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2017 v Buy now or later?

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by gafortiby, Dec 7, 2017.

  1. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    Given the confirmation that USA will not see a 2018 Prius v, I am considering my upgrade options.
    I currently own a 2012 Prius v Two and 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. I was planning to replace the Civic with another Prius v in a few years.

    Maybe I should pick up a new 2017 v now just the way I like it while it's still being produced.

    Maybe I should wait and buy one from Canada in 2020 when the new next gen platform based prius alpha is released there--I'm not sure how easy it is for me to buy a car in Canada and bring it to USA.

    Maybe I will wait for the new magical 2019 Rav4 Hybrid that will supposedly have decent MPG.

    Maybe I will wait for the new Subaru Hybrid--whenever that comes out.

    Maybe I wait and grab a used 2017 v.

    Maybe I just wait for an unknown future.
     
    #1 gafortiby, Dec 7, 2017
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  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you want a U.S. spec car the way you want it, I would order it now.

    You can still import a 2018 Prius v from Canada (it'll be launched in January 2018. 2018 Prius v (Canada only) | PriusChat ). There's no guarantee we'll get the next gen Prius v.

    Or wait for the next gen RAV4 Hybrid (assuming it's launch together with the regular RAV4).

    A Subaru Hybrid exists but it's a mild hybrid - Crosstrek Hybrid (unless that was canned for the midlife update)
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Dec 7, 2017
  3. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    I wonder when the next Rav4 Hybrid comes out. 2020??

    Subaru discontinued the Crosstrek Hybrid last year. They are supposed to make a brand new not-yet-named hybrid in the near future. It will probably be 2020 or 2021 since they are busy productionizing the Tribeca replacement in 2019, Subaru Ascent.
     
    #3 gafortiby, Dec 7, 2017
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Current generation came out for the 2013 model year. 2018 will be the 6th year. I suspect 2019 will be the year we see a new RAV4 (so some time next year I guess?). My suspicion is that the FT-AC concept car is the next gen RAV4.

    Toyota FT-AC Concept at 2017 LA Auto Show | PriusChat

    Only because it looks about the right size and RAV4 = Recreational Active Vehicle with 4WD. Well The FT-AC is a recreational active vehicle lol (Well AC apparently stands for Adventure Concept). Looks more production ready than the FT-4X concept (which appears to be more of a spiritual successor to the FJ Cruiser).


    Ahh ok. Hmm, I wonder what they'll hybridize? Outback? or a stand-alone model. The Crosstrek Hybrid's mileage isn't that far off from a Highlander Hybrid and the HiHy is significantly larger and heavier than the Crosstrek. This just shows the benefit of full hybrid vs. mild hybrid.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Dec 7, 2017
  5. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    My bet is the RAV4 in MY 2019 and the hybrid a year later. Honda is 2 years ahead on the 2017 ICE model and if I were buying today it wouldn't even be close. And I'm thinking Honda comes out sometime in 2018 in hybrid.
     
    #5 mikefocke, Dec 7, 2017
  6. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    But what are the costs and warranty implications of importing a 2018 v from Canada?
     
    #6 mikefocke, Dec 7, 2017
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hycam?
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 7, 2017
  8. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    You mean camry hybrid? If that came in a wagon I'd be alllll over it.
     
    #8 gafortiby, Dec 8, 2017
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  9. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    I think the hybrid Rav4 will come out at the same time as the non-hybrid. The Hybrid is popular and the guts already exist (new version if the 2.4L engine in the hycam). I'm looking for an announcement at the New York Auto Show which starts March 30, maybe some info at the Detroit Auto show in January. I'm hoping for combined MPG around 40 which would blow away all other SUVs.

    Also, Toyota has announced the 2nd gen of their safety package with several enhancements to begin availability in mid 2018, so the new Rav4 should have it.

    Toyota Expanding its Industry-Leading Safety Technology Package with Second Generation Toyota Safety Sense™ | Corporate
     
    #9 royrose, Dec 8, 2017
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I appreciate this is sort of off-topic, but how's the Civic. Miles on odometer? Still on original hybrid battery? Any other issues?

    Our in-the-family 06 has approx. 230K kms, Honda Canada sprung for a replacement battery maybe 2 years back, which is behaving more and more like it's predecessor, ie: multiple recallibrations daily. The condensor (AC radiator, in the front) is shedding fins, still intact though. There's a rear suspension torsion bar that's pretty much 100% rust, and the car overall is pretty creaky, lurchy, not the pleasantest drive.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Dec 8, 2017
  11. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    My desire to upgrade the 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid is not because it is broken, but because it is outdated, has very poor acceleration (even when compared to Prius) and I would like a newer wagon instead of a sedan.

    My 2006 HCH has only 60k miles and runs like new. It is a very unusual unit because I bought it used in 2015 with only 28k miles on it--but as far as I can tell it was somebody's daily driver who had an extremely short daily drive. Original battery still works well and recals are rare. I have a grid discharger/charger from Hybrid Automotive that I use when recalibrations start happening daily. That works out to about once a year--I "recondition" the battery and then I don't see a recal for another year. Then I start seeing recals more and more frequently and then I perform a deep discharge/recharge. Then it's good for another year.

    I heard that Honda's warranty IMA replacement batteries were far inferior quality compared to the original Honda factory IMA batteries. I would consider the advanced 8Amh bumblebee batteries if I wanted a replacement. : BeeMax™ Replacement Hybrid Battery for Honda Civic Hybrid - Bumblebee Batteries

    Even though I don't have battery failure, the hybrid battery capacity is greatly diminished for sure. the original is 5.5Amh new and I bet mine is closer to 2 or 3 Amh. The performance is greatly lacking compared to the synergy drive.
     
    #11 gafortiby, Dec 8, 2017
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Before Camry Hybrids, there was a Camry station wagon.

    [​IMG]
     
    #12 Prodigyplace, Dec 8, 2017
    Tideland Prius and gafortiby like this.
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Thanks for that, lots to digest. Ours is likely too far gone, just keep running it lol.

    And of course, even with half knackered IMA batteries, no warning lights, no problem, according to Honda. :rolleyes:
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Dec 8, 2017
  14. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    I know!!! Ah the good old days when everything came in a wagon. Civic wagon. Camry wagon. Accord wagon. Even Ford offered the Taurus wagon.

    Subaru is the only one that kept their wagons.

    No Crosstour and Venza does not count with their ridiculously sloped backs that minimize cargo space.
     
    #14 gafortiby, Dec 8, 2017
  15. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    Honda basically disabled the IMA warning light with their last ECM update so the only way to get a IMA warning light is to put your car on fire.

    At 230K kms I'm not sure it would be worth it to try and fix things. the Hybrid Automotive grid charger is only a couple hundred dollars if that's worth it to you. It requires you to disassemble quite a bit of your back seat (to install the charger harness) but it's not too hard--i did it myself.
    Prolong® Value Reconditioning Package – Hybrid Automotive
     
    #15 gafortiby, Dec 8, 2017
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Love it. :ROFLMAO:
     
    #16 Mendel Leisk, Dec 8, 2017
  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    To use it on the Prius v I wonder if you just need a different harness. @jeff652 can tell us.
     
    #17 Prodigyplace, Dec 8, 2017
  18. gafortiby

    gafortiby Member

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    I believe Jeff sells versions of this unit all hybrid models except the LI-ION battery cars.
     
    #18 gafortiby, Dec 8, 2017
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Not sure.

    For us to import a US car, it's reasonably straightforward

    • Made in Canada/US/Mexico? No tariff. Made outside NA? Add 6.1% tax (which is why Kentucky-made Camry Hybrids were favoured over JDM ones)
    • DRLs? (Most US-spec cars have it). If it has a DRL OFF position, the stalk must be modified to disallow that position to be selected (most ppl just insert a small tab inside the stalk)
    • Go to riv.ca to get the required paperwork
    • Let customs know ahead of time that you're planning to import a car in (makes crossing a lot easier)
    • Get temp plate/insurance from US dealer
    • Cross border and pay GST/PST
    • Get provincial inspection done (no different than moving a car between provinces and changing plates)
    • Then get local licence plate and insurance

    For Toyota, TCI will service and warrant all US imported vehicles. For Canada, the only manufacturer that will not honour the warranty is Mercedes-Benz.

    Actually the Venza has a very spacious cargo area (And has reclining rear seats)
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, Dec 9, 2017
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