idiot in truck BREAKS my car. looking for a new one -- want a Prius, but agh at the price, even for a used one?

GOSH, IDIOT!!!!!

I was minding my own business, wearing my seatbelt (thankfully), coming across an intersection with a green light, and some hick idiot pulled out in right front of me with his big-ass, blue pickup truck.

I thought it just smashed my headlight and crunched my hood a little, but NO!  J (my bf) said for sure my left front axle is screwed/the frame is probably bent beyond repair.   Meaning, I need a new car again.  After just getting this awesome Civic a couple Thanksgivings ago.   ) :    GGRRRR!!!!!!!

I wanted a Prius, but WOW --  I think I will get maybe $7-8000 for my current car.   I looked at a lot of Toyotas (mostly like the Yaris).  Looking for suggestions from people who have a HIGH mileage car and love whatever they own!!!!

we just had a similar conversation

http://caloriecount.about.com/forums/post/109 245.html

thanks.  very helpful, pgeorgian!   ( :

I liked the one Sonata I have driven in my life.  And it gives me more things to research.  

I got a Yaris about a year and a half ago and it currently has about 28,000 miles on it. I love it. My commute each way is 30 miles, so I guess I'm not "easy" on the car. I average about 37 mpg, mostly highway driving. It's a small car, but everyone that goes in it is always so impressed by how much space is on the inside. One day at work for some reason everyone decided I should drive 5 of us (including me) for lunch and everyone fit in my car. I wouldn't say they were extremely comfortable (all grown women, a couple of them overweight), but it worked for the short trip. My husband doesn't love my car because he is 6'2" and he's not as comfortable in the seat as me, he thinks it's a little small. It's not the most powerful car, but unless you're always going to be hauling a bunch of stuff and/or people it is sufficient. Oh and my sister and I drove my car from Maryland to Montreal in February... so it braved the snow well enough for a small car (along with me driving and I HATE driving in snow).

So basically, I think the car is perfect, at least for me and my lifestyle! :)

Oh but just to add, my mom got a new Civic a couple months ago and I drove it around while running errands for my wedding with her. I loved that car too. I definitely would have gotten a Civic hybrid, or at least a Civic, if the Yaris hadn't been a decent amount cheaper.

I bought my Yaris in January and I LOVE it!!! It's totally roomy and gets great mileage. It is such a cute car too. I would love to get a Prius but it's def still too expensive. I paid $15k for my Yaris brand spankin new.

The Yaris ended up being my favorite just price surfing yesterday as well....I need to go drive one....  I love my Civic.   / :   stupid

First I guess I should talk to the real insurance guy.  sigh

I am so sorry you had such awful luck! I hope the insurance cos come through like they should. I'm sure your agent will check it out, and maybe you want to hire someone to come take a look.

I'm glad you are OK and not hurt...might want to be checked anyway...

I have had my 2002 Civic since it was new, got 85000 (can't believe it) miles, and it is still wonderful. I've replaced the timing belt, tires, maybe brakes. I got to ride in a new one the other day, very nice!

Is this Yaris first year? if so, you might want to hold off...I made that mistake with the neon, cute car but the civic gets twice the mileage and just feels more solid. A Toyota ought to be good tho...You should really negotiate too because "no one" is buying cars right now unless they have to.

 

I'm sorry to hear about your car. If you are seriously looking at the Yaris. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take the Hyundai Elantra for a test drive. I have the new body style and have had it for a year this month. It's one of the top three rated cars for the 2008 season from consumer reports. I get (this is what I actually get not off the sticker) 31 city and 35- 38 on the highway MPG. (Depends on how you drive). I seriously fill up twice a month and it cost me under $50 to fill the tank. But the catch is that you can get a really nicely equiped GLS package new for less than the Yaris. Mine is a Limited which they don't make anymore, but it has been renamed to the SE and cost me $17,800 and it has EVERYTHING in it from leather heated seats to, anti lock brakes, to XM/6 CD changer with ipod hookup, to steering wheel mounted controlls, to more air bags than I can count, and a host of other options. And I fit three kids in the back seat. (Granted I am short, but my 8 way adjustable seats and telescopic steering wheel make up for that!) My husband and I seriously looked at the new Corolla, Yaris and Civic and hands down this was the best buy for the money. (And my husband SOLD Toyota's for years and even drives a Lexus.) Take it for a spin, the dealership in my town can NOT keep them on the lot. (And we are there a bunch because my husband is debating turning in his Lexus for the new Genisis.) Good Luck!

Reasons not to be bummed about NOT getting a Prius: I didn't think to mention that while I LOVE my Prius, it sucks in snow on hills! REALLY. Alot! And they bought the cheapest tires ever for them. Almost no one gets more than a year out of the tires. I don't think the feds give a tax break* for them anymore either.

I thought the Yaris is pretty cool too.

*I got about $1200 back from PA & Uncle Sam. Had we bought it soon it could have been more like $2500. I've heard that other hybrid's still have rebates available...maybe Honda's? 

keep the great info coming, ladies!   ( :  


thanks so much for your help!