[BrianSD_42]

So I've been thinking about my next car which will probably be purchased in January. I sold my DD, a 330i last week.

I need a car that I can put a good deal of miles on at great gas mileage and I seriously have considered getting new Prius III (~ $24,200).

However I now realize that there are deals out there for a 2011 or 2012 Lexus CT200h with < 15k miles for $27 - $29k.

The question: Is it worth it to pay a few grand extra for the Lexus vs. the Prius?

I drove the Lexus and the difference was huge although they have the same Engine and drivetrain.

[Thai]

Didn't you just answered your own question with your driving impression??

B/w a Prius III vs CT, I would get CT. But i would also consider Buick Verano (+/- Turbo), new Camry Hybrid, Chevy Cruze, Subaru BRZ, etc.

Personally, if you don't mind coupe, I would get BRZ!! If you want something with 4 doors, then see above cars.

[4Running Daily]

How many miles did the 330i have when you sold it?

I would personally go for the CT, purely because of it's curb appeal vs. a Prius.

[BrianSD_42]

I'm very close to getting a 2011 CT.

The 330i had 62k miles on it. I just don't think those cars are reliable enough to keep past 75k miles.

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

I'm very close to getting a 2011 CT.

The 330i had 62k miles on it. I just don't think those cars are reliable enough to keep past 75k miles.

CT is the way to go for sure.

I don't blame you at all for selling the thing.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

I'm very close to getting a 2011 CT.

The 330i had 62k miles on it. I just don't think those cars are reliable enough to keep past 75k miles.

How much is the 2011 CT going for? For me, for what it represents, CT is too slow for sporty driving. I understand the whole idea that speed isn't everything...but 10 seconds 0-60 is too darn slow for a sports hatchback. (Prius is all about efficiency...and thus, 10 second 0-60 is not seen as a big setback.) And since you're coming from a BMW 330, you will very soon miss the acceleration.

Get BRZ for same price (about $25k)...with tons more fun!

[4Running Daily]

My dad is in a similar car market.
We're looking at cars that get decent mpg, yet are still sporty.
2012 VW GTI
2013 Focus ST
2012 Scion FR-S
Maybe even a Dodge Dart

I'd drive a couple other cars.

[BrianSD_42]

Personally I don't think of the CT as sporty at all. I view it as a classier Prius with a better suspension. I would never refer to it as sporty if I owned one.

If I wanted something sporty I would buy a sports car. The CT200h has the exact same drive-train, power and engine system as a 2012 Prius but with a cooler DASH.

My GF has a Prius, I'm used to driving them so I'm not worried about the acceleration.

[Mark86]

I would go for a new Prius. They both have the same technology and you are paying extra $$$ for a little more luxury. CT and Prius are not what I call sport. I had a Prius V as a loaner when my truck went in for service. I drove both as loaners and I wouldn't recommend paying more for the Lexus.

It may be an adjustment coming for a fast and sporty 330i. Just saying...

[Thai]

Originally Posted by brianemc2_42

Personally I don't think of the CT as sporty at all. I view it as a classier Prius with a better suspension. I would never refer to it as sporty if I owned one.

If I wanted something sporty I would buy a sports car. The CT200h has the exact same drive-train, power and engine system as a 2012 Prius but with a cooler DASH.

My GF has a Prius, I'm used to driving them so I'm not worried about the acceleration.

So, you're spending more money for the better suspension (relative to an old torsion beam design Prius) and cooler dash? It is clear that CT also does not hold value well, like a Prius.

I don't know...i still don't see the point of buying a CT. If you want efficiency, then get a Prius (at least 8 mpg difference). If you want something sporty, then get something else. CT represents neither here nor there. For me, i never saw the purpose of the CT in Lexus lineup. For $30-35k (new price), it is probably the slowest darn thing on the planet in that price range (next to a Prius)...and handling numbers don't really beat anyone...it barely outhandles by a Prius! And fuel economy numbers are not that great either. The same can be said about Honda CR-Z.

I wish that Lexus would have developed the HS250h more before abandoning it. HS250h with the new Camry Hybrid powertrain along with more polishing (both interior and exterior) from Lexus would be an ideal fighter for Acura ILX, Buick Verano, etc..

Come on...you want THIS:

[BrianSD_42]

I think that new it is difficult to justify the $34k CT vs the $24k Prius III.

But my choice is between either a 2011 CT Premium with 16k miles for $27k (deal) vs a new Prius III for $24k.

For that $3k I would get:
* a different car
* 43 MPG with same power train & engine as Prius
* 1000x better looks
* leather
* 10 speaker Lexus sound system
* better suspension
* quieter
* no Prius stigma

Those are my thoughts at least. I haven't made my decision but I'm not really looking at other cars, just these two.

[shadow247]

For the money I would have to go with a corolla! 34 MPG highway with the automatic trans, 19k msrp. I would have to drive a lot of miles to make up for the 7k premium you pay for a hybrid.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by shadow247

For the money I would have to go with a corolla! 34 MPG highway with the automatic trans, 19k msrp. I would have to drive a lot of miles to make up for the 7k premium you pay for a hybrid.

BRZ gets the same highway mileage...but in a far sportier package!

[4Running Daily]

Originally Posted by Thai

BRZ gets the same highway mileage...but in a far sportier package!

But then you just want more power.

So you pay $6,000 for a turbo including install and tuning. Then you need tires and wheels to put the power down. But then that doesn't look good, so you buy coil overs to put it on the ground. It never ends.

[Thai]

Originally Posted by 4Running Daily

But then you just want more power.

So you pay $6,000 for a turbo including install and tuning. Then you need tires and wheels to put the power down. But then that doesn't look good, so you buy coil overs to put it on the ground. It never ends.

BRZ is like a Miata...fast enough to get out of your own way, yet handles like a dream stock. The saying goes...i rather go fast in a slow car than go slow in a fast car....