2012 Toyota Prius c Gets 53 MPG and It's Affordable
And with a starting price of less than $19,000, some are wondering if the Prius c might actually be the most affordable car in its class - despite the added cost of its hybrid engine.
First, it's important to note that the c comes standard with automatic transmission, power windows and locks, remote entry, USB input, Bluetooth, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Most other cars in the sub-compact class need hundreds or even thousands of dollars in additional options to match the Prius c's base offering.
When compared apples to apples, the Prius c actually comes in second place for affordability over a 5 year period. The Kicking Tires blog computed all the numbers.
As an added bonus, the resale value of hybrids usually hold up well, so the Prius c will probably have lower depreciation costs as well.
Despite a higher initial price, the Prius c should definitely be on your consideration list. But wait at least several months before buying one - I expect demand to be extremely high at first, which will make it very difficult to negotiate any deals.
3 Steps Every Car Buyer Needs to Take to Save Maximum Money
The key to getting the best deal is to gather price or lease bids from as many local dealers as possible. Then shop that best price around until no one can beat it. Here are the steps:Step 1 Get Prices From My Trusted Network
Select the vehicle you're interested in to see if there are local dealers in my network who will provide you with their best upfront price. You will get direct access to an internet sales manager who you can further negotiate with online (no need to visit dealership).Step 2 Get Prices From TrueCar / CarsDirect
TrueCar, and CarsDirect are my top 2 online price quote recommendations. These services show you pre-negotiated prices from dealers closest to you - and the deals are usually pretty decent. But remember, you can still negotiate further.Step 3 Complete my Checklist
Follow this up with my checklist to make sure you squeeze out every last bit of savings.- Gregg Fidan

Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...
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