Noobster

Hello All,

I'm a new Prius owner. Well, I don't own a new Prius, but I'm new to them.

I bought a 2012 plug-in model from my step-mom for 10k. It has 73k miles, and I more or less know its history. My dad was the primary driver, but he passed away a few weeks ago, so I offered to buy it from her. I looked up trade-in values and they ranged from 8-12k, and comparable models for sale from dealers and individuals were going for 15-25k. I wanted to make sure she got fair value for it without breaking my bank.

I don't know the specific package (trim level?), doesn't seem any obvious way to find out. It does not have fog lights or Auto headlights, if that helps. Otherwise, it has full power windows and locks, climate control, XM radio. My Step-mom had heated seats added after purchase.

I read through the Newb posts, dos and don'ts, good stuff in there.

Still confused about the gas volume though. Does the 2012 still have the internal fuel tank bladder? Supposedly the tank is 11.9 gallons. But with one bar left, it only took 7.8 gallons. So yeah, confused. I'll probably just do what most people say they're doing, fill up at about half a tank, that would be every other day for me.

On the plus side, it looks like I'm getting at least 40MPG (I write down my mileage at the end of each day, so it was a simple calc when I filled up the second and third times), driving for Doordash and Uber Eats in a smallish Navy town, doing about 100 miles a day.

Anyway, just here to get my 4 posts in

 

Thanks.

I had no idea about that. Will try it tomorrow.

 

I plugged it in last night. When I got in it told me I had 11.5 miles EV available. Since it's getting colder here, I had the heater running, so it went a little faster than that. So it's not terribly useful for me, but I'll probably keep charging it nightly.

I did the refuel process today. The "refuel ready" message came up immediately, so I have no reason to believe it didn't on prior occasions, I just wasn't looking for it.

 

I was going by what she said. But when I plugin in the VIN on Toyota's site, one of the interior items says:

"Fabric-Trimmed Heated Front Sts w/6-Way Adj Driver's Seat & 4-Way Adj Pass Seat"

That seems to imply the electric seat adjustments, but it doesn't have that, all manual. Although I suppose all the manual adjustments add up "6 way".

That would help to explain why it seemed like it was taking so little gas. Thanks!

When you say "due to the battery", does the plug-in have a larger traction battery? Or is there a third battery for EV only?

 

I think you mean 4 times the capacity. It's only twice the weight, so probably only twice as large. But thanks for the info.

 

Yeah, I've watched a few videos. It's actually smaller than I thought it would be.

 

I've been trying to find specs on the battery sizes between the 2004-09 and 2010-15 models. The earlier ones look to be the same size. They fit in the same space.

 

Ok, do you have a link that shows the size difference? I'm coming up with nothing.

 

Thanks, that helps. It does look 4 times bigger! My apologies for doubting. Odd that I can't find any videos about it.

 

Ummm what?