Hello,

I'm trying to decide between getting an Altima Hybrid or a Prius. I test drove both models today and really like the way the Altima looks and feels(love the seat warmers) but felt like the Prius had a bigger trunk and a lot more mileage.

We are a family of 4 with 2 kids still in carseats and do quite a bit of driving around both in the city and also long distance trips like from Nor. Cal to So.Cal. I've read that Prius is very bad with high speeds like 80.

Please help me, need to make a decision by this week.

TIA.

It turns out ALL cars are bad with "high speeds like 80" -- if that makes your decision any easier.

The hybrid is a "tool" which can be used to help you recognize how to achieve better fuel economy. It is not a guarantee that you will just achieve it by making no adjustments. Sure you'll get *some* improvement by driving a hybrid, but if you _really_ want to cut down on your fuel expenses, try driving 70 in a 70 or (dare I say it?) 65 in a 70.

The wife has a Prius and I have a Highlander Hybrid. She loves her Prius and would get another one tomorrow if anything was to happen to this one. My 2 cents is the Toyota has the longest history and a well proven drive/power train and I know both of us have had zero problems.

Enjoy!!!

2005 Prius - White, Gray Interior, Option Package 6, Mud Flaps & Auto Door locks from Coastal


2006 Highlander Hybrid - Limited, White, Tan Interior, Nav, 4WD, Trailer Hitch

NOTE: On both the Prius and HH batteries are included with your purchase !

The 2 cars are in distinctly different classes. The Camry hybrid is closer in size/class to the Altima than the Prius.

As to any car being 'bad' at high speeds - define 'bad'. Fuel economy will go into the sewer (comparatively speaking) with high speeds. The Prius is lighter and will be a bit more sensitive to side-winds and other vehicles passing by. Because the Altima is quite a bit larger and heavier, it'll feel a bit steadier at speed, with a notably higher fuel consumption than a Prius, due to the larger frontal area and relatively worse Cx.

One other item to consider - and this was the deal-breaker for me in the case of the Prius - is that the Camry and Altima will take 3 kids in car seats in the back seat. The Prius is too narrow to do that with most kid seats, although it does OK for 2.

I think that underestimates the contribution of the hybrid technology while contradicting the argument of comparing EPA ratings between vehicles. One person's driving style should be calculated as a ratio to the official rating, then using that same ratio to forecast how they will do on another vehicle, be it a hybrid or not. Hybrids will save people fuel without the need for recruitment into obsessive behaviour.

My fuel tracking shows that I'm aligned with the official EPA rating, and that is with chiefly city driving, normal climate control, and being conscientious about safety and motor traffic law. I don't have to be off-putting to passengers, making them suffer indignities like a sweltering harsh ride and a jerky power-and-glide cycle.

For the original poster: I would think that the Altima is a nicer overall vehicle; It's certainly a popular mid-size car, but the hybrid version doesn't have much market penetration, so few mechanics will have experience with them. If you want to worry less, your better bet is the Prius.

The 2 cars are in distinctly different classes. The Camry hybrid is closer in size/class to the Altima than the Prius.

As to any car being 'bad' at high speeds - define 'bad'. Fuel economy will go into the sewer (comparatively speaking) with high speeds. The Prius is lighter and will be a bit more sensitive to side-winds and other vehicles passing by. Because the Altima is quite a bit larger and heavier, it'll feel a bit steadier at speed, with a notably higher fuel consumption than a Prius, due to the larger frontal area and relatively worse Cx.

One other item to consider - and this was the deal-breaker for me in the case of the Prius - is that the Camry and Altima will take 3 kids in car seats in the back seat. The Prius is too narrow to do that with most kid seats, although it does OK for 2.

I've had my NAH for almost 2 months now and have only good things to say. I also have 2 kids in carseats (actually booster seats) and there's plenty of room. It drives beautifully, has the look and feel of an upscale car (I keep getting compliments, a first for any car I've bought!), tons of interior storage and lots of extras if you like that sort of thing. I gave brief thought to the Prius (who wouldn't if you're in the market for a hybrid?) but I wanted a little bigger car and just felt it would be better on the long road trips we take. Of course you'll sacrifice some MPG, but drive it carefully and you can easily average 37MPG and you still can treat yourself to the sports car experience now and again! The driver's seat and position (leather/power version) is also about the most comfortable I've ever experienced.

I would have seriously considered an Altima Hybrid (I'm currently driving the Altima Coupe), but they are not available in Alabama yet. I am getting a Prius, to be delivered next week and I am very happy with my decision. But I don't have kids to transport so I did not have to worry about that. My vehicle is mostly for commuting to work and back.

A definite plus on the Altima side is that you can still get the federal tax credit, that credit has expired for the Prius (and the Camry Hybrid).

Really? I wouldn't expect to find hybrids just waiting on the lot for a buyer (esp. with the price of gas) and can well imagine that dealers will try very hard to sell their inventory of less fuel efficient cars before placing an order for a hybrid (e.g. they'll try to talk you out of it.). But I wouldn't think there are any markets were you just can't buy one at all. Most hybrids are available nationwide.

I'm in Detroit... nobody has a hybrid for sale on the lot, but the dealers will order them. Toyota has about a 3-4 month wait list (deposit required to get on it), and Ford wont allow the Escape to be ordered by dealers (for sale on the lot) considering they've got a huge factory-order backlog that they're trying to fill. They only take factory orders and the dealer has to prove it's a _real_ customer (dealers would try to submit 'fake' customer orders so they could sell it on the lot). A factory order is generally at least a 3 month wait anyway. So if you see them on the lot it's only because it was ordered by someone else and they haven't stopped in to pick it up yet.

I'm not familiar with Nissan's wait queue, but I'm guessing it's similar. If you _really_ want the Nissan (I own a Prius and love everything about it except the legroom -- I'm tall) I wonder if another Nissan dealer might give you a different story. I don't know for sure -- maybe they really dont sell them in Alabama -- but I've a sneaking suspicion that a dealer could get one if you really want one.

The tax credit isn't a slam-dunk for any car. There are loads of people who find that they don't get any of it... or only get a percentage of it. I bought my Prius in the days when the rebate was still at 100% of it's possible value, but come tax season found that I could only claim about 85% of it because of AMT (alternative minimum tax). In the government & taxes forum there's a long thread of unhappy owners who were disappointed to find out that even if you've never paid AMT before, it's probably looming closer than you think (just like Florida would like you to know that orange juice isn't just for breakfast anymore.... the IRS would like you to know that AMT isn't just for the rich anymore. Loads of middle-income families are routinely stung by it.)

to tcampb01:

Hi, Tim

According to the Nissan website:
"Altima Hybrid is available in California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey. Service of hybrid components outside those states is limited and could involve some days delay."

Doesn't mean I couldn't order from one of those states but I am very happy I decided to go with the Prius instead. There are indeed waitlists, but mine will be just about 4 weeks when mine arrives next week. So not too bad!