Originally Posted by Threxx

Prius / Camry / Corolla

Length: 175" / 189" / 178"
Width: 67" / 71" / 66"
Height: 58" / 58" / 58"


Looks to me like the Prius is just slightly larger than a Corolla and much closer in size to the Corolla than the Camry.

I mean if you really want to get that hung up on EPA size classifications, the Accord is a large car according to the EPA. The Camry and Altima are midsized cars. Yet everyone that considers the closest competitors to the Accord considers the Camry and Altima, not the Crown Victoria (another EPA large car).

Originally Posted by Threxx

But on the subject of interior volume...
Prius: 96 CuF
Camry: 101 CuF
Corolla: 92 CuF

Once again the Prius is closer in interior volume to the Corolla than it is the Camry.

Just kinda shows that it's a little bit narrow minded to simply divide by EPA size classification.

Originally Posted by bagwell

I always thought the Prius was a small car before I bought one.

Go sit in the back seat of a Prius - its huge (I'm 6 ft) and this was after I adjusted the front seat to my driving position - then go sit in a Corolla, you'll see what I mean.

Originally Posted by Threxx

I don't ever sit in the back seat of my car and rarely have anyone tall riding back there, so I wouldn't be as concerned with that as I might be with the room up front.

Anyhow... point being it's not incorrect of me to compare a Corolla with a Prius. They're closer in size than the Prius and Camry... plus I would never consider a Camry because of their lacking economy (not only do they cost more but they get worse mileage).

Originally Posted by pitmanr200

This has propably been talked about before, but I was thinking about it today and it got me wandering. Are Hybrids worth It?

I decided to see if it would be worth it for me. I went to toyota.com and priced camry with 4cy hybrid and regular 4cyl. Base model on both. The cost of the hybrid was almost 28,000 and the regular was almost 20,000.

Now being I drive some city and highway I just took boths average and figured it up based on that. With that said driving 35 miles round trip to work everyday and 175 total miles a week the hybrid would cost around 25 dollars a week and the regular would cost me 30. That is a woppping 5 dollars a week savings!!

That means around 260 dollars a year savings. Now take that and divide it into the 7800 dollars more that the hybrid cost and the car would pay for the difference in 30 years. That is if it doesn cost more to maintain.

Doesnt sound like a very good idea for gas prices to me. Are hybrids just a scam or really worth it? What do you all think? Also there maybe better hybrids that I could get to get better fuel economy. I just took the camry.

Originally Posted by bagwell

Prius' now start at $21100...not bad....when I bought one in 2006, I also got the full tax credit of $3150 which I believe in now gone. The Prius is actually classified as a MIDSIZE car -- larger than the Lexus IS!!!!

I sold it about a year later when I found a 2000 Honda Insight with 47K miles for $8500.

I drive 55 miles RT a day and am averaging 72.1 MPG over the 17000 miles I've owned the car [I also carpool every single day with my wife].

This car more than pays for itself in the gas savings alone!!!!!!!!!

I routinely get over 700+ miles on a tank of gas (record is 970 when I topped it off 100%); I can usually squeeze in 10 gallons.

I fill it up about every 3 weeks.

Note - battery under warranty for 10 years 150000 miles

SO ARE HYBRIDS WORTH IT TO ME????? HELL YES!!!!!!

I like to screw the oil companies as much as I can.

Originally Posted by Nextourer

You're comparing a base hybrid to a base Camry ignoring the fact that it comes with XLE levels of standard equipment.

440W JBL Audio, CD Changer, bluetooth, VDIM (not available on reg. Camrys), LED taillights, dual-zone auto A/C w/ plasmacluster, multi-function display, auto-dimming mirror, alloys etc etc.


Again, you can't really... say yes it's worth it or not it's worth it and expect it to apply to everyone. Everyone will have their own levels of what something is worth. To some, they do a lot more miles per year or spend more time in the city so to them it's worth it. For someone like a pensioner who maybe drives 5 miles to the supermarket and then to the bingo hall, it's not worth it cause they don't drive a lot.

Originally Posted by pitmanr200

Now 70 miles to a gallon that is worth it, but can you fit a family of 4 in it and lugage for a long vacation and still ride comportably. If so great, but if not then u would be stuck paying for another car.

Originally Posted by SLegacy99

In the United States is not uncommon this day in age for families to have more than one car.

Originally Posted by pitmanr200

I understand that, but why have 3 or 4. and if you do you have to have 3 cars you have to count in taxes, service, insurance, payments, etc and see if its worth it.

Originally Posted by pitmanr200

Now What happens if gas prices lower they could as well they could go up.

Originally Posted by pitmanr200

Now 70 miles to a gallon that is worth it, but can you fit a family of 4 in it and lugage for a long vacation and still ride comportably. If so great, but if not then u would be stuck paying for another car.

Originally Posted by CK6Speed

Personally, I think the reaction to higher gas prices for many is just a knee jerk reaction. There are so many people I know that now have very economical cars, or now take the bus or ride a bike to work because of the higher gas prices, yet take trips to Vegas 2-3 times a year and gamble their money away.

Originally Posted by bagwell

LOLOLOLOLOL, I can pretty much guarantee you gas prices won't be dropping unfortunately....that's one thing you don't have to figure into your calculations.

I wander if the said the same things back in the 70's when gas prices sky rocketed causing manufactures to make muscle cars have less power and be more fuel efficient. Now dont get me wrong i dont expect it to lower but it could.


I work for an airline and NEVER, EVER drive anywhere long distance.

Not everyone is fortunate as you are to have that option. I would say most people arent.

99% of the time the Insight suits our needs, the other 1% - picking the kid up from the airport when he comes home from college 2 twice a year the Audi will suffice.

I agree that the insight is wort it, but they dont make it anymore. kind of makes you wander why not. Maybe the oil companies?

if you have a family w/kids still at home, I'd get the Prius if you drive enough to make it worth your while; if you want an SUV get the Escape Hybrid (for 35mpg?) $3100 tax credit still applies; or an H2 if you like feeding the oil monsters...(that way you can tow your boat once a year if you have one).