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used 2012 Prius for my dad: Plug-in (Gen1) or Standard Hybrid (Gen3)?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Agape, Sep 10, 2019.

  1. Agape

    Agape Member

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    I'm going to test drive few cars sometime next week and I need some advice. Car is going to be for my dad. He is 68 and drives in the city as well as on the motorway (450km's each way once or twice a month). He is driving 2002 Corolla (1.6 manual).

    Could anyone give me insights as to which one can be less troublesome and better value for money?

    I have listed the cars I will be viewing next week (any thoughts are welcome):

    https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=282904675&cn=DE&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&gn=M%C3%BCnchen%2C+Bayern&isSearchRequest=true&ll=48.13641%2C11.57752&makeModelVariant1.makeId=24100&makeModelVariant1.modelId=27&maxMileage=150000&maxPrice=14000&minFirstRegistrationDate=2012&pageNumber=1&rd=200&scopeId=C&sfmr=false&searchId=b6a1a199-97f1-de6b-a824-c8a924e67097

    https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=278916376&cn=DE&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&gn=M%C3%BCnchen%2C+Bayern&isSearchRequest=true&ll=48.13641%2C11.57752&makeModelVariant1.makeId=24100&makeModelVariant1.modelId=27&maxMileage=150000&maxPrice=14000&minFirstRegistrationDate=2012&pageNumber=1&rd=200&scopeId=C&sfmr=false&searchId=b6a1a199-97f1-de6b-a824-c8a924e67097

    https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html?id=281923078&cn=DE&damageUnrepaired=NO_DAMAGE_UNREPAIRED&gn=M%C3%BCnchen%2C+Bayern&isSearchRequest=true&ll=48.13641%2C11.57752&makeModelVariant1.makeId=24100&makeModelVariant1.modelId=27&maxMileage=150000&maxPrice=14000&minFirstRegistrationDate=2012&pageNumber=1&rd=200&scopeId=C&sfmr=false&searchId=b6a1a199-97f1-de6b-a824-c8a924e67097

    It would be great if you could comment with observations or suggestions/opinions.
     
    #1 Agape, Sep 10, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  2. PA Prius

    PA Prius Active Member

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    I would recommend the Plug-in. Your Tec version looks to be the same as the Advanced here in the U.S. They are quite rare. I have the twin to the car you are showing, same color and year. It is much better equipped than the non-Plug-in.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I assume you have 230 Volt Mains, does your father have receptacles where he parks now? A plug in hybrid makes the most sense if you have home access to power.

    My understanding is that he will have type G receptacles, while a car purchased in Germany would have a type F plug.

    www.amazon.co.uk/auna-adapter-European-Adapter-Adaptor/dp/B0039K5XNC

    Might work if you set the max charge rate to 8 amps, or you could have an electrician alter the plug
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Sep 10, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    will your father be interested in a plug in, and be able to make use of the 10 or so ev miles it produces?

    i do a lot of short trips, so it works very well for me. currently, i'm about 90% ev.

    how do you electricity and petrol prices compare?
     
  5. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Father lives in the apartment block and no access to the charger there. Maybe if he can manage to rent parking space in near future, he might be able to get the charging point (but this is not available at the moment).
    I'm hoping gradually there will be more and more charging points around the town. While he and mother will go to shopping (which they often do together) I hope they can sometimes avail of the charge then at the parking lots.

    To be honest I'm more into the specification of the Plug-in car rather than the actual Plug-in functionality. I am curious to know if PIP can be used as normal hybrid just with occasional charging via cable? Car will be used in Poland which is in the EU so standard F type plug would work over there (as in Germany).

    PIP got half leather seats, heated seats, often reverse camera and navigation. One of these has got adaptive cruise control if I'm not mistaken (the silver one). These upgrades makes me feel it is much better value vs Gen 3. I could be wrong though.

    Whether father is interested in Plug-in or hybrid I don't know. As the car is a surprise gift for him (he doesn't know he is getting one). I want to get him into something modern with more technology in it (I had Prius and I loved it), comfort of driving Prius vs corolla and save myself some money with repairs.
     
    #5 Agape, Sep 10, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
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  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I don't know about your family dynamics but in a LOT of families that I know, making a big decision FOR somebody else like that can be a BIG mistake.......even if you are paying for it. :eek:

    And given the situation you described, I see absolutely NO good reason to get a plugin model.
    NONE.
     
  7. Agape

    Agape Member

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    I will leave a little bit of background as to why I'm interested in Prius. He already has his corolla for like 15 years or so. It only gives troubles for the past three years.

    I'm nearly certain I will buy Prius and if I'm spending this kind of money I am then thinking why not get the best of the available.

    If he refuses to drive it I will sell it and so be it.

    Family dynamics, hmm we all know how it is. I will give you an example. My parents live in the block which was built in 1982 or so, recently I renovated the flat and now they simply love it and are over the moon with the results. They are stubborn (mainly because of lack of disposable cash available to them). This is why I sometimes intervene and make 'upgrades' to their life. Eventually they are happy.
     
    #7 Agape, Sep 10, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  8. Agape

    Agape Member

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    That is why I have asked whether PIP can be used as conventional Hybrid. Please bear in mind that the price difference and value for money gauges me towards PIP.

    If using PIP as normal hybrid can cause issues in the long run then I would like to know about it. Out of the models I posted links to, there is one Gen 3 which I'm also going to view (this one doesn't have a heated seats and adaptive cruise control).
     
    #8 Agape, Sep 10, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 10, 2019
  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    We've pretty well ignored your biggest and easiest question. Yes, it can be driven like a regular hybrid and I'm sure that many are. It's just not the best bang for the buck if you're simply looking for efficiency vs purchase price. But if it has the features you want, go for it and enjoy!
     
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    "Eventually" ??
    If you allowed them to have some input from the beginning, they would be even happier.
    I'm sorry but it sounds to me like you need an ego adjustment.
    And I am glad that you are not MY child.

    I quit.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pip is fine when not ever charged. biggest thing is no spare, and no under hatch space.

    make sure you get two fobs!
     
  12. Agape

    Agape Member

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    would the adaptive cruise control be something that is recommended for person who is nearly 70?
    This is your perception and mine is very different. My parents would never upgrade their own car. If you are upset about the fact that I'm making such decision that is allright. I'm not conventional and this is just me. Car is just item and item can be sold. If they hate it then I will advertise it and sell it.

    If I start consulting on this right now then i feel I may not return from Germany with any car.

    Have you heard of gifts? surprises etc?
     
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  13. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Hello again,
    So here I am in Munich after two trips to the dealer so far.

    Things are not as great as I thought.
    Family and friends are trying to discourage me from getting Prius. (I got annual leave to fly over to Germany) but hey why not.

    Last Saturday i got the following message on-screen: see picture. Basically it tells you that EV is not available as battery is empty.

    Today we called at at early am and dealer said the car is charged ready to test drive.

    Same picture again. One of workers came and said that this car charges itself. I questioned him on plug in functionality and he agreed to plug it.

    I asked to plug the car and the car showed 2.0h to charge it (I think it was 2.0 and not 20 I hope). It was early morning. In the evening friend drove to dealer and saw that the car is still plugged.

    My family members panicked thinking the dealer has reason to plug it for entire day.

    The same friend called in the noon to main Toyota dealer where previous owner serviced the car and was told that last year HV battery was replaced, however when asked whether it was 1k (i don't know why he said 1k) replacement he was told by girl that it should be much cheaper, which tends me to think the got communication issues or one of them didn't get the detail right.

    Is there any test I can do tomorrow to test the HV battery and its condition?

    Or shall I ask this small German dealer to get Toyota Dealer to test the condition of the HV battery?
     

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    #13 Agape, Sep 17, 2019
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2019
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm not following you. if they plug it in for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, it should fully charge. then you can drive ev and test the ev miles available
     
  15. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Correct. This is the test I intend to do tomorrow.
    Which part you do not follow (I will try to correct myself and re-type)

    Is there any other test I can do myself?
    How many kilometers shall I expect from full charge?
    Am I right saying that once I fully deplete the HV battery I should be able to re-charge the car in about 2h via 220v outlet socket?
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on his corolla?
     
  17. Agape

    Agape Member

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    On my dad's corolla? About 310,000 kilometers i think
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    actually, about 90 minutes.

    you said they plugged it in, did you wait for it to charge?
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you should get 16-24km based on acceleration/speed/hills/weather
     
  20. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Here are few pictures of prius
    No i could not as auntie had to go to work