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Feeling Conflicted with my 2020 Limited....

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by mister2cool, Feb 27, 2020.

  1. mister2cool

    mister2cool Member

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    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Ok group.. I have a 2020 Prime Limited. It's about 5 month old just over 4000 miles in and I have used 2 3/4 tank of gas.. I loved my previous Gen 2, which was simple to drive and almost rugged as a workhorse with the way it swallowed up cargo. This one sure is nicer, but somehow I just don't feel the same connection with the car. It feels overly complicated and sometimes even counter intuitive as to some of the features. One big reason I chose a hybrid was so that I wouldn't be too concerned about running out battery. However I found myself hawking that 25 Miles of EV range ALL the time and it's really annoying. It's not even because I really cared so much about engine burning gas, but I rather really enjoy the EV driving.
    With all the crazy EV incentives, I am seriously considering trading it in for a LEAF SL Plus. The math comes out to roughly even and I may end up with extra sales tax back in my pocket. I am aware of the lack of TMS for the LEAF battery pack but I am in the northeast so extreme heat isn't that big an issue.
    The PP was meant for commuting, which is <20 miles each way and there are level 2 chargers at work, and short trips 100-150 miles. It did take me 2 months to get the car in the exact trim and color combo I wanted...
    What do you guys think? Am I making a mistake? I mean I know this is a Prius group so opinions might be biased, but I still would like to hear them.
     
    #1 mister2cool, Feb 27, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2020
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i am also considering a bev. a mistake? not if you can make the finances work.
     
  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yeah, PRIME and all other PHEV are the stepping stones for BEV. Go for it if BEV suits your lifestyle. I wish I could make that transition sooner than later. But in my area, even with LEAF PLUS EV range, the car can be bricked without juice. And BEV cost more to operate, at least compared to 4Gen Pruis or PRIME for our local.
     
    Mark57 likes this.
  4. mister2cool

    mister2cool Member

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    2020 Prius Prime
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    Limited
    Can you elaborate on why BEVs cost more to operate?
     
  5. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    In our local, the electricity rate is very high at 21c/kWh and gas price has been relatively low below $2.50/gal. For PRIME at this rate, running the engine on gas to drive HV is cheaper than charging the battery at home to drive EV. I know of no other BEV that would run more cost effectively than PRIME (or Gen4 Prius) for fuel (= electricity) use. AND, considering the reliability of Toyota, the maintenance costs specific for the engine part of PRIME (or Gen4 Prius) is almost negligible.
     
    #5 Salamander_King, Feb 27, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2020
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  6. hans1

    hans1 Member

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    I'm in a very similar situation as you. Four months and 4000 miles, and really like my Prime XLE, but the EV driving is so much more enjoyable than HV! I've gotten used to the technology, and feel that reliability will still be stellar over the long run.

    Biggest cons for me are the reduced cargo space, and 25 mile range. Just barely enough for my commute, so I usually just make it on EV by 0.5 miles, or have to use a tiny bit of gas. Annoying in my situation.

    However BEV is probably not for me yet, since the charging infrastructure is not quite there yet, and we have taken some longer trips.

    In the end, the Prime ia good enough for me to keep, but may seriously consider the RAV4 Prime when it's out. Takes care of my two biggest concerns, and still allows long road trips and cargo hauling.
     
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  7. jfschultz

    jfschultz Active Member

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    I would stick with the PHEV. Depending on your normal daily use, a PHEV has the advantage of a BEV, but without the disadvantages of a BEV on a road trip.
     
  8. eskudo12791

    eskudo12791 Junior Member

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    Do you have another vehicle for longer trips? I myself prefer the prime since I dont have to worry about range anxiety.
     
    Tips likes this.
  9. smyles

    smyles Active Member

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    If I spent $35k+ on a Limited, I'd have the same thoughts. Leaf, or just few $ more for a Tesla... And don't forget about the Bolt - at current prices it's a very, very nice value proposition.

    That's why I stick with premium/xle.
     
    utsug likes this.
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That's the main reason I traded my PiP in on a Prime. It was often kind of nerve wracking wondering if the ICE was going to fire up as I pulled into my driveway. I didn't mind so much that the engine would run, but I didn't want it running for just 30 seconds. Most days, I made it easily, but in hot or "cold" weather, it was iffy.

    I think, we could do well with a BEV as long as we had the Prime for trips. I thought I'd miss the cargo space of the Gen 3 & Gen 2, but it has not been an issue for me with the Prime. But I think I might be frustrated having just barely enough EV range for my normal commute. As it is, the roughly 30 miles I get now is perfect. I have over 2,400 miles so far on this tank. I'll need gas pretty soon, but last time I got it was two months ago today.

    If a BEV will cover at least 200% of your regular commute so you have range to spare and you have another car for road trips, I'd think a BEV would be a great option.
     
  11. utsug

    utsug Active Member

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    Chevy Bolt is about the same price or even cheaper if you consider LT model. I am considering trading my Prime but still hoping that Chevy will drop the MSRP price of Bolt. :D
     
  12. mister2cool

    mister2cool Member

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    yes we have 2 other gas powered car\SUV for long road trips.. both Infiniti's so I am slightly biased towards Nissan.

    I think what bugs me the most is that I have only had the Prime for 5 months.. kinda too soon to get rid a car....
     
  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yeah, that would really annoy my bank balance. :(
     
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  14. thymara

    thymara Junior Member

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    Every time another TESLA spontaneously combusts I'm reminded by my wife why she said NO
     
  15. Northerner

    Northerner Active Member

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    I could not be happier with my Prime Limited! Yes, EV is addictive, but I‘m a fairly conservative driver and so find the gas/hybrid mode pretty pleasant, too.
    I do see what the OP means, though, about feeling disappointment when the EV miles reach zero. When the car is fully charged, I feel like I did when I was a freshly licensed teenager, waiting for an excuse to borrow dad’s car!
     
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  16. mister2cool

    mister2cool Member

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    Would you feel differently if you can swap without having to add any $ or even get some back?
     
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  17. utsug

    utsug Active Member

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    If the BEV meets your need for your daily travel and you have an extra car for long trips then go ahead and swap. ;)
     
  18. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Not to mention that with the PiP, you had to run the ICE to get heat. Running battles with my wife on cold days with trips that otherwise were within EV range
     
    #18 CharlesH, Feb 27, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2020
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  19. Jon Bloom

    Jon Bloom Member

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    I get that. Over the course of my life I've owned a couple of cars that seemed great in the showroom but that I never really warmed up to once I started driving them. It happens.

    Personally, I don't notice that much difference between EV and HV mode in normal driving. Maybe that has to do with my driving style. (ECO mode fits my driving style well. I'm that old guy you're swearing at as I gently accelerate from a stop light.) Sometimes I try to eke out the miles in EV mode, but most of the time I just... drive.
     
  20. MTN

    MTN Active Member

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    ...and why we got the LE.
    Final net price, including expensive CA sales tax: $18,7xx +/-
    All kinds of incentives, rebates, etc. Hard (impossible I believe) to find a more economical, new car, with the safety features we wanted (DRCC), with a lower cost to own and operate. My VW was purchased in the same vein - a "loaded" model costs 40% more and has the same chassis and engine. Mind-boggling to us.

    OP if you care about finances, run the numbers. With the tax credits and rebates, selling/trading a near new Prime might not be a big loss like it would be for a "normal/ice" vehicle. Heck, I think we could "make" money on ours! Otherwise I could never advocate for getting rid of a recently bought car to get into another one.