We'll Sell You A PiP, But Wouldn't You Like A Real Car?

They have no clue about the design goals or the results achieved.

 

that is too funny! i bet they don't really have one.

 

"The Prius Plug-In does have some downsides, however. For starters, it carries a significantly higher sticker price than a regular Prius, and that will likely wipe out any potential savings at the gas pump. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid also has significantly less all-electric range than competitors like the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid or all-electric Nissan Leaf. And just like the regular Prius, the Plug-In suffers from excessive road noise, disappointing interior materials and an awkward driving position."
Well, at least they are upfront about it!

 

sounds like a resident troll.

 

How "not" to sell a Prius Plug In. Accentuate the positives, minimize the negatives. I could do better.

 

If price/savings are important buy a nice $5000 used Honda Civic. Its probably good for 50K miles at a reasonable mpg. The price of my Prius was not a consideration. Some folks need a longer EV range, some don't. If I didn't go on occasional out of town trips my EV% would probably be 90%. The road noise is there but it isn't a problem. The interior is fine. I really like my Prius!

 

Maybe the person who created the car listing actually hoped no one would buy it so they could buy it themselves!

 

I imagine they copy-pasted somebody's review-type article about the PiP. Funny.

I'm also kind of looking for a cheap slightly-used PiP (and willing to travel -- being in WI there aren't many options). I've found a few good options on the east coast, but right now with the Toyota incentives on new ones out east, a used one isn't any significant savings!

 

My 2013 PIP was MSRP $33,020, I got it for $29.368, plus tax and license fees, on August 4th in northern CA. After the CA rebate of $15oo, and the Fed tax credit of $2500, AND carpool lane stickers. I think this car is a real deal! I have a friend that just bought a new Prius package 3, and he paid about the same price when you consider the additional $4000 saving from rebates.

 

The Toyota incentive right now is $4k off and 0% for 60 months, but only in certain areas. Dealers around Boston are selling them for about $27k. Take the $2500 tax credit, and you're at $24,500 (not including sales tax, registration, etc., of course).

I've been using cars.com to do wide-area searches for used ones. The only ones I've seen under $24k are either very high mileage (~20k), or salvage/rebuilt units. The best I've done otherwise (for a color I find acceptable) is $24k for a base model with low miles, or $27k for advanced with high-ish miles. I'd love to have the advanced model, but I can't spend a lot more for it, and it's VERY hard to find them used (note: most of the listings online for used advanced models are NOT advanced -- check the pictures!!). If I could find an advanced model for $25K I'd be all over it too!

So... $24k for a used one, or $24.5k for a brand new one... there's a bit of a difference in sales tax too, but at least in my home state, the total difference is less than $1000. I'd take the new one at that point, especially since I have to travel to go get it in any case, and buying a used one sight-unseen is not terribly compelling. Toyota incentive might even increase further once the MY'14 is announced!

 

The copy is correct. It's really a crappy car when you come right down to it.

 

Yeah, neither of those are the Advanced model. Look for the following in pictures: SofTex seat material, power driver's seat controls (if you see levers, it's not Advanced), larger MFD screen (if you can see a CD slot, it is not Advanced -- the Advanced model hides it behind the screen and has more buttons), extra buttons to left of MFD screen to control HUD, and on the exterior the only real clue is the headlight washers (small square thingies below the headlights). Proper example here. I actually found one listing that was slightly confusing because someone had taken a base model and added leather, so be careful!

Also, white's not on my "acceptable" list. Too boring, and shows too much dirt, particularly in the winter! Looking for blue or gray or maybe green.

 

the headlight washers in the bumper are probably the easiest tell-tale signs for exterior photos.

 

The higher sticker price is offset by the tax rebate

Limited range can be adequate for many drivers. My round trip commute to my office is 15 miles.

Interior can be improved but the HUD and tech display is state of the art.

 

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I didn't find their comments especially negative, just honest, from their standpoint.