Poll: Are you buying a Plug-in Prius?

I'd like one, but wow over 30k and nearly 40k???

 

There is nothing "wrong" with it, I was just hoping for more AER, for less $. There are also the PHV Conversion companies (PICC), that have mastered adding 6-8KW in the storage area/spare tire area, also replacing the original Prius pack as well. Those conversions run $12.5K, but you do get 25-30 miles of AER. The issue with those is, the Federal Tax credit is much less, like %10 or $1,000 max, so they are pricey. I think Toyota could have done better, but they are so very conservative.

I was thinking of this one in particular, as it lets you go almost 70mph on pure EV.
They use the EWERTS HEM (2nd link)

Gold Peak Plugs into Plug-In Conversions

Ewert Energy Systems

Why didn't Toyota just do something similar to this, looks like they have a very good handle on it...

 

I'm on the list and trying to decide...

32K is pretty aggressively priced for a new roll-out product for the #1 Hybrid company to be at.

The prius does charge the battery so when on highway you can be charging up for longer commutes...

 

Basically the PiP is a Prius Four with the Nav package and is $1,540 more (MSRP $30,460 versus $32,000). But then there is the $2,500 tax credit which makes it cheaper than a Prius Four with the Nav package. Ok it doesn't have leather but it still has heated seats.

hwell:

 

Well, it's less than the difference between a Two and loaded Five, but the forced upgrades on the PHV make it about right.

The issue is really the minimum cost of the upgrade.

 

I must have the Toyota newest PIH.
I have to retire my 2004 self made PIH in 2005; then the first one (#1) in the North-Eastern part of the USA.

 

I almost never drive anywhere close enough to use the battery. I walk in the village. When we need to go to the city it is too far for electric, so for the time being we will stick with our Gen II.

Tom

 

I have no problem plunking down the cash for the advanced package. I have a problem with the lack of a sunroof and the colors offered.
Clearwater blue: I mean why not make the blue the same as a bag from Tiffany's -get real.
Blizzard Pearl: OK, alot of people like white, others look at it and say" what color are you going to paint that?"
Seaglass Pearl: Another ladies handbag color and that's great for our female Prius owners but I can't see the guys lovin' it.
Classic Silver Metallic: Classic(another word for played out), it's not bad but it's getting tired besides I already have a Sienna minivan in this color.
Winter Grey Metallic: This, (in my opinion) is the one I would pick if I were to settle but for $40K, that's not happening.
I've been driving my gen II for 6 years, I outlasted the gen III urge (that was tough) and finally the day is here -and they take away the friggin sunroof, oh well.
I'm not going with the first run like jumping on the first iPad and then going oHHH, when the next one came out. I'm happy for the people getting the 1st PHV for their own reasons but i'm in a good position to wait for what I really like.

 

That's what happens with initial rollouts. Certain things are intentionally held back. Red wasn't offered for the first 3 years. When do you think dark green will come back? Heck, Toyota left off cruise-control at first with the Classic to keep demand in check.
.

 

I am planning on keeping my 2006 another 5 years minimum.
However, if there seems to be a future opportunity (cost reduction) to trade-in for PHV or wagon v, I could be opportunistic.

 

My existential question is whether to keep our 15 year old Subaru if a new car comes to live at our home.

 

The disappointment is that the standard is essentially a Three + plug-in + plus heated seats but is priced out of the range for most buyers.

I just hope that in a year when they expand production they offer a Two model and they are able to drop the price differential. I'd hate to think that either they're simply pocketing the tax credit or that their batteries are expensive.

 

I would like to see the plugin just become an option, with maybe 3 different battery sizes.

 

AAA, AA, and for serious drivers, D.

Tom

 

You can already buy a bra for the Prius, today.

 

My thoughts on colors after viewing Evan Fuscos three pages of thumbnail links to the photos.

1. Blizzard is what it's been for the past 2 years - beautiful but I'd prefer bisque or lighter misty gray interior with it.
2. Winter gray - love it, but wish for a slightly lighter interior! I would upgrade to a light color leather if one CAN do it in this car with its seat heaters being standard.
3. Silver - not for me.
4. Seaglass green - I cannot figure this color out. It photographs so strangely. Evan's many pics show it being light to a deep teal green like turquoise green BUT do not know if I can handle the gray interior on green.
5. The clearwater blue seems best choice to pair with the gray, for me. It's just light enough to not show the SoCal freeway dirt and dust in my commute and just pastel enough to not feel like silver.

I'm leaning towards the blue. But, I love the winter gray with that thick chrome strip across the back. It's just that my son's 2010 is winter gray and he's objecting to us having the same color!

 

I sold my '08 Civic Hybrid the other day and am anxiously awaiting the order process for my base trim Prius PHV! (and subsequently quit visiting GreenHybrid and registered here

- Brant

 

Great minds think alike, well, not really alike, since my process of elimination was a lot less tortured than yours! I'm probably going blue if I order, mostly because it reminds me of my 2004 Seaside Blue, and green is the only other real color. Just not interested in white, grey or silver, and the green is too light or puke green in some light. Give me a nice solid forest green or turquoise, and I'd probably be all over it. If they had it in red, I probably would have gone that route this time, even though I don't really like Toyota's reds that much (love the Lexus red though). The baby blue is a bit more baby blue than I would prefer, but its strong, its different, and it will be easy to spot in a crowded parking lot! I don't like the camry in the baby blue, but it's not bad on the Prius. Besides, it will go well with those ridiculous blue emblems!

By the way, I could be misremembering, but I think I remember you and HTMLSpnr being pretty excited about the original grayish green color the first time you saw it back in 2004. I think the new interior color will be just fine with the metallic grey...

 

I'm just looking at the payback period in terms of the savings on gas. I wouldn't own the car long enough to get back the extra $4000 in cost over a new Prius iv. At 50% electric usage, it would take me 8 years of gas savings to break even on that extra 4k. THe only reason I'd get it is for the white HOV sticker, but those won't be good for 8 years. THey are only good til 2015 as of now. I'm happy with my 2005 Prius.
But everyone's situation is different.