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Why would one goes with a "regular" Prius and not a Prime?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by toolbox2014, Mar 5, 2020.

  1. toolbox2014

    toolbox2014 Junior Member

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    With the tax credits (I am in Calif), the net cost for the Prime should be less expensive than the regular Prius. I guess one reason is the reduced cargo space on the Prime. Are there other shortcomings on the Prime that I need to be aware of?
     
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  2. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Here's some previously mentioned:

    2017-19 models only 4 seaters.

    Styling.

    Fear that the car requires plugging in (it doesn't).

    No credits for some buyers.

    Dealer price gouging.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you care to have a spare tire, at least some 4th gen Prius levels (maybe just one??) still have it.

    All the Prius/Prime bumpers can't take a hit, but the Prime "bumper" is a complete glass jaw.

    No rear wiper, not a biggie, but just for the record.

    If you ever need to replace the Prime battery (and who knows when, the Plug-In batteries have been pretty bullet-proof), but if you do: it's a big one...
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Isn't the point of buying a Prius to save energy resources ?

    If your driving habits don't make good use of the "plugin" part of the design, you have just wasted all of the resources that go into producing the bigger battery.......and other more robust components.

    Of course if the total dollar outlay is the only concern, you might be right.

    But you can't focus on the tax credits and then overlook other factors........and take out a 15% loan over 72 months for instance.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    prime is available in a lot less states, and significantly overpriced in some.
     
  6. toolbox2014

    toolbox2014 Junior Member

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    Let say I don't plug the Prime every day but I drive more than 25 miles a day, my miles with the ICE will charge up the battery and the bigger capacity battery will be used. May not be 100% but it is not going to waster, isn't it?
    Don't think I will go out of my way to get a high-interest rate loan just because I have thousands of dollars coming back in tax credit. :)
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, prime does not charge up the battery.

    still, it's a great deal, and just as efficient as the lift back if not more, even without charging.
     
  8. toolbox2014

    toolbox2014 Junior Member

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    I got quote for Prius and Prius Prime from one dealer in my area, Prime costs more but seems to be "reasonable" to me.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    cali is a different animal. outhere, you can get a $3,500. toyota rebate, and significant dealer discount.
     
  10. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    NO, there are two battery "zones" on the Prime, one for HV operation (think standard Prius Hatchback) and one for EV operation. Running the Prime in HV mode will only utilize the HV "zone" of the battery, and you will not be able to enter EV mode unless you plug in. CAVEAT: you can put the Prime in HV Charge Mode, and it will use the ICE to put charge into the EV "zone", but at increased fuel use/reduced MPG. AND I believe it will only charge the EV "zone" to 80%. Bottom line, if you do not plug the Prime in, you will only have a standard HV Prius in your garage.
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Is that true? I thought regardless of plug-in charging or not, the Prime utilizes the full capacity of it's hybrid battery.
     
  12. toolbox2014

    toolbox2014 Junior Member

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    This doesn't make much sense for someone doesn't own a Prime. Somehow I just don't think the car will know how the battery was charged.
     
  13. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Some models of the Prius have a NiMH battery; it charges and works even when it is about 12 degrees colder than the LiIon battery in the Prime will be operable. I am unaware of anywhere in California where that would be a deal breaker. I lived in Elko, NV where the low was -40 C/F at times, so it would be an issue there. Orange County is safe from Ice Ages.
     
  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    It's what I was told when PRIME first came out. But PRIME never ended up coming here.

    I don't know if someone with a PRIME has done "the experiment"?
     
  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    If you put the prime in "charge mode" it does;).

    Charge mode is a mode that runs the ICE constantly with the excess energy going into the battery pack:).

    But this is inefficient if you plug into the wall, but an option(y).
     
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  16. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Deal breaker for me would be no spare wheel space and measly (for me) range in EV mode. I understand the range is adequate for some people but IMO if you're gonna take up spare wheel and trunk space with more battery, make it worthwhile with 100+ miles. Toyota are a bit behind in the full BEV race ATM, I'm still waiting.
     
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  17. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    The charger in the Prime would definitely have that information
    If the battery is charged by the charger, it has been plugged in. If charged by MG1 or MG2, is has been charged without being plugged in.
     
  18. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    @FuelMiser is correct. The car knows how the batter was charged. You can charge from the wall only the portion corresponding to above 14% SOC up to about 82% SOC. HV operation will use below 14% SOC to about 8% SOC after EV range is depleted. But if you start driving in HV mode while still EV range remains, the car still utilize only narrow band of the 6% SOC range.
     
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  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    If you live in mountainous territory, prime can recharge itself on the way down, but it’s unusual.

    Sounds like you need to do some basic Prius studying before jumping in, or just go for it and take your chances
     
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  20. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Repair cost & related insurance risk. The Prime has that complex heat pump HVAC system that virtually nobody knows how to repair.

    They won't need much age/depreciation for an air conditioner failure to total out the car.