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

Any Downsides to the Plug In? (Possibly buying from Tampa Hybrids)

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by BlakeFL, Nov 24, 2016.

  1. BlakeFL

    BlakeFL Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2016
    20
    15
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I was originally looking at the regular Prius since that is what is available locally but after looking at Tampa Hybrids, he has quite a few Plug-Ins in stock. Are there any downsides other than not having a spare?

    Nexus 5X ?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,464
    8,377
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    1 gas is cheap
    2 there's an additional costly battery there that can fail
     
  3. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    408
    321
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I have a 2012 four so I am going off what I have heard about the plug-in:
    It will be missing that little tray underneath the trunk floor you can store stuff in. Also, if you don't have any EV miles left (it's acting as a regular Prius) you can't force it into EV mode like you can with a regular Prius. But I don't use that feature much anyways. I think it weighs a little bit more. Doesn't hurt acceleration much but might affect handling. Other than that and the spare it's pretty much a regular Prius you can plug in.
     
  4. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2016
    2,567
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere in Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    The main issue is such wonders as a $3000 air conditioner, other than expensive replacement parts the battery and drivetrain are reliable, I wouldn't even worry about ever replacing the battery, total non issue, it's all the "other" stuff .
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    same stuff as the lift back though. i think kramah has it all covered. and there are plenty of upsides.
     
    Kramah313 likes this.
  6. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    408
    321
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Good to know, especially since you have one and would be the expert!
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,309
    3,586
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The question is confusing because we have used Gen3 & used PiP Plug-in and new Gen4 and new Prime Plug-in. Sounds like you are comparing Used Gen3 and Used PiP.

    Used PiP vs. Gen3 has 3 minor disadvantages:
    1. No spare tire
    2. Slight smaller gas tank
    3. Under floor space about 1-ft3 vs. 3-ft3 in Gen3

    If you are not interested in Plug_ins then regular Gen3 is probably better choice. I cannot recall a single major repair ever needed on a PiP reported here other than accidents since the 2012 intro.
     
  8. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    If an electric range of under 9 miles (at most) will cover your basic necessities, the PiP is a reliable vehicle.
    Also taking a consideration that you will be recharging electric to the vehicle consistently to take advantage
    all the vehicle provides.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    forgot about the gas tank, with so much EV, it's easy to do.:p

    there have been some warranty charger replacements and maybe an ipm or two.
     
  10. Neohippy

    Neohippy Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2016
    220
    201
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater,Fl
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I just bought my plugin from Todd at Tampa Hybrids. I also have a friend that did as well. He is a great dealer with fair prices. He replaced all the filters on my car before I bought it. Also gave me a brand new charger for it. All his reviews are 5 star.
     
    #10 Neohippy, Nov 25, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2016
  11. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    No. I've gone months without recharging. No problem at all.

    But I like plugging it in because it's fewer trips to the gas station, which is very convenient. It's very quiet in all-electric mode. I really enjoy that.

    I bought a 12V air pump and a tire plug kit, and I replaced the tires early to help ensure against a flat. And I have AAA, which I've only used for friends' cars.

    The rest is the same as Prius: Seat comfort occasionally bothers me. I replaced the stock speakers with after market and installed sound deadening in the door. I'm fanatic about maintenance and haven't needed a single repair.
     
  12. iluvmacs

    iluvmacs Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2005
    280
    104
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI, USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Don't tell that to my PiP, it gets 12-16 in the summer and 10-12 in winter!
     
  13. Neohippy

    Neohippy Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2016
    220
    201
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater,Fl
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I just drove 12 miles in mine and had .8 left when I arrived. I also own a 2011 Prius and I'm amazing that the 11 mile electric range gets me double the gas mileage in my PIP over it. Pretty efficient car
     
    Beshara1111 and bisco like this.
  14. BlakeFL

    BlakeFL Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2016
    20
    15
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    We ended up getting a regular Prius from Todd. It will be my wife's primary car and she preferred the one that didn't need to be plugged in. So far we have been happy with the mpg and it drives much smoother than our van.

    Nexus 5X ?
     
  15. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Two of my coworkers made the same decision despite me telling them it doesn't have to be plugged in. Remember when hybrids first arrived and people kept asking where you plug it in? I wonder how long it would take for people to understand PHEV doesn't require plugging in either.
     
    Beshara1111 and bisco like this.
  16. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2016
    2,567
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere in Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm sure she enjoyes going to the gas station as opposed to the cord, 30 seconds versus 5 minutes of smell
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    what did she buy?
     
  18. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    and maybe lower depending on the Winter Outside Temperatures.............:barefoot:
     
  19. iluvmacs

    iluvmacs Member

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2005
    280
    104
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI, USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Not really. My quote of 10-12 is accurate. My record low is 9.5, IIRC. Note I'm in Wisconsin, so I do experience a pretty true winter.
     
    Beshara1111 likes this.
  20. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Of course, you are commenting facts on your own personal experience, your driving habits, speed, regeneration down hill (if any) feathering the gas pedal, coasting to stop signs.
    With my former 2012 PiP I never got better than 11.5 and as winter low of 8.
    Always the same traffic pattern, times, distance and speeds on my work commute.
    It didn't work for me and I streeetch the ownership for almost 3 years.
    Finally I replaced the Prius PiP for a more convenient ( for me) Hybrid vehicle and at a lower monthly cost.
     
    Beshara1111 likes this.