STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Sandy · Kate Spade

which car should I get?

Elle · Hermes

I would advise you to get the Corolla. We were considering a hybrid too, but found some things our during our research that deterred us. It's coming out that gas mileage in hybrid cars isn't as high as it is advertised to be - they are using results done in 'ideal conditions' to calculate. Another thing is battery replacement in hybrids. Current estimations say they last about 5 years, and then will need to be replaced at the cost of around $5,000. Go for the corolla now, and hopefully hybrid technology will have improved by the time you want/need another car.

-- Edited by LMonet at 18:49, 2005-10-12

laken1 · Hermes

I just don't think it's worth a $432 / yr gas savings to have a car you are so-so about as opposed to one that you really love. If you were neutral on both, i'd say go for the cheapest possible, but since it's really not that much money (what, some eating out lunches?) I'd go for what I really like. I know I have a completely different outlook driving something I dig as opposed to something I have no feelings about - but maybe that's just me....

janey831 · Kate Spade

i have a corrolla, and i love it, i also wanted the prius, but only for the gas mileage, but apparently its not even that high......so get the car you like more!

Lilykind · Hermes

I would research and see if you state gives out any tax breaks or other perks for driving a hybrid before ruling it out. I've only driven two cars in my life, a Toyota Camry and a Corolla and both seem to be very good, servicable cars, so you can't really go worng with the Corolla.

But, one of my friends got a Prius and barely a couple of months later CA signed a law allowing hybrids to travel in the HOV lanes, even if the only person in the car is the driver. Considering typical LA traffic, this is a LIFESAVER for her. It cuts her commute time by at least a third, sometimes even half.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

I (myself) vote for the Corolla, b/c I've owned one, had it for quite a few years, until my trani' started to fail on me, but if it hadn't been for that, TRUST ME, I'm sure I'd still have it. It was a GREAT little car, good on gas, I really miss it. I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

kiwi · BCBG

a car is a semi-permanent decision, so go for the one you love. people assume that hybrids are more cost effective, especially in light of the rising gas prices, but i've read that hybrid cars don't actually save consumers as much money as people think.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4930471&ft=1&f=1007

http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Savinganddebt/Saveonacar/P113609.asp

basically, in order for you to break even with a hybrid (assuming that it costs ~$3000 more), if you drive 15,000 miles a year at $2.50 per gallon, you'll save around $400 in gas mileage. you'll only break even after the 7.5-8 year mark.

it depends on how long you plan to have this car, and how efficient the car is by then (how well will the prius' hybridized technology hold up?). i'd stick with the corolla

Sandy · Kate Spade

Thanks, girls. I thought a Corolla would be the best choice... but I almost feel sort of bad buying it when there is a more economy-friendly option out there. I haven't done any research on hybrids yet, and I don't think I need to. Based on the information you very smart ladies have given me, I realize that the Prius is better in theory, but not yet in practice (but I hear they're going to get better soon). I like the Corolla 100x more than the Prius, so that is the one for me. I've never heard anything bad about a Corolla, as demonstrated here, so I know it will be reliable. I plan to keep this car for 3-4 years until I get a "real" job in my field and then I'll trade in for a newer one. Now for another important decision... black or phantom gray (dark silver)?

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

As much as I love black cars, they get DIRTY really fast, so MY vote is for the Phantom Gray! My last car was a silver color, and you hardly ever tell that it was dirty unless you got up on it....LOL GOOD LUCK, Steph!

Stephanie wrote:

Thanks, girls. I thought a Corolla would be the best choice... but I almost feel sort of bad buying it when there is a more economy-friendly option out there. I haven't done any research on hybrids yet, and I don't think I need to. Based on the information you very smart ladies have given me, I realize that the Prius is better in theory, but not yet in practice (but I hear they're going to get better soon). I like the Corolla 100x more than the Prius, so that is the one for me. I've never heard anything bad about a Corolla, as demonstrated here, so I know it will be reliable. I plan to keep this car for 3-4 years until I get a "real" job in my field and then I'll trade in for a newer one. Now for another important decision... black or phantom gray (dark silver)?

kiwi · BCBG

silver! as thelovelylady mentioned, they don't seem half as dirty despite having the same amount of dust. and if you drive at night, silver/white (i.e. lighter colored) cars are much more visible than black ones, so you're less prone to accidental run-ins and whatnot.

(i thought i read something about that, but i can't be sure. for all i know, i could be pulling this all out of my @ss)

rosie_the_riveter · Gucci

I vote for the phantom gray because I have a Corolla LE in that color

janey831 · Kate Spade

rosie_the_riveter wrote:

I vote for the phantom gray because I have a Corolla LE in that color

me too!!!