freaking out about having to buy a car.

[GLC1968]

We had both a Prius and a Matrix at the same time. The Prius will fit two big dogs in back (ours are each 70+ lbs) with the seats down, but it's all carpeted, so clean up is a pain. Plus, put two dogs in the car and a bike rack with two bikes on a trailer hitch (what we did) and you can watch your gas mileage drop down to regular car levels (mid 30's) on the highway. Those bikes act like sails and when you lose the aerodynamics of the car, you lose a lot.

That said, there are lots of owners out where with batteries that have lasted well beyond 100K miles. They are only warranted to that age - but that doesn't mean they immediately quit working then. This is a Toyota, you know. And, when gas gets back up to $4+ a gallon, the cost comparisons shift pretty drastically.

That said, we did sell the Prius last fall and kept the Matrix. Ours were both the same year (2005), but the Matrix is bigger on the inside (two dogs in back with the seats still up) and it does MUCH better with the bikes on the back because of the profile of the car. Where the Prius dropped from 46 mpg to 34 mpg (highway), the Matrix only dropped from 33 mpg to 31 mpg. The cargo space of the Matrix is also plastic - so easy to clean up muddy footprints. We also like that our Matrix (don't know if they kept this with new models) has a hatch glass that will open independently of the hatch opening. This makes the cargo space accessible even with bikes on the hitch.

We have 75K on our Matrix and it's still riding like new. Outside of a slightly odd clutch that takes some getting used to, we have not a single complaint about the car. We consistantly get about 31 mpg and we drive mostly back roads. We will average about 33 mph on the highway.

[mayanorange]

I second the Matrix or Pontiac Vibe (same car, different shell). Excellent gas mileage, really usable space inside. It's about 5 cubic ft smaller than our Saturn Vue, but I can get more stuff in because of how the seats fold. And the plastic is the best ever! (I have 2 big dogs too). Wish we had just bought a Vibe instead of the Vue- I'd rather have 2 Vibes.

Oh, and if you could ever find a smartcar forfour, they're really roomie and zippy for a super fuel efficient car! We had one as a rental our week in Tuscany and I was able to Mario Andretti her along those curvy mountain roads! So maybe I'd really get a forfour and keep my Vibe. Unfortunately the demand for forfours is nonexistant in the states so they're not selling them here anymore and I haven't seen anyone willing to part with one they have.

[smilingcat]

My partner really loves the Prius. She likes the statement it makes. Never mind about my piggy bank.

It is a very nice car to ride and drive. We also looked at Scion Xd, Toyota Yaris, and something else (cross between an SUV and a sedan, not quite a station wagon either). My partner also liked the Toyota's monster truck.

I like the looks of Matrix, Fit, CR-V??, insight, vibe, even the Yaris (love my piggy bank) and few others. my head is spinning and lost track of all the different cars. The seat in Prius was the best so far. And I don't know why the other cars can't get the 40 to 50 miles per gallon. So is the extra $10k worth it ?? don't know. what I do know is I'm not a spring chicken anymore and anything to reduce stress in my back is a big plus. Sooo even though I would have loved to have the FIT, I will be settling on the Prius. When the back gets dirty ohh well...

The car will be mothballed until my current car dies a painful death or until the registration becomes due (Sept). Buying it now before the gas price hits $3.50/$4.00 per gallon. When that happens the demand for these cars will spike really hard. I just want to beat the crowd.

condition of my current car:
Tires are bald, needs new serpentine belt, new water pump & thermostat, new front end and many more things... Kind a sad to see it go. Never owned a such a nice car before. I'm going to miss the comfort.

I never thought I would be attached to my car. Seriously, I'm bit bummed. also bummed that my piggy bank is going to be very thin.