Buying a 2009 Camry Hybrid... any thoughts?
So I went to the Toyota dealership yesterday to look at a new car. My biggest criteria is 30+ mpg.
I've been driving a 2000 Toyota 4Runner that I got when I was 16 (2002). My 4Runner is only getting about 16 mpg because I lifted it 5" in 2004 and put 35" tires on it. I also used to own a 1973 Landcruiser that I had completely restored and later sold on eBay.
I am pretty much set on getting something Japanese because I've never had an issue with either of my Toyotas and I have friends with Hondas and Nissans who have also never had issues. Here are a few of the options I was looking at:
- 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid (33/34 mpg, ~$30k)
- 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid (48/45 mpg, ~$24k)
- 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid (40/45 mpg, ~$25k)
My price-limit is around $30k and I plan to pay cash for the car.
Anyways, I really liked the Toyota Camry Hybrid and although it doesn't get quite as good mileage as the others, it was just better looking and nicer inside. Does anyone have one? Anyone have any thoughts on the 2007+ Camrys? I read in some news releases that Toyota may remodel the Prius in 2010 so I don't think it would be wise for me to buy a 2009 and then see it get replaced.
(edit: Fixed the prices to reflect one with the options I'd get.)
I'd advise purchasing a used Metro. You'll save about $20,000 and not lose too much in gas mileage. Of course, you'll lose the all important status symbol that is a shiny new car.
Hmm... I don't know if I could rock a Metro. The other option I had been debating was a Honda CBR600RR. I could get one for about $8k and they get around 45-55mpg. Plus, they may be an even bigger "status symbol" than a shiny new car, haha.
Original Post by alibuch:
I'd personally buy the Prius.
Even though Toyota has announced a 2010 Prius which may be 80mpg and have plug-in potential? That would completely wreck a 2009 Prius's resale potential.
sorry feel free to not answer that, none of my business, i'm just jealous!!
i'm planning to look into getting a hyrbrid at year end, so i'm definitely curious to hear some opinions on them. i think japanese cars are the way to go personally. i see more old hondas, toyotas and suburus on the road than just about anything else.
If you pay cash for a new car, when you drive it off the lot you automatically loose 15-20%, because it's just become used...it's basically throwing the money out the window :)
Check out www.cars.com, you can put in your zip code and it'll give you a list of all the available cars (new and used) within a specific milage. It's also a great site for research on the car...
I know this is not your question, but why on earth would you pay cash for a new car? That is a total waste of money.... if you have $30K laying around, there is so much more that you could do with it! A car is the worst investment on the face of the earth... outside of Nigerian scam, that is. :) You'd be better off making a down payment, finance the rest, and save your money!
With that said... my grandparents have a 2007 Camry hybrid. They have been fairly disappointed with it - it barely gets 30-35 mpg, which is just slightly more than my Honda Accord V6 (not hybrid). The extra $5-10K that you spend on the hybrid engine doesn't make it worthwhile. Furthermore I have heard the batteries are problematic and have a tendency to die on you.
I have no experience with the other 2, although I have considered a Civic hybrid myself - but I have seen the same issues as with the Camry. Also the Civic hybrid doesn't come with many options.
If your main concern is gas mileage, get the Prius. If you are worried more about style, then get something that gets 30 mpg and don't get a hybrid.
Original Post by rdgatewood:
If you're going to pay cash, I would highly recommend a used car. Look around for a 07 or 08 that is used?
If you pay cash for a new car, when you drive it off the lot you automatically loose 15-20%, because it's just become used...it's basically throwing the money out the window :)
Fortunately, I was a salesmen at this specific Toyota dealer during my Senior year of HS and a little while after. I know all of the general managers and of course, the tactics. They're going to let me have it at cost.
I have thought about getting a 2008 with less than 13k miles to save a little bit of cash. Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time finding "the one." I'm pretty picky about what options and upgrades I want on a car, you know? I guess I could always used the money I saved to throw some TRD equipment on there.
Original Post by fuzzys:
I know this is not your question, but why on earth would you pay cash for a new car? That is a total waste of money.... if you have $30K laying around, there is so much more that you could do with it! A car is the worst investment on the face of the earth... outside of Nigerian scam, that is. :) You'd be better off making a down payment, finance the rest, and save your money!
With that said... my grandparents have a 2007 Camry hybrid. They have been fairly disappointed with it - it barely gets 30-35 mpg, which is just slightly more than my Honda Accord V6 (not hybrid). The extra $5-10K that you spend on the hybrid engine doesn't make it worthwhile. Furthermore I have heard the batteries are problematic and have a tendency to die on you.
I have no experience with the other 2, although I have considered a Civic hybrid myself - but I have seen the same issues as with the Camry. Also the Civic hybrid doesn't come with many options.
If your main concern is gas mileage, get the Prius. If you are worried more about style, then get something that gets 30 mpg and don't get a hybrid.
(edited) Financially, paying cash is a better option for me. The interest rate I'd pay if I financed it would most likely outweigh the interest I could get back by saving that other 80%. I'm not worried about "saving money" either to be honest. The purchase of a car isn't going to dry up my account.
The fact that the Prius will be replaced in a year is what bothers me. I got my 4Runner in 2002 just in time for Toyota to replace it with the new 2003 model. I saw about a 40% drop in the resale value of my 4Runner as a result. If the new Prius was coming out today, it would be a done deal and I'd be on the lot right now buying one. I mean, 80mpg estimates... thats unreal.
Original Post by rdgatewood:
If you pay cash for a new car, when you drive it off the lot you automatically loose 15-20%, because it's just become used...it's basically throwing the money out the window :)
If you finance a new car it still goes down 15-20% right off the lot, plus you're paying interest on your newly devalued car. Paying cash for any car is always a better financial decision.
I didn't realize the mpg was going to jump so much. I'd just wait another year but I seem to be partial to the Prius for some reason.
Original Post by alibuch:
Even though Toyota has announced a 2010 Prius which may be 80mpg and have plug-in potential? That would completely wreck a 2009 Prius's resale potential.
I didn't realize the mpg was going to jump so much. I'd just wait another year but I seem to be partial to the Prius for some reason.
Yeah, don't get me wrong... I think the Prius is a great car. The timing just sucks though. I will only buy a car model in its first 3-4 years of production.
There is a company that offers a Battery Upgrade Kit for the Prius. With the kit, the car is capable of running for about 50 minutes on its stored charge before requiring the IC engine recharge it. The factory Prius can only run about 6-7 minutes on its stored charge. With the kit installed, the upgraded Prius has been tested to attain a MPG estimate between 100-500! Unfortunately, the upgrade costs a whopping $13,000. Since the Prius only uses about $1200 worth of fuel per year based on $4/gallon and typical driving estimates, it would take more than 15 years to break even.
If you really need a different car from your Toyota 4Runner sooner then that, I would purchase a solid used toyota/honda for 3 or 4 thousand (they run forever!). Or, keep your vehicle for another year or two. While it may only give you 16mpg, it is completely paid for. Buying a vehicle with cash is the best choice, and I applaud you. However, keep in mind that the cars deeply depreciate in value, and it might be a better choice to wait until the new prius has been out for a year or two. The difference between a 2010 and a 2011 prius would be minimal, and it would be cheaper to wait an extra year. :)
it's a damn durable car as well.
What's one more year :P
I had a Chevy Aveo that I bought my junior year of university and I got 33-38mpg and it only cost $12,000 brand new. haha
I would purchase a solid used toyota/honda for 3 or 4 thousand (they run forever!). Or, keep your vehicle for another year or two. While it may only give you 16mpg, it is completely paid for.crazineko, i assume that dcyounts is thinking environmentally and not just financially.
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