Comments on: Fully Loaded 2010 Prius Will Cost $32,500

By: Bruce

Bruce — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 19:00:58 +0000

I like the look of the Volt better than the Prius. However, Toyota has a track record with the Prius and I trust it will hold up better than a Chevy. If GM had not abandoned the EV1, I would probably have a different opinion.

Also, the Prius is available with Dynamic Cruise Control and Lane Keep Assist which would be extremely useful features. If GM includes these features as options then decision will be harder.

By: Herm

Herm — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:06:32 +0000

I meant to say WARRANTY:

“The Hymotion A123 pack does not void the installation on the Prius”

By: charlie h

charlie h — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:58:00 +0000

Jim I,

And since January, I’ve invested and gotten some decent gains.

The opportunity cost of the money is important in a financial analysis. Someone with credit card debt to erase could put $10K towards that and get a ve-ry impressive return on investment with no risk. Avoiding $10K on an 8% loan is something to work out in your financial analysis.

Savings accounts are 3% or so and there’s a reasonable number of stocks that should still be good for 5% or so in dividends plus capital appreciation, if you’re lucky.

By: Jim I

Jim I — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:31:37 +0000

charlie h # 145:

Good Idea – If you had invested that $10K last July into mutual funds, just think what you would have now!

Answer – about $6K

By: Herm

Herm — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:06:00 +0000

The Hymotion A123 pack does not void the installation on the Prius.. in any case, Toyota should offer this option.. they are already offering $10k worth of crap options

By: Joe OBrien

Joe OBrien — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:52:45 +0000

GM, please make a sunroof an option on the Volt. Would love a 2 door Volt with a sunroof, but will settle for a sedan.

By: john1701a

john1701a — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:48:00 +0000

What exactly would be the point in having plug in capability in a car that travels 6 miles on batteries?
____________________________________

The point is to BOOST the overall MPG, not to travel exclusively using the batteries… though, you could.

By: Bob G

Bob G — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 23:01:03 +0000

#26 Bill Marsh Says, “What exactly would be the point in having plug in capability in a car that travels 6 miles on batteries?”

To make any number of common short trips (to the store, to pick up the kids, to church, to my work, etc.) without burning any gasoline.

I’d prefer 1,000 miles AER, but I think the economics of batteries makes the 40 mile AER of the Volt a good compromise. However, even 6 miles AER would be better than what I can get now (i.e., zero).

By: Electric Vehicle Owner

Electric Vehicle Owner — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:56:07 +0000

“If your driving requirements are over the AER range daily, and you can not charge at work, then maybe the Volt is not the car for you.”

Or maybe it is:

Just charge when you are around an outlet, whenever/wherever you want. The thing has hundreds of miles of range and can be gas refueled like any other gasser. Use it like your old vehicle and bonk the plug in at your complete whim. Pluggin in overnight at home when you’re asleep is kind of a no-brainer. You know, like you already do with your cell phone?

By: charlie h

charlie h — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:51:40 +0000

Jim I, you forgot that the Prius scenario should include investing the $10K difference in cash price until you actually need it to buy gas. This makes a surprising difference.

Check around the forum… someone set up a pretty good spreadsheet that you can download and tinker with to change scenarios easily.