Corolla, Camry, or Prius?

There is no way that anyone can make that decision for you. You know the difference in the size of the cars. Only you can decide if you need a larger car.

: 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.

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).

: 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?

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.

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.

I have a friend with a mid-90s Corolla that looks and runs great to this day. And he puts a lot of miles on it. He lives about an hour outside of town, and he drives a lot for work.

You're right--if you're going to pay Camry money, just get the Prius and be done with it. The Prius is a no-compromise car.

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.

Less. The transmission is MUCH simpler and is pretty much bulletproof, for example, and the nature of the Hybrid Synergy Drive is that you'll pretty much never have to worry about your brakes.

Huge. Bigger than Camry.

Hmmmmm. Nope.

The Prius would be a huge car for the two of them, that's for sure--at least inside.

So why are you here, if you don't know anything about the Prius?

It'd be interesting to hear from recent Corolla buyers about that. My guess is that Tundra buyers are getting a helluva deal, while Corolla buyers are paying for the privilege of getting a fuel-efficient car.

A story in the paper this weekend said that Geo Metros, any age/mileage, are flying out of used car lots.

Where the f*ck do you pull the $10K number? Out of your ass?? The dealership can tell you EXACTLY how much a new battery pack will cost, and it's nowhere NEAR $10K.

Tell us again why you're here, if you don't know anything about the Prius and plainly don't care to know anything? If your goal is to spread FUD about the Prius?

And everyone knows about Prius maintenance.

Jesus Christ, you're an asshole. An ignorant asshole, too.

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

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.

>

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.

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

You get good value for your buck with any of the three; really - they're all well-made & reliable. It comes down to finances & personal preference.

Cathy

Big.

Also, my understanding is that

?? Looks plenty big back there to me. Can't see that a Corolla's trunk would provide more room, at any rate.

My

I don't think one has to pay a surcharge any longer; the wait lists are

*much* shorter than before, with more cars being made & delivered. But realistically can't go in expecting to bargain down much, if any, from the MSRP either.

while

I paid $200 - 400 over dealer invoice for my last 2 Corollas (LEs). OTOH, I went through 3 bargaining sessions each time, until I wore them down & they realized I really was going to walk yet again if they didn't come down far enough. ;-)

Yeah, scaremongers.

to

Not a potential issue unless you plan to jeep the car for more than 8 - 10 years; long warranty (8 - 10 years, dep. on state) on the battery.

Cathy

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?

I looked it up and Corolla has slightly more headroom in rear than Prius (37.2 vs. 37.1 inches). Headroom is important because it is usually about 2 inches less in the rear than in the front.

Leg room is about the same. Prius has more rear hip room, but less shoulder room than 2009 Corolla.

The main point I was making is that both Prius and Corolla are smaller than Camry.

You are correct on that one. Prius has larger trunk (14.4 cu ft vs. 12.3 cu ft). I thought the batteries are in the trunk, but I guess not.

I believe that OP kept last car 10 years. I am not sure about keeping a Prius that long because of battery issues. Call me a scaremonger if you want, but rechargeable batteries eventually go bad. But I agree that if ones only keeps it 5-6 years it is not an issue.

I also notice that the bumper to bumper (basic) warranty for Prius is 36 mo/36K miles, while 2009 Corolla is 60 mo/60K miles. Not sure if 2009 Prius will be the same.

Maybe more important is: how big are the people who will sit in the rear seat?

I am 6'1" and I believe I was sterilized in my youth when I sat in the back seat of a Chevy Chevette for extended period of time (probably didn't help that I sat behind the driver who was 6'4" and he had his seat all the way back).