trading in 2011 pkg 3 for 2015 PiP, but...

If I had it to do over, I'd get a Tesla. Oh wait, we did. And therein lies the rub. The comparison. Yes, the Tesla is twice the price of the Pip. But you get what you pay for here.

The EV on the PHEV is kind of a joke after driving the Tesla a few months ==> A bad one, too. Toyota could've done much better but didn't. As soon as you step just a little too hard on the Pip's go pedal, boom, you're out of EV and into the gasoline tank.

Doesn't take much of a push on that pedal, either. And acceleration in EV mode? LOL Keep your 2011. The savings from a few extra mpge you'll gain (about a 10-15% gain over your current 55MPG) will be stripped away quickly by the increase in your cost to charge unless your electric rates are really low. And if you're in California, they're not. A green sticker? Have you looked over in the HOV lane at rush hour? LOL it's just as bad all the rest. Stopped. And the state just keeps printing more of the permits.

At best, making a Pip your new vehicle now will be a sideways trade that will cost you more than your current vehicle.

So am I sorry I bought my PHEV? Not yet, but I'm starting to get there. Luckily, the car'll be paid off in less than a year so that'll increase some options. The Pip seemed like a good plan in 2012, but there are so many better options just 3 years later. It's a good second car for us now, and especially for trips that fall outside of Tesla's interstate supercharger range.

And in just a few more years there'll be even more great options to choose from in the PHEV and EV market. So for you, I'd recommend to wait if you can.

Despite this, if you're still bound and determined to get one now, Dianne Whitmire is the ONLY person to consider buying your PHEV from.

 

Bfd do you get free charging as long as you charge at a Tesla charge station? I think the Tesla is probably the best car out there. Hal

 

It always strikes me as odd that people really will compare a Tesla against a PiP.

The PiP is a family oriented hatchback at $30000. A Tesla S is a sports sedan that costs twice as much.

A Tesla may suit you, and a couple of my colleagues have the Tesla too and like it, but it is totally off the radar for someone like me. They are simply from two completely different classes of car.

 

It's not just the difference in price ($73k OTD/after incentives for a base 70D versus what was ~$24k OTD for a base pip), there's an insane level of service lock-in for a Tesla and they don't appear willing to change that.

I can fix my own Prius and/or my wife's Prius any day of the week using OEM, aftermarket, or salvage parts with factory documentation as my guide(fsm/techstream). That's something I simply cannot do with Tesla at this stage.

There aren't any reasonably priced aftermarket, or even OEM (Tesla charges an arm and a leg) parts. There's salvage, but because Tesla keeps their documentation/diagnostic tools proprietary, that's only viable for body/mechanical, and even then you're flying blind.

 

I don't think tesla buyers are the same as prius buyers.....they probably don't prop the hood. $24otd? Big Macs used to be $.25 too

 

You might want to revisit that statement. It's a common rationalization people use to purchase a new vehicle. You don't just turn over 100k miles and instantly your car is worth thousands less. The only time your car loses value that quickly is the moment you drive off the dealer lot. By buying a new 2015, you are actually guaranteeing yourself to lose thousands in your car value. At year 4, your 2011 will depreciate gradually nice and slow.

 

There are quite a few Prius buyers getting Teslas.

Quirky Fact: Toyota Prius Ranks #1 on Tesla Model S Conquest Buy List - LEAF is 7th | Inside EVs

My wife and I were on the fence about a 40kWh Tesla and a pip back when the difference was only ~$25k, but once Tesla ditched their low cost model, made it clear you had no alternatives to factory service, and Toyota offered a $6500 factory rebate, we went with the Prius.

PS If you've found one (a pip, not a big mack) for $24, I'm all over that.

 

If you have the 85 or above, you can charge free at one of their superchargers. With the smaller battery size (60), you have to pay an extra $2000 to turn on that option (that's crazy). Not certain about the new 70 battery. Without a network of superchargers, the Tesla is strictly an in-town ride. Still, it takes an hour or so to get an 80% charge. So trips do get interrupted for that. But it can be rationalized that stopping for gas and eats takes a similar amount of time. Tesla's done a good job of building their superchargers near food and entertainment.

 

When you have one of each, it's an easy comparison. Trust me.

 

From Tesla's website: Every Model S includes free long distance travel using Tesla's Supercharger network and an eight year,
infinite mile battery and drive warranty.

Supercharging became standard on the 60 before it was discontinued.

 

I am getting on average 75-80 mpg. I have hills which help me and I charge at work. The Pip also allows you to go 62 mph in EV mode when EV miles are available. I have 53 k on my wife's with almost 15k in EV. On mine I have 33k with 14k in EV.

 

Yes, if you own a BMW i8 and a Toyota Camry Hybrid it's also easy to compare the two, but it doesn't make much sense to compare those two either.