Ask The Best And Brightest: Yaris or Prius?
From TTAC commentator kawaii: New to this forum and found it interesting, however, confusing since I am a “mature” female on the waiting list for an ‘08 Prius. Husband just got a huge Tundra last December. I drive an ‘05 Subaru Outback getting 22 mpg. Now that I’m waiting for the Prius (which I wanted simply because of mpg and because I like to consider myself as “one who considers making small changes to help the environment”), but now I’m really wondering if this is a wise decision. Do I really NEED this vehicle? Will the Yaris ($10,000 less equipped the way I want it) or Corolla be a better choice? Drove the Yaris and liked it; have not driven Corolla. I live on a mountain in northern GA, drive 10 miles to work each day, rarely drive road-trips and go into the city 65 miles occasionaly. This next car will be one that I’ll drive until the wheels fall off. I can afford either car, but which makes better sense? Husband works from home (good thing with the Tundra mpg) and will retire in 5 years. Any advice?
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The Yaris is a subcompact. The Prius is a midsize, almost as big as a Camry. The reason the Prius sells so well is because you get better-than-sub-compact fuel economy in a midsized vehicle. If you want a smaller, cheaper vehicle, then get a Yaris (or a Corolla (compact), or a Scion xD (five door, better equipped version of the Yaris hatchback)).
dhanson965 - Thank you for the figures from Informed for Life! I thought my Subaru Outback was far safer; weight is a big factor, I suppose. In any event, since I'll be driving this next car for 10 or more years, it bears keeping these figures close at hand. Of course, I am in a small town and rarely on interstates, but . . . There have been many opinions offered on this thread and information provided to me that I had not considered previously. Options presented that hadn't crossed my mind. I do feel better informed by "the best and brightest" -- still undecided, but certainly better informed!
I only do whatever Al Gore says to do.