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Low mileage driver. Which Prius to buy Prime Advanced or Hybrid Advanced Tech?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Pugwinkle, May 3, 2017.

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  1. Pugwinkle

    Pugwinkle Junior Member

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    I love the sporty look of the Prius and would love to have one but I am having a hard time deciding whether I should buy a Prius and if I were to buy one should I get the new Prime (when it becomes available in Ontario, Canada) or buy the Prius Hybrid Advanced Technology.

    I only drive about 5,000 miles per year now. I usually do drive every day but not very far. Probably average 15 miles a day, give or take. The odd time I'll take a short trip from Kitchener to Mississauga or Toronto but that only happens about 3 or 4 times a year.

    Is the Prius meant more for people that drive a lot. Considering I don't drive all that much will that harm the batteries in the vehicle?

    Which Prius will work better (if any) for someone that doesn't drive a lot, the Prime or the Hybrid?
     
  2. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Not driving a lot is more an issue for getting rusting brakes than anything else.
    The battery is of no concern really, considering the EXCELLENT track record of Prius since introduction 15+ years ago.

    If you have an amount of disposable income, but care about the environment, the Prime would be better as the trips would be driven electric most of the time.
    If instead you have to take care to save money, you would need to see if the "business case" of a Prime vs regular Prius vs pimped Prius makes sense considering insurance, fuel price, km driven and so on.
    If you want to save money, and also the environment, go with the cheapest Prius you can afford or you are willing to pay for. I don't know what the Hybrid Advanced Tech version offer, you need to decide if the extra $$$ are worth in the overall business case.

    Consider that in Germany the base Prius Prime is about 5-6k€ more than the base Prius - the number of km to be driven in electric at 0.25kW are so many that before you break even and actually save money compared to the fuel only version, are probably so many, no one will ever manage to drive. Unless you have electricity available for free from solar panels installed on the roof of your home, that is.... ;)
     
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  3. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    It depends largely on what you want a car for. For the same money, there are many other options too, and you need to decide which best meets your needs (and desires). 5000 miles a year is likely to take a lot longer to break even if you're looking at actually saving money, but there are many more reasons for buying a car than that.

    In my case, I'll likely not really save anything dramatic unless fuel costs appreciate - I tend to change cars every 3 or 4 years at 12000 miles/yr. I drove everything in the same $$$ amount, and decided that PRIUS fitted my requirements well. It's quiet, economical, reasonably roomy with a large boot (trunk). It also depends on what your present car is - if it's a gas guzzler, you'll certainly notice the difference, but I had a small diesel sedan which was amazingly economical - but with diesel a bit "on the nose" now, I decided to not repeat the diesel experience.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they are probably overkill for you, but if you like and want the technology, i would go for the prime. that way, you're all ev except for the long trips.
    have you considered the previous plug in prius, are they available used in canada? it would be a much better car for your needs, but not as attractive or high tech as prime.
    all the best with your decision!(y)
     
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Only thing is, the Gen 3 doesn't drive anything like as "2017 era car" as a 2017, quite an older feel.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no question, but at 15 miles a day?:rolleyes:
     
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  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I would get the Prime and keep it charged. go for 100% electric
     
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  8. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    But remember that PRIME is only a 4 seater.
     
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  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Tough call.

    The Prime qualifies for $7,000 in Ontario (when it arrives), right? That might end up making it cheaper than the Prius (unless somehow TCI prices the Prius Prime more than $7k more which would put it at $39k before taxes).

    With 24 kms/day, that's well within the Prime's range (In the summer, you could do 2 days' worth on one charge. In the winter, maybe 1.5x). The Prius prefers to be driven regularly but I'm thinking with the Prime, at least there's the ability to charge the battery to maintain battery charge. But even if you drive every other day, that's fine. It's just that you won't see the good mileage with a regular Prius as 12 km (one-way) isn't enough to warm up the engine (esp. in the winter). The Prime will at least allow you to drive electric summer and winter (you can pre-heat or pre-cool the car so it's a nice convenience feature).

    The pros for a Prius Technology w/ Advanced Package is the larger trunk. It has a tire repair kit (all other Prius models have a spare tire) so it has a deeper trunk, resulting in the largest trunk a Prius has had. The Prime will have a significant smaller trunk (but still reasonable size since it's a hatchback). The floor is 3" higher than the bumper height (6" higher than the Prius Tech w/ Adv Pkg). Also, the Prius Tech has a moonroof if that matters. No moonroof available in the Prime.
     
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  10. Pugwinkle

    Pugwinkle Junior Member

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    Thanks for the responses.

    I'm hoping Ontario will offer us more than $7,000. for the incentive for the Prime. I realize there are lots of other cars out there that probably meet my needs (that are not hybrids or plug ins) but I really don't like the looks of much out there. When I saw the Prius, the sporty look really caught my eye. I didn't realize at first that it was a hybrid I just loved it. I have a Hyundai Elantra GT w/panoramic sun roof which I really like but that car looks like every car on the road these days. It's great on gas but still only gets about 8L/100km.

    My main concern is which car would be better for my situation. It sounds like the Prime might be the best for me. I like the idea that there are only two seats in the back. Not terribly happy about the fact that the trunk is smaller than the Prius Hybrid but I guess it's not a deal breaker. I would love to have another sunroof but not sure that's a deal breaker. In fact, the reason I started looking at new cars was because on April 1st as I was driving on the expressway my panoramic sunroof just exploded for no reason. Scared the crap out of me. Sounded like a bomb had gone off in my back seat. Glass everywhere! :( Hyundai Canada wouldn't take responsibility even though the service manager at the dealership agreed and put in writing that it was a warranty issue. So I'm not impressed with Hyundai. They have a nice warranty of 5 years but if they aren't willing to stand behind their product what good is a long warranty? I googled and found out that there is a lawsuit in the States in regards to their sunroofs exploding. But of course they won't take responsibility.

    So both cars batteries will be fine even though I don't drive a lot? In the case of the Prime, I would likely be driving mostly on electric. Is that not bad for the motor? Does the gas not go bad in the car if it's not being used at all?

    I am hoping that the 2018's will have Entune at least, would prefer Android Auto and Carplay though.

    Denise
     
  11. Sooner Al

    Sooner Al Active Member

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  12. Pugwinkle

    Pugwinkle Junior Member

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    That link says it's to be used if you are planning to store your vehicle for more than 30 days?
     
  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Of the choices, wouldn't the Hybrid Prius Liftback be the best match at only 5K miles a year? Liftback & Prime are both hybrids and the hybrid system works best when it is used more than 5K a year.
    Actually a Corolla or Camry would likely be better suited for the OP. If more luxury, an Avalon or Lexus possibly.
     
  14. Pugwinkle

    Pugwinkle Junior Member

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    Don't like the look of the Corolla or Camry (I want something sporty looking). Can't afford the Lexus.
     
  15. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    The HV batteries should be fine. 12 volt batteries need to be charge at least once a month, but that can be sitting in your driveway.
    The engine will be fine ( as will the motors) I would try to use at least one tank of gas a year. (I use one every third day)
     
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  16. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    Too bad they discontinued the Solara in 2008. From Wikipedia "The Solara sold below expectations, as it inherited the unexciting handling from its Camry parent"

    TNGA seems to be getting good reviews so maybe it's time for Toyota to bring back the Solara?
     
  17. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Sonata is a Hyundai name. I thought you had it in USA, including a Hybrid version. (The real early ones were based on Mitsubishi Galant.)
     
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    We have the Sonata in the US.
    The Solara was originally known as the Camry Solara. They removed the 2-door option from Camry and moved it to a different, "more sporty" badge. The name was later changed to just Solara.

    [​IMG]

    Toyota Camry Solara - Wikipedia
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our mileage is similar. With our 2010 we're managing to stay under 5 liters per 100 km. Had it for 6 going on 7 years now. Fill up about once a month, and that is with the gas gauge not low, just below the half way mark. Yesterday fill up: about 25 lliters, and $33 (at $1.28 a liter, dropping a bit).

    A regular 2017 Prius, in the same situation, we'd probably be getting fuel efficiency around 4.5 liters per 100 km, due to design improvements. That's what, 20%? So, same situation, instead of $33 monthly, it would be something like $26~27, or $310~320 yearly.

    So with low mileage, not a lot of expense. Actually a fraction of the expenses, such as depreciation, insurance, repair, (snow tires?) and maintenance.

    I would consider the regular Prius as well, weigh the two.
     
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  20. Steve Lee

    Steve Lee Member

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    I suggest to evaluate the main reason in purchasing new vehicle. Your discontent are the sudden shatter of the panoramic glass (safety) then manufacturer not covering under warranty. Well there other manufacturers may be doing similar action. As part of evaluation I would start calculating your financial benefits and non benefits in purchasing a Prius or Prius Prime. Just for high level view, your current vehicle value with or without fixing your panoramic glass +pay money spent to fix, then calculate the price in which you willing to purchase Prius or Prius Prime up front (I do not know if 7000 is tax credit or tax deduction or rebate when purchasing at the time). Subtract your current vehicle value with glass fix from your chosen new want vehicle calculated price. The financial result will provide you a guideline in worth purchasing your new want vehicle.
    If I had same experience, I would be upset to say the least, then I would join the legal action, but keep current vehicle.