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First Time Hybrid/Hybrid Plug-In Upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ThatOddMan, Feb 18, 2019.

  1. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2019
    61
    24
    13
    Location:
    Alhambra, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    This will be my first hybrid/hybrid plug-in to replace my current midsize sedan that averaging 22.0-MPG. So I have thought that if I am going to upgrade, then it will only be worth it if the newer vehicle can get twice or more of the MPG of my current vehicle.

    CarFax vehicle report shows nothing unusual on all of those listed.

    I know this may be subjective but I still want opinions from recent and long time owners of Prius vehicles.

    Which of those listed is a "good buy"?

    2013 Toyota Prius Plug-in Advanced, Gray Exterior
    91,103 miles
    $13,488
    According to the specs page, has "Anti-Theft".

    2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Advanced, Blue Exterior
    78,423 miles
    $13,470
    According to the specs page, has "Anti-Theft".

    2014 Toyota Prius Plug-in Advanced, White Exterior
    98,065 miles
    $12,988
    According to the specs page, has "Anti-Theft".

    2014 Toyota Prius Plug-In 5dr HB, White Exterior
    91,496
    $12,339
    No "Anti-Theft" but has some special color of "SPECIAL COLOR - BLIZZARD PEARL REQUIRES (070)".
     
    #1 ThatOddMan, Feb 18, 2019
  2. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2016
    608
    532
    0
    Location:
    Folsom, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    The Blue one.
     
    #2 Pluggo, Feb 19, 2019
    jerrymildred and bisco like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,703
    48,947
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    agree, the price is worth the lower miles. as long as the last one is base not advanced,

    those are some great prices for cali.

    of course, you need test drives, car faxes, maintenance histories, etc.

    so the numbers are one thing, but the reality can be something completely different.

    keep in mind, a plug needs to have the aer tested
     
    #3 bisco, Feb 19, 2019
    jerrymildred likes this.
  4. ThatOddMan

    ThatOddMan Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2019
    61
    24
    13
    Location:
    Alhambra, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Thank you for the responses.

    Do you mean a base trim with lower mileage is a "better" purchase compared to an advanced trim but with higher mileage?

    I tend to keep things for a very long time, hence, I still have and still driving my 14 year old sedan-a base trim level.

    So my conundrum now is between the two trim levels-base with lower mileage (less than 68k) or advanced with higher mileage (more than 70k). That is around $800 difference in price between a 68k mileage base trim and 78k mileage advanced trim-both are 2014 Prius Plugin.

    Just me thinking if an advanced trim is worth it or stick with base trim.
     
    #4 ThatOddMan, Feb 23, 2019
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,491
    14,100
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm really happy with my '13 base. But I do sometimes wish for the extra bells and whistles of the advanced. $800 is not a huge difference. It's much less than the difference I saw when I was shopping. It really boils down to whether you think the extra features justify the extra cost and possibly reduced lifespan which will depend on how much you drive. If you drive 50k/year, that 10k miles is only a couple months of driving. If you only drive 10k a year, then that a whole year.
     
    #5 jerrymildred, Feb 23, 2019
  6. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,509
    493
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    I have basically the same as the grey car. They all look reasonable to me. Regarding the "Anti-theft", I think they mean the engine immobilizer, and I thought they all had that. Just salesman's happy talk?

    Regarding the Base/Advanced, I have leather instead of fabric seats, but you know what? I don't care, don't even notice it.

    There is a HUD in the advanced but it is pretty yawnworthy, it will project an arrow or a number on the bottom of the window. I've had it turned off for a couple of years now. Might be useful if I used the GPS more.

    The electrochromic rear view mirror is a pretty nothing feature unless you want the built in garge door opener buttons.

    The little foglights in the bumper are pretty but not actually useful in fog. I use them as daytime running lights, save the headlight LEDs.

    I think you'd do OK with any of them, and getting 44 MPG shouldn't be much of a challenge, especially if you have someplace you can plug it in. The Prius family in general seem to be ideal for people who want to own the same car for an extended time. We used to have a 100K miles thread, a 200K miles thread, and I think we had some hard core types talking about a 300K thread. I'm not that hard core, ten years is enough for me.

    I do like and the radar cruise control.

    Not sure what an AER is so I can't comment on testing it.
     
    #6 kenmce, Feb 23, 2019
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,703
    48,947
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I’m just saying the lower the miles for similar money, the better.
    Only you can decide if the extra bells are worth it, and worth how much.
    The original msrp was a pretty good spread between the two
     
    #7 bisco, Feb 23, 2019
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