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

New Prius -- what type -- why?

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by Stevewoods, Nov 14, 2019.

  1. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    647
    983
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I purchased a new car this spring, to replace my 18-year-old rig, mostly because I retired and wanted something that would handle a modicum of "off-road" use a little better than my sedan.

    Well, wifey seems to like the heated seats and the other gee-gaws in said rig (things I really don't care about) and seems to be making noises about replacing her 2008 Gen II Prius.

    She may be somewhat serious, slightly serious or really serious, but if she says jump, I will not have a lot of time to hem/haw over the decision.

    Since she loves the Gen II and it HAS been by far the most trouble-free car ever, I suspect she will opt for another Prius (I could be wrong).

    Anyway, if we took the plunge, what Prius are we looking at. To be honest, I have not looked at any of them. But, it would be a new car.

    Is there one that sort of mimics the GEN II but has some of the newer stuff to keep her happy?

    HATES on the GEN II (not much), but the traction control leaves something to be desired -- and I think that may have been solved. And:

    The defrost function has always been weak -- and in Washington, fogged up interiors are pretty common from September through May.

    So, what might I want to investigate in the Prius line-up?
     
  2. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2016
    1,057
    789
    0
    Location:
    Washington State, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    In my opinion, the Gen 4 is more refined (better ride, handling, and smoother transition between EV and ICE), but some of that just may be as a result of the car being newer (our Gen 4 has about 10k miles, the Gen 2 has 280k miles). The Gen 2 has more storage (more cubby holes to place small items) and the back seats fold to the same level as the storage space behind them. On the Gen 4, the back seats are about 2 inches higher when folded down than the storage space. Neither of them have an inside hatch release (one of my pet peeves), but at least the outside release on the Gen 4 seems to be designed in such a way that the storage space will not become completely inaccessible when the weather turns cold. On the Gen 2, the rubber on the the hatch release becomes completely inflexible before the temperature even drops below freezing, to the point where I have had to fold down the seats just to gain access to the storage area (not to mention that in the summer the rubber melts and begins to disintegrate all over a person's hands, I hope the Gen 4 doesn't do that when it gets further along in years.) Also, my wife can reach the hatch on the Gen 2 when it is open, she cannot reach it on the Gen 4.

    Still, I wouldn't trade my Gen 4 for a brand new Gen 2. Overall the Gen 4 is just a better car.
     
    Stevewoods and jerrymildred like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    wait, you don't need hearing aids, but may cost you a car?:cool:
     
    Stevewoods likes this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Some gen 4's have more level hatch floor with the back seats down, the levels with spare tire?
     
  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,483
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    In Seattle?
    I'd consider a Prime.
    It'll have all the swag she wants, they're not over-the-moon expensive, and there are a lot of places you can plug one in.

    Plus?
    It's a dual-fuel vehicle.
    That way, if you start experiencing electrical problems normally associated with "developing nations" and some parts of a certain state below you, then you can still use it as.....a car.

    My second choice would be a Hybrid Corolla - presuming the boss wants to stay in a sedan.
     
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,595
    11,220
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    If she is fine with plugging in, I second the Prime. The heated seats are standard, but heated steering wheel is only on the Limited.

    To get heated seats on a Prius or Camry hybrid requires XLE or higher trim. No heated seats in the Corolla hybrid.
     
    Stevewoods likes this.
  7. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2019
    640
    305
    0
    Location:
    33312
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    I have to guess that that same Toyota reliability will be there in the AWD Toyota RAV4 hybrid or plug-in.

    You might be amazed at her acceptance of getting something bigger after that many years of driving a Prius. I used to sell Hondas, and converted many women - merely by asking that they test drive X in addition to whatever new version of the small Honda they came in with to trade for the same/similar model.

    Of course, it depends on use, plus numbers of friends, family, and groceries transported.
     
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,596
    3,770
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    We have both a "new" 2018 Prius II and 06 Gen2 and the differences between the two drivetrains are fairly substantial whereas the form factor is basically the same. Can't go wrong here; more of the same, etc.

    Washington? Liking the Subie? Hmmm, I'd also suggest the RAV4h and, if time and budget allows, the upcoming plug-in version. The drastic reduction in gas station visits and "filling up" at home was something my wife came to absolutely love (electric drive being #1).
     
    Stevewoods likes this.
  9. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    647
    983
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Late getting back to this... Had two relatives die within a week -- one close to my wife, the other very close to me. Both about the same age as me...hmmm....

    Is it just me, but back in the "day," -- meaning when I was a little kid growing up -- didn't most men die around age 60 or so?

    I am 61, wife is 62, we may be on borrowed time and the buying the car question irrelevant....

    Anyway, thanks for the answers....I really don't want another "big car" in the driveway, but, then, it is not my decision, so a RAV or something like that might be in the future (daughter has a '14 gas RAV and loves it).

    No grandchildren, but that could change.

    So, you folks have given me something to chew on....so to speak.

    And, Bisco, no, I don't hear my wife very well, but she has a solution for that.....when she is serious about a subject she just repeats everything in a different way until a deaf rock would hear it!!! Of course, she has done that for 40 years.....:whistle:

    Good thing she does not read PC.
     
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,038
    10,012
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    When you were born, male life expectancy was 66.

    But the men who were in their 60's when you were a kid, were born about 1900. And their life expectancy was just 46. Don't forget that back then, far more people died young from injuries and communicable diseases before they could get to the normal age-related problems, sharply pulling down the average.

    Current male life expectancy is 76, down few a tenths since peaking in 2014. That is U.S. only, many other countries are higher and not sliding back.

    Do note that these figures are technically for people born in said year, not for folks who are already old. But the remaining life expectancy for the old folks who are still alive is always much greater age than their original expectancy. I.e. at your age, with the already-expired folks removed from the calculation, your average remaining is still a bit over 20 years:

    Social Security: Actuarial Life Table
     
    #10 fuzzy1, Dec 4, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I think twice when buying the big pack of disposable razors, at Costco. :( Or the 48 pack of AA batteries. Ah, somebody'll need them. :)
     
  12. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    We're ALL on borrowed time...
     
  13. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,483
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they say if you make it to 70, youre odds of longevity go up
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,768
    16,017
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The Gen 4 is definitely a huge upgrade in terms of mpg, ride comfort and the visibility is similar. I found myself much more comfortable (read: familiar) in the Gen 4 than I ever did in my Gen 3. And anytime I jumped from my Gen 3 to the Gen 2 (when both were still in our possession), the Gen 2 was immediately familiar.

    That’s a long winded answer of saying that the Gen 4 has more similarities to the Gen 2 than the Gen 3 did.

    There is an AWD-e model if the wife wants AWD but not an SUV.

    If you want to try something different before you, umm, leave, then get the Prime. That EV driving experience is sublime. And if you only do short trips, then it’s definitely worth it to get a PHEV. The RAV4 Prime should also be on your list. I have a short commute and I’ve only refuelled the car 4 times since I got my Prime in Jan.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,106
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Yeah that @ASRDogman is putting everyone to shame... :cautious:
     
    Raytheeagle and bisco like this.
  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    My great grandmother was swinging a sickle until the age of 95:).

    My old man had to take it off her property in order to prevent its use by her:cool:.

    Buttermilk she said was her secret to longevity ;).

    A glass a day(y).
     
    Data Daedalus and Greenteapri like this.
  18. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,038
    10,012
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It is unlikely that all your kids will be expired before the batteries reach their labeled expiration. :)

    Though if you are under about 80, then odds are that you'll make it too.
    If you make it to your own 1st Birthday party, then your total life expectancy has already risen by nearly 6 months.

    But there is no point on the life expectancy chart where your remaining years ever increase. My dad was somehow taken by this fallacy.
     
    #18 fuzzy1, Dec 4, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2019
    Stevewoods and Mendel Leisk like this.
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yeah, it was a story i read online at some health website iirc. i dont remember any data involved
     
  20. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2014
    647
    983
    0
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Personally, not all that hyper about living another 20. My father-in-law is in his late 80s, and if I have to live as he does....EEEK1.

    Hey, how did this Prius thread get to be an old geezer thread....
     
    vvillovv, Mendel Leisk and bisco like this.