Toyota Yaris vs Prius C

[why?]

Originally Posted by Flipper_1938

In 20 years you will have made up that $4000 difference...after that, its pure profit!

Yea, because most people who drive a Yaris get near 40 mpg and only drive 10,00 miles a year, oh wait, almost no one does that.

You start getting more into actual real world figures, and the gap becomes obvious. 13,476 miles = 374 gallons per year @ 36 mpg. At $3.70 a gallon that is $1384. 13,476 miles = 270 gallons per year @ 50 mpg. At $3.70 a gallon that is $999 a year. Supposedly 13,476 is the average mileage an American drives a year. That is $385 a year. So if you drive that little, it isn't worth it unless you want the luxuries. Or if your Yaris cannot get 36 mpg. Or if you plan to keep it over 10 years. Etc. If you drive 20,000 mile a year, 36 mpg = 556 & 2057. Or 400 & 1480. That is 577. That is only 7 years to make up the difference. Since the average car fleet is over 12 years old now, that is real world math people should do before they make the second biggest purchase they ever will.

Originally Posted by nookandcrannycar

In late January of 2014, I was rear ended by a woman in a Camry. I had a 3rd Gen LE 5-door (only available with an automatic) as the rental during the repair. After that 3-day stint, I realized that I wasn't ready to give up driving a manual. Before that, I was leaning toward a Prius C rather than another Yaris (when I get a new car). I read MANY posts on Prius Chat. I noticed that many people who have the Prius C One wish they had ponied up the extra dollars and purchased the Prius C Two. Many reasons were given, but I think the most often mentioned item was the seats. Given this, I think a realistic gap with the Yaris would be greater than $4,000 USD.

And then the deal they get and how good they are at negotiating comes in as well. And the options they want and if they are even available on the Yaris.

There are times I love not having a manual. Part of that is my car and I want to eek out every bit of gas, so I am not willing to stab the throttle like everyone else does, so I stall.

But looking at vehicles today, most seem to have the autos and CVT's getting better gas mileage than the manuals. I assume the computers and sensors are getting better finally.

Driving my mother's Murano, or my father's Jag convertible, I can see the appeal of not having a manual. Plus, the writing is on the wall. If they can start getting significant better gas mileage with autos, manufacturers will not make manuals because they need to hit the cafe targets. It is coming from both sides, with most Supercars not even having a manual option any more, and most commuters not wanting to bother.

Now they just need to focus on gas mileage more. If they spent as much money on tech to getter better gas mileage as they did tech to get more hp, cars would easily hit the coming cafe standards.