Toyota Prius: Prius vs. Honda Fit

In article <f6ti0d$nrk$motzarella.org>,
notaguru <com> wrote:
 

Toyota is going to re-do the Prius as a brand, a la Scion, and will
produce three cars: the current car, a larger car (Camry-sized), and a
smaller car (Fit-sized). All will be hybrids, of course, as Prius will
be their hybrid brand.

I suspect the Fit hybrid will compete with the low end Prius once that
comes out. But the Fit hybrid could come out sooner.

If you like the Fit, it's a great car as is.

"notaguru" <com> wrote in message
news:f6ti0d$nrk$motzarella.org... 


Ms.-Fit?

On Jul 9, 10:50 am, notaguru <com> wrote:
 

Do you feel the extra $10K for the Prius is worth it?

Jeannie wrote: 


My daughter chose the Fit because:

....it seems a little sportier (to her eye)
....it handles better (in her experience)
....it comes in copper, her preferred color
....with seats cleverly folded, interior space = Prius (about)
....and the Fit cost $10k less, but that wasn't an issue. Even at
today's gasoline prices, the mileage difference does NOT
generate enough money differential to pay the interest she would
lose on the cash (we're loathe to borrow except on mortgages).

I think these are two excellent choices, and my daughter agrees.
Both should live for 200k miles or more, but the spectre of an
expensive battery replacement looms only with the Prius.


She also drove both editions of the Yaris and very definitely
did not like them.

In article <f7331f$409$motzarella.org>,
notaguru <com> wrote:
 

So with seats up, the Fit has less available space to put luggage. The
Prius is a better long hauler with 4 people and their stuff. If that's
not an issue, it's not an issue.

You bring up an interesting point about the battery. I don't think
anyone other than a rabid Prius fanatic will deny that the battery
*will* become an issue. The question is, will it become an issue during
your ownership? If you're thinking 200K miles, then I agree: yes, it's
likely.

But in my mind, the battery in the Prius is like the automatic
transmission in any other car, Fit included: it's likely to need
attention between 100K and 150K miles. The modern automatic
transmission is very complex and is very easy to screw up, and likely
*will* need serious attention. People don't think about it, though;
they see that "well, I need a car, and cars have to have transmissions,
so..." and they ignore the fact that they're buying something with a
very fragile drivetrain part that will be very expensive to fix WHEN it
needs fixing.

But for some reason, when it comes to Prius, they focus on the battery
as if it's something "all-new" for them to worry about. Yes, in terms
of it being a battery, it is. That's true. But in terms of it being a
$2000-$3000 part of the car that will need attention when the car gets
over 100K miles, it's absolutely no different.

Offsetting the battery is the fact that the rest of the Prius is
actually *simpler* than the average standard car--no starter, no
alternator, and the mechanism that transfers power to the
driveshafts--the Toyota Power Split Device--is INCREDIBLY simple and
straightforward, and will likely require zero repairs EVER. The Power
Split Device and the Hybrid Synergy Drive mechanism overall is utter
genius in terms of effectiveness AND simplicity.

So I call it a draw on the battery issue vs. a conventional car with a
conventional automatic transmission.

Now, if that Fit has a manual transmission...winner, Fit. If the
interior space and the equipment levels fit your needs, there's no doubt
the Fit is the winner. A 4 cylinder Honda engine mated to a Honda
manual transmission is an absolute jewel to behold, and that drivetrain
will take SERIOUS abuse while lasting forever. In fact, absent some
seriously bad driving habits, I doubt that setup would even need a new
clutch inside 200K miles.

Given that the Prius gets, for the average driver, 40-50mpg and the Fit
gets only a little less...that $10K savings buys a lot of gas.

By the way--I got a Prius 4 months and 7000 miles ago. And I'm a Honda
man from way, way back--back to the late 70s. I know what I'm talking
about here.

> Even at today's gasoline prices, the mileage difference does NOT generate enough money differential to pay the interest she would lose on the cash <

Do you mean that even if I travel 40K miles a year that I couldn't
recoup the $10K difference (in gas alone, that is)?

Thanks for your reply!
Jeannie

On Jul 11, 2:50 pm, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" <com> wrote: 

How do you enjoy *your* Prius? Do you do any highway driving with
it? I own a 2004 Honda CRV right now and am looking at an upcoming
longer commute to work (55 miles one-way (with 35 of those miles on
the 195 in New Jersey).

In article <googlegroups.com>,
Jeannie <com> wrote:
 

It's a fine car. I had it on a long trip a couple of weeks ago, and it
was VERY comfortable. I sat down and didn't leave the car for 6 hours,
and it was not tiring, not uncomfortable, nothing. The car just went.
A week later, I came back. Same thing.

I went 75mph except for a few construction zones, sometimes I used
cruise control, the climate control was on keeping me comfy, and I got
53mpg. I don't drive the car any special way, I drive it like I've
driven cars for years--and that's what it got me.

I'm getting between 40 and 50mpg overall.

As far as comfort goes, you'd probably be very happy doing your commute
in the Prius.