i have never heard that about the batteries only lasting 7-10 years. where did you hear that? the prius battery has a 100% warranty for 10 years, so it will definitely last that long, but all current science points to the batteries lasting longer than that - it's my understanding that they don't know how long they will last because they all last longer than they've been around. for all we know, they'll outlast the gas engine.
and it's very important to remember that in the prius, you DON'T have to replace the whole battery. it's designed to be able to replace individual fuel cells. so even if the battery starts to go in 10 years you don't have to scrap the car. also keep in mind, that if more people buy hybrids and the technology becomes commonplace, in ten years, it's NOT GOING TO COST so much to fix the battery anymore. think of how quickly cell phones and personal computers reduced in cost once the technology came into everyday use. so if the only reason you don't buy a hybrid is the cost of the battery in ten years, you are actually part of the problem of making that a self-fulfilling prophecy.
we have a prius which is a mid-sized 4-door with a large hatchback. it has plenty of room for a family of four (including 3 full seats with shoulder strap seat belts and headrests in the back seat). the base price of a prius when we bought it in 2004 was about $22,000. keep in mind that it is designed to be a fairly luxurious car, so it will be more than other hybrids. it is the most luxurious car i've ever had with a very plush, comfortable interior, etc. i would say that it comparable to a toyota camry with a list price of about $19,000 so like the civic hybrid, you are talking about paying about $3000 extra dollars for the hybrid factor.
i'd certainly wait until after gas prices stabilize (and they will within a few months as the gulf gets cleaned up) because i imagine there is a run on hybrids now.
we get about 40 - 45 miles to the gallon driving around the city, a bit more on the highway. that translates in only visiting the gas station like once a month.
if you call a dealer in SA or visit their website i bet they will give you the sticker price.
we paid about $27,000 for the top options package which includes the GPS, so prices seem to have pretty much stayed the same in the past year or so since we bought ours. however, we also didn't have to pay md sales tax because it was a hybrid, AND got a $2000 tax credit, so it was actually much less than that. i don't know if virginia's laws are as progressive.
We're of the mindset to wait it until after deployment to give them time to straighten out the mess in the gulf area since demand for hybrids has likely spiked through the roof.
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Jen, didn't you buy a hybrid?
~Kiervin~
Co-author of: MONSTER'S INK HORROR ANTHOLOGY By Cyber-Pulp Press
Jen has a Prius.
i have never heard that about the batteries only lasting 7-10 years. where did you hear that? the prius battery has a 100% warranty for 10 years, so it will definitely last that long, but all current science points to the batteries lasting longer than that - it's my understanding that they don't know how long they will last because they all last longer than they've been around. for all we know, they'll outlast the gas engine.
and it's very important to remember that in the prius, you DON'T have to replace the whole battery. it's designed to be able to replace individual fuel cells. so even if the battery starts to go in 10 years you don't have to scrap the car. also keep in mind, that if more people buy hybrids and the technology becomes commonplace, in ten years, it's NOT GOING TO COST so much to fix the battery anymore. think of how quickly cell phones and personal computers reduced in cost once the technology came into everyday use. so if the only reason you don't buy a hybrid is the cost of the battery in ten years, you are actually part of the problem of making that a self-fulfilling prophecy.
we have a prius which is a mid-sized 4-door with a large hatchback. it has plenty of room for a family of four (including 3 full seats with shoulder strap seat belts and headrests in the back seat). the base price of a prius when we bought it in 2004 was about $22,000. keep in mind that it is designed to be a fairly luxurious car, so it will be more than other hybrids. it is the most luxurious car i've ever had with a very plush, comfortable interior, etc. i would say that it comparable to a toyota camry with a list price of about $19,000 so like the civic hybrid, you are talking about paying about $3000 extra dollars for the hybrid factor.
i'd certainly wait until after gas prices stabilize (and they will within a few months as the gulf gets cleaned up) because i imagine there is a run on hybrids now.
we get about 40 - 45 miles to the gallon driving around the city, a bit more on the highway. that translates in only visiting the gas station like once a month.
if you call a dealer in SA or visit their website i bet they will give you the sticker price.
Edited 9/3/2005 3:13 pm ET ET by cl-jenindc
the toyota website says a prius has a base price of about $21,000 - http://www.toyota.com/prius/index.html?s_van=GM_TN_PRIUS_INDEX
like i said, that's for a car that is comparable to a mid-size car like a camry, and probably with more luxurious features standard than a camry.
Before the last jump in gas prices, you could get a Prius, if they had one in stock for about $27,000.
I was just at a FAQ at Toyota's site.
well our warranty is for 10 years.
we paid about $27,000 for the top options package which includes the GPS, so prices seem to have pretty much stayed the same in the past year or so since we bought ours. however, we also didn't have to pay md sales tax because it was a hybrid, AND got a $2000 tax credit, so it was actually much less than that. i don't know if virginia's laws are as progressive.
Thanks everyone for the feedback and information!
We're of the mindset to wait it until after deployment to give them time to straighten out the mess in the gulf area since demand for hybrids has likely spiked through the roof.
~Kiervin~
Co-author of: MONSTER'S INK HORROR ANTHOLOGY By Cyber-Pulp Press
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