Potentia BuyerBut Have One Concern

welcome!

 

You may want to consider the Prius v Five wagon...

The ground clearance per Toyota for the 2015 Liftback is 5.3 inches. For the 2015 v wagon, the minimum running ground clearance is 5.7 inches.

You said you were willing to trade some MPG for ground clearance - that may be a painless way to do it.

 

I picked the liftback myself, so I understand.

Looks like a 2013 TSX has 5.9" of ground clearance. However, other factors such as front/rear overhang make it very difficult to tell real-world clearance for your particular situation.

Could you just rent a Prius Liftback from a Toyota dealer for the day? Or ask a neighbor - I would be shocked to find a Prius-free neighborhood in the Bay Area

ps - looks like the HOV stickers are about to run out for CA if you are looking at the plugin...

 

I can't determine what may or may not be a deal breaker for you.
But I will say your observation that The Prius has a low ground clearance is correct and it could be an issue.

But as you also know, a lot of cars today have a low ground clearance.

Is this YOUR driveway? In other words could you change the parameters of the curb?
Or since you are already somewhat use to this problem with your TSX, could you just continue to live with the "must be careful" reality?

 

I would think a good way to get an answer to your question about raising your car is to go to a local indy car shop and ask. They can definitely tell you if a different tire size would work for the car or perhaps a different set of springs.

 

Never said,

I said,

Subtle but significant difference.

 

Test drive one and ask if you can try the entry at home.

13 mikes one way may be further than PiP one charge can handle. That means you will be hit with warm up penalty the last mile.

You cab choose to use only half the charge only if you cannot charge at work.

 

Do you rent or own your place? If the latter, maybe you can get that driveway reworked?

The Prius likely will be bottoming out, and it has a lot of flimsy plastic on the underside.

Personally I wouldn't mod a vehicle to accommodate a driveway profile.

 

It's a pretty common occurrence to have somebody come to Prius Chat and ask if buying a Prius is "right" for them.

My standard reply is that they should really, really want a Hybrid or PiP because they REALLY want a Hybrid or PiP. And I think you have to want them for the benefits and reality of being a Hybrid. If a standard ICE vehicle is nearly as appealing? Or if you are buying The Prius just for the novelty of it being unique? Then I'd think your satisfaction or ownership cycle would be short lived.

 

I use EV miles to avoid ICE inefficiency such as short trips or very low loads or slower speed and traffic jams.

With less stop lights/signs in NJ, I am doing 155 MPGe on EV miles and 55 MPG on gas. So, I am doing something right. I am making the best use of EV and HV without each dragging the other down.

You may be able to get those figures in two cars driving in their ideal environments. The point is, I am able to get both in the same car while maintaining the same cargo space as a regular Prius.

I am loving PiP to get the most out of both fuels. When gas prices went below $2.10, I stopped charging because EV miles cost me more and not worth the inconvenience of charging. I like that flexibility. Something an EV extremist will not be able to enjoy.

 

There's a bunch of tire experts around here. Maybe make a post about tires to raise ground clearance. F8L is one expert had a PiP.

 

Maybe a hybrid Subaru?