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

Buying advice

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by asteros, Oct 12, 2016.

  1. asteros

    asteros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    26
    7
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    New to this Prime forum.

    I have owned a 2015 Prius Two for more than month now, really love it. Soon will be moving to CA (LA area), and am well aware of the traffic there.

    Looking to buy another Hybrid or EV for wife for commuting before moving as OR has no tax. Want to be able to use the HOV lane. Is it worth considering a Prime given we already have a Two? I know that currently only Prime will qualify for HOV, but with already a Prius, shall we look into something else?

    Also, a general Q for car registration from out of state. Do you have to pay tax over the car's value to CA even if the ownership doesn't change?

    Any advice will be appreciated. thanks
     
  2. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Yes, your CA vehicle registration fees will be based on the value of your car.

    Despite a massive tax advantage, I would wait until you get to LA before purchasing. What if the commute is short enough that HOV access is unnecessary? What if public transportation is good enough? What if you absolutely hate your Prius because LA drivers tailgate Prius drivers whether they are speeding or going slowly? What if you don't end up moving to CA? What if your move gets delayed? What if no one buys the Prime so it gets heavily discounted 5 months later? What if you cannot charge at home or at work? What if your wife hates the Prius? I could go on and on. What if your wife is pregnant and you need an SUV?

    I'm a firm believer in getting the car that fits your current situation, not the car that fits your future family plans that seldom go as planned.
     
  3. 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
    +1.

    Add to the excellent advice above that G1 Pips are very cheap off-lease, and the Prime is an unknown quantity.
    When they're finally available, they're going to go for top dollar, and the same thing that happened to Samsung (and to a lesser extent, Tesla) can also happen to Toyota.
    You can also consider a Volt, or another compliance vehicle that's less efficient and more SUV'ie if you need to haul something more substantial than just your butt to work.

    I don't live in LA, probably to the benefit for us both, but I've been there enough to know that the HOV lane saves enough time to be worth buying a PHEV for.
    Just make sure that it's the RIGHT PVEV.

    Good Luck!
    Grab an IN-N-OUT Burger for me!!!
    Not having them on the right side of the continent allllllllllmost makes me wish I lived on the left coast. :D
     
  4. asteros

    asteros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    26
    7
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks all. I agree with you both. I am sure we will like it, not only because we've always owned toyotas, but also because she also really like the Two. Why would we want to consider the volt if the bolt is coming soon and has a much greater range? Price of the bolt is acceptable too.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2009
    5,850
    4,017
    0
    Location:
    Westminster, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    The Volt has much more overall range than the bolt due to the gas engine.
     
  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
    Since you will end up paying California tax no matter you buy the car, I agree with waiting until you after you move. It also appears that Oregon has no plug in incentives, while the Prime will get, IIRC, a $1500 rebate in California. Then there is a few more plug ins to choose from in that state, and all qualify for the HOV stickers. I say look at them all, and wait for the Prime, Bolt, and even the Ioniq to arrive if it fits your schedule.

    The Volt is past its first year of production, will be less than the Bolt, and may mean less gas used than the Prime on a longer commute. The Fusion Energi got a slight improvement in efficiency and EV range, will likely be more comfortable than the Prius/Prime, and it appears they can be had for less than a Prius Two with the federal, state, and manufacturer incentives.
     
  7. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have a 35 mile round trip commute. The Volt or the Bolt will cover my commute in EV without issue. The difference is I can drive to Oregon in my Volt without any planning whatsoever. With the Bolt, some pre planning and additional charge time will be involved as we don't have a robust electric charging network. My preference is for the extra spontaneity.
     
    MikeDee likes this.
  8. asteros

    asteros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    26
    7
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I see. This makes a lot of sense. Thank you

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,595
    11,220
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    But if you already have a newer Prius for the second car...

    As I said, look at them all, and do it in person. A car might be perfect on paper, but there might be something about it that isn't in the specs or photos that could make driving it everyday a chore.
     
  10. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    313
    201
    0
    Location:
    Alameda, California
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I live in SF bay area and been to LA multiple times. First of all, electricity price is pretty high in CA. It defeats my purpose of buying a bolt. I will stick to gas. Second, the carpool lane may not be as conveniently accessible as you might think. You want to try that planned route first. Lots of variables.
     
  11. asteros

    asteros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    26
    7
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Yeah kinda agree on this. It's not entirely straightforward when you can get on or off the carpool lane. But I just don't have enough experience with carpool lanes.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2016
    139
    28
    0
    Location:
    dc
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I'm not sure I quite understand the tax implications. can someone help me in layman's terms?

    there a 4500 federal credit but it's only applied if you have to pay taxes? What if I over pay on my w-2 and getting a refund? I tend to have higher withholding so I don't over spend at the end of the year. does that mean that tax goes away?
     
  13. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2009
    5,850
    4,017
    0
    Location:
    Westminster, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    No, it means it can only reduce your total tax bill. If your total bill is $10,000 and you overpaid to $11,000, your total tax bill will still be reduced by $4,500. The overpayment is irrelevant, only the total bill.
     
  14. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2016
    139
    28
    0
    Location:
    dc
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    are there any other limits such as income level etc etc that i need to be aware of?
     
  15. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2009
    5,850
    4,017
    0
    Location:
    Westminster, Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Yeah...you can only claim the amount of your tax liability. Thus, if it's less than $4,500, you won't get all of the deduction.
     
  16. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2011
    2,732
    1,703
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Don't take tax advice from people on an auto enthusiasts forum on the web.

    Overpaying on a w2 does not change your tax liability. Your tax liability is decreased by the $4500 tax credit. In general, if you're intentionally overpaying on a W2, that means you have tax liabilities. In general, if you can afford a Prius Prime, you tax liability will exceed $4500. Again, use as a guideline only. There are always outliers. No one knows your tax situation except yourself and your accountant.

    Oh, there's a $1500 CVRP rebate from California if you live and buy in California. How's that for more complicated? You most likely qualify for the full amount but again, I'm just some guy on the Internet.
    Clean Vehicle Rebate Project | Center for Sustainable Energy
     
    asteros likes this.
  17. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2016
    139
    28
    0
    Location:
    dc
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    i'm pretty sure my tax liability is more than 4500. I'm not in cali so can't take that 1500. DC however has a hybrid tax exemption for >= 40MPG city so I want to take advantage of that
     
  18. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    2,207
    897
    0
    Location:
    Torrance, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    No sales tax on vehicle purchase in Oregon, so buy NOW.

    OP willl be the current registered owner, and willl remain the registered owner. This is not a vehicle sales, so no tax.

    Vehicle registration is based on vehicles value.

    OP needs to check on DMV site.
     
    Silver Pine Mica likes this.
  19. asteros

    asteros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2016
    26
    7
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So even thought it's not a vehicle sale, I'll still pay tax at the time of registration. Correct? And that fee depends on the cars value. Correct?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  20. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    2,207
    897
    0
    Location:
    Torrance, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius