It still does not make financial sense. I calculated the cost of owning a 240 v. the cost of a Prius this summer for a school project (persuasive speech, actually). I took into account gas mileage (based on fueleconomy.gov); car payments (buying a few thousand dollar 240 vs. a $25,000 Prius); property taxes; and insurance; and it would still take MANY MANY years for the costs to come out even. I did not even take into account the battery replacement costs, and I did allot $500 a year for maintenance to the 240.

My Volvo S40 v. 240 chart was even more damning. Given the piss-poor mileage of most new cars, it will NEVER make any financial sense to buy one. In the first 5 years of owning a new S40 (which is the most comparable thing to a 240 out there) you will pay (according to my semi-comprehensive calculations) over $60,000 - three times what it would cost to own a 240. And that is assuming the worst: $4/gal gas; full Blue Book purchase price for the 240; and higher maintenance costs than I actually pay. If you already own a well-maintained 240, you're well ahead of even that number.

If cutting down on emissions and saving the environment is your concern, then pat yourself on the back for owning a Prius. But anyone who claims that the better mileage will actually save them money over an old car - forget it. It will take 15 years or more for the mileage savings to outweigh the pruchase price.
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'93 244: 'A' cam 4 deg. advanced, 25/22 sways, custom heim endlinks, poly bushings, and a lot more styling customization than I care to recount.