Is a prius really worth the money?

Question

Is a prius really worth the money?

Answer 1

If you're already going to spend the amount of money that one costs (say for a higher end gas-only sedan), then yes, you will save money with a Prius or any hybrid.



However, if you're trying to spend extra money for a hybrid in order to save gas money, you will not do so in the time that Americans typically keep their cars (5 years, for my math):



My gas mileage (Ford Focus) on average: 25 mpg

Prius gas mileage approximately: 50 mpg



Cost / 12 gallons of gas in my car, N. California: $26.40.

This takes me appx. 300 miles. In a Prius, you'd go appx. 600 miles.



Difference in cost:

Prius - Focus: $30,000-$15,000: $15,000.



$15,000 / $26.40 = 568 12 gallon fill ups

568 12 gallon fill ups at 600 miles/gallon = 340,800 miles.



Yeouch!



Hope that helps!

Answer 2

If you can buy the car, it is. In California you can drive it in the diamond land which saves time. Keeping up the maintence is important, but I guess every new car you have to do something like that so no loss there. The only thing I have heard is that the electric system travels through the drivers side post and if emergancy services have to use the jaws of life it can cause electricution. Driving on the freeway will also lose some of the "incredible" gas mileage.



I say get a Vespa ^_^

Answer 3

So far so good. Maintenance is ok so long as you keep up and really the price is not that far off. Besides keeping with the national gas average you would notice the savings right away.



Toyota is moving to all hybrid so get ready for it.