[cycledrum]

short story - Far as I can tell the Mazda 3 - 5 rocks, Prius is way tame and not for tall drivers.

long story -

Test drove a Mazda 3 - 5 last weekend. Nice car. Very nice for tall drivers. Can see it in the length of the doors. Drivers door long, passenger door short. Steering was tight, handling crisp. Nice price for what you get.

So, how'd I buy a Prius last Summer? Was a die hard Toyota fan. Aquaintance on motorcycle forum strongly recommended a Mazda 3. I looked at it briefly but pulled a bonehead maneuver, never test drove it even though Consumer Reports really likes it.

Meanwhile, hybrid-electric seemed to be coolest beans in town. Dug the ICE stop at lights, sometimes cruising 35mph on battery. Seemed cool as shyte....

Until woke up 3 mos. later ... WTF am I sitting on? This is supposed to be a driver's seat? No height adjust, doesn't slide back very far. $27.5k sticker price, geeeez! No telescopic steering wheel.

Prius is a 'goody' little car, but doesn't set pants on fire. Gonna get pwned selling it unless wait til gas tops $4.

argh..

 

[stories]

Well, to be fair, the Prius and 3 are VERY different cars.

It's a shame that it seems like you're a car enthusiast and ended up with a Prius. Toyota definitely does not market the Prius as an enthusiast car. Think of it this way, though. The Prius kicks the 3 in the pants of MPG. It's also bigger and can hold more! There's always pluses to owning a car like the Prius.

 

[d3n13d]

wonder what the prius would sound like with an exhaust... silent until 35 then a sudden roar... Id like to hear that.

 

[john_in_the_lbc]

[quote author=Stories link=topic=137656.msg2968570#msg2968570 date=1235925383]
Well, to be fair, the Prius and 3 are VERY different cars.

It's a shame that it seems like you're a car enthusiast and ended up with a Prius. Toyota definitely does not market the Prius as an enthusiast car. Think of it this way, though. The Prius kicks the 3 in the pants of MPG. It's also bigger and can hold more! There's always pluses to owning a car like the Prius.
[/quote]
in the city, it does (because of the electric) but at 85mph, i think my 3 gets better mileage.
i'd only get a hybrid if i could get a HOV pass for single occupant...and even then...i hear you have to own the car 5-7 years to get back in gas savings what you paid extra in sticker price.

 

[louie]

[quote author=John_in_the_LBC link=topic=137656.msg2969776#msg2969776 date=1235965947]
[quote author=Stories link=topic=137656.msg2968570#msg2968570 date=1235925383]
Well, to be fair, the Prius and 3 are VERY different cars.

It's a shame that it seems like you're a car enthusiast and ended up with a Prius. Toyota definitely does not market the Prius as an enthusiast car. Think of it this way, though. The Prius kicks the 3 in the pants of MPG. It's also bigger and can hold more! There's always pluses to owning a car like the Prius.
[/quote]
in the city, it does (because of the electric) but at 85mph, i think my 3 gets better mileage.
i'd only get a hybrid if i could get a HOV pass for single occupant...and even then...i hear you have to own the car 5-7 years to get back in gas savings what you paid extra in sticker price.
[/quote]

Well, when driving 85mph, do you really care that much about MPG? I get good MPG on my 2.0 ATX but for the most part, the more popular econo-boxes (Civic, Corolla) leave the MZ3 in the dust in terms of MPG. I think most people buy the MZ3 for the zoom-zoom first rather than the MPG.

Also, comparing a Prius and a Mazda3 is not a fair comparison.

 

[cycledrum]

I ditched a cheap cover off the Prius driver's seat this morning. One of those $40 pairs from auto store. Seat bottom, lots of annoying seams to sit on. Sure that contributed to my bummed-outness.

Seat still needs to slide back a tad more, tilt down some ... and need 50 more HP, tight handling .. hehe.

Can't bag the Prius all day, it has its charms like 50 mpg average - no gas burned when stuck in traffic. But, yes, can take years to pay back hybrid primo. The more expensive gas is, the more you save. Good for those that drive 15k+ miles/year.

It can average 50 mpg in 70 something mph cruise. Haven't tried 85 yet. Top speed is about 106 mph ya know.

Yeah, can actually cruise up to 42 mph battery alone for maybe a mile. Happens sometimes when really light on throttle.

Can accelerate on battery only, but slooowwly.

I've ridden sportbikes on backroads for years, couple trackdays. Owned R1, GSXR's, CBR's, back to an FZ1 now. Heard 3's do well on twisties.

Seen the 2010 Prius 'platinum' package with 17" alloys, 45 tires? All new. Looks kinda hot for a Prius.

The 10 - 3 - 5 looks kinda hot too

 

[Antimatter85]

What the heck is a Mazda 3 - 5 ?

Mazda3 (2.0L or 2.3L, hatch or sedan)
Mazdaspeed3

 

[icspots]

[quote author=Antimatter85 link=topic=137656.msg2970189#msg2970189 date=1235994711]
What the heck is a Mazda 3 - 5 ?

Mazda3 (2.0L or 2.3L, hatch or sedan)
Mazdaspeed3
[/quote]

2010 Mazda 3 5-door

 

[cricket1]

[quote author=cycledrum link=topic=137656.msg2970090#msg2970090 date=1235977932]

But, yes, can take years to pay back hybrid primo. The more expensive gas is, the more you save. Good for those that drive 15k+ miles/year.


[/quote]

+1 on the payback "cost" of a Prius.

If you compare a Coralla at $17k, and a Prius at $28K, with gas at $4/gallon, and driving 15K miles per year, it will take you 7 YEARS to make up the diffference. :woah:

At today's gas prices, it would be more like 14 years!!!

Anyone who thinks they are saving money buying a Prius is smokin crack!

(It might make their liberal/greenie do gooder heart feel good, but saving money?? NADA)

 

[bagwell]

[quote author=cricket1 link=topic=137656.msg2970720#msg2970720 date=1236014882]
[quote author=cycledrum link=topic=137656.msg2970090#msg2970090 date=1235977932]

But, yes, can take years to pay back hybrid primo. The more expensive gas is, the more you save. Good for those that drive 15k+ miles/year.


[/quote]

+1 on the payback "cost" of a Prius.

If you compare a Coralla at $17k, and a Prius at $28K, with gas at $4/gallon, and driving 15K miles per year, it will take you 7 YEARS to make up the diffference. :woah:

At today's gas prices, it would be more like 14 years!!!

Anyone who thinks they are saving money buying a Prius is smokin crack!

(It might make their liberal/greenie do gooder heart feel good, but saving money?? NADA)
[/quote]

I'd gladly swap my 3 for a Prius...actually thinking of doing so before gas goes back up. Of course I'd NEVER pay $28K for one...base is $22K and is fine for me...unfortunately the $3150 tax credit is gone....so I would just buy used anyway.

I drove my Dad's for about a month and average mid-hi 50's in my 36 RT commute. It was nothing exciting to drive...just very pleasant with decent stereo + cruise...and gave me a very good feeling every time I drove by the gas pump!!!!!!!!! Perfect for a daily driver.

 

[cycledrum]

In case you haven't seen yet ...

 

[gwrace]

[quote author=cricket1 link=topic=137656.msg2970720#msg2970720 date=1236014882]
[quote author=cycledrum link=topic=137656.msg2970090#msg2970090 date=1235977932]

But, yes, can take years to pay back hybrid primo. The more expensive gas is, the more you save. Good for those that drive 15k+ miles/year.


[/quote]

+1 on the payback "cost" of a Prius.

If you compare a Coralla at $17k, and a Prius at $28K, with gas at $4/gallon, and driving 15K miles per year, it will take you 7 YEARS to make up the diffference. :woah:

At today's gas prices, it would be more like 14 years!!!

Anyone who thinks they are saving money buying a Prius is smokin crack!

(It might make their liberal/greenie do gooder heart feel good, but saving money?? NADA)
[/quote]

Lets not forget the eventual battery replacement that will be required in a few years. 3000-5000 dollars is one hefty battery expense. I suspect most will trade off the car before that occurs.

There is also the environmental impact to the landscape for harvesting the materials to make those batteries. Here is a comparison between a hummer and a Prius. Something to think about before buying that "environment friendly car"

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=14304

 

[cricket1]

"I'd gladly swap my 3 for a Prius...base is $22K and is fine for me"

Yeah, well good luck actually finding a Prius for $22k! Most out there are in the $26-$28k range. Just cause Toyota says the base is $22k, doesn't mean dealers will order them from the factory!

 

[TEXN]

If I was going hybrid, I think I'd go with the new Insight. About the size of the 3 and a bit less than the Prius. Early reviews have said it drives better than the Civic hybrid, so probably on par with a regular Civic. Still softer than a 3 but a good compromise IMO.

 

[bagwell]

[quote author=cricket1 link=topic=137656.msg2973667#msg2973667 date=1236111428]
"I'd gladly swap my 3 for a Prius...base is $22K and is fine for me"

Yeah, well good luck actually finding a Prius for $22k! Most out there are in the $26-$28k range. Just cause Toyota says the base is $22k, doesn't mean dealers will order them from the factory!
[/quote]

uh, have you heard...car sales are waaaay down....there's a ton of them out there now...if a dealer doesn't have a car they will trade and get the one you want.

anyway...I said I'd buy [glow=red,2,300]used[/glow] ...preferably CPO.




[quote author=gwrace link=topic=137656.msg2973584#msg2973584 date=1236109170]
Lets not forget the eventual battery replacement that will be required in a few years. 3000-5000 dollars is one hefty battery expense. I suspect most will trade off the car before that occurs.

There is also the environmental impact to the landscape for harvesting the materials to make those batteries. Here is a comparison between a hummer and a Prius. Something to think about before buying that "environment friendly car"[/quote]

the prius has an 8 YEAR 100K mile warranty on the hybrid components (INCLUDING the battery).

if you DO have to replace the battery ---
from MOTOR TREND SEPT 08 -- "The price drop applies to first- and second-generation Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries used in the Prius since its U.S. launch. The first-generation batteries, found in the 2000 to 2003 Prius, have dropped to $2,229 and second-generation batteries found in 2004 to 2008 Prius' have dropped to $2,588. The price drops will most benefit owners who have exceeded the 10-year/150,000-mile or 8-year/100,000-mile warranties. Toyota also announced that they're looking into the possibility of remanufacturing the Prius batteries in North America."



I really wish the 3 was a hybrid that got mid 40s mpg

 

[cycledrum]

[quote author=cycledrum link=topic=137656.msg2970090#msg2970090 date=1235977932]

There is also the environmental impact to the landscape for harvesting the materials to make those batteries. Here is a comparison between a hummer and a Prius. Something to think about before buying that "environment friendly car"

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=14304
[/quote]

Check out both sides of that debate. Don't take one article or study as gospel.

 

[bagwell]

[quote author=gwrace link=topic=137656.msg2973584#msg2973584 date=1236109170]
There is also the environmental impact to the landscape for harvesting the materials to make those batteries. Here is a comparison between a hummer and a Prius. Something to think about before buying that "environment friendly car"

http://www.ncpa.org/sub/dpd/index.php?Article_ID=14304
[/quote]

yep I'm gonna have to call BS :bs: on this one as well....PLEASE do more research before thinking a hummer is more enviromentally friendly than the Prius.

 

[Tim25]

Prius racing! w00t!!

:whistle2:
TIM

 

[larryb78]

[quote author=cricket1 link=topic=137656.msg2973667#msg2973667 date=1236111428]
"I'd gladly swap my 3 for a Prius...base is $22K and is fine for me"

Yeah, well good luck actually finding a Prius for $22k! Most out there are in the $26-$28k range. Just cause Toyota says the base is $22k, doesn't mean dealers will order them from the factory!
[/quote]

very good point - a friend of mine totalled his '02 prius over the summer & insisted he had to have another one...dealers up & down the east coast were starting at $3k over sticker - he wound up paying almost $22k for an '06 with 20k miles on it...granted it had every option except for leather but imho for a 3 year old (in model years) that's just way overpriced...the dealers have been ass raping people due to the gas prices this summer & it wouldnt surprise me if they still are out of people's fear that itll go back to $4+/gal

all that to one side, having driven the prius i wasn't totally impressed with it...the pick-up was medicore, the cvt takes alot of getting used to as well...overall i don't think it's worth the $$ when you consider that if gas consumption is your priority you can get a civic that'll pull 35mpg on the highway easily for under $20k and not have to deal with the battery bs and having to rely on the manufacturer to fix every little thing on the car.

 

[bagwell]

[quote author=larryb78 link=topic=137656.msg2983507#msg2983507 date=1236622435]
[quote author=cricket1 link=topic=137656.msg2973667#msg2973667 date=1236111428]
"I'd gladly swap my 3 for a Prius...base is $22K and is fine for me"

Yeah, well good luck actually finding a Prius for $22k! Most out there are in the $26-$28k range. Just cause Toyota says the base is $22k, doesn't mean dealers will order them from the factory!
[/quote]

very good point - a friend of mine totalled his '02 prius over the summer & insisted he had to have another one...dealers up & down the east coast were starting at $3k over sticker - he wound up paying almost $22k for an '06 with 20k miles on it...granted it had every option except for leather but imho for a 3 year old (in model years) that's just way overpriced...the dealers have been ass raping people due to the gas prices this summer & it wouldnt surprise me if they still are out of people's fear that itll go back to $4+/gal[/quote]

yep, he got raped...

they're all over ebay/autotrader for reasonable prices now.

I've even been thinking about a local shop that has a few salvage title 07/08 Prius' in the low teens...a know a few of the buyers and they're all 110% satisified wih his work -- and he's offering 1 year warranty with them...after that, you're on your own as far as maintenance.

I'm telling ya --- its nice to squeeze 10 gallons of gas in and go 500+ every tank.