Why I'll never upgrade my car.

Why He Kept the Prius

The narrator explains why he decided not to replace the family’s 2012 Toyota Prius, even though he considered buying a larger car before welcoming a second child. He sees the decision as a way to resist “lifestyle inflation”—the assumption that major life changes should come with more expensive purchases.

He and his wife bought the Prius for a year-long road trip around North America. They removed the rear seats to create a sleeping area and spent much of the year living out of the car. Later, a low-cost roof rack and cargo box helped them carry a large group and their belongings on a two-week summer trip. They finished that trip with room to spare.

Reasons He Considered Upgrading

• More room and comfort: At 183 cm tall, he finds the Prius cramped. He also wondered whether it could accommodate two child seats and the family’s gear.
• New features: He would like heated seats, stronger air conditioning, a sunroof, better headlights, and improved airbags.
• Style: A newer car—especially a Toyota Sienna—appealed to him partly because it seemed cool.

Reasons He Decided to Keep the Prius

• Cost: The Prius is paid off, inexpensive to run, and fuel-efficient. A larger vehicle with similar reliability and efficiency could cost at least $40,000, with additional expenses for insurance, fuel, and repairs.
• Stress and responsibility: A more expensive car might make him more anxious about scratches or damage caused by his children. He values being able to use the Prius without worrying much about its condition.
• Reliability and repairability: He trusts the Prius’s reliability and worries that the growing complexity of newer cars, including their electronics and software, makes them harder and more expensive to repair.
• Lifestyle: He prefers walking or biking when possible. He also does not want an expensive car to pressure him into driving more or buying costly accessories to match its image.
• Environmental impact: He argues that keeping an efficient car is generally preferable to buying a new one, while owning no personal transport is more sustainable still.

Main Takeaway

The narrator encourages readers to question whether a purchase will genuinely improve their lives or is driven by social expectations, status, or the feeling that a new milestone requires a new possession. He recommends making a pros-and-cons list before a major purchase and considering its practical, emotional, and environmental costs.

Notable Details

Locations: North America, a public park, and the family’s driveway.

Products mentioned: 2012 Toyota Prius, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, Tesla Model Y, Mitsubishi Outlander, roof racks, and a cargo box.

People: The narrator, his wife, and their children.