Prius Plug-In vs normal Prius...

A regular Prius is not at its best (most efficient) on really short trips like your drive to work. You would be disappointed on short drives like that.
You're in an ideal position for a PiP.
Or even all electric, but that would depend on what other long range driving you do.

But if you are looking for a single do-all car the PiP would be an ideal choice, especially in your circumstances.

Why not consider the the base PiP?

 

^^^ I'd agree with 9G-Man on all his points. The regular Prius, now known as the Prius Liftback, gets its best mileage on trips about 8 miles or more. I use the PiP for my extremely short trips back and forth to work as well as short jaunts into town, ~5 miles. Very pleased. With my mostly electric commute (77%/23% ration) I'm getting 170mpg, so far. As far as acceleration, it is adequate although I haven't had it long enough to try to "punch-it" or even try out the "Power" button.

 

The PIP Has no spare tire

 

I 2nd that and it's really not efficient (well, in the 30's if that's all you did) on very short trips to close by shopping centers. I just get to watch my hard earned MPGs dive down on those. In process of getting the right bicycle to offset some of those trips.

 

If you are already addicted to high tech gadgets, then you already know the answer to this. Put simply, the Base model will not feed your jones.

One example is that the Base model's Nav/sound system. It's compromised out of the box by the fact that it does not allow you all the wireless connections that you can have with the Advanced HD Nav/sound. There are already a few threads with owners whose expectations were much higher than the Base model has delivered.

There are other compromises as well - Radar speed control in Advanced vs. analog speed control in Basic.

So if you are one who hates seeing all the things your car could do if you had the option packages, then don't even consider the Basic.

But it does come at a cost. $7000 to be exact. And there are many who can't see the value. I agree with them - but if I am going to live with the car for 4-5 years, that $7,000 feels much less of a hit.

I am surprised that there isn't MORE in the Advanced package, but you do get Safety Connect free for three years, and there's some value in that. It's all a matter of where you want your money to go.

From where I sit, the money in your pocket today will buy much more than it will 4-5 years from now, that's for sure. So I think keeping your car longer will be a bigger deal.

 

4-5 years??? The only car I've had that was less than 10 years old when I got the next one was because it got totaled in the parking lot!

Lots of people live with their cars for a long time. My current CR-V is over 13 years old and 223K+ miles and still going strong. I'm expecting the PiP that should be delivered this weekend rockon to do as well or better. For that length of time... no compromise! I spend a lot of time in my car and don't plan on regretting any of it just because I cheaped out.

 

I had a 2006 Prius. In the winter, I averaged 55-58 mpg and in the summer, 58-64.2 (yes, 64.2 as calculated by miles/gallons). My secret??? a 31 mile commute and lots of walking. I live within 1/4 to 1/2 mile of just about everything I need (hardware store, grocery store, Drug store, schools, etc) so I was able to avoid short trips almost completely. My payback was incredibly high mileage.
Now with the pip, even though i still walk almost everywhere, I averaged 111 on my first tank. I could expect much higher if I drive my short trips or if I had a shorter commute. I love both but the pip would be my easy choice. So far, I love it!

 

4 miles each way...I highly recommend a bicycle.
Same gas consumption as PIP in EV mode, and around $31,700 cheaper!

 

I can chime in that the 2012 PiP drives and handles essentialy very similar, to the 2010 Model V Prius I traded in for it.. one difference was my 2010 had a little better handling, because it had the low profile tires, however, I will NEVER again buy a car with low-profile tires.. 1 pothole, bam, $275 to replace the tire, and they have not worn all that well. Nope, standard tires for me.

 

I also traded a 2010 for a PiP, and the battery is the fundamental difference. I'm pretty certain that any Prius fan would prefer a PiP, because it stays in Stealth mode so much longer.

The battery is warranted for 10 years/150,000 miles in California and other CARB states.

 

I drive just under 6 miles, one way, to work. I traded my '09 Prius for my PIP; had an '06 Prius before that. I can, in theory, now live all week without supporting OPEC, Mobil, Exxon, Iran, or off-shore drilling. I love this!

As far as basic vs. advanced, I bought the advanced because a) I love new tech and gadgets; b) I am too old to skimp on myself; c) believe it or not, I keep my Prii longer than I have ever kept any car.

Oh, and on weekends, if I am running a short errand close to home and weather permits, I do use my recumbent trike instead of my PIP.

 

That's awesome. For 31 miles commute, PHV doubled your 2006 Prius MPG.

Is 31 miles round trip? How many times do you plug in a day?

 

Or a plugin electric bicycle.

 

We have a 2010 IV and the PIP. From a driveability standpoint, not much difference at all. Although I will say that I drive the PIP much easier to extend the EV range.

 

31 miles each way! I schedule charging in the morning before my commute to work and then I'm able to charge before coming home. My first tank was I think 47% EV.

Yes, I love this car!!!!