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

EV vs Gen5 Prius?

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by 155, Jul 3, 2023.

  1. 155

    155 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    56
    30
    0
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I got an oil change on my Gen 4 Prius and I've owned several, and the dealer told me it will take over a year to get a new Prius Prime in Silver Fully Loaded.

    I could buy a Tesla Model 3, get it next week, and it will be cheaper than a Prius.

    I love my Prius, but does it even make sense anymore to purchase these vehicles? Seems like a no-brainer to buy a Tesla.

    Not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but I can't be the only one who feels this way?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,693
    49,392
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it's really a personal decision. what makes sense to me, doesn't to someone in a different situation.
    i am considering the model 3 as well, under 30k after tax credits.
    the big thing is, do you have a place to charge, what are the longest trips you will use it for, are you prepared to stop and charge when necessary, is the service situation okay for you, and is the range enough in winter.
     
    Zythryn likes this.
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,043
    11,511
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    If a BEV meets your needs, why mess with an engine?
    Still plenty of cases where the BEV doesn't work though.
     
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,372
    15,513
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Let me share some thoughts:
    • Tesla reduces prices and offers better deals the last three weeks of each quarter. June 30 was the last day of Q2 so there may be a small price increase and loss of other sweeteners. But even a slightly higher purchase price will be dwarfed by the operational savings.
    • Tesla constantly adds features and product improvements through out the manufacturing. Todays Model 3 is better than my March 2019 version. Do not let the 'Osborn' effect from keeping you from a good deal.
    • Charging at home, my $0.12/kWh means I'm paying $2.75 to drive 100 miles around town. But a Level 2, AC, home charger will run from $300-$600 assuming you have an available NEMA 14-50 outlet. Adding a NEMA 14-50 or 50 A, 240 VAC line can easily run about $1,000. I combined my NEMA 14-50 with fixing and upgrading from sun stressed 100 A service to 200 A.
    • Join a Tesla specific forum like Tesla Owners Online Forum. It is a technical oriented forum run by nice Canadians.
    • Two different battery chemistries, LiFePO and NMC, that have different charging characteristics. Mine is NMC and I am quite happy with it.
    Regardless, you have excellent choices.

    Bob Wilson
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,693
    49,392
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    and the current ones that make it eligible for the tax credit are LifePO?
     
  6. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,372
    15,513
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The battery chemistry is not a selectable option when buying. My understanding is the IRS has approved $7,500 for all Model 3 trims.

    Bob Wilson
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,693
    49,392
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    mine too, but i read that tesla had to switch batteries to get approved.
     
  8. ETC(SS)

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

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,744
    6,543
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I did a this-versus-that for a new G5 - base and a zero-option T3 and they were surprisingly close in price.
    The base G5 came in at something like 31k with junk fees while the T3 came in at $34k, after TTL and kickbacks.

    The OP's info indicates that they have a 7-year-old G4 so either car might serve.
    One presumes that either one will serve faithfully and well for that period of time.
    The G5 Prime is still not much more than a napkin drawing and it will be significantly more expensive than even a moderately optioned T3 when they are more widely available.

    If you're limiting your car options to Prius or Tesla?
    Jump Ball.
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,043
    11,511
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Unless Tesla started sourcing their CATL LFP from an approved place, they had to switch back to the original Li-ion. That was probably to easiest solution.
     
  10. 155

    155 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2007
    56
    30
    0
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Thanks. It makes sense that some people can't charge, etc.

    I just don't understand how Toyota gets away with these kinds of lead times. While it's true that my existing Prius will last forever as I just got bored of my previous Prius and upgraded when the new one came out, there wasn't anything wrong with it. I would like to do the same. Who waits over a year to purchase a car?

    I feel like mistake me for an Uber driver all the time, and Tesla's are perceived as this awesome flashy luxury car, but they're cheaper and I don't have to wait a year?

    Sorry for my rant lol.
     
    bisco likes this.
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,693
    49,392
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i think most manufacturers are having the same problem as toyota. tesla has made a decision to reduce prices to garner more market share, a great thing for potential customers
     
  12. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,372
    15,513
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Personally, I think the price reductions are due to efficiencies of manufacturing shared with new customers. Tesla doesn't need to sell every EV because there are special use cases for others. For example, a work van or urban delivery truck. Tesla does not have to cover every niche and their profits are quite enough to sustain continued growth.

    Bob Wilson
     
    Zythryn likes this.
  13. flim

    flim Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    206
    139
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, California
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    Knowing Elon, it's all about the price of TSLA. He has been doing this to squeeze as many unit sales in a given quarter to bump the stock price! Many unhappy campers who bought the Model 3s right before the multiple price cuts!
     
  14. flim

    flim Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    206
    139
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, California
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    My neighbor was so excited with the 2023 Prius Hybrid 3 months ago until he found out he had to pay $5k over MSRP and he also has to wait for availability.

    He was so worried about his German car breaking down and he sold it before any expensive major repairs and he needed a car ASAP!

    When the 1st Model 3 price cut started, he just jumped in and bought the Model 3 at approx $35 net after the $7500 Federal tax credit.
     
    #14 flim, Jul 5, 2023
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2023
  15. ETC(SS)

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

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,744
    6,543
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Easy!
    Demand.
     
  16. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2008
    6,235
    4,231
    1
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I’m looking forward to finding out what the profit margins were last quarter.
    My guess is lower costs are part of it, but that the profit margins will also take a small hit.
    The quarterly report is due on the 19th so we won’t have long to wait.
     
    bisco likes this.
  17. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2016
    2,592
    1,609
    0
    Location:
    Somewhere in Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    Try to buy a Ford Maverick in a configuration you would actually want.

    Some folks are still waiting from June 2021 and don’t have a truck
     
  18. flim

    flim Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
    206
    139
    0
    Location:
    Huntington Beach, California
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    He asked me to get a Model 3 too after another round of price reduction but I told him my minimum criteria is to be able to drive to Vegas without having to stop & charge! ;)
     
  19. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,372
    15,513
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    A couple of months ago, I drove 1,888 miles to Las Vegas for $166.

    Bob Wilson
     
  20. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    22,043
    11,511
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    The long range Model 3 might do that.
    The Ioniq 6 SE RWD has 360 miles of range.
     
    hill and bwilson4web like this.