Why I'm Considering Trading-In My EX35 for 2010 Prius V

[splautz]

A new fully-loaded 2010 Prius V gets 250% better gas milage than my fully loaded 2008 EX35. That is the main reason, but it's not only that.. The Prius V technology package includes adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, pre-collison warning system with pre-braking, and intelligent parking system.

So lets forget about the gas milage for a moment and a look at just the tech package features. It gives much of what I really liked about the EX35 and then some. You won't find a pre-collision system in my 2008 EX35 (a feature Infiniti added in EX for 2009). Yes, I'll miss the All-around camera and sensors very much, but at least I'll get a backup camera with intelligent parking assist.

So long story short: I'm giving up the all-around cam, adaptive auto-on lights, forward/back sensors, power seats, 12 gig musicbox harddrive, powerful 297hp guzzler, and luxury name for a super fuel efficient hybrid with more passenger/cargo space in a smaller more managable car, On-star type system called Safety-Connect, headlamp washers, remote starting, intelligent parking assist, and a pre-collision system that warns/slows the car down by itself.

Lets focus on cargo space now. Take a look at the specs. The rear passenger seating in the EX35 is only 28.5" and it's a luxurous 36" in the Prius. "Cargo volume" in the EX35 is 18.6 cubic feet compared to.. get this.. a "Luggage capacity" of 21.6 in the Prius. So that means with seats up or down I get MORE space in the Prius than the EX35, all without having to drive around a BIG CUV/SUV!

More on space... the Pruis has a spacious two-deck glove compartment compared to the EX's dinky one that I can't even put a container of hand wipes in. As for as cup-holders go, have you ever tried to put two large soda's in there at the same time? It can't be done without spilling. lol No probem in the Prius. ALSO, drinks can go in either door.. now try putting a soda in your EX's door storage area without it exploding. Open up the hatch and the Prius even has extra storage area above the spare tire.

The 12 gig musicbox harddrive in the EX35 is near worthless to me because it can only save ripped CD's. And you cannot even easily select specific albums to listen to while the car is in motion?! I'm still baffled over that one. The Prius now has a USB port for IPods and thumbdrives. No USB in the EX, just an outdated IPod interface that isn't even compatible with the latest IPod/IPones without an adaptor. Yes, at least there's a CF card reader, but it conveniently has a 255 file/folder limit. I'm just hoping the Prius doesn't have any quirks like this on its USB port(fingers crossed).

Yes, I'm sure the Prius has other quirks like the EX35 does.. but based on what I've seen in the owners forum, the biggest two are lack of a IPOD/USB port and a weak A/C system. The lack of a USB port Toyota has solved. All new Prius' with Nav will now include this. As for as weak A/C, at least one can remote start the car to get it cooled down before even getting into it. I'd gladly take that over having to listen to a ringing sound everytime I hit the accelerator, vibrations when I make a right turn and VSC kicking in at the wrong time on the EX. But yes, I will miss being frozen out with my EX's A/C along with the rear AC vents.

As to the Luxury name, it will be a relief not having all my friends asking me for money because of the car I drive. LOL I can now give the opposite impression while still driving with the features I care about most. I just wish Toyota had come out with this new Prius before I wasted 15k on the EX35. Even though my Infiniti is only 6 months old with under 10k miles, spotless condition, I have to take a $15k hit because NO ONE wants to buy it!!!!!!!

So let me know your honest opinions. And no, I'm not a Toyota saleman. lol I'm just an upset EX35 owner trying to sell his vehicle at a decent price, so I can get something I like better.

Modified by splautz at 7:15 PM 8/17/2009
Modified by splautz at 7:28 PM 8/17/2009

[Mark Booth]

Before buying my EX35 in December of 2007 I test drove a Prius... twice. And they weren't short test drives either. Both were in the 20-25 mile range. For many of the reasons you list, I REALLY wanted to like the Prius. But I just couldn't bring myself to like it. I felt like I was driving a refrigerator... an appliance. The car had about as much soul as a bottomless shoe. And I have NEVER been enamored with the appearance of the Prius. While it's not butt-ugly, it certainly isn't good looking either. There's nothing sexy about a Prius (unless, of course, you have a battery fetish).

Sorry, but the Prius is a car for an old man whose body no longer makes testosterone. Fuel prices and changing societal values will probably eventually put all of us into some form of Hybrid or alternative fuel car at some point. But I'm not going there until A) I absolutely have to or, B) My testicles have shriveled up.

Mark

[googleman]

Why did you buy the EX in the first place? I mean, seems like it wasn't the right car for you from the beginning. Even if Prius V wasn't available back then, you had lots of other options if you didn't restrict yourself to a CUV/SUV.

[googleman]

But I'm not going there until A) I absolutely have to or, B) My testicles have shriveled up.

[splautz]

Before buying my EX35 in December of 2007 I test drove a Prius... twice. And they weren't short test drives either. Both were in the 20-25 mile range. For many of the reasons you list, I REALLY wanted to like the Prius. But I just couldn't bring myself to like it. I felt like I was driving a refrigerator... an appliance. The car had about as much soul as a bottomless shoe. And I have NEVER been enamored with the appearance of the Prius. While it's not butt-ugly, it certainly isn't good looking either. There's nothing sexy about a Prius (unless, of course, you have a battery fetish).

Sorry, but the Prius is a car for an old man whose body no longer makes testosterone. Fuel prices and changing societal values will probably eventually put all of us into some form of Hybrid or alternative fuel car at some point. But I'm not going there until A) I absolutely have to or, B) My testicles have shriveled up.

Mark

I agree with you. It isn't the best looking car, but at least it is acceptable. Also, the one you test drove is before the bigger 2010 model came out. I looked at the Prius before getting the EX as well and found it wasn't for me. But when the new, bigger 2010's came out with even better mpg above 50 and included the advanced tech features that influenced me to buy the EX to begin with, the situation dramatically changed. I just wish my old 1998 Civic had waited 6 more months before deciding to slip on the road and total itself. lol

[BrokenTiller]

Totally different vehicles. I hope you get whatever makes you happy.

A minivan is a better vehicle than a sports car in many criteria. So what?

[BROUDIE]

A new fully-loaded 2010 Prius V gets 250% better gas milage than my fully loaded 2008 EX35. That is the main reason, but it's not only that.. The Prius V technology package includes adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, pre-collison warning system with pre-braking, and intelligent parking system.

So lets forget about the gas milage for a moment and a look at just the tech package features. It gives much of what I really liked about the EX35 and then some. You won't find a pre-collision system in my 2008 EX35 (a feature Infiniti added in EX for 2009). Yes, I'll miss the All-around camera and sensors very much, but at least I'll get a backup camera with intelligent parking assist.

So long story short: I'm giving up the all-around cam, adaptive auto-on lights, forward/back sensors, power seats, 12 gig musicbox harddrive, powerful 297hp guzzler, and luxury name for a super fuel efficient hybrid with more passenger/cargo space in a smaller more managable car, On-star type system called Safety-Connect, headlamp washers, remote starting, intelligent parking assist, and a pre-collision system that warns/slows the car down by itself.

Lets focus on cargo space now. Take a look at the specs. The rear passenger seating in the EX35 is only 28.5" and it's a luxurous 36" in the Prius. "Cargo volume" in the EX35 is 18.6 cubic feet compared to.. get this.. a "Luggage capacity" of 21.6 in the Prius. So that means with seats up or down I get MORE space in the Prius than the EX35, all without having to drive around a BIG CUV/SUV!

More on space... the Pruis has a spacious two-deck glove compartment compared to the EX's dinky one that I can't even put a container of hand wipes in. As for as cup-holders go, have you ever tried to put two large soda's in there at the same time? It can't be done without spilling. lol No probem in the Prius. ALSO, drinks can go in either door.. now try putting a soda in your EX's door storage area without it exploding. Open up the hatch and the Prius even has extra storage area above the spare tire.

The 12 gig musicbox harddrive in the EX35 is near worthless to me because it can only save ripped CD's. And you cannot even easily select specific albums to listen to while the car is in motion?! I'm still baffled over that one. The Prius now has a USB port for IPods and thumbdrives. No USB in the EX, just an outdated IPod interface that isn't even compatible with the latest IPod/IPones without an adaptor. Yes, at least there's a CF card reader, but it conveniently has a 255 file/folder limit. I'm just hoping the Prius doesn't have any quirks like this on its USB port(fingers crossed).

Yes, I'm sure the Prius has other quirks like the EX35 does.. but based on what I've seen in the owners forum, the biggest two are lack of a IPOD/USB port and a weak A/C system. The lack of a USB port Toyota has solved. All new Prius' with Nav will now include this. As for as weak A/C, at least one can remote start the car to get it cooled down before even getting into it. I'd gladly take that over having to listen to a ringing sound everytime I hit the accelerator, vibrations when I make a right turn and VSC kicking in at the wrong time on the EX. But yes, I will miss being frozen out with my EX's A/C along with the rear AC vents.

As to the Luxury name, it will be a relief not having all my friends asking me for money because of the car I drive. LOL I can now give the opposite impression while still driving with the features I care about most. I just wish Toyota had come out with this new Prius before I wasted 15k on the EX35. Even though my Infiniti is only 6 months old with under 10k miles, spotless condition, I have to take a $15k hit because NO ONE wants to buy it!!!!!!!

So let me know your honest opinions. And no, I'm not a Toyota saleman. lol I'm just an upset EX35 owner trying to sell his vehicle at a decent price, so I can get something I like better.

You must have been very confused when you bought your EX35 my friend. The EX35 is an athletic sportwagon, while the Prius is a high-tech fuel miser. If you enjoy driving at all, you would not be looking at a Prius. If you required a large amount of cargo space, you would not have bought your EX.

[Mark Booth]

All I'm saying is...

Life Is Too Short To Drive A Boring Vehicle!

But that's how I feel (the OP asked for opinions). I'm a "car guy". Many folks aren't. For some folks, a car is nothing more than an appliance to get from point A to point B. So the Prius or other soulless vehicle will be just fine for them.

Mark

[splautz]

All I'm saying is...

Life Is Too Short To Drive A Boring Vehicle!

But that's how I feel (the OP asked for opinions). I'm a "car guy". Many folks aren't. For some folks, a car is nothing more than an appliance to get from point A to point B. So the Prius or other soulless vehicle will be just fine for them.

Mark

I agree with you. The EX is certainly not boring. I will miss it if I do actually decide to trade. The All-Around Camera is great, and is one of the few things making me want to keep it. An engine that makes me feel like I'm in a rocket will be missed as well. But I disagree with you in the Prius being a souless vechicle or even just any appliance to get from A to B. It makes just as much, if not more, of a statement than the EX does.. only its statement is more conservation than one of being a powerful luxury car. Opposite statements yes, but it certainly is not ordinary like a Camry or Accord is. But honestly, I'm not considering the Prius because of the statement it gives, nor did I get the EX because of its statement. But everyone asking me for money I guess is one factor making me want to part with it. lol

[RioD007]

NAZI

[EXceptional]

NAZI

That comment oughta get you banned !

Where's a Moderator when you need one ?

I know a few people who own Prius's... and they go through Tires like crazy.

So with the Money you save in Gasoline, sock it away in your Tire Fund.
Modified by EXceptional at 11:48 PM 8/17/2009

[scottt]

The Preius and the EX35 appeal to completly different people. Not saying either one is better, just completly different. I would not be caught dead in a Prius, I don't want a battery powered vehicle. I love the horsepower and I'm willing to pay for the extra gas. My other car is a Corvette. The EX is sure not perfect, it's just closer to what I enjoy than a battery powered vehicle. I really think, if you prefer a Preius, you should own one, there is a reason they make different vehicles, everyone has different likes and dislikes. By the way, the Preius is an excellent vehicle, just not my cup of tea.

Good luckScott

[aft981]

It really depends what you look for in a car. I've had Prius rentals when I've been to the UK many times, mainly so I didn't have to pay the congestion charge in London. I've also driven it the 200 miles up to Manchester on numerous occasions. The driving characteristics are far far removed from those of the EX. If you LIKE driving, I don't think a Prius is the answer. If you want good fuel economy and gadgets, then maybe.

What I'm excited about is the fact the German manufacturers are finally bringing some decent diesels over here. It's been a long time coming. Almost 50% of the vehicles on the roads in Europe are diesel now, and for a good reason.

If you want good fuel economy AND something that's amazing to drive, for a few thousand more than a loaded EX, get yourself the new BMW 335d. 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, fuel economy of 23/36, and emissions that are as clean as the regular gas engine. Oh, and ridiculous amounts of torque!

The Mercedes E320 bluetec is faster than the equivalent size gas engined E-class and gets 23/32. The diesel VW Jetta gets 41 on the hwy, that's only a few less than the Prius. Audi will be offering a diesel A3 sometime in winter.

When I come to trade my EX in, probably in 2011, I will be looking for a diesel.

[scottt]

I agree with the Diesel Option. My wife and I looked serious at the Jetta TDI, I just did not like the way it drove. The BMW was out of our budget, If money was not an object, I would go with the BMW diesel.

Diesel's are a wonderful way to have your cake and eat it too.

Scott

[RioD007]

I agree with the Diesel Option. My wife and I looked serious at the Jetta TDI, I just did not like the way it drove. The BMW was out of our budget, If money was not an object, I would go with the BMW diesel.

Diesel's are a wonderful way to have your cake and eat it too.

Scott

Agreed i drove a bmw 335D the other day and man that thing pulled like a train

[splautz]

Agreed i drove a bmw 335D the other day and man that thing pulled like a train

Yeah, but the BMW will "really" be worth $50-60k and there'll be no breaks come car tax time here in Virginia, unlike with my EX where the thing instantly lost $15k the moment I drove it off the lot, unexpectingly saving me $1000 in my first year car tax. I thought the state made a mistake when they assessed it and I laughed. Little did I know, the joke was really on me.. the thing was REALLY worth peanuts! It kind of explains why my insurance was only like $30 more every 6 months over what my 98 Civic was.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Reading through this whole thread, I took away one main point: the FULLY-LOADED Prius doesn't have power seats?!?!?!?!?! It has adaptive cruise and lane-babysitter and a thousand other unnecessary nannytech devices and NO POWER SEATS?! That's ridiculous.

That comment oughta get you banned !

Where's a Moderator when you need one ?

Right here. And I'm pretty sure that was meant in jest, so I'm not too worried about it.

All I'm saying is...

Life Is Too Short To Drive A Boring Vehicle!

But that's how I feel (the OP asked for opinions). I'm a "car guy". Many folks aren't. For some folks, a car is nothing more than an appliance to get from point A to point B. So the Prius or other soulless vehicle will be just fine for them.

Mark

Well said. Driving for me is a hobby and something I enjoy and look forward to. Any time spent behind the wheel of an unexciting car is time wasted. I've driven a lot of different kinds of cars. The Prius is the collective embodiment of everything I DO NOT want in a car. I'd spend every second in the Prius wishing I was in a different car.

I love my powerful gas guzzler, and the joy it brings me is worth FAR more than the 17mpg it costs me in fuel. I rarely smile more than when I'm driving my car. Trading those smiles for some fuel savings is not a valid option in my book.

[sg77]

kind of explains why my insurance was only like $30 more every 6 months over what my 98 Civic was.

That might be true, but I think the EX35's classification as a "wagon" might also be a reason insurance rates aren't that high.

[ramprun]

you can save yourself some money and go with a prius that does not have pre-collison warning system with pre-braking because you will not be going fast to worry about rear end some other cars on the road.

[scottt]

The big reason the EX35 has low insurance rates is due to it being classified as a wagon and the insurance companies expect the vehicle to be driven by "good drivers" , this is not a sports car, it's not a car that appeals to young folks, I really think the EX appeals to mature drivers. Some of the Korean cars have real high insurance rates. The reason is the target market they sell to. When you see inexpensive new cars on the road, check out the condition of the paint and body. Regarding the depreciation of the EX, I agree it is a bit high, but only if you paid MSRP. When I look at used EX's on car max, they are priced pretty close to the price I paid for my new 2009. I have found BMW's to drop just as fast. I love BMW's, they just don't fit me as well as the EX.



My worthless thoughts for the day

Scott

[ramprun]

if the reason you want to switch is because fuel economy then you should wait for nissan leaf. didn't they say they get 327mpg with 100miles range

[RCHarris]

Greetings: I own an '08 EX35. My wife owns an '09 Prius (level 5). I also have a '68 XKE and a '66 Austin Healey 3000 in the garage. I do consider myself a lifelong "car guy".

Believe me, there is room in the world for both a Prius and a "performance" biased car like the EX. When I want to drive for pleasure, luxury and I am less concerned for fuel mileage, we hit the road in the EX. It is a fantastic road car.

When we are doing daily-living driving, ie:shopping, schlepping friends, loading stuff from Home Depot, going to the movies or when we are concerned about mileage and fuel costs (long road trips), there is no decision to be made - it's the Prius every time.

I bought my wife the Prius because 1. she wanted it and nothing else and 2.I feel just a little bit better about the carbon footprint my family is leaving knowing that 75% of my driving isn't sucking up fossil fuels. The Prius averages 42 mpg. Frankly, the EX is a gas guzzling PIG (16 mpg average over 18 months) and so is my Jag. Because of that, I'm very deliberate and cautious about how and when I drive either one. Yes, the Prius is an appliance. And it excels at being an appliance. Hey,that's ok with me. It's worth as much today as when I bought it 6 months ago. Can't say that for the EX35 - that's for sure! Randy

[scottt]

One thing to remember when comparing fuel economy. You really cannot compare a all wheel drive vehicle with a front wheel drive. I am getting 20MPG average fuel economy on my 09 EX35 RWD. That is with 1,000 miles on the clock. I expect it to do better with more miles and when I put Mobil 1 in the engine. I do not feel the EX35 get's bad fuel economy, compared to other vehicles with the same level of comfort and performance.

Scott

[zozoka1212]

Screw EX35 and Prius buy an M3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydvAQ6Y49vc

Interesting comments in the link about the damage takes to get those batteries.

How much do you think you'll save in 3 years driving the prius not the EX? How much do you loose with trade 15k?

[splautz]

Screw EX35 and Prius buy an M3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydvAQ6Y49vc

Interesting comments in the link about the damage takes to get those batteries.

How much do you think you'll save in 3 years driving the prius not the EX? How much do you loose with trade 15k?

It'll be a 15k loss at least. But it looks like I found a friend who might want to buy my EX35 at closer to what it's actually worth. So the losses could end up being closer to just 10k (fingers crossed). The main problem is just finding a buyer out there. Otherwise I end up having to give it away at a trade-in price. These trade-in guys don't even care if it's got 3M around it or 1600 worth in protection packages. I get nothing for that. They'd rather not transfer the packages in favor of trying to resell the same thing again to the new owners for more profit. It's a big scam and rip off.

Buyers for the EX are few and far between. It's so bad, that I think Infiniti has effectively stopped making them until the new 2010 redesign, at least that's what my saleman said. But I do believe it. If you go on eBay and check the "completed sales" for EX, not a single one has completed in the last month, with the highest bid being around 20k. lol You got to be kidding me.

[Mark Booth]

At 12K miles per year, it will take you 10 years to make up the $10K you are losing by selling the EX35. 15 years if you trade it!

Mark

[splautz]

At 12K miles per year, it will take you 10 years to make up the $10K you are losing by selling the EX35. 15 years if you trade it!

Mark

Actually, the loss occured the moment I drove it off the lot. So whether kept or sold, the loss is still there and the same. The true expense is the depreciation rate of the cars in question. Do I keep this Infiniti and let it depreciate another 5k next year or get the Prius and only loose 2k in depreciation? I'll have to pay some money out-of-pocket to get the Prius I want, even after the trade-in. So thats the real figure to use as for as making up savings with gas over time.

[snwbrdr435]

Some of the Korean cars have real high insurance rates. The reason is the target market they sell to. When you see inexpensive new cars on the road, check out the condition of the paint and body.

The reason that there insurance is high/ the bodies of those cars are destroyed is that people who buy s*** cars don't care about driving. There fore they are way more liable to hit something and cause an accident.

But I'm not going there until A) I absolutely have to or, B) My testicles have shriveled up.

[SteveTheTech]

Comparing the EX to a Prius is not at all a fair playing ground on almost any aspect, with the exception of interior volume. However that goes out the window when it the magic words are mentioned. I have had the pleasure of driving several makes and models of hybrid and I am trying to find one of every models. Toyotas Synergy drive and the system that Nissan bought for the Altima, is great for an early model hybrid but the odds are in twenty years there will be a Cash for Prius incentive program. It is very true that hybrid technology has been out for a very long time but currently there are no systems that will actually meet the mass market demand of an alternative propulsion source. Using a conventional internal combustion engine in a different way is still burning fuel and that is why some states (Va) have excluded dual mode hybrids from HOV benefits.

Everyone has different needs and wants from a vehicle every model has its own target demographic. The great thing about Toyotas marketing team is they filled the market by playing on peoples morality.

Personally I think the whole green movement is a scam. Longterm implications of environmental alterations as a result of the Industrial Revolution will be something we as a species need to deal with for a long time until we (as a species) evolve to survive in our new environment. I think people are being exploited and taken advantage of when it comes to living green. Buy local produce (it's great stuff), shut the lights and water off, and use some basic common sense when it comes to wasting things. People are all too willing to either spend money where it is not needed or buying a product to make them feel better about themselves. Someone mentioned carrying friends in a Prius? Despite the electric motors capabilities the entire drivetrain lacks the ability to carry a load of passengers or cargo like the EX would. CNG, H2 or clean diesel (less refining and extremely reliable for long term use and far less long term environmental impact than a Prius) are much better options for longterm gasoline replacements, the social stigma really only applies to that model. Sorry to express my personal opinions in such a manner I really enjoy a good debate from all aspects of the spectrum. No offense is meant.

[kullenberg]

Could not agree with you more, Steve. If I had to replace my EX, I would seriously consider a diesel, probably a BMW in some form.