Thinking about selling a car - help me decide which one...

[mimitabby]

Best keep it that way and not work on 'em in the backyard. My neighbor who's a body repair man, tells about an insurance adjuster who was electrocuted by a short in a Prius. Perfectly safe as long as you're not laying metal objects (his clipboard) across parts of the internals, after it's been crashed.

Of course it could be an urban legend, but he told it like he heard it from someone who worked at the shop where it happened.

It's NOT on snopes.com; they're usually very good about keeping track of urban legends!!!!

[Crankin]

Keep the Matrix. You're already doing a lot to cut down on energy usage by selling one car. You need to have your car fit your lifestyle. If that includes dogs and bikes, you need to think about that.
The Matrix is not exactly an energy hog.

Of course, my opinion always goes against the grain. I think Priuses are ugly.

[tulip]

Of course, my opinion always goes against the grain. I think Priuses are ugly.

I agree. They look like cockroaches (so do classic Citroens, but I like those). I found the Prius that I drove to be lacking in some very significant ways. The rear window slopes so much that when I look in the rearview mirror, there's only a sliver of window to see through. And the rear side panels are very wide, further reducing visibility. I just like to be able to see all around, and I couldn't do that in the Prius. Plus, the other cars I was looking at (Matrix, Fit, Rabbit, Corolla, Yaris, Versa) were about $8k cheaper, so I couldn't justify the purchase on gas savings alone.

They are so popular, and it's great that there are so many Prius aficionados. Too bad they can't use the same technology in an improved body. I like the first generation Prii better.

Hijack over.

[GLC1968]

Crankin and Tulip - the 2009 Prius has a new look. I haven't seen it in person yet, so I can't comment on the rear window thing...but overall, it's much neater looking (and less hybridish).

After all this internal debate, I'm finding that I'd love to get something that is more practical like a Matrix (or even something more wagon-type like an Outback) in a hybrid model. That would solve all our issues!

So, it's settled then. Once we get moved into the new house, the Prius goes up for sale. Anyone in the market for a nice dark red 2005 with 60K miles and a navigation system?

[indigoiis]

I envy you. We have four vehicles and can't get rid of any of them - one is for hauling stuff around the farm (old pickup); one is for hauling stuff to the farm (Toyota Pickup); one is for hauling animals (minivan); one is for hauling DH to and from his job (Prius).

While it is nice to have the flexibility of all of those vehicles when we have visitors from out of town, or need to haul something, I hate that we can't pare down.

I say keep the matrix.

[OakLeaf]

I'm finding that I'd love to get something that is more practical like a Matrix (or even something more wagon-type like an Outback) in a hybrid model.

A Subaru rep told me in '06 that there'd be a hybrid Forester in '07. Which has come and gone... Way I understand it, the issue is with the transverse engine. Apparently there's no room in the engine compartment for the electric motor and ancillary whoknowswhat. The other thing is, AWD hybrids still get s*cky gas mileage, and you're better off with the Matrix in that department, if you live someplace where you don't really need AWD. We (briefly) considered a Ford Escape hybrid, but besides being freakin' HUGE, the gas mileage is pathetic.