[Morescratch]

1. better handling
2. BETTER real world highway mileage
3. MORE storage space (for the wagon at least)
4. no rat fur on the ceiling... yuck
5. subjective: a better looking car
6. a safer car
7. a total environmental impact that is much, much, much less due to as yet unresolved issues with batteries (heavy metals, recycling, etc...)
8. a car that doesn't need batteries in 10 years
9. you look like someone who has done their homework
10. a car you will actually enjoy driving

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

From Fuel Economy

City/Hwy (combined) - make model year, user count and MPG, cost/gal
48/45 (46) - Toyota Prius 2008, 102 users report 46.3 MPG, $1.93/gal
30/41 (34) - Volkswagon TDI Jetta 2009, 8 users report 40.5, $2.22/gal
30/37 (33) - Volkswagon TDI Jetta 2006, 65 users report 42.6, $2.22/gal

So with the Jetta TDI I get:

1. more expensive diesel fuel and less common
2. lower highway mileage, 41 < 45
3. much lower city mileage, 30 << 48
4. 'Compact car' instead of 'Midsize car'
5. must be manual for these mileage numbers
6. $22,270 MSRP (Edmunds) vs. $22,000 MSRP (Toyota)

Of course other folks have different requirements and there are of course those who are involved in various stunts:

109.3 MPG Prius August 2005
There is the Japanese 1,000 mile tank club with over 200 members.

I don't approve of 'stunts' since it leads to a lot of foolish claims not easily replicated by others. Stunts eliminate engineering practices and appeal to other values but I also understand 'bling.'

Bob Wilson

ps. Did I mention this is the NHW20 model. The 2010 Prius has even better mileage, more space, and better performance.