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New Prime or buyout the leased CT200?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by CarlB, Mar 4, 2020.

  1. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    Fully understanding that I'm asking a biased group for opinions - perhaps I'm wanting a biased answer. :D

    The choice coming up soon is to buy the CT200h I'm leasing now. Pretty well decked out, just not the real leather seats as I wouldn't want that anyway. 2017, 20,100 miles and $20k buyout in June. Great little car, but gas mileage limited to low 40s or so. It's quiet, I like it. Has navigation assist that I like - talk to a real person, they put your destination into the nav system as you're driving.

    Compare to walking away from that, purchasing a 2020 Prime Limited, road-trip to get the $3500 regional incentive, and $4500 PHEV tax incentive. Doesn't have the nav assist available, but has some neat tech bumps like dynamic cruise, blind-spot alert, lane assist ...

    I really like the idea of a PHEV that I could charge from my garage outlets. My commute is 10 miles one-way, so excepting winter and summer conditions (Minnesota), would be mostly electric miles.

    Thoughts? Opinions? I like new things too much, I like green things a lot, and I still like my little CT200. Although I'm getting antsy at almost three years with it. Thanks!
     
  2. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    It doesn't sound like you've test driven a Prime yet ?

    Find a way to test drive a charged up Prime & then make your decision.



    Rob43
     
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  3. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    Drove one briefly, but wasn't charged. Exactly like you'd think, a Prius. A lot like the CT200, same engine, but older NiMH battery in the CT, same CVT.

    Yes, charged would be much different.

    Do Primes ever charge the traction battery to full on their own - e.g., long freeway drives?
     
    #3 CarlB, Mar 4, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 4, 2020
  4. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    You can actually charge the Prime up to 80% using the ICE, it's just not as efficient.

    If you could test drive a un-charged Prime, you could charge it yourself while on a 20 to 30 minute test drive. Then you could experience several miles of EV driving.


    Rob43
     
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  5. Sablerock

    Sablerock Junior Member

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    Where would you have to go for the regional incentive? I’m also shopping for a 2020 Prime and am also in Minnesota.
     
  6. DBLXX

    DBLXX Member

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    NEW CAR all the way.
     
  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    With your 10 miles commuting, I would say a new PRIME is better deal. But, in your local, finding a PRIME would be difficult. Even if you found one, there is no Toyota rebate? Usually lease end buy-out is not a good deal, unless your lease payment was so high to make the buy-out price far less than the market value.
     
    #7 Salamander_King, Mar 5, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2020
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  8. NSXT

    NSXT Active Member

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  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    New England states currently have $3500 Toyota rebate good until end of March. NY/NJ also increased the rebate to $3500 from previous $3000.
     
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  10. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    I don't own a Prime (yet) but I think it's a no-brainer to buy the Prime new versus your used Lexus CT. Probably a hair more expensive but worth it. Honestly the 2020 Prime probably isn't much louder than your CT even though it's a Lexus and you'd be getting probably +10-15 mpg even outside of the EV range. If you buy a Limited you'd be stepping up to a HUD (heads up display) as well. Plus the rear seat of the Prime will feel cavernous versus your CT imho. Cargo difference isn't that great.

    Say you get a rebate and discount on a Limited in the Northeast ... you're looking somewhere around $28,000 - $29,000 or so ... if you can take advantage of the full $4502 federal tax rebate that makes it about $24,000-$25,000 for a new loaded Prime.
     
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  11. Mavi

    Mavi Active Member

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    I'd say the prime.. it's a nicer car overall now. A lot of new features with the safety sense package, which pay for themselves if you ever need them. the CT was nice when it came out but it's long in the tooth now.
     
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  12. JasonG

    JasonG Member

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    Totally agree with everyone else. I had a 2011 CT and bought a 2017 Prime Premium. I was so happy I did and loved the all electric driving. I have a similar 10 mile each way commute and it was perfect. My average mileage over 3 years was 196 MPG!

    I have now moved on to a full EV (Niro EV) as I liked driving in EV mode so much in the Prime. If you can swing a Niro EV, I'd highly recommend it!

    Good luck!
     
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  13. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    OP,

    My only real concern for you is the loss of perceived handling / sportiness with a new Prime. Your CT has a sporty 17" wheel & 215/45 tire package.

    You might want to spend a few $$ for an upgraded 17" wheel & tire package on a Prime to get that feel back.


    Rob43

    PS, If you had Both cars at the same time, you could swap your CT wheels/tires over to your new Prime as a free test.
     
  14. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    When I bought the CT, they were closing out the model. So, Lexus offered $6000 off to lease it. (Wish they'd have offered that to buy it.) Given that and a trade in, I've been driving around payment free for the last 3 years. If I wanted to buy this very car from a dealer, they'd probably want $24-25k for it. So, being able to buy it at $20k is a pretty good deal.
     
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  15. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    "My only real concern for you is the loss of perceived handling / sportiness with a new Prime. Your CT has a sporty 17" wheel & 215/45 tire package.

    You might want to spend a few $$ for an upgraded 17" wheel & tire package on a Prime to get that feel back."

    Thanks for the great idea on the wheels/tires package. I'll see if that's common, or if I'll have to work a deal on something to trade out the wheels/tires.
     
  16. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I'm saying that "IF" you had a magic week overlap period, you could easily swap & try it. They are 100% interchangeable...

    If you end up liking the 17's on a Prime, you'll need to purchase some sort of aftermarket setup.


    Rob43
     
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  17. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    Lease is up in June. Anyone hear anything about the CARB state incentives dropping between now and then?

    Would be best if I could wait until the lease is almost up (months are already paid for). But if the incentives would drop, that could shift the equation.
     
  18. Nuclear_Charged

    Nuclear_Charged New Member

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    iv owned both , and do like
    the prime over the ct.
     
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  19. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    Thanks, good to know.

    Just checked out a Leaf today, That was a pretty decent car. Wasn't able to find a Bolt to drive. Tesla Model 3 though, late in the day. That was an interesting vehicle. Everything happens through the touchscreen. Considerable trunk space, can probably fit my guitar gear in there for gigs. Very, very low pressure sales, just answer all your questions, and enthusiastic about the car.

    The east coast incentives for the Primes are looking pretty good. I like that the car doesn't have to pull around a bigger, heavier battery. The mechanicals and ICE would normally be a concern for reliability, but just not so much with Toyota.

    There might be a trip out east for me later this month ...
     
  20. CarlB

    CarlB Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Limited
    Put a down payment on a Limited. Wanted the heated steering wheel, blind spot monitor, parking assist.

    Did some sleuthing with the map, zip codes, and Toyota's website. Closest to Minnesota with the $3500 rebate is Buffalo NY. A bit under 1000 miles for the drive back.

    I pay the balance with a cashiers check. Setup insurance with my agent before. Transfer plate or back window paper to drive it home. Sales tax collected when I register the vehicle and get plates. Not too difficult.

    Turn in my leased CT sometime soon...

    Time to setup a flight. Just wish the Lake Michigan ferry was running in March for the drive back. Hate the run through Chicago, but other routes add hours.