PIP worth it for 55 mile commute?

I recall in your other thread you said you live in Nor Cal. Will HOV lane stickers be of any benefit? It sounds like no.

 

On east coast PiP prices are cheaper...we've had a lot of folks traveling out-of-state to get the PiP deals, but I don't recall anyone going all the way from CA to NY or NJ etc to get a PiP. Best deal back east was in Boston 26500 before credits so you could be 22500 after credits but you'd need a way home.

Its a tough choice between hybrid and PiP but I view in CA PiP gives you some added flexibility. I am not a plug-in fanatic, what I mean by that, if I bought a PiP I might not charge it all the time so your case is fine by me.

 

I bought one in Maryland and drove it all the way back. The deals out east are just too good. But, I would ship it back instead of doing the grueling drive. Also, remember in CA you get $1,500 rebate from the state. So, if you were to buy one in the east that would cover the shipping cost and then some. So, the price is much closer to getting a 3 or even cheaper. With the PIP resale value would be a bit better and you get heated seats and remote A/C. I would get a PIP.

 

In some places back east, they have no incentives like the $1500 in CVRP (CA only) or HOV stickers. Regional incentives vary all the time. Go to
BuyAToyota!

and click on Change Location. Then, put in zip codes from random states.

The green HOV stickers may be useless in 4 years as per Eligible Vehicles - Single Occupant Carpool Lane Use Stickers, they're only valid until 1/1/15. They could be extended, but it's unclear when extensions will run out. The yellow HOV stickers (I have those) I believe were extended once and finally expired in 7/1/11.

With your commute, I'm thinking maybe it's not worth it for the PiP. However, if your goal is to use less oil, much of which we import and most of which resides in volatile regions of the world, then a PiP helps towards that more than a regular Prius. BTW, almost no electricity in the US comes from oil.

CIA - The World Factbook
EIA's Energy in Brief: Who are the major players supplying the world oil market?
Oil: Crude and Petroleum Products - Energy Explained, Your Guide To Understanding Energy - Energy Information Administration

 

Besides, you don't just drive to work, you do go other places, don't you? Around town, to the grocers, etc, much of that can be done in EV mode, which will help with your overall MPG numbers.

 

The east coast has $4000 tfs rebate now and 0%.

For number 2 just go to one of the places that have 20+ PiP and take your pick of the best one.

Remember the PiP will get better gas mileage even in HV mode.

 

Are you close to any of the public charging stations in Stockton?

www.plugshare.com

I think you will get some assist from the PiP's battery at highway speeds over 60mph, resulting in higher mpg numbers.

If you buy from the east coast, check out uship.com (my hometown startup) for getting it delivered to Sacramento.

 

Let me actually answer these one by one.
1. I think so. Also, if you're financing, the PiP due to 0% APR will be the same or even cheaper than regular Prius.
2. Yes. It also won't go very far at that speed. In personal experience I've been able to get to 64 with light acceleration beyond 62. Don't expect to get more than 5-6 miles at that speed though.
3. Not really. I mean, that's like having one extra passenger, and a light one. Don't even think about it.
4. As mentioned by someone else, you do drive places other than work? You can cut your "around town" gas consumption to zero, which is the most wasteful kind of driving that you'd be doing.
As for some of your follow-up questions
Taxes: no, you only pay CA taxes
Pricing differences: simple supply and demand, the demand for them isn't as high back East, and 2012 is almost over so they need to dump these cars yesterday.
Also, a question for you: where can you charge? At home, at work? If in at least one of those places, it's worth it. The HOV sticker is also worth it in case you ever need to go to the Bay Area. Never know when it might come in handy and let you save some time (and potentially money at the tolls and HOT lanes).

 

As far as going out of state to buy the car — one potential option is to go to Oregon, where you get a better deal than in CA but which is not super far away. Lithia Toyota of Springfield is offering $2500 off all vehicles and TFS offers $1500 cash down and 0% APR bringing your total discount to $4k. Note that the CVRP and IRS rebates still apply, so you're looking at $25,200 after all is said and done.
This is what I did personally, and today I just finished registering the car here. So I can answer any questions you might have from firsthand experience.

 

After the 2012 are sold we will have some awards here on Prius Chat:
(1) Longest commute to pick up PiP
(2) Best Price before credits
(3) Best Price after credits

Anyways Stearicom you are in the running. Prize is new 2013 Prius Chat sticker

 

I have never done it, but no you just pay sales tax once in CA based on where you register your car.
Just don't move to Louisiana after you purchase any new car as they re-impose sales tax for all vehicles entering state with new residents (unless they changed that law since I moved back east).

 

Two things to consider:

1: Do you have long stretches of uphill/downhill? The PiP gets a small advantage on the run, for example, from Sedona to Phoenix, because it can pick up some extra EV miles whereas a smaller battery is fully charged before you finish the downhill portion.
2: There is a small penalty due to the heavier weight of the PiP battery that you suffer during your entire 110 mile commute, while only deriving the extra benefit during about 11 miles of it.

If you can convince your place of striving to give you an outlet, that would double the PiP benefit, but even so, it's not a great ratio. OTOH, if you can get a great deal on the PiP, it might be worth it regardless.

Richard

 

Get the best deal possible for PiP and Prius 3.
Compare the #s (after incentives / apr%).
Now ask yourself this question, will I save the difference via Charge during the years of ownership.
Is there any advantage you will get by owning PiP compare to Prius? I.E. Hov lane access or any other incentive.
PiP has heated seats / better looking wheels (in my opinion) as well as few exterior looks.

Currently they seem to sell PiP about $27000 around NY area, after tax credit it might be cheaper compare to Prius 3 due to going rate for Prius 3 is about $25000.

 

just get an email agreement that they'll give you a discount for any imperfections so you can have them fixed when you get home.