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Millennial Excited for the Prius Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Vihzel, Apr 7, 2016.

  1. Vihzel

    Vihzel New Member

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    Despite all the huge amounts of negativity around here, I must say that I am really excited to see the Prius Prime in person. I was really excited for the regular 2016 Prius, but then it was revealed and I lost so much interest. The Prius Prime was revealed, and I am really excited for the car. It's what the Gen 4 Prius should have looked like, especially after the concept car.

    I think the Prius Prime looks really quite stunning and aggressive. I'd get it in blizzard pearl. I love that it uses all exterior LED lighting (aside from the backup lights but that's fine). The front fascia is quite beautiful. The headlights don't look all "alien" as in the Gen 4 Prius with those really weird acute angles; it looks more upscale akin to the jewel-eyes on Acuras. The rear tail light design took a bit more getting used to since it's so unique with that dip in the middle, but it has definitely grown on me since it works really nicely with the curved glass and knowing it's for enhanced aerodynamics.

    The stand out part of the interior is the gigantic touchscreen display. As a major tech buff, I absolutely love it. I'm someone who really enjoys all the latest tech (latest phones, latest laptops, latest smartwatches, etc). To see something like that gigantic screen in a car like the Prius Prime is exciting. It'll be the closest thing I'd get to Tesla's screen without owning a Tesla. I currently have an 8.4" screen in my Merc C-Class, and it feels a bit small.

    The loss of the 5th seat in the middle is not a problem at all for someone like me. I'm a single, young millennial who doesn't plan to have children for a loooong time. I don't even want a 5th passenger in my current car because the 5th seat is more of a "seat" than a seat. I rarely ever need to try to fit in a 5th person because by that point, there's someone else who will drive so people aren't crammed into one car or we just go with a bigger car. Before my C-Class, I drove an Infiniti G37 coupe, which did not have a 5th seat.

    I'm not entirely sure... but it seems like the cargo size will be bigger than what I have currently, but I'd have to get hard figures to really determine if it's true.

    I can't wait until I see the car in person, and determine if I want to get it or not. I've been really wanting a hybrid for the increased mpg since I do a lot of city driving and enjoy going on road trips. My current car gets about 25mpg combined, which is vastly city driving. I'm sure owning a hybrid would be far better for my driving needs and style. I'd also love to be able to just drive to the supermarket and back home just on electric (10 mile round trip).

    I have considered the Tesla Model 3, BUT I don't feel the range is really that good enough to support long road trips (several to national parks). I would have to stop far more frequently along my trips and be much more concerned over refueling. I know some other members have compared the Prius Prime to the Model 3, but they're very different cars targeting different buyers. Also, just because they're around the same price range, doesn't mean they should be automatically compared. If that was the case, then the Prius would have far more direct competitors that everyone would have to think about. I really do like the Model 3, and my father even put in a preorder for it to use as his daily work car (if he is able to get at least the $3,750 tax credit), but the range limitations makes it a bit restrictive. Also, the electric charging station infrastructure around where I live is not good. There are a lot of stations available around, BUT there is one big caveat. You have to be a "patron" at around 90-95%+ of locations to have access to it. Want to just quickly "refuel" as you're passing the station to go to another city? Better pay for a hotel stay (most stations are at hotels).

    The Prime would definitely be best of both worlds for me. Electric range is long enough to cover my work commute and hybrid train is perfect for higher driving days and for very long range drives.
     
    #1 Vihzel, Apr 7, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2016
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! great write up, and all the best in the future.(y)
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    [​IMG]

    Well said!
     
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  4. Jan Treur

    Jan Treur Active Member

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    It seems that all your statements could have come from me!
    (except being young ...)
     
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  5. KrPtNk

    KrPtNk Active Member

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    I would say that I am young at heart, but now a days that might indicate one's had a transplant.
     
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  6. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    Perfectly said!

    I went from a smart fortwo that I had for 7.5 years to a 2012 PiP, so having 5 seats to me is over-kill, but that's ok... 4 seats is just fine for 99% of my needs. Having 20 miles EV range would be excellent for me, because then I could get all the way to work on electric and recharge for the drive home. (Volt would be even better, but... I'm a Toyota guy...) I think the styling of the Prime is WAY better than the regular Prius... it's amazing what details will do to the over-all look of a car.

    All that said, I just got my "old" PiP Christmas Eve 2015. I've already put 10,000 miles on it (odo now reads 61,000) with 2 medium road trips (1000-1500 miles), and 1 huge one (5000 miles). I split time between 2 and 4 wheels in the summer, so additional mileage should slow to regular levels soon... I figure this car should meet my needs for at least 5 years, if not 8-10, or even more (as long as there aren't any failures). It's got all the goodies I wanted, so tech-drool shouldn't be too bad for a while... but, by the time I need to replace this thing, the Prius will be redesigned again, and there will hopefully be a plethora of new Hybrid/Plug-In/EVs available to cause me at least a year of debate.

    Thank you for providing some positivity and excitement! This is a great group of people here at PC, but sometimes the expectations can get a little lofty, and at that point, nothing seems good enough any more. It's nice to see someone excited. Good luck in your search!
     
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  7. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    Sounds like you are the target audience for the Prime. I definitely like how it looks better than the Gen4 also. I am interested to see what they price it at.
     
    Felt likes this.
  8. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Fantastic!
    you can purchase the Prime and be the first person to advise me how the Louisiana PHEV tax credit works for Prime. See my separate post on state tax credits.

    Since you mention cargo space, which I like to undertsand better-
    I think - could be wrong until I get my tape measure on one- there is approx. 20-ft3 cargo space in a Gen4 no spare case (I am not talking about reported "EPA" cargo specs here) and Prime reportedly is subtract 7-ft3.

    I know nothing about Merc C-class but I see 480-liters cargo space (which would probably be EU VDA basis) is about 17.0-ft3 whereas Prius Gen4 no-spare is 502-liters (17.7-ft3) reported in the EU. USA we are reporting 27.4-ft3 for the same Gen4, so go figure. Cargo space is hard to understand due to the different techniques used to report it (as you can see from above). But the Merc C-class reportedly has a good "boot" space as they say in UK, so matching the Merc with Prime may not be easy. The regular no-Prime Gen4 should out-do the Merc C by a little on cargo.
     
    #8 wjtracy, Apr 7, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 7, 2016
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  9. Vihzel

    Vihzel New Member

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    Oh you're welcome! It's nice to see some others who are looking forward to learning more about the Prime. It was really disheartening at first coming to Prius Chat and seeing so many people disliking/hating it. I wanted to bring some positivity to this subforum so it doesn't just continue in a downward spiral.

    I understand the emotions coming from current owners of the Prius plug-in, and how some of their expectations were not met with the upcoming generation. I was really disappointed by the regular Gen 4 Prius, although I have never owned a Prius before. The cars I've driven in the past have all been compact luxury cars (C-Class, G37 coupe, and IS), so that is kind of where my perspective is coming from. I know the interior materials will not come close to my current C-Class, but I am looking for a more environmentally friendly and cost-saving vehicle since I would not be relying on "daddy's money" once I finish grad school. I have been considering the Prius because I have become much more environmentally-conscious, and will be working as a green building analyst at an energy/green building consulting firm. They have two dedicated electric charging stations, and no one is currently using them. A few hybrids in the company, but no plug-ins yet.

    Once I get a new car, my Merc is going to my mom who is driving an old 2003 Merc. I'll definitely say this... I am not getting another Merc again. Too many problems with my C-Class that is difficult for the dealer to address (excessive wind noise, random rattles/vibrations that don't show up in their test runs, really shaky start/stop ignition, and more).
     
  10. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    I'm glad you think it'll be a fit for you :)

    One comment I'd make, as someone who has no kids and has no interest in kids, the backseat is more of a disappointment in terms of owning dogs. I'd rather have a bench so that they could lay down comfortably. I don't expect many, if any, humans would ever get in the backseat of my car (although I have some relatives coming soon so maybe). Usually, for our yearly camping/road trips in which we take friends/gear, we rent a bigger vehicle.
     
  11. Vihzel

    Vihzel New Member

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    Ahhh ok. I used to foster dogs and would transport them when I had the G37 coupe (small backseat). What I would do is always put the seats down so the rear is just flat. I could see it being an issue with the Prius Prime since the cupholder and armrest would still be exposed, but I guess you could stuff some things in the cupholders and then cover it with blankets to protect them. I don't have any dogs and probably won't own one simply due to having to live in an apartment and gone for 8 hours of the day at a time.
     
  12. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    Spoiled! don't want regular gas car anymore! went to a meeting this morning!
    upload_2016-4-7_13-41-56.png
     
  13. Vihzel

    Vihzel New Member

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    Wow that's fantastic mpg. The best that I could do is 38mpg on pure highway driving (road trips) in my current car. The G37 and IS were far worse around 24-25mpg. Someday I'll do 50+.
     
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    A pity. I thought they've improved after the divorce from Chrysler. The current C-Class looks good on the inside. The outside is ok. Kinda like a mini S-Class. A step up from the B-Class/CLA-Class in material quality.


    Could you fold the rear seats down? The seatbacks are flat.
     
  15. Zojja

    Zojja Active Member

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    The only problem I'd see with that is it is harder for the dogs to get in unassisted and if you want to keep stuff in the wayback, it has a risk of sliding or dogs getting into it.
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ahh I see.
     
  17. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    For you dog owners, couldn't you lay a dense blanket down over the rear console first? Or if the seats are up, then over the entire length of the seats?
     
  18. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    What he said -
    The pip II sounds like it'll do you perfectly
    .
     
  19. Jan Treur

    Jan Treur Active Member

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    You are really pointing at some issue here. During the last half year my participation in this forum has become very minimal due to this issue. The negative contributions were repeated all the time: each time creating new threads to repeat them again, and at the same time also spoiling other threads with them.

    I prefer to spend the time I have in my life in more constructive and positive environments and not to spoil it by exposing myself to toxic atmospheres of hate. I think in general that is a healthy regulation strategy, and I noticed that also others who represent the more positieve and constructive side did the same. (But not all, for example, positive diehards such as bisco seem immune for toxic environments.)

    You phrase it well: if the negative contributions are multiplied over and over again and if the positive members stay away, this indeed makes a downward spiral. I have often wondered whether there was no way in which moderators could intervene, but probably the options they have are not adequate enough.
     
    #19 Jan Treur, Apr 8, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2016
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  20. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Welcome to America, seems everything is quite divisive these days.