[eaton53]

Originally Posted by PhishPhood

Let's do it 3 ways and compare .. it's a good exercise

Prius Pck #2 ... 6 airbags, VSC/Trac, Keyless, Alloys .. 46 mpg EPA comb
Corolla XLE ..... 6 airbags, VSC/Trac, Keyless, Alloys .. 30 mpg EPA comb
Cobalt 2LT ..... 4 airbags, Trac Ctl, Keyless, Alloys .... 26 mpg EPA comb

Effective prices today..
Prius #2.... $24300 MSRP
Corolla XLE $19200 MSRP
Cobalt 2LT. $19155 ( $2000 incentive ) = $17155 Net

Lifetime : 5 yrs and 75000 miles
Cost of fuel for 5 yrs: $4.75 /gal on average

RESALE VALUE in 5 yrs : 45% of Selling Price
Prius: $10900
Coro: $8600
Cob : $7700

Net vehicle cost:
Prius...$24300 - 10900 = $13400
Corolla. $19200 - 8600 = $10600
Cobalt. $17155 - 7700 = $9455

Cost of fuel for 5 yrs: (75000 / mpg) * $4.75
Prius ... (75000 / 46) * 4.75 = $7745
Corolla..(75000 / 30) * 4.75 = $11875
Cobalt.. (75000 / 26) * 4.75 = $13700

Total Cost..Net Vehicle Cost + Fuel
Prius... $13400 + 7745 = $21145
Corolla $10600 + $11875 = $22475
Cobalt. $9455 + $13700 = $23155

Cost of Money:
Corolla buyer gains 4% pa for 5 yrs on ~$5000 or ~$1100 in interest
Cobalt buyer gains 4% pa for 5 yrs on ~$7100 or ~$1500 in interest

The net result: It doesn't matter which one a buyer chooses the 'cost' of these three key items is about the same for all three. Pick whichever one suits you best.

Those numbers are more like it.

Of course, here's some more numbers...

Prius: 78-hp gas, 67-horsepower electric
Corolla: 132 hp
Cobalt SS 2.4 (which cost a lot less than $17155): 171 hp

Drive a slow ass, no handling Toyota and save nothing? Pffft!!!