1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius Prime vs Rav4 Hybrid

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by idahohacker, Jul 13, 2019.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    now you're talking
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  2. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The best way to keep a car for 35 years is to live in an area where the elements aren’t at play;).

    I’d snatch up a corolla or Camry if I was looking for a reliable 35 year car:).

    Just saw a mid 80’s corolla on the way back from the state fair today, so they’re out there(y).
     
  3. idahohacker

    idahohacker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2019
    45
    15
    0
    Location:
    Bennington, Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    Model:
    N/A
    Regardless of whether my car lasts for 35 years or not I still need one to drive
     
    Raytheeagle and bisco like this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sounds like prime then
     
    Arctic_White likes this.
  5. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    You’ll find as time passes, your taste in vehicles changes;).

    I went from coupes and a Jag to the Prius and now a Prime :).

    New car features (particularly safety ones) once you have more disposable income can tip the scales away from keeping something for a long time (y).
     
    Arctic_White and m.wynn like this.
  6. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    2,306
    1,328
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I know I had to move in and out of a whole lot of dorm rooms in college... However it would have barely fit into a gen-2 Prius, but maybe not into a Prime.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  7. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    2,306
    1,328
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Another not-bad possibility might be a Prius V.
     
  8. idahohacker

    idahohacker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2019
    45
    15
    0
    Location:
    Bennington, Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    Model:
    N/A
    If I buy a Prius V wouldn't the new rav4 hybrid that gets 41/38 be similar?
     
  9. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I would avoid a hybrid if you want a 35 year car. Batteries won't last that long, etc. I would get a Corolla or something similar.

    I expect my 2006 Miata to last me 35 years, but not my 2018 Prime.
     
    Arctic_White and mikey_t like this.
  10. idahohacker

    idahohacker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2019
    45
    15
    0
    Location:
    Bennington, Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    Model:
    N/A
    Ok I understand I probably can't do 35 but out of those 2 which would you recommend?
     
  11. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    You seem interested in fuel economy, so if your stuff will fit in it the Prime is the choice. it will get significantly better mileage than the RAV4 and has the ability to charge from the wall.
     
  12. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    1,389
    947
    4
    Location:
    Foot of Pikes Peak
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Here's my take: Vehicles built 35 years ago were not super reliable initially (you had to "work the bugs out") but they were much less complex than the ones made today. So you can keep replacing parts and rebuilding components on those old vehicles at a reasonable cost.

    Today's vehicles tend to be quite reliable initially but if components start going out in 10, 20 or more years, They could get very expensive if not impossible to maintain.

    Then there is rapid tech change to consider. Car manufacturers are expecting big changes in the next 5 to 10 years. So I think it is unrealistic to expect to keep vehicles bought today for 35 years.
     
  13. Pdog808

    Pdog808 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2017
    411
    271
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Don't forget the Toyoya Celicas with the 22RE and 24RE engines. Just sold mine 2 years ago - 32 years old - still passed smog (Celica GT, 24-RE engine). 80 MPH on the freeway no problem.

    Never rebuilt the engine, no transmission issues (manual) - biggest repair was changing out the brake master cylinder which I did myself. 230k miles.
     
    Montgomery, m.wynn and Raytheeagle like this.
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    That 91 Corolla in the above pic does ok on the freeway, but it’s the 3 speed auto trans, so it’s a bit loud at 65-70 mph :eek:.

    But no shaking, so you just turn the music up(y).
     
    Montgomery, m.wynn and Pdog808 like this.
  15. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    2,306
    1,328
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I really wouldn’t recommend keeping a car for 35 years. Automotive technology, and especially ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) are improving too rapidly. You should avail yourself of advancements in driving safety once every 10-15 years. Those advancements are too valuable to ignore!
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  16. Pdog808

    Pdog808 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2017
    411
    271
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    We tend to keep our cars for 20 years plus in general. It's why we buy Toyota I guess.

    Pay more upfront now (Toyota), spend less time writing checks to your mechanic later. "Boring" cars compared to say, BMW, but comparing mechanic's bills between the two after 5-10 years of ownership - no contest IMO.

    You expect Toyotas to have no major issues up to 10 years/120k miles. Can't say that about many other brands.
     
    Prius from Dad and Raytheeagle like this.
  17. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I'll disagree with that. Many of the new "advancements" are not much of an advancement. Many seem to be bandaids for bad driving. I would estimate that I am safer in my 2006 MX-5 than in my 2018 Prime on the road. Better visibility, better handling, better brakes and better tires on the MX-5. The radar cruise, backup camera, LKA, stability and traction control, and the other "aids" on the Prime do nothing that I can't do better with the MX-5.
     
    #37 jb in NE, Jul 13, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2019
  18. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Hondas are very reliable. We had a 2006 Civic with 145K miles, it was totalled by a stolen car while parked in 2017. In 145K miles, the sum total of maintenance was three sets of tires, one set of brake pads, one set of plugs, regular oil and filter changes, one headlight bulb and one taillight bulb. Never touched the brake fluid, coolant, power steering fluid, shocks/struts, ball joints, exhaust, etc.
     
  19. idahohacker

    idahohacker Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2019
    45
    15
    0
    Location:
    Bennington, Idaho
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    Model:
    N/A
    If I am being gifted this said car which car would i spend the least on?
     
  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The 91 Corolla is showed above was a gifted car:).

    And so far it’s cost $400 due to:
    • New shocks all around (28 year old shocks don’t ride or function well)
    • New front brakes
    • New passenger side half shaft
    • New trans fluid
    Every car will have costs as they age;).

    But Toyota’s are a good bet to last that long with low maintenance costs(y).
     
    Prius from Dad and Pdog808 like this.