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New Certified Used Owner

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Gomez, Apr 26, 2015.

  1. Gomez

    Gomez New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2015
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    Location:
    Corning, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Hello fellow PIP owners,
    The end of my lease for my Scion FR-S was up in July, so we started looking for a new vehicle and found a lovely 2012 Prius Plug In Base. Although I was very sad to turn in my Scion, I decided that this was definitely the better purchase option.
    IMG_2371.JPG

    However, this vehicle was sold with winter tires on the 15" rims. Great! I have a set of winter tires. In my garage, I also have a brand new set of 17" Scion wheels and brand new Michelin Primacy HP tires 215/45 R17 that I purchased at the start of my lease. A great summer option!

    IMG_2417.JPG
    I've done some research, I know I'll take a hit on MPG, I'm okay with that. What I'd like to know is what are your experiences with 17" wheels and Michelin HP's, if any? Just to be clear, what I am look for is Safety factors, Road Noise, Ride Comfort...
     
    Tracksyde and PLSPUSH like this.
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
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    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Nice PiP! Pretty car. I get up there once in a while my relatives have a place on Seneca lake. Maybe you do the Grand Prix. Welcome!
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to the pip club and congrats!(y)
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Maybe just get some new 15" all seasons tires? Those 15" rims are nice, wouldn't mind having a set.

    I wonder what the history is on the car? Maybe someone doing snow tires on the cheap: no extra rims, just swapping between all seasons and snow with one set of rims??

    Our Canadian Touring has the OEM 17" rims (per US 5 model) and Michelin Pilot in 215/45R17. I sometimes toy with getting 15" LRR all seasons, on rims something like what you've got: a nicely finished, kosher Toyota 15" rim.

    I've hear the models with OEM 17" have some mods to the steering, to better accommodate the 17" size, but not sure. I've heard it's ok going from 17" to 15", but the other way around is a bit risky. Though lots do it.
     
  5. Gomez

    Gomez New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2015
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    0
    Location:
    Corning, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I like the 15's as well. My thought was to keep them with the tires for winter use. As far as the history? It belonged to the daughter in law of the dealership's owner. Its clean, very low miles, and at a great price, though they never mentioned that the car had winter tires.

    What sort of mods to the steering? I didn't see much on this, just recalibration topics.

    I am considering just purchasing 15's.
     
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
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    625
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    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Welcome!
    I must say that is a great color (y)
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Well the one tangible difference in the stats is the turning radius. Models that come with the OEM 17" have a slightly larger turning radius. But there's also strong rumour that there's more to it than that, that the steering is beefed up a bit, mechanically different.
     
  8. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
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    Congrats! How many miles did it have on it?
     
  9. Gomez

    Gomez New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2015
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    Location:
    Corning, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    17900 miles!

    So I called the dealership and told them that I had winter tires on the car. They did not realize it, and said that they had the All Season back in the shop. The car came with 2 sets of tires. How cool is that!
     
    ITgem679 likes this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    wow, great deal, great dealer!(y)
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,475
    38,106
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Both sets on oem rims? That would be the jackpot. ;)