"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
The Prius has the mileage, but not the price. However, your price is a
red herring as people have no problem paying $35K for an SUV so paying
$22K for a Prius isn't a problem.

Matt

Not a question of total dollars, but of perceived value. If the Prius was
equipped as a standard gasoline powered car, it would sell for about $15k or
$16k. For the same price as the Prius, I can buy a minimal model Buick
LeSabre and have lots more room and comfort.

Comes down to paying $22k for a $16k car just to be "green" and probably not
save a buck in the overall life of the car. Even at today's prices, there
is no payback for a long time. In 75,000 miles (assuming a 15 mpg gain)
you'd save 1125 gallons of gas, at 3.30 a gallon, only $3712. Not enough to
pay the difference in car cost.