Corolla, Camry, or Prius?

Mark A <nobody RemoveThis @nowhere.com> wrote:

: There is no way that anyone can make that decision for you.

I understand that. I am only asking for opinions about value (price v
mpg and whatever else you get) from those who may have brooded this
issue themselves.
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

"Ajanta" <ajanta.TakeThisOut@null.void> wrote in message
news:010620082251486561%ajanta@null.void...
>I would appreciate opinions/experience on which of these would make the
> wisest purchase of a new (2008/2009) car for 5-10 years?
>
> I look upon cars as utility items and was thinking of Corolla.
>
> SO seems smitten with Camry and keeps saying Corolla's back seats seem
> crowded (as if we are running a taxi, it is a rare day when anyone sits
> there). I have nothing against Camry, but I am thinking we spend more
> money and get porer mpg.
>
> Finally I said, if we are into Camry price range, why not consider
> Prius too and at least get the mileage?
>
> That's where we are.
>
> They are all good cars, but I'd appreciate your opinions on relative
> value.

The Prius probably has the best combination of interior room and fuel
economy of the 3 cars you mentioned, but with the price premium for the
Prius, it will probably take 4 or 5 years to break even vs. the price of a
Corolla. If you are only going to keep the car for 5 years, the Prius may
not be worth the higher cost. If you are going to keep the car for 10
years, then you may be ahead. A lot of people will tell you to worry about
the cost of replacement batteries for the Prius, but in the 9 years that
Toyota has sold hybrid cars in the U.S., they have only sold 1 or 2 battery
packs so replacement batteries should not be a factor.

If fuel economy is the biggest concern, look at the Corolla. If interior
room is important, look at the Camry.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

"Ajanta" <ajanta.TakeThisOut@null.void> wrote in message
news:010620082356571146%ajanta@null.void...
> I understand that. I am only asking for opinions about value (price v
> mpg and whatever else you get) from those who may have brooded this
> issue themselves.

You sound like someone who can do the math at least as well as anyone else.

If I wasn't 6'1 (and not exactly thin), I would strongly consider a 2009
Corolla XLE which is now available. Moon roof is an option and I think most
come that way from the factory (the distributor/dealers select the options
that they want to stock in their inventory).
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

Mark A <nobody RemoveThis @nowhere.com> wrote:

: You sound like someone who can do the math at least as well as anyone else.

Thanks.

: If I wasn't 6'1 (and not exactly thin), I would strongly consider a 2009
: Corolla XLE which is now available. Moon roof is an option and I think most
: come that way from the factory...

Between Corolla and Camry the equation is pretty clear to me. The
Corolla is the clear better value to me, but if my SO wants bigger back
seat for parents for 2 days/year they drive with us, that's a different
issue and only we can sort it out.

However, my math gets confused with Prius in the mix, because it is
expensive, usually wait-listed, but also gives much better mpg. I also
don't know long term maintenance costs relative to other models: more,
less, about the same?
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

"Ajanta" <ajanta DeleteThis @null.void> wrote in message
news:020620080054579926%ajanta@null.void...
> Between Corolla and Camry the equation is pretty clear to me. The
> Corolla is the clear better value to me, but if my SO wants bigger back
> seat for parents for 2 days/year they drive with us, that's a different
> issue and only we can sort it out.
>
> However, my math gets confused with Prius in the mix, because it is
> expensive, usually wait-listed, but also gives much better mpg. I also
> don't know long term maintenance costs relative to other models: more,
> less, about the same?

How big is the rear seat in a Prius? Also, my understanding is that
batteries eat up a lot of trunk space. Not really designed for touring. My
guess is that 2009 Corolla is bigger than 2008.

Prius usually goes for at least list price (probably more) these days, while
you should be able to get at least $1000 off list of a Corolla.

No one really knows about maintenance. The big issue is the batteries and
when they need to be replaced. Some have estimated that it costs 10K to
replace the batteries, but that will probably come down in cost. But no one
knows for sure how long they last.
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

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 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

On Jun 1, 8:51 pm, Ajanta <aja....RemoveThis@null.void> wrote:
> I would appreciate opinions/experience on which of these would make the
> wisest purchase of a new (2008/2009) car for 5-10 years?
>
> I look upon cars as utility items and was thinking of Corolla.
>
> SO seems smitten with Camry and keeps saying Corolla's back seats seem
> crowded (as if we are running a taxi, it is a rare day when anyone sits
> there). I have nothing against Camry, but I am thinking we spend more
> money and get porer mpg.
>
> Finally I said, if we are into Camry price range, why not consider
> Prius too and at least get the mileage?
>
> That's where we are.
>
> They are all good cars, but I'd appreciate your opinions on relative
> value.

When we went shopping recently we'd already had one well
operating Corolla wagon in our past but, because we needed
a little more room we opted for the 2009 Matrix/Corolla. This
is one nice looking and handling vehicle.

This year's model has more rear seat room than earlier models
and gets just slightly less (1-2 mpg) milage then the Corolla;
but on-the-other-hand I had no problem bringing home 8'
flourescent lamps for the garage yesterday.

Just a thought.

dennis
in nca
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" <elmop DeleteThis @nastydesigns.com> wrote in message
news:elmop-BE6164.06411502062008@nntp9.usenetserver.com...
> In article <020620080054579926%ajanta@null.void>,
> Ajanta <ajanta DeleteThis @null.void> wrote:
>
>> Between Corolla and Camry the equation is pretty clear to me. The
>> Corolla is the clear better value to me, but if my SO wants bigger back
>> seat for parents for 2 days/year they drive with us, that's a different
>> issue and only we can sort it out.
>
> When that happens, park the Corolla and rent a bigger car.
>
> That's a no brainer.
>
> That's like people who drive a big pickup around every day just because
> a few times a year they go to Home Depot for lumber.

you got that right. I'd guess that many people buy vehicles too big for
them because they might have to buy a loveseat or canoe 'some day', and feel
they have to cover that contingency. Several years ago, I had to pick up a
loveseat from my daughter's house and transport it home. I rented a van
for $30 and that was the end of it. Meantime, I haven't had to drive a bus
around every day.
As for the occasional purchase of lumber (or in my case, pvc pipe for the
sprinkler system) the sunroof in my Avalon served the purpose just fine for
the short distance home from the home improvement store. Sure, you can't
put a Lazy-Boy chair or a mattress in a sedan, but you can either pay for
delivery or rent a pickup truck for a couple of hours.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

On Jun 1, 11:51 pm, Ajanta <aja... RemoveThis @null.void> wrote:
> I would appreciate opinions/experience on which of these would make the
> wisest purchase of a new (2008/2009) car for 5-10 years?
>
> I look upon cars as utility items and was thinking of Corolla.
>
> SO seems smitten with Camry and keeps saying Corolla's back seats seem
> crowded (as if we are running a taxi, it is a rare day when anyone sits
> there). I have nothing against Camry, but I am thinking we spend more
> money and get porer mpg.
>
> Finally I said, if we are into Camry price range, why not consider
> Prius too and at least get the mileage?
>
> That's where we are.
>
> They are all good cars, but I'd appreciate your opinions on relative
> value.

corolla 35mpg, camry 31 mpg, if you drive 12,000 mile a year, that's
44 extra gallons you need to buy for the camry, or about $200/year or
about 50 cents a day. not significant enough, in my opinon, to be a
factor in choosing one car over the other. The initial cost (3k
more) is much more of a factor...gas is still cheap, all things
considered.

The prius just doesn't make sense no matter how you look at it or work
the numbers, 45mpg highway (summer numbers, brand new batteries,
winter is much worse, and battery charge capacity reduces every year),
that mpg is what my 85 prelude got, your getting a 12K econo box gas
car that's been hybridized.

The plug in hybrids to be released in a few years seem to be a much
better solution, 40miles on one overnight charge, no gas usage unless
you go over 40miles between charges.
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

Ajanta wrote:
> Mark A <nobody DeleteThis @nowhere.com> wrote:
>
> : There is no way that anyone can make that decision for you.
>
> I understand that. I am only asking for opinions about value (price v
> mpg and whatever else you get) from those who may have brooded this
> issue themselves.

There are so many considerations that it's impossible to decide based on
that amount of information.

The Camry and Corolla will have much higher resale value after 5 to 10
years than a Prius, since the batteries on a Prius cost so much to replace.

For mainly highway driving, the hybrid drive provides less of an
advantage than in city driving.

The Camry is larger than the Corolla or Prius, do you need the larger
car, i.e. will you frequently be carrying adult passengers in the rear
and do you care if they're comfortable?

How many miles a year do you drive?

Does your state offer a program to allow hybrids to use HOV lanes, and
are there still any permits available?
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius? 

"Ajanta" <ajanta DeleteThis @null.void> wrote in message
news:010620082251486561%ajanta@null.void...
>I would appreciate opinions/experience on which of these would make the
> wisest purchase of a new (2008/2009) car for 5-10 years?
>
> I look upon cars as utility items and was thinking of Corolla.
>
> SO seems smitten with Camry and keeps saying Corolla's back seats seem
> crowded (as if we are running a taxi, it is a rare day when anyone sits
> there). I have nothing against Camry, but I am thinking we spend more
> money and get porer mpg.
>
> Finally I said, if we are into Camry price range, why not consider
> Prius too and at least get the mileage?
>
> That's where we are.
>
> They are all good cars, but I'd appreciate your opinions on relative
> value.

If you need a car under $20K, the Corolla. (I'm on my 4th one since '84.)
If you can afford a car in the Camry price range, you'd be happy with one,
but I'd personally spring for the Prius at that point. Esp. considering
what gas is doing these days.

Cathy
 >> Stay informed about: Corolla, Camry, or Prius?