<prompt> Human: First-time poster overjoyed to find this subreddit!Im a 26-year-old grad student with one semester left which will be an unpaid internship so Ive already paid my last tuition bill, but have not begun to pay back my student loans. I live with my parents and I have a part time job where Ill make a minimum of 11,325 in 2014, but I work all the extra hours I can and will be looking for a full-time job now that my liberal arts degree is nearly finished. Getting a full-time job will be tough, but I dont expect to take longer than a year to find it due to my ability and solid references. I need a car to commute to this job and possibly to the internship and other jobs. I live in Boston, MA.I had a 2000 Civic that I got totally paid off and for free death in family when I was 14 and it has served me well until I was rear-ended while stopped in traffic last week, totaling the car. The insurance hasnt been sorted out yet, but I wasnt at fault and getting legal assistance wont be an issue if thats necessary. I didnt have collision insurance, so I wont be getting anything just yet.Id really like to get a used Prius, a decision I reached after setting these relatively arbitrary criteria:1 My Civic got around 28-32 MPG, but I want better because gas is only going to get more expensive.2 I only want to get a car that I can buy outright, no loans.3 I want a car that is reliable and retains some value, which Prii I looked the plural up appear to be.4 Specifically, Ive been looking for a certified pre-owned Prius that is:4a In the current 2010- generation.4b With fewer than 40,000 miles, but ideally under 35,000.4c Under 18,000, but ideally 16-17,000.My internal argument is: Well I was really lucky for getting a free car for the last 10 years, so why not get something that I both like and could potentially last as long if I need it to? But somehow that may not be as solid as an argument as it seems when Im car shopping.I have about about 30,000 in savings and a Roth IRA with 16,500 to show Im not robbing my retirement money for this.  <response>: My Civic got around 28-32 MPG, but I want better because gas is only going to get more expensive.Dont spend 10,000 extra to save 2,000 on gas. I only want to get a car that I can buy outright, no loans.You could buy an early-2000s Civic outright. I want a car that is reliable and retains some value, Doesnt get much more reliable and value-retaining than a Honda Civic. My internal argument is: Well I was really lucky for getting a free car for the last 10 years, so why not get something that I both like and could potentially last as long if I need it to?Seems like you really just want a Prius and you are trying to justify it. Financially, its not worth it. But hey, if it makes you happy, thats what money is for. The important thing, is look at the extra 10k you are spending for a Prius over say a Civic, and decide if the car upgrade is the best thing you could spend it on.5 years from now, would you be happier with a Prius, or with a Civic plus the memories of a kickass 4-month backpack trip around Europe one summer? 