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Assuming, I am as talented/effortful hypermiler as Matt Herring here, and assuming he isn't making up his mileage figures...
I should be able to get similar results. I know YMMV, but, If he can do it, why couldn't I? Now, Going from my cobalt averages of 40 MPG, to Matts Averages of 55 MPG would save me roughly $75 / month in fuel.
That's not insignificant. I think insurance on the Prius is also less then my current 2 - door coupe.
Lets call it a $125 / month savings for a prius vs my current vehicle. My current car payment is $300. I could have spent up to $425 to the break even point. As gas keeps getting more expensive this summer, I can only assume that it would tip even more in favor of the prius.
That being said. The 2.2 in the Cobalt is rock solid reliable. The engine is so overbuilt, it can take double the power without breaking a sweat. It's really easy on oil. According to the on board computer, i can go to 10k miles on an oil change. And even then, i still have 1000 km's to come get an oil change at my convenience. That's from the owners manual, if using conventional oil. it has no extra electronics. No stability control, no anti-lock brakes even. Just 4 wheels and an engine. I think the Cobalt if properly maintained will be cheaper to run in the long run over several hundred thousand km's then a prius, unless gas decides to go to $3/ liter ($10 / gallon ish).
The long and short of it is... Gas isn't expensive. It's more expensive now then it used to be... but $300 of gas takes me 5000 km's a month. My $80 oil changes (i use Amsoil SSO 0w30) ever 16000 kms are significant in comparison with gas spent to go that distance around $900. I'd put regular maintence at around 15% of the operating expenses for my car. I can save more money by doing my own maintenance, then i can by owning a prius.
That being said. I want a damn prius. Why? They're cool.
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