Thinking about buying an "Advanced Plug in Prius"

What are the differences between that and driving in the PWR range in EV?

It's the amount of electricity continuously drawn from the battery-pack.

While cruising along the highway in EV-BOOST mode... that's the default if you don't press the HV/EV button to switch from EV to HV... not much horsepower is needed, so the engine is run slow and the electric motor primarily provides thrust.

The PWR range (that red zone on the the Eco-Meter) is basically asking for maximum power, which is always brief... unless you're climbing a mountain. So the engine will be contributing lots of power too.

In EV-BOOST, the engine is turning mainly due to mechanical limitations in the power splitting device. With the engine stopped and the car going above 62mph, the gears would be spinning too fast, so the engine runs to reduce the difference. But there is very little load on the engine.

So, I went to the local dealership today.... Im pretty close to taking one home. Im trying to remain calm and think about it thoroughly before jumping in.

I have a brand new, literally on the showroom floor, blue pip with the advance package on hold until Monday night. They are going to let me take it home Monday night so I can see if I can charge it at my apartment complex without tripping the circuit breaker. The car is a blue advanced package and the price is $35,999.

I would be trading in my 04 Tundra and my 08 Prius. After paying off the remaining balances on both cars, using the equity on the pip my payment is about $100/month less than what I pay now. PLUS I will be getting free electric at home. Assuming I can use an outlet that is connected to a meter that the complex pays for.

Because Ithaca is such a small town. That means Im pretty sure Ill be able to drive anywhere in town on all electric and NEVER pay a dime unless I happen to be leaving town. That sounds pretty awesome to me....

Hey Jimbo,

Is that $35,999 after your trade in? If not you are stealing it. I paid $4,000 more than that. Consider yourself blessed. I'm jealous but happy for you.

Sincerely...

Not including any trade in. Thats the asking price for the car.

Yeah seriously. TRUECar.com isn't showing selling prices anywhere near that far below MSRP yet.

Wow cool. It is, as they call in automotive sales, an "aged unit". For some reason its been there for a while. Its a pretty high volume dealer and they just want to move it.

Unfortunately I missed out on the base plug in that went for $26,999. It was sold yesterday.

Well, enjoy your Advanced version. Trust me you will enjoy that beyond all expectations.

made the hail damage decision easy for you.

Yeah that it did! lol!
Im hoping to work them for some accessories and maybe get the payment down slightly. The only big factor left at this point is to make sure it doesnt trip the breaker in the garage. Im REALLY hoping it doesnt so I can charge the car for free.

I just drove my Base PIP 875 miles almost all in HV, including over a 9,500 foot pass, and got a calculated 58.5MPG. The only electric charge was the one I started with. I drove the highways at 65MPH.

jimbo, what are you getting on the trip in your 08? you should do as well or better in the pip.

it shouldn't trip the breaker, it's not pulling that much, but i suppose you won't know until you try.

Where I live the parking lot light above my car dims for about 1 minute then comes back on. Kill a watt meter says still pulling 11.6 amps though.

Because of this heat wave we have been having all summer long Ive needed to run the ac every time I drive it. Its been 95-100 and humid almost every day all summer long.
Because of that I have only been getting around 41 mpg :/

Quit being such a wimp! sweat it out!

lol! I dont mind warm weather but it has been HOT AS HELL here lately. I could probably sweat it out a little with the ac on 2 or 3 but the girlfriend and new puppy would hate me. They win and they get ac on high.

Yeah, I can relate. it was 102 a week ago here. I was charging my car at the "free" Chargepoint station nearby, sweating it out while a Volt was occupying the 240 volt slot, thus making me use the 120 volt slot at 2.5 hours. It was then I decided to fork over the $15.00 a month to my landlord for the use of the outlet at my parking spot.