Cost comparison: Plug-In vs Standard

MSRP for the base is $32,000, plus $760 delivery, plus port options and $220 if you ordered Blizzard Pearl. This info is on the website where you placed your order, and should show the agreed on price with your dealer. So if you added options to make your price $32,500 then you need to add $760 delivery, handling, etc plus tax and license. You can sign in to the site, and then select "My Order" for info on your car, including build and shipping dates.
I can't speak to the issue of which hatchback trim level comes closest to the Plug-in. Others have discussed the subject here, but I don't know if any firm conclusions were reached. To me, it's sort of an apples-to-oranges thing.
Re taxes, consult your tax preparer. But it is not a deduction, but rather a credit, so you get $2500 off your tax bill if you owe at least that much when you file next year for 2012. The rebate is $1500 as long as the funds last, so file the application as soon as you get your car.

 

Prius three with Nav although Prius four with Nav since you have to count the seat heaters.

 

figure 32k less 4k fed and state rebate = 28k. there isn't a perfect match in the non plug in but somewhere between III and IV. so around 26k depending on what kind of a deal you can get. so 2K for plugin? no brainer!

 

Prius Three is closest to PiP base - fabric seats, navigation, although PiP has heated fabric seats IIRC.

Three is $26.5 total MSRP with mats, but I think $1k off is easily had now, so $25.5
PiP base total MSRP IS $33 - $4k next year, so $29k

Not taking tax and all into account, it's $3.5k diff, but you have to pay up front, get money back next year.

PiP annual fuel cost $1k, Prius, $1110 per window stickers

From cost diff point, 32 years to make up, and who knows how much the LiIon will cost to repair/replace in x or xx years, but you'll get much more EV in PiP

 

"Three is $26.5 total MSRP with mats, but I think $1k off is easily had now, so $25.5
PiP base total MSRP IS $33 - $4k next year, so $29k"

I'm wondering if it so easy to get $$$ off now, with gas prices up and people flocking to dealers. Prius is a hot seller, so dealers may be less willing to negotiate, knowing someone will likely pay MSRP without a fight. I tried to get to the parts dept at my local dealer the other day, and the roughly fifteen customer parking spots were all taken, and not by dealership cars, from the looks of them.

 

From an owner point, it's much sooner.

It was a long day and I was tired. But I still had one more errand to run and 1.7 miles of EV left. So, what do you think I did?
.

 

While the novelty of driving around in pure EV may not priceless, it certainly is worth at least $3K in my book.

 

The bigger PHV battery can regen more power. How much does it worth?

 

I'm going to predict right off the bat that you're going to get the Plug-in, if you've narrowed your decision between Prius 3 and Plug-in.

The best anecdote I have is this true story: My wife worked with a financial analyst. He decided to buy a new car, so he created a complex spreadsheet and factored in cost, mileage, maintenance costs, warranty coverage, reliability ratings, you name it. When he finished this opus, he concluded that the Hyundai was the best buy.

So he bought a BMW.

The Plug-in will cost you a few thousand more. You'll be taxed on the pre-refund amount, and your registration fees will be based on the higher amount. But in California, you get commuter lane access, and depending on how much you drive, you may use virtually no gas at all.

 

Just FYI, if you get a EV and are sure you'll get your tax credit then you can adjust your withholding (ask your employer) and get most of the actual $$ back this year, and then its just about filing. Don't need to view it as a tax rebate next year, that is just when you settle up with the fed if you are above or below the deductions from the year.

 

and the delight of driving ev! if that doesn't mean anything to you, you might be better off with regular prius.

 

Buying the PHV is definitely not just about reclaiming the extra money spent. It is about the excitement of being able to drive in EV mode and, at the same time, dramatically reducing the amount of gas you need purchase.

Experiencing new technology that will one day be commonplace is also delightful.

 

Yup, it's just like trying to place a value on "stealth" mode in the past for Prius. No one had ever considered the smooth & quiet as a selling point in a non-luxury high-efficiency vehicle before.

We're boldly going...
.

 

where no man...

 

I'll agree with you that it is not justified on economic grounds, but rather are you going to have more fun with the PiP. If you are a light driver, then maybe the Prius c is for you? I'm torn with the same decision. My daily trip is 28 miles round trip. I've got a Prius III for road trips. I'll never make up the price of a PiP with those 28 miles, but it would be fun. Got to decide how much I'm willing to pay for this fun.

 

no one has gone before...

 

But it varies according to use and electricity and gas prices.

I expect to drive 75% - 90% on EV. Because of my solar panels, I'm on time-of-use billing so late night electricity is cheap. I figure about 2.2 cents per mile EV, 8.5 cents HV at current prices. So my savings will be more.