving and it did make the trip more comfortable to have the room that vehicle affords the occupants.

Ha! I drove my Yaris NJ to Ak last summer 10,400 miles in 17 days. St Paul MN to NJ 1400 miles in ~18 hours.

I was perfectly comfortable. Having no hood to look over added greatly to the drivability.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by bronsin

Ha! I drove my Yaris NJ to Ak last summer 10,400 miles in 17 days. St Paul MN to NJ 1400 miles in ~18 hours.

I was perfectly comfortable. Having no hood to look over added greatly to the drivability.

You are preaching to the choir. I agree with you 100%. I love driving around in a small car (my Yaris, and before that my Swift) by myself on long trips. I had traveled to just under 30 states before getting my Swift and (since then) In my Swift or Yaris I've driven to all 'lower 48' U.S. states (not AK, you lucky devil!) and every province (haven't made it to any Territories) in Canada. I've been VERY comfortable on EVERY trip, and the Swift was smaller than the Yaris -- Swift = great all across Canada. The point I was trying to make in my reply to tk1971 (and I obviously didn't make it very well) was that each person's different needs, how important (for whatever reason) extracting dollar value from their car an environmental value from same is, plus their current personal relationship circumstances, are going to effect what they want in a car, and what they think is a waste of money and what isn't.

If a guy is in a long term relationship or is married he has to respect the attitude of his wife or girlfriend re cars (among many other things, of course). Her attitude might TRULY be (re cars) for him to 'do what you want' and that may fit their circumstances and lifestyle perfectly and he can act as if single re buying a car..and both of them can be extremely content and happy with this approach. A different woman might want them to make the decision together and even bring the kids (if they have kids) in on the decision (a LITTLE bit) if all of them are going to be riding around in the car together. In this latter example, her content husband's wants and values (re a car) will mesh with hers and hers will mesh with his. I'm GUESSING that tk1971 MIGHT be close to the latter example. I think the CT200h is a waste of money, from my perspective as a car to own -- for me (and I can afford a CT200h). When spending money I seek to extract the maximum amount of value per dollar I'm spending -- by how I define value. The points of value that the extra 12k that the CT200h cost over the Prius C one are 90+% a waste of money in my book. I put this percentage at less than 100 because I would, if I chose a Prius C, get the Two instead of the One that tk1971 bought. The Two adds the 60/40 folding seat, the Tonneau cover for behind the rear seats (to shield from prying eyes looking into the hatch), and Cruise Control. The Tonneau cover and the Cruise Control would be cheaper as aftermarket choices, but I don't think it would be realistic to try to do the 60/40 seat aftermarket in a cost effective manner.

As I stated, most of the points of value for the extra 12k the CT200h cost tk1971 over the Prius One are a waste of money in my book....but that is the point -- in MY book. My value parameters projected onto his situation would probably = the Yaris + Prius C situation he used to have. He (tk1971) has a different perspective re the CT200h for his particular use and value parameters and our different perspectives are of equal value.

I will probably eventually replace my Yaris with a Yaris like Tooter's (except a 2013 or 2014), but I REALLY like the system in the Prius C that suggests how to drive to increase MPG. It is probably only item that is even remotely 'nanny state-like' that I would actually welcome.

...and one of the best things about the Yaris is not having to look over a hood!