It depends on which one you like better. Practicality calls for the Prius, since gas prices are sky high. the Prius has a much larger interior also. The Mini is a chic' car to drive, but gets less gas mileage. the Mini drives better. so either one is ok.|||Skip the Prius.
Most people buying a hybrid are assuming they will be the least expensive vehicle to operate but that is totally untrue. Yes they are very good on fuel mileage BUT you have to consider ALL costs, not fuel alone. When including all costs over a three year period no hybrid including the Prius even makes the top ten list of most economical cars as can be seen here:
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_co鈥?/a>
The Chevy will be the most reliable on that list.
So if your plan is to save money on operating costs then choose one of the top ten most economical cars form the list and avoid all hybrids sense not even one of them made the top ten list.
Please also note that the Prius has had several problems and nearly every model has been recalled numerous times as can be seen here: http://www.autorecalls.us/aut-02/recalls鈥?/a>
Signed, The Raven|||I can't tell you anything about the Mini. However, I have both a 2001 Prius that my wife drives (which she loves) and a 2004 Prius that I drive. Both have been great cars. Roomy, reliable, fun-to-drive and both still run like new. I keep a logbook on the 2004 so here are some numbers:
Cost to operate: 12 cents per mile for dealer maintenance, fuel, and tires combined over the 115,000 miles I've driven it so far.
2004 Prius MPG from the logbook. (Complete years only):
2003-2004 -- 50.8 mpg 17,628 miles
2005 -- 52.6 mpg 14,688 miles
2006 -- 56.3 mpg 16174 miles
2007 -- 57.3 mpg 18384 miles
2008 -- 59.9 mpg 21755 miles
2009 -- 61.4 mpg 16177 miles
2010 -- 65.2 mpg 12134 miles
Another way to look at the same numbers:
Lifestyle impact -- How much does fuel cost affect a Prius owner.
Key:
Gas -- Actual amount of gas purchased during the period
Miles -- Miles driven during the period
$/mile -- Gas/Miles
Cost of gas -- The amount I would have paid if the car was driven exactly 16,000 miles
12 months prior to Oct 2004
Gas: $466.13 Miles: 13,333 $/mile: $0.0350
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $559.37
12 months prior to Oct 2005
Gas: $686.77 Miles: 16,631 $/mile: $0.0413
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $660.71
12 months prior to Oct 2006
Gas: $708.38 Miles: 14,716 $/mile: $0.0481
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $770.19
12 months prior to Oct 2007
Gas: $825.08 Miles: 17,963 $/mile: $0.0459
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $734.92
12 months prior to Oct 2008
Gas: $889.01 Miles: 15,855 $/mile: $0.0561
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $897.14
12 months prior to Oct 2009
Gas: $774.33 Miles: 20,641 $/mile: $0.0375
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $600.23
12 months prior to Oct 2010
Gas: $613.65 Miles: 14,589 $/mile: $0.0421
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $673.00
As of February 25, 2011 fill
Gas: $202.03 Miles: 4,462 $/mile: $0.0453
Cost of gas based on 16,000 miles: $724.45
I purchased the Prius because it was designed to be a hybrid and not just an old fashioned car with an electric motor tacked on so that it could be called a hybrid. Toyota's hybrid system replaces many of the mechanical parts with more reliable electronics or greatly simplifies them. For instance, there is no starter motor, no alternator, no clutches, and the automatic transmission with its hundreds of parts has been replaced by a simple planetary gear system similar to a differential.
Based on the high owner satisfaction rating of the Prius, it appears that my good experiences are not unique.
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