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What wouldn't I like about a 2019 Prime, as compared to my '13 PIP?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by spudnut, Sep 24, 2020.

  1. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    There is a '19 Prime for sale locally, with 9 K miles on it, they are asking 27 K+, and I would offer 25K. I took it for a ride today, it was in town, the battery was expended, and I was kind of over whelmed by the unfamiliarity of it all. I've put 50K miles on my PIP, it now has 82 K total, and love it. I use it to haul my ebike and am not afraid to take it on gravel roads, always have the back seat folded down, and took the passenger seat clear out. I have camped in it, and like the room. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Prime's aft deck is higher, for the bigger battery? Would those rear sensors (whatever they do...) be screwed up by being blocked by a rack carried fat bike? The Prime seemed a LOT more techy then the PIP, and I understand it has more bells and whistles, heated steering wheel and power seats come to mind.

    Any regrets, those that have traded up to the Prime series from a older plug in?
     
  2. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    I will start reading Jerry 's multi page thread, looks like it will answer my questions!
     
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  3. Tips

    Tips Member

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    Are there new car grants available for a new Prime in your area that you may not get with a used Prime? I have owned a 2006 gen 2 and a 2014 gen3 and now a 2020 basic Prime! You will not miss your old cars.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it depends on the model, but 25k seems expensive. how much is a new one after discounts, rebates, tax credits and etc?
     
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  5. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Wow! Out our way you can get a brand spanking new 2020 LE for about $24K... and then get the $4500 federal tax incentive on your next year taxes. Maye take a trip? :whistle:
     
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  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If it has the ICS sensors, then it’s the Advanced at $33,000 when new. That’s not much of a discount considering the tax credit on a Prime is around $4,000. Yeah it’s low mileage but still.

    Also if you buy new, you can pick the LE or XLE without the sensors.

    I’ll be a bit concerned about the front acrylic grille on gravel roads. Just don’t follow anyone or follow with a large distance so avoid chips and cracks. It’s fragile.

    Other than that, you’ve touched on the higher deck as well.

    The EV range is significantly longer (more than 2x) and the hybrid mode MPG is also ridiculous. 60mpg+ is achievable.
     
  7. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    Good info! Here in Idaho there are no benefits, just penalties (higher annual registration fees) for going even partial EV. I would have to assume the federal benefits would apply though, as last time I checked, Idaho was in the US. This car is at a GM dealer, on their used lot, my local Toy dealer is just down the road from them, and I was just there the other day looking at a used RAV4 hybrid, (27K) and a brand new Bolt (27 K out the door), when last there I never asked about any Prius in stock, as I was there for the Bolt. The Bolt is pretty cool, but not the road trip car of course any Prius is, comparing the two is problematic and makes my head hurt.

    The only brand new vehicle I've ever bought was from this same local dealer, a 1990 Toy pickup. This started my love affair with Toyota's, I put 235 K HARD miles on it ( I was a building contractor back then, and always had it loaded down), and to this day I still see it occasionally, as it's been owned by a succession of Hispanic roofing and concrete contractors. It STILL always loaded down, and as I built the the custom flatbed on it, and the lumber racks, I always feel obliged to go over and check my welds and ask it's current driver how it's running. "Bueno", is always the response. This dealer is a pillar of our community, a good guy, and I'd rather give my money to him then the GM guy down the street. Turns out, I have a crane job (my biz) right down the street from them tomorrow, I'll stop by and compare brand new local pricing to used local pricing. Going to New Jersey ain't going to happen, but thanks for the heads up.
     
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  8. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    You realize that those federal benefits only accrue to the buyer of a new Prime. You might also ask the dealer about the 2021 RAV4 Prime as it might suit your needs better with more space, 4WD, 42 EV miles, and a $7500. federal rebate. Unfortunately, it might be a year before it will be widely available for purchase.
     
  9. ChooChooChoo

    ChooChooChoo New Member

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    You can have it shipped. The costs are based on the distance to the delivery site and they're not bad.
     
  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Keep in mind your PiP has incredible cargo space...
    because Gen3 Prius was enormous inside space for a smaller car, due to bulbous shape, and PiP battery was small and did not take away the space. Gen4 went to sedan shape giving up the space and Prime you got big battery taking some. Consider maybe RAV4 PHEV.

    PS- don't go by space quotes because those are often not same basis
     
    #10 wjtracy, Sep 25, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 25, 2020
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  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Yeah, 27K price tag on an used Prime is an immediate turn off for us living in North East but that may be the only way you can get hands on Prius Prime in your region. FYI, I bought new Prius Prime twice, first 2017 Premium at 19K, and recently 2020 LE at 18K after taking the fed tax credit off. *The $4502 tax credit for this year purchase is due next year tax return.

    That being said, make sure you can live with 4 seaters. The 2019 model does not have 5th seat. If you ever have a need to put three kids on the rear seat, you will have problem. The 2020 model fixed that. You already mentioned the smaller cargo area compared to your PiP. Coming from Gen3 to Prius Prime is a big loss in the cargo. I could only accommodate my cargo need by not using the rear seats at all (i.e. always folded down).

    If the trim you are considering is higher two (Premium or Advanced), then you should also make sure you like the large 11.6" screen. Also not sure if your pip had Softex seat, but those two trims seats are covered with Softex. Some likes it and think it as an upgrade, but for both the screen and Softex, they were totally turn off features for me, and I had to get rid of.
     
  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    To answer the question in your thread title from my perspective:
    • You might not like losing the 5th passenger. Or you might not care.
    • You might not like losing a few inches vertically of cargo space.
    • You might not like that, because of the bigger traction battery, the back seats don't fold flat with the rear deck.
    • You might not like going from two rather small glove boxes to one very small glove box.
    • You might not like adjusting to the new display and the way it presents your data.
    • You might not like your car telling you how to start it up every time you get in.
    • You might not like losing a fraction of an inch of ground clearance.
    • Fragile grill trim.
    One other thing that seems to be not just Prime, but all Gen 4, is a lot of cracked windshields.

    But on the other hand, you might love:
    • The increased range in EV and HV. (Bigger battery and bigger gas tank)
    • The improved handling.
    • The loads of previously unavailable driving data.
    • The improved comfort for long trips.
    • Heating the car without always having to run the ICE.
    As you can see, I thought of more potential dislikes than likes. But for me, the "likes" are things that matter a whole lot more than the "dislikes." I went from a PiP to a Prime and I would not want to have to go back. As it says in my signature line, "Oh WOW!!!!" :D
     
  13. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I miss the flying buttress :)
     
  14. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    I had a epiphany today, while on a return visit to the car lot. While looking at '19 and 2020 regular Prii, I noted they looked a lot more familiar to me....I guess I didn't fully realize how much different the Prime is, besides the bigger battery, all the little styling cues and extra "stuff." At one point I was thinking that what I want is a "regular" looking Prius (those Prime tail lights, down low on the bumper, seem like a accident waiting to happen) but it has to be a plug in....and then it hit me: I already have one! The Prime is too fancy for my tastes, I actually prefer the more utilitarian and simpler model, LIKE I HAVE NOW! I had a suspicion the ground clearance seemed a bit lower, thanks for confirming that Jerry. That alone is enough reason for me to back off, if you all saw where I live you'd wonder how and why I can even drive a Prius here in the summer, much less the winter. And the high rear deck and the rear seat folding thing, a lot to give up. So, I have a renewed appreciation for my '13 PIP, and will keep abusing it (not really, but it isn't a city slicker for sure) while enjoying my mid to high 50's MPG per tankful. My local dealer had NO new Primes, and more or less said they don't expect any, this area is just not for them I guess, or maybe they are all going to other states.
     
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  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The PiP is a very good car in the right circumstances. My biggest issue was that, in the right weather conditions, it was about 1,000 feet short of the EV range I needed and the ICE would start within sight of home. One time, it started as I was backing into the driveway. Second issue was my flaming tailbone when on an all day drive. Prime fixed them both at what was a small cost for me. In your terrain, maybe the Rav4 Prime would be better when you can get one ... if you care to spend that much.
     
  16. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    I am STILL thinking about it, darn it! Here is a link to what I can get local, 15 miles away, and in my part of the country they are very rare, Prime that is. In the 4 years I've been driving my '13 PIP, I've yet to see one other.

    https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/823614072/overview/

    It would appear it has most of the bells and whistles? I could offer them 25 K and write the check out, (but that's not a plus, they want to finance it I'd imagine, cashing it out would be a negative probably) but after lurking here, it sounds like I'd still be getting screwed?
     
  17. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    IIRC, you mentioned a reluctance to travel out east for the big-buck savings but, if you went about 500 miles west to Bend, OR they currently show a 2020 Prime Limited (top model) for $33,439 and $2500 in customer cash plus, of course, the $4502 federal tax benefit. Notwithstanding your local taxes or other xfer fees, you're looking at 26,437 for a BRAND NEW top of the line Prime Limited, and it's about 500 miles away from you!

    This also includes a new car Toyota warranty. Worth considering yes/no?!?
     
  18. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    Thanks for that, but I am too busy in my day job (a crane service, and my work is often unexpected/short notice, and being out of town for 2 or 4 days could easily cost me more then any savings) and with only 9K miles on the one I'm looking at, and considering the overall reliability and longevity of any Toyota I've ever owned, I'm not too concerned about buying slightly used. BUT, in further negotiating with the salesman, I will use that as ammo! I offered 25 K, they said they'd think about it, then called back and said come on in, which could mean anything of course. I will hit them at some point with the fact that my 25 K offer includes the 6% Idaho state sales tax, we'll see how that goes over! I am a amateur, they are pro's in this wheeling and dealing, but I can try. My one strength is I am not in a hurry or desperate for wheels, and I guess it wouldn't hurt to wash the '13 and park it where they could see it, just to make that point. I'm sure they will be real impressed!

    On another thread, I posted about what a big fan of Michelin IceX tires I am, getting a bit over 45,000 miles out of my first set (45 psi, rotated every 5K miles, kept on year round), and at one point I was bent over trying to make out the Prime's tire size etc., to see if I could swap my 1 week old X's over off my gen 3, when I realized, it HAD X's on it already!
     
    #18 spudnut, Sep 29, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2020
  19. spudnut

    spudnut Active Member

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    On a second test drive visit to the lot, after I told the salesman the day before to plug it in and get it fully charged, I arrived at 1:30, and was told he'd plugged it in at 11:30. OK, enough of a charge to get a bit of a drive in EV, but it turned out he hadn't pushed in the charger all the way! No green light, and i wasn't much help as on my '13 PIP it's idiot proof, just stick it in. It still wasn't charging until we turned the car on and figured out how to tell it to start charging. I'll stop by tomorrow, and see what's up. Right off hand, I like the display of my '13 better, (speaking of the energy used/regen symbols) though until I get to see what things look like with a charged battery, I'm just guessing.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think 25+ ev miles is gonna look pretty dang good :)
     
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