For the price of a Prius...

[why?]

Originally Posted by tooter

I understand that owning new vehicles only works for some people, but drive off value is not a factor for those who own their new vehicles outright and take good care of them over a period of many years. The new Yaris replaced a 19 year old Hyundai which sold in one day for $1,700.

I also bought a new 1988 Toyota pickup truck for $8,800 cash out the door. Then sold it 8 years later for $3,000 when I bought a new 1996 Tacoma for less than $10,000 cash out the door. And after 16 years, it still runs as good as new. The savings in financing or leasing costs, insurance, and registration can become considerable over the years.

I'm a diehard Toyota fan who always buys the cheapest vehicle on the lot for cash out the door and keeps them for a long time.

and that is great that doing that works for you. But not everyone wants to do that.