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Should I buy the Prime or wait for the Prius after that?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Themountaineer, Jul 31, 2017.

  1. Themountaineer

    Themountaineer New Member

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    I've been thinking about buying the Prius Prime mainly for its 600+ mile range. That is the only thing I like about it since I plan on doing trips to national parks and different places to backpack with it.

    Does anyone know if by the end of 2017 Toyota will come out with a new prius? or perhaps, a peek into the next prius? I kind of want to wait until they come out with one that gives you 1,000 mile range since it feels like it is around the corner.

    Should I just pull the trigger on the Prime or will they have something better coming out in the next two years?
     
  2. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    In reality, you would probably get about 415 miles on a tank of gas (assuming you get 54 MPG) The 640 miles that shows up on the EPA sticker on the window of a new Prime is theoretical based on 11.5 gallon tank X 54 MPG + 25 miles EV. The empty fuel warning comes on about when you have 2 gallons of gas left in the tank.
     
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  3. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    of course if you're doing short trips say 35-37 miles round trip then you will get a huge range. there's a guy on the ECO ranking for this month that drove all EV and has 1583.71 miles , it doesn't say how much gas is left in his tank:eek:
     
  4. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    me? I have an all EV total for this month of 599.74 miles and I still have a full tank of gas:D
     
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My first full tank, 600 miles highway Rhode Island to Roanoak VA. However the Gen-4, Prius ECO has a similar range. You have choices.

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    what was your average MPG?
     
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  7. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    OK, I'll bite: Why?
     
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  8. dalcon95

    dalcon95 Senior Member

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    20170731_063420.jpg
    This is my miles driven on my 2nd tank of gas with 479 miles until empty. It still shows a full tank since I filled it up on February 26th. Unless I sporadically go on a unplanned day trip, I most likely be on the same tank of gas for the rest of the year!

    #1 in Easley,SC
     
  9. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    So many points!! Toyota is not likely to increase gas range or tank size, due to crash and rollover rules. I believe that the Prime's range is currently one of the highest out there. If you drive 65-75 mph, you're not going to do so hot, in the 400's or so. If you've got a little time, and you don't mind enjoying the scenery, a more leisurely pace of 55-60mph can get you into the low 600's without any juice, as I did with my 2012 PIP (which barely gave me 9 miles of EV). Remember that's a good deal of driving, and if you ever stop to eat or go to the restroom, you might find a place to charge... Cruise doesn't really seem to help improve gas mileage. Mountains don't help. How many people and how much junk you're carrying matters a lot!
    Don't forget to figure in at least a donut spare tire, for your long trips.


    .
     
  10. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    The third generation Prius was on the market for six years. This is the second year of the 4th generation, including the Prime. Buy it. You'll like it. 1000 mile range?---I need a bathroom stop before that......
     
  11. joachimz

    joachimz Senior Member

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    There better be something else you like, otherwise don't buy it. imho you will not see 1k range on a single tank anytime soon, they'll make the tank smaller to save weight or gain room first. And as mentioned above, Gen3 was around for 6 years, that seems to be the new standard lifecycle. The other consideration, sales of Prius have gone down significantly, who knows how long it will be around?
     
  12. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Hard to say what's best for you. As noted the 600 driving range might not be real for you.
    You might like Prime for free HOV. Or you might like regular Prius for the ability to use as a camper and sleep in the back. The Prius version with a spare tire might be best for remote treks, and it has level floor for sleeping. Habitents is coming out with a Gen4 tent for the rear liftback.
     
  13. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Son of Gloin likes this.
  14. MartyPrime

    MartyPrime Junior Member

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    There won't be any new Prius re-designs anytime soon. Camrys change every 2 to 3 years. Prius tend to change every 4 to 6 years. They will do a "refresh" at some point, but not a full re-design. By 2020 or so, there will be a full electric toyota. If you feel like waiting for that one.
     
  15. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Uh, I'm not planning to go anywhere else soon. <GRINS>

    I'm more curious to find out if Toyota decides to go CHAdeMO or CCS. If Toyota should license the Super Charger network, awesome but I doubt if Musk would entertain that.

    Bob Wilson
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    These are new cars (2016 for the Prius and 2017 for the Prime) so you'll be waiting 5-6 years for a complete redesign. It's also unlikely that there'll be a 1000 mile range. Sure some diesels with an 18 gal tank can get up to 600-700 miles but you need a large gas tank. The whole point is to reduce it.

    If you really wanted to, you could probably push 1000 miles in a Prime. Owners in Japan have touched 1,000 miles in a Gen 2 by pulling out all the stops and that's with older technology and probably not visiting parks in the mountains.

    Probably CHAdeMO since that's what is on the Prime/PHV. (Also, aren't most DCFC stations in Japan CHAdeMO?)
     
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  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    More if they are willing to shop outside of Toyota.
    Compare Side-by-Side


    The Ioniq and Niro there aren't even the most fuel efficient models.

    Musk would definitely entertain it. With Tesla's patent portfolio open to the public, the other car manufacturers can already put the Supercharger connection on their cars without paying Tesla.

    Hyundai uses CHAdeMO in Korea and Japan, and CCS in the US, but they are Korean.

    I don't recall if Toyota is actually part of the CHAdeMO group, but I expect them to put nationality first. They already use it for Japan, and it is what the Mirai uses for supplying home power.
     
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  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would reconsider that. I would think the refueling infrastructure (gas stations) along any US roads are spaced close enough that you will never run into trouble, with any car with regular range, as long as you use common sense (fill up before getting too low). The only place you might need extended range is areas where you'd need an off-road vehicle and extra jerry cans of fuel. Definitely not the place for a low-slung Prius.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Aug 3, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2017
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you don't mind the 4 seats and reduced hatch space, i would buy the prime. it will probably be about the same price as the lift back after tax credits.
     
  20. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    Go for it. May the Prime be with you.