Hi,

Recently I realized that missing from the 'pay back' analysis is the resale value of the car. However, I found an European web site in the UK that includes this in the total vehicle cost of ownership:

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-comparison.aspx

For grins, I decided to compare:

• Toyota Prius Hatchback 1.5 Hybrid T Spirit 5dr
• Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 2.0 TDI 170 DPF GT Sport 5dr
• Chevrolet Kalos Hatchback 1.4 16v SX 5dr (GM's Aveo)
  

Here is their comparison:

Target price £19,321 £18,851 £8,631
Real cost £13,468 £15,476 £11,671
List price £20,677 £20,012 £9,365

The GM Aveo comes out as the lowest cost of ownership followed by the Prius and finally the Golf. But when you look at the interior, you find the Prius often has more space including rear seat, 'knee room' and space when in a 5 passenger configuration.

They also provide an "Equipment" and the Prius has:

• automatic transmission - pounds 1,340 TDI and 900 Kalos (Aveo)
• climate control - pounds, 695 TDI, no data for Kalos
• cruise control - pounds 270 TDI, no data for Kalos
• satellite navivation - pounds 1,665 TDI, no data for Kalos
• multi CD - pounds 395 TDI, no data for Kalos

Then comes "Running Costs" and the Prius has:

• town: 56.5 Prius, 36.2 TDI, 31.7 (Kalos)
• Out of town: 67.3 Prius, 58.9 TDI, 52.3 (Kalos)
• Pence per mile: 43 Prius, 43 TDI, 32 Kalos

The over all impression is if you want the least expensive and capable vehicle, use the Kalos (Aveo.) The Prius and TDI are much close in performance but the Prius exceeds in mileage.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Good job, Bob!
Those results make total logical sense, too.

Steve

STOP terrorism - Drive a HYBRID

Vehicles:
350 miles a week ------------ 2006 HCH II, Magnetic Pearl, w/NAVI (born on May 25, 2006)
350 miles a month ---------- 2003 Mazda Tribute ES-V6
350 miles a year (for now) - 1986 Mercedes 560SL

BTW, I substituted the HCH for the GM Aveo. HCH came within spittin' distance of the Prius.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.