BTW: be aware that the 2010 Toyota Prius is coming out later this spring 2009, and will be slightly larger, more powerful, and have better fuel economy with a longer warranty than the current model. You may find some deals on any remaining 2009 Prius when the new model comes out, so it may be worth it to you to wait.
Pros:
* Depending on where you live, tax incentives (some states or Canadian provinces offer income tax credits/deductions or sales tax reductions),or single-occupant HOV lane privilages (CA, VA, FL, NY), or reduced tolls (NY) or free parking...
* better HP and acceleration than a comparable car
* better (lower) emissions than a comparable car
* better fuel economy than a comparable car (check
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ to compare vehicles, as they all undergo the same driving cycle test... The Prius is currently best overall:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/best/bestworstNF.shtml
* own a neat techy car
* long warranty
* you do not plug it in (charges off of the gasoline engine and recapurted kinetic energy while braking)
Cons:
* own a neat techy car (should you need unscheduled maintenance (break down), you're mainly stuck paying dealer rates)
* many ill-informed people stopping you and asking questions about your car, telling you untruths about your own car, or even telling you how stupid you were for buying it... (for example, those above who were going on about the vehicle's production and nickel use...)
* you cannot plug it in
The only real complaint I've seen in the US is about the Goodyear Integrity tires that are OE on the base Prius (not the Touring model), in that their traction is not the greatest. If you see some serious snow/ice where you are, you may want to invest in a good set of snow/traction winter tires, or at least some better "all season" tires.
Some people do not like the lack of tactile buttons/switches on the dash for the audio and climate control systems - it's through the touch-screen display. But, you get used to the steering wheel controls in its place.
And yes, there are whole debates as to which is better, the Toyota navigation system, or a portable 3rd party unit...
The hybrid batteries in the currently available hybrid vehicles are usually listed by the manufacturer to last the lifetime of the vehicle, and have long warranties (not pro-rated!) to cover it. (Toyota Prius in the US: hybrid system (which includes the hybrid battery) for 8 years/100,000 miles, if in a CA-emission state the CA-emission warranty covers the hybrid battery pack for 10 years/150,000 miles.) So far, hybrid battery replacements are VERY uncommon, and rarely out of warranty. Pricing is much better when buying a used unit from a wrecked vehicle (much less than $1000), and not paying dealer-inflated rates/labor prices. Old battery packs are easily recycled (and Toyota even pays a $200 bounty to the owner to be sure it is recycled!). (My US 2001 Prius is over 8 years old now, and the hybrid battery pack hasn't shown me any problems yet...)
Hybrids tend to be at worst an ULEV (70% cleaner than the average car), with many (like the Prius) an AT-PZEV (SULEV (90% cleaner than the average car) plus zero evaporative emissions and a long warranty). Some are only sold in CA-emissions states. (Compare that to the often suggested VW TDIs, which cannot be sold new in CA-emission states because of their poor emissions.) In the US, hybrid models (like the Prius) tend to be the best in fuel economy in their respective classes, using the same testing procedure to compare all cars...
The Toyota Prius is also in Consumer Reports' top picks for new cars:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...p-picks-ov.htm
and also used cars:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...-used-cars.htm
The Prius is also in edmunds' used cars best bets list as well:
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/bestb...les/index.html
Pros/Cons of the Toyota Prius?
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