Thinking about buying an "Advanced Plug in Prius"

I am assuming that the PiP will depreciate faster than the average car. Low EV range, high premium for plug-in over regular Prius, and the pace of innovation. Just my opinion.

I don't know much about leasing but interest rates in general right now are at an all-time low. I assume you get the same tax credits on a lease as a purchase; if not then it's a big extra cost.

Seeing as how I can get free electric at home/work wouldn’t a Volt make more sense? I would have more free power to use in the Volt than the PIP. I’ve read that the highway mileage for the Volt isn’t as high as the Prius’ but if I am starting out with 35ish miles (I think that’s what the electric range is) I wonder if that would work out to be better.

I drove a volt yesterday and I really liked it, surprisingly. I liked the fit and finish. It’s a little smaller than the pip but I think its fine for me.

I guess I should create a spreadsheet and figure out the math.

It depends on what's important to you. If you want to optimize money, then do the math. The Prius will get great mileage on those long drives you take. The Volt will use gas to carry the heavy larger battery bank.

If you like one car or the other and can afford either, buy the one you like.

Take both of them up and down those Ithaca hills. My PiP is a turtle on hills unless I floor it. The decider might be the Volt's ability to stay on EV longer and use the electric torque on the hills.

I drove a Volt last year. I would have been inclined to support the U.S. auto industry. But I didn't like some things about the interior and the driving, but maybe that was a one-off as all the comments about the drive seem to be positive. I like Toyotas so waited for my PiP.

But that was me. This is you. Good luck with your decision.

Ok so correct me if any of my numbers are wrong but according to a quick calculation this is what I have found comparing fuel cost of the pip and volt on a long distant trip.

In the math, I am using my 115 mile commute from my house to my mother’s house.

Volt
Im assuming I can get 30 miles in ev mode (99% up hill as I leave Ithaca) with the volt. Electric is free power for as long as I live in my new apartment complex.
After the initial 30 miles that leaves me with 85 miles to go.
From what I have read the Volt gets 37 mpg on the highway once the electric power has been depleted. 85 / 37mpg = 2.29 gals of fuel used.
2.29 x $3.63 (price of premium fuel locally)
= $8.3127 to drive to Rochester in the Volt

PIP
115 mile trip @ 50 mpg highway in the Prius using hybrid mode (Does 50mpg sound about right?)
115 / 50 = 2.3 gals used
2.3 x $3.57 (price of regular fuel locally)
= $8.21 to drive to Rochester in the PIP

I am surprised that both numbers are so close!!! This means that the PIP is cheaper for me to drive on long trips even considering the free electric from work/home.

If I have any numbers wrong please let me know! I don’t own either vehicle so I don’t know if actual mpg’s would be different.

You didn't subtract the 12-15 miles of EV you will get in the PiP, you might get more as well, if you can plug into an outlet at your mothers house, it's only about 3KWH of electricity, costs about .45 to .75 cents total (based on .15 to .25 per KWH pricing)

The PiP comes out even better.

To be fair some have reported 40-45MPG in the Volt, depends on your driving style a lot.

Using the ICE, the PiP is rated 50 mpg combined city/highway; the Volt 37. The PiP will do better than that on the highway, and probably the Volt will too.

I wouldn't count on 30 miles in EV for the Volt going up those hills. Hills gobble EV mileage in my PiP, and probably more so in the heavier Volt. And you'll get home with some EV mileage from going down the hills.

But I think bottom line, the cost for that trip will be pretty close. If it were a $2 difference and you went every weekend, and kept the car for 5 years, it would still be only $1000, which given the price difference between car models is pretty much down in the noise.

If the cost for Rochester is close, then the PiP will be way cheaper on longer trips like to Maine.

The philosophy of the cars is different. The PiP is a Prius that doesn't give up much (except the spare tire) to add a little plug-in range. The Volt, OTOH, is mainly an electric car for local trips and short to medium commutes, with a generator to extend the range. If you are mainly thinking about Rochester and longer trips, and not much local driving, then neither car makes a whole lot of sense. But either would be a neat toy.

Again, for me, a big factor would be how both vehicles feel going up those hills.

I left the ev calculation out on the prius because its use in this case would be minimal. From my house to the point where the hills start on the west side of town is only about 3 miles. Yes those 3 miles would be in ev mode however as soon as I start climbing the hill out of town Im sure the prius would engage the gas motor for the extra assist. So yes I may save a slight amount of money but not much.

And yes I would make mom give me some electric for the trip home

So if you use the first 3 miles of EV to your first hill, you would still have about 10 miles left of EV to use at your discretion somewhere else in the trip. That 10 miles of EV is about .2 gallons (10/50) or $.71 worth of gas you will save. So your final cost would be more like $7.50 for the trip!

Thats true. I didnt think of that. I just assumed that it would be used up as I went up the hill. But as long as I leave it in hybrid mode it will still be there to use when the road plateaus correct?

Yes, but I'm beginning to wonder if it even matters - as far as overall mileage. Running in pure EV mode or "blended" (running in EV with ICE on) may make little difference in terms of overall mileage.

Correct! I don't have a PiP, but from what I have read in PC, that's the way it works.

Ok well Ive decided the pip is the way to go for me. I found two really good deals. Both cars are brand new on the lot a dealership. One base one advanced. The base has hail damage so its aggressively discounted. Base is $26,999 and advanced is $35,999. Base is white and advanced is blue. I didn't think I would, but I really like the blue.

Isn't the real difference $2,500 less, because of the rebate?

No that is an additional discount. I wont be able to take advantage of that though.

This is the federal tax credit which you can take on your next year's income tax, assuming that your total tax liability for the year is at least $2500. I would think that it would be an unusual case for someone to be in a position to buy a PiP, but not pay $2500 in federal taxes.

I know what it is. I cannot take advantage of it because I own a business and I consistently show losses every year. Im thinking I may ask my mom to buy the car with me cosigning so she can get the $2500 tax credit.

Is there an NYS credit?

You don't realize how efficient the EV-BOOST mode actually is. The engine is remarkably efficient then.

I drive 3 blocks to the highway, accelerated onto it up hill, then cruise along at 70 mph. The resulting MPG 9 miles later is always over 100.

HV in Eco, regular, Boost
EV in Eco, regular, Boost

There's a basket of variables!

EV-BOOST is very specifically when you drive faster than the EV only speed but continue to draw heavily from the battery-pack. In other words, you're going faster than 62 mph but do not switch into HV mode.