Weekend Rental of Plug in Prius

Worry not, because PriusChat can help you solve that! There are many here among us who feel that the Prius Nav unit is but a joke! We can show you exactly how you can replace the radio with a touchscreen-based unit from Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine or another. These units add practically everything -- they're amazing. I added a Kenwood, and I can't even remember all the stuff it's got -- Garmin GPS, CD/DVD, XM radio, Bluetooth handsfree cellphone support, a backup camera that engages when you go into reverse, a USB connector for a USB stick (plays 1,000's of MP3 files, it's really great)... Get the idea? There's a sticky thread that'll get you started here:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-toyota-prius-model-ii-head-unit-upgrade.html

I live near you, in Alameda. If you want to see it in action next weekend, PM me and we'll see if we both have time for a demo, otherwise, I can make a video and put it on YouTube.

 

Thanks for posting your decision process, I think your comment above "the type of driving that I do" is key to making the right choice on a Plug In vehicle. I think you really have to look at all of the typical trips you might make to determine if you'll be able to get the best leverage out of the advanced drive train you're buying into... I recommend to keep looking, I believe the Plug In landscape is going to grow and improve a lot in the next couple of years -

 

IMO - if you can get at least one charge on the PiP a day regardless of how far you actually drive - you are a good fit for the PiP over a regular Prius.

Your average fuel economy may not be that high because of the amount of miles you drive beyond EV range, but I wouldn't discount it because of that.

More EV range would be great for those who regularly drive a lot of miles in between charging opportunities - but at right now your options are limited to one of the following (Volt, LEAF, iMiEV, Focus EV) which all have their own niche which may or may not work for you, either.

 

My daily commute is 46 miles one way. With my old 2005 Prius, I would get around 42 to 45 MPG. When operating in HV mode only, the PiP gets around 47 MPG. When I operate the PiP in it's default EV mode, I get between 63 and 67 MPG. Luckily I can charge at work, so I get that on the way home. That extra 16 to 25 MPG is definitely worth it to me.

If you have a perfectly working 2010 Prius, and no real need to replace it, then your best bet is probably to pas on the PiP.

 

Perhaps if you had said all the above in your post about someone else not being able to afford it, your comment would not have been taken by others as offensive. Of course "dearly" is subjective when it comes to what one will pay, isn't it, especially when one considers oneself to be a "cheapskate charlie"?

 

Check out the Enture Nav Grey Out thread that is in the PIP section. There is a Youtube video that shows how the unit is replaced. It is amazing when you see them take the car apart. It is extremely easy, once you see the video. Everything just snaps apart. Harbor Freight sells the plastic tool set to disassemble the panels.

 

Our TRAC car just arrived.
I think we will be able to rent it out by the end of this week.

 

I sold my 2010 Prius 3 weeks ago and my PIPs not ready for pickup
so.......am I entitled to FREE RENTALS