We still don't know if H's old car is totaled. But we are narrowing down new car models we are interested in, in case we need to replace it. Quick recap: H offered to drive my Mercedes for a few years and let me pick out a more fuel-efficient car for my 70-mile round trip commute (Mercedes costs me $50/week just to commute). This will work great for me, and the advantage for him is that he wants a nicer car (BMW 5-series or the like), and we'll likely be able to afford that in a few years when he starts his real job. My priorities are fuel efficiency and reliability. H has very different priorities than me, but the only one that really matters for this car purchase is that he is comfortable in the car.
We have the budget for a new car ($30K-ish), and we're leaning that way because fuel efficiency improves by leaps and bounds with every model year. We test drove a Toyota Prius, Prius v, and Camry hybrid and a Ford Fusion hybrid and C-Max. We eliminated the Prius from consideration because H finds it wildly uncomfortable. We were very gung-ho when we drove the Fords and saw that their estimated fuel efficiency was 45 and 47 mpg, better than anything else except the Prius. But some research revealed that these numbers are pretty inflated, and the true mileage is more like 39-40 mpg. Which isn't bad, but the Fords were no longer above the Toyotas in my mind.
So that leaves us with the Prius v and Camry hybrid. I know that they both failed the small overlap crash test, but the Prius hasn't even undergone this test, so I don't think I can rule out cars with otherwise excellent crash test results on the basis of this new test.
H has a slight preference for the Camry hybrid, because it "drives more like a real car." I don't have a huge preference one way or the other. The prices are within $1K, and the mileage is within 1 mpg. Obviously the cars are very different, but I just can't decide which will be better. I'm leaning toward the Prius v because it's basically a station wagon, and that seems really attractive when we'll be TTC in a few months. But I drove a '98 Camry for 12 years, and damn I loved that car. It also might be a more comfortable ride, but I'm not 100% sure.
Have you looked at non-hybrids that get excellent gas mileage, especially if you're doing a lot of highway driving? I believe they are cheaper to maintain over the life of the car.
ETA: I love my Fusion (non-hybrid) and it gets high 20s for gas mileage. Obviously you want to be higher... just giving an idea.
Yeah, but the hybrids get such better gas mileage. My commute is mostly interstate, but I live in Atlanta so I still spend a lot of time driving in traffic.
Well, we just bought a Fusion hybrid after test driving every hybrid car out there (I have a Fusion and DH didn't want to get another one because "it wouldn't feel like a new car"). He thought the Prius was too noisy at highway speeds, and while the Camry was nice, it was more expensive than the Fusion and there was no difference in the ride/road noise between the two. DH has been getting ~43 mpg on the highway and 45-50 mpg in town.
ETA: I liked the C-Max, but DH didn't want it because of the way it looked. I liked the noise-cancelling feature--it was so quiet in the car. I tried telling him that when he was driving, he wouldn't be able to see how it looked, but it didn't work.
Out of the Camry and Prius V, I'd lean towards the Prius V. Its nice to have the extra space in the trunk-- DH's sedan is awful for lugging baby stuff and my back hurt every time I used his car with DD. If the next year's model passes the small overlap test, as I anticipate it will, its back on my list.
I priced out the Camry and Fusion hybrids and saw a price difference of ~$500. Maybe I did something wrong?
It's going to depend on what package you're looking at. We were looking at fully loaded vehicles--and the Camry GPS won't let the passenger search for POIs while the car is moving, and the Ford will. So if you're used to being able to search for nearby restaurants without having to pull over, a fully loaded Camry isn't for you.
I priced out the Camry and Fusion hybrids and saw a price difference of ~$500. Maybe I did something wrong?
It's going to depend on what package you're looking at. We were looking at fully loaded vehicles--and the Camry GPS won't let the passenger search for POIs while the car is moving, and the Ford will. So if you're used to being able to search for nearby restaurants without having to pull over, a fully loaded Camry isn't for you.
I'm not really interested in any of the fancy navigation packages.
ETA: I just priced out the two cars on Edmunds with the options I'm interested in, and I got $28,235 for the Fusion hybrid and $28,682 for the Camry hybrid.
When I looked at cars in 2007, I went with the Prius over the Camry. Yes, I know that was 5yrs ago. I liked the way the Prius drove better (seemed peppier, while Camry seemed more slow/steady). Prius got MUCH better mileage and was cheaper. I also liked the flat fold rear seats and amount of storage. I once fit six dining room chairs in the back of the Prius with DH and I comfortably up front.
I LOVE the older Camrys. We had a 1988 version and it was AWESOME. But the 2007 version I hated...it was a plush slug. The current Corolla is more like the old Camry. So I'd vote for the Prius.
Have you looked into the Sonata hybrid? It seems like every new car in our neighborhood these days is a Sonata hybrid, lol. A friend of mine just got an Elantra and loves it. She commutes ~80 miles RT/day and gets close to 40mpg. It is way bigger than my coworker's 2007 Elantra too, more like the size of the old Sonata.
Post by Velvetshady on Jan 25, 2013 10:08:48 GMT -5
My parents have a Camry Hybrid and love it. The only helpful info I can give you is that we did a day trip once that required ~5 hours of driving, with my nieces in two car seats in the back and me siting between them. I wouldn't say it was comfy, but it was doable.
I think you'll find the mileage is more accurate on a "true hybrid". Meaning one that was designed to be a hybrid rather than having an existing car made into a hybrid. I also think the high roof in the back is much more flexible than a normal trunk.
I also am biased because I love our Prius and I really really want a Prius v for the next car.
Post by badtzmaru22 on Jan 25, 2013 10:54:43 GMT -5
I have no advice, but I've been eagerly following your car saga. I currently drive a 2004 Civic Hybrid which DH wants me to get rid of for a minivan. I am just a small car driver, but would consider a bigger hybrid.
I don't understand the appeal of mid-sized cars. Either get a small car or an SUV (that offers WAY better visibility than a car)
I still vote a Corolla or a Civic--just the regular ones. On flat roads (like I 29 or I 35) we get 45mpg highway in our Civic which is only a couple mpg less that MIL gets in her Civic hybrid for like $7k less in purchase price.
I don't understand the appeal of mid-sized cars. Either get a small car or an SUV (that offers WAY better visibility than a car)
I still vote a Corolla or a Civic--just the regular ones. On flat roads (like I 29 or I 35) we get 45mpg highway in our Civic which is only a couple mpg less that MIL gets in her Civic hybrid for like $7k less in purchase price.
Small cars: H complains that he is uncomfortable. And this is down the road, but I'm probably not going to go on a road trip with kids in a Mini Cooper.
SUV: Gas mileage is my number one priority. I'm not clear on the issue with visibility in a mid-sized car?
I am kind of that you can't understand the appeal of the most popular class of cars in the country.
Post by dutchgirl678 on Jan 25, 2013 13:10:07 GMT -5
I've been driving my 2nd gen Prius since 2004, it has over 100k miles on it and I still get 43-45 mpg with it. I would go for the Prius V. I love the extra trunk space although I've never had problems with lugging my two kids and a stroller with me in my regular Prius.
Post by marathon55 on Jan 25, 2013 14:05:54 GMT -5
Have you tried a VW jetta wagon TDI. Ours gets 42mpg on the highway and about 34 in city. We do lots of highway driving so it works out.
As far as crash tests I would worry about them too much. I just think most cars today are very safe and these tests aren't realistic and tend to make minor difference seem huge.
Post by curbsideprophet on Jan 25, 2013 14:16:26 GMT -5
We took a road trip from NC to OH in a rented Prius v last year. We were very happy with the amount of stuff we were able to fit inside and I don't recall comfort being an issue.
Since then we have purchased our own v and so far we love it. We have not taken any long trips yet, but no complaints. I feel like I am driving a car, not an SUV. Our other car is a 2006 Honda Civic and I can definitely tell I am seated higher up in v. So far we get the stated mileage on the car.
When you tested the v what trim level did you sit in? I have heard some complaints about the seat comfort, but that seems to be people who have a two or three. If you have not sat in a five, I would check it out. We find the seats in the five very comfortable. Another option to consider is getting a three and replacing the seats. This was offered to us as an option at our Toyota dealer. However the price for this was not that much cheaper than just getting a five since I wanted the upgraded material and heated seats, so we just got the five. A little internet research showed that replacing the seats is something at least a few people do.
Have you tried a VW jetta wagon TDI. Ours gets 42mpg on the highway and about 34 in city. We do lots of highway driving so it works out.
As far as crash tests I would worry about them too much. I just think most cars today are very safe and these tests aren't realistic and tend to make minor difference seem huge.
Diesel gas is so expensive that I don't think this would provide me with a lot of savings. Plus (anecdote alert) two of my close friends have driven VWs and had TONS of problems with them, so I am reluctant to buy myself one.
We took a road trip from NC to OH in a rented Prius v last year. We were very happy with the amount of stuff we were able to fit inside and I don't recall comfort being an issue.
Since then we have purchased our own v and so far we love it. We have not taken any long trips yet, but no complaints. I feel like I am driving a car, not an SUV. Our other car is a 2006 Honda Civic and I can definitely tell I am seated higher up in v. So far we get the stated mileage on the car.
When you tested the v what trim level did you sit in? I have heard some complaints about the seat comfort, but that seems to be people who have a two or three. If you have not sat in a five, I would check it out. We find the seats in the five very comfortable. Another option to consider is getting a three and replacing the seats. This was offered to us as an option at our Toyota dealer. However the price for this was not that much cheaper than just getting a five since I wanted the upgraded material and heated seats, so we just got the five. A little internet research showed that replacing the seats is something at least a few people do.
I had this exact debate one year ago. I bought the v because I was stepping down from an SUV and hate the traditional trunk with a passion. I love having all the cargo space I used to have in the SUV (actually slightly more). So much easier (imo) to get a stroller/baby gear/whatever else in and out of the back. (Also, since you mentioned TTC, our carseats fit really well.)
One year later, I'm in love with my v. I got a basic one, level 2, so nothing fancy. I live in New England and average 48mpg in the summer (super long commute that actually pulls really great mileage) and 42ish in the winter. I drove like a complete grandma for one tank's worth of gas over the summer and got 56mpg.
Have you looked at the Mazda 3? They are getting around 40mpg and are fun to drive. They don't have a ton of options on the base models but are a good price. I ended up with the Mazda 6, which doesn't get as good mileage, but I liked the 3 a lot.
Post by curbsideprophet on Jan 25, 2013 16:40:17 GMT -5
It does have power lumbar support, but the rest of the adjustments are not power. From my understanding power seats add weight, which would decrease the mileage.
I would consider renting one for a few days so you can really check it out. I don't know if all Toyota dealers have a rental program, but I have seen it at multiple locations.
It does have power lumbar support, but the rest of the adjustments are not power. From my understanding power seats add weight, which would decrease the mileage.
I would consider renting one for a few days so you can really check it out. I don't know if all Toyota dealers have a rental program, but I have seen it at multiple locations.
Sigh. My H is concerned about being able to get comfortable in a non-power seat. I think we'll go for another test drive after we find out the status of his insurance claim.
Post by curbsideprophet on Jan 25, 2013 16:57:58 GMT -5
We have never had power seats, so it was not really even a feature we were looking for. Does having power seats really change the seat position options? Or does it just change how you get the seat into that position?