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Finally joined the Prius Prime family!

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Gokhan, Sep 8, 2019.

  1. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    2021 Prius Prime
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    After many years of contemplating, I have a brand-new Prius Prime now!

    I got a really good deal on the 2020 Prius Prime XLE Classic Silver Metallic plug-in hybrid: below the invoice price - $1500 rebate - $6000 federal and California tax credit. Regarding how little Prius and Prius Prime depreciate, this is practically for free. I also get parking benefits at the university campus where I work and of course great mileage, especially on electricity. I got the antitheft protection and exterior/interior detailing for free as well because they were already on the car and I refused to pay the $1800 they were asking for them. The 2020 model that just arrived from Japan has added the third back seat with some other nice changes.

    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]

    Note: These are the Sony Studios (previously MGM Studios) in the background.

    Some technical details on oil changes:

    With the 2020 model they have changed the oil recommendation to TGMO 0W-16 SN/RC or equivalent. The disclaimer "An oil with a higher viscosity (one with a higher value) may be better suited if the vehicle is operated at high speeds, or under extreme load conditions." is there as for any other Toyota. This car was made in August in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan, and the oil used is likely a Japanese brand -- it says 100% Japanese parts as typical with Toyotas made in Japan. Curiously, despite the viscosity changing from 0W-20 to 0W-16, the combined EPA MPG rating remains the same at 133 MPGe/54 MPG for electricity and gasoline, respectively.

    They give two-year free maintenance; so, the first two oil changes will be done at the dealer. They actually made me buy a three-year extension but I will probably cancel it. I have a dislike for cartridge oil filters but very gladly they made a change and it uses the 90915-YZZF2 spin-on oil filter now instead of the cartridge oil filter as in the past. Oil drain plug and gasket are 90341-12012 and 90430-12031, respectively, per http://parts.toyota.com/.

    I am very happy with my decision and my Prius Prime XLE, including how the car drives and feels, trim level, color choice, and price! :)
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gorgeous! great price for cali! how did you pull it off?
     
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  3. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    That's a nice looking car!

    What do these entail: Separate alarm system, VIN etching, etc.; "interior detailing"?
     
  4. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Limited
    TrueCar! You create an account on TrueCar and ask for a quote. I got a call from a local dealer immediately that night with a price below invoice. Another local dealer called in the morning and they wanted to match it and even go lower when I told them the other dealer's price.

    However, when I showed up at the dealer, they tried to make me buy $7000 worth of add-ons and warranties. I pretty much declined them all and as a result got the add-ons that can't be removed (detailing job, door-ding protection, and GPS theft protection) pretty much for free.
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow, well done!(y)
     
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  6. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Nice! Hope you enjoy the car! (y)

    The electric drive is addictive.
     
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  7. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Thanks!

    "Theft Patrol," which uses the car's GPS and Verizon-based SIM card to tell you where your car is through an app or the web. They were asking $995 for it. It's certainly a good thing to have.

    The external and internal wax/detailing job is called "Perma Plate" and they claim it provides three-year appearance protection. They were asking $795 for it.

    The door-ding and door-handle protection is called the "Clear Shield Package." It's transparent thick plastic around the door edges and I suppose the door handles. They were asking $395 for it.

    At the end I got all three for $395, which brought the price up to right near the invoice but I got the $1500 Toyota rebate; so, effectively I paid about $1400 below the invoice or $2700 below the MSRP with these three add-ons included.
     
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  8. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    I wouldn't buy it. People aren't lining up to steal Primes. They typically steal high-sales cars to strip for parts. Lots of that model on the road = high demand for parts.
     
    Gokhan likes this.
  9. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    Yep, I wouldn't buy it either. However, at the end they included it for free. It helps reduce your insurance premium a bit though.
     
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  10. alfmeister

    alfmeister Junior Member

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    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    In the SF Bay area there are a lot of batteries being stolen from Prius'.
    It was apparently a big problem five years ago and it seems to be happening again.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  11. will the engineer

    will the engineer Active Member

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    all black interior! nice
     
  12. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Maybe not ideal here in Austin TX though... but yeah, looks good!
     
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I wonder if Toyota will be moving to 0w16 oil for other older engines. As for the MPG numbers not changing with the oil, Toyota simply opted not to pay the cost of retesting.
     
  14. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    I doubt they will. I have not owned any vehicle where they oil spec was changed in arrears unless there were problems with the issued oil spec.
     
  15. roypaik

    roypaik Member

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    Great job! I basically paid the same thing as you but without those add-ons.

    I love the all black interior with the specks... gives it a nice sparkle.
     
    Gokhan likes this.
  16. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Ford did for nearly all their engines when they switched to 5w20.
     
  17. Chrisgen1

    Chrisgen1 Member

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    awsome.. same year model and color as mine.. You will love the car
     
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  18. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

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    This^

    If you're like me, you'll start to dread having the gas engine come on.
     
  19. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    In LA, it may be cheaper to drive on gas than electric. Gas is running about $3.75/gal, and depending on usage, electricity could be as much as 40 cents/KWh.
     
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  20. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    :eek: This is not what electric rates are in other parts of California. I pay 10 cents/KWh for tier 1 usage, 15 cents/KWh thereafter from my municipal utility