I compared to a mini-van since that was what we originally were thinking to buy. We wouldn't have gotten a Corolla since it's more cramped for a family of 5. The Prius has a surprisingly large amount of space, though much less than a van.

I'm not really going for an objective comparison of what's better, but what my options were, based on what we were looking for, considered, etc. So to me, I've saved over the other cars I would have purchased, many of which were I the 18mpg range. If I hadn't had an Odyssey, which I really didn't like, and had a Grand Caravan, I might have purchased it at the end of the lease.

I can't believe that the navigation and computerized dash add much weight or use much power. From what I understand they run off the normal battery and engine, not the hybrid batteries. The nav is a small computer, like a 6 disc changer.

You only are supposed to change the oil at 5000 miles. I use synthetic, tend to go closer to 7k. The batteries are supposed to last over 100k miles. The last few years I looked at, people had gotten over 100k without changing batteries.

And we want to enjoy life, not get the bare bones, minimalistic transportation we could. If that was the case, we'd all drive Rabbits, Mini's, or Civics.

Not really a BMW guy. No good reason, they're good cars, just not my style.

The 914 is a blast. It's basically a go-cart, about 1100 lbs, corners better than anything I've ever driven (even the 911), fast enough to be fun, and very reliable. Costs me about $1000 a year because something will break. Fuel pump, brake line, battery, exhaust manifold cleanout. I can almost guarantee something will break, but I pretty much drove it almost every day in CO for a year and a half.

However it's a rough ride, only takes one kid and I often have two. Plus I always wanted a 911, and I just enjoy riding in it more.

Going on eBay soon!