PIP reliability concerns over regular Prius

That is true....I've been lucky enough to (knock on wood) not have had a blow out or situation where just putting air in didn't mitigate a problem. That being said I wouldn't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere like in west Texas with a tire blown to shreds. I'd rather have a spare and and creep along. So yeah I think you're right in keeping a spare for long trips and is exactly why I'm likely to get one....Planning a trip out west next year and thought it would be a good idea of have something more than fix a flat.

 

It is an issue for me. If I'm car shopping, no spare means no sale. After spending $20~30K (I buy new), I'm not in the mood to start cobbling spare tire solutions.