New Prius C or something else

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: The Critic

I've aligned this car at least 5 times, tried 3 different brands/model tires and have verified that the suspension is perfect as-is. Granted, the straightline stability was best when I had a grippy set of Michelin Primacy MXV4, but the straightline stability of this car is just lousy compared to most other cars in its class.


Something is not right here. What tire pressure do you use? There should be a differential in pressure between front and rear for best traction. Even though I have not noticed it with mine pumped equally at 40-42 psi.


Additionally, just because it's "aligned" doesn't mean the actual alignment is optimal for handling. There is usually a pretty wide allowable range, and moving within that allowable range can make a huge difference in how the vehicle drives.

For example, if the car wanders on the road, front toe should be examined. It sounds like it's too neutral or even toed out. Toe in really adds response to a car's steering, though at the expense of tire wear.


Its just the way this car is. I have it aligned to max negative camber (-1 deg) and a preferred toe setting of 0.10. The wandering is not dangerous, but it is def worse than a larger car. I would say its just slightly below average for the segment.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
I'd look hard at a Prius C. The savings in gas will make up for many other shortcomings.

The Prius C is basically the 2nd generation Prius drivetrain in a Yaris. Not much to worry about there, as the 2nd gens were notoriously reliable.


Have you ever driven a Yaris. It really is a mediocre small car at best. I always

when I get one as rental. Not a great chassis IMHO for a $14k vehicle let alone a near $20k+ car.

I guess when you have absolutely no competition it does not have to really good except for MPG.

 

[rjundi]

Why not just use your Accord to commute with. They are pretty comfortable cars and since you own it no $20-$25k acquisition price.

I had the wrong car for similar commuting a 95 Civic(uncomfortable) except for MPG except fuel was cheap. My girl friend similar year Accord was pleasure to drive 80miles/day in comparison.

 

[Smokescreen]

Keep the Accord.

It will be a long time to recoup the cost of the new car in the fuel savings the new car will offer.

 

[SLCraig]

Only worth it to get a hybrid if you do most of your driving in town. I went with a Civic for a 90 mile per day commute because I do all highway driving, and a hybrids benefits would just not pay off. Cheaper car that is good on gas on the highway is key. You are better off in a standard 4 cyl car like Civic, Cruze, Focus, etc.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Only worth it to get a hybrid if you do most of your driving in town. I went with a Civic for a 90 mile per day commute because I do all highway driving, and a hybrids benefits would just not pay off. Cheaper car that is good on gas on the highway is key. You are better off in a standard 4 cyl car like Civic, Cruze, Focus, etc.


I get 53-55 on the hwy quite easily if I behave myself. That is significantly higher than your Civic.

 

[M1Accord]

Guys,

My wife drives the Accord, which I bought new out of school. It is the top of the line of that year. We are not trading in but buying an extra car. Since I get nice large parking for free at work, I will drive the new and ,ore efficient car. The Accord only gets 21-24 mpg combined. By the way, I will also keep the Corolla and will find the culprit and fix it. I drive it to work today nervously the whole there and back. Butt-dyno tells me it wants to cut off at anytime. It is idling in my driveway now to see if heat is the culprit. I had AAP CHECKS THE CHARGING system and they said something is not correct with the alternator but the battery is reading good. However, AZ said everything is fine.

 

[M1Accord]

My buddy gets 55 mpg ave in city and highway driving on the 40 miles commute we have. It cost him less than 1 gallon each way.

 

[itguy08]

Ship the boring junk from Honda and Toyota. Look at the Jetta, Pasat, 2013 Fusion, Focus, Altima, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, etc.

I've driven a Prius and its a neat science experiment but a horrible junky car. Never impressed with Honda. If a Honda said Ford on it, it would be a piece, but because it has the H badge, it's God's gift to cars.

 

[R2d2]

"Ship the boring junk from Honda and Toyota. Look at the Jetta, Pasat, 2013 Fusion, Focus, Altima, Mazda 3, Mazda 6, etc."

LMAO funny joke.

 

[M1Accord]

Just test drove the Civic LX and Fit Sport. They are night and day in handling and visibility. Options are also great with the the Fit. I am looking at 17765 dollars befor tax and 450 dollars processing fee for the Fit. To get the same options, I would be looking at 19000 dollars. Of course, the Civic's biggest advantage is its 39 mpg versus the Fit's 33 mpg. I can't see how a smaller car with smaller engine use more fuel to move the distance.

And the Fit has much better instrument layout, that of a sport car instead of spartan zip car layout of the Civic. The aftermarket world must love Honda for creating such a large opportunity for them to make add-on or cool replacement panels.

 

[sciphi]

Our AT Fit will break 40 mpg highway if driven halfway sanely. My wife will get 31-32 mpg on the same routes I can manage 40 mpg on, with little difference in time. The AT does respond to driver input well, and with a smooth driver who's okay with slowing down 1-2 mph on uphills, won't downshift wildly.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
Of course, the Civic's biggest advantage is its 39 mpg versus the Fit's 33 mpg. I can't see how a smaller car with smaller engine use more fuel to move the distance.



Mostly, it's the ridiculous gearing in the MT Fit, which is what has kept me from considering buying one. If they ever actually fix that, I'd seriously consider it. They've traded fuel economy and engine noise for "sporty"; the Civic has much more reasonable gear ratios. If it had a tall 6th gear, it would we be an almost ideal car in my book.

The Prius C would probably have a lower cost per mile of ownership, but the Fit would be a lot more fun to drive. Honda have done a great job with the interior layout of that car--tons of interior space.

 

[M1Accord]

By the way, I read that the Fit has horrible AC system. Is this true or just Internet hater rumor?

 

[dja4260]

Just throwing it out there............

I was looking at this segment and drove all these cars within the past 2 months... My sister and good friend also have a FIT.

I just purchased a Hyundai Elantra GT. The Elantra in any style will get 40+ actual on the highway, and thus far I'm averaging 36+ mpg on my daily commute of 60% city/ 40% highway. I recently for 46.6 mpg on a 70 mile trip on back roads going 55-60 mph w/ lots of stop lights.

The cars feel solid and come very well equipped. Base model includes cruise, bluetooth, XM, keyless entry, power everything. The hatch even comes with heated seats.

I paid 17,991 w/manual for my hatchback and was quote $16,500 for a base model w/ auto.

Wanna go smaller? My other sister just last week purchased the Hyundai Accent base model w/ auto, hatchback. All the above features for $15,000. 40+ mpg, etc.


Its a car in the segment that I would consider and drive! If you have any questions just let me know.

We're not biased either. We also currently own a Mercedes, Jeep, Buick, and a Chevy. The price was right and they all fit our individual needs. My father wanted this picture since my sister and I purchased our cars within a week of each other.

 

[whip]

Originally Posted By: M1Accord
only a small percentage of Prius owners are actually good drivers and people and usually those are the one buying it because they have to commute very far (30+ miles each way) in order to maintain a good income while still being able to raise a family in a desirable area with good school, low crime rate, and desirable shopping and neighbors. The rest of Prius owners are tree-hugging environmentalists who will go so slow that would people at risk or ego-maniac who are so image conscious that they'll own a Prius and a gas hog and drive both in the same manner that would other at risks. Both are historically know of be self-center, selfish, and hypocrites.

M1Accord, Just curious, what group would you be in?

 

[Quattro Pete]

He'll be in a whole new group: the good drivers that love to stereotype like crazy.