Fair purchase price for used 2012 plug-in advanced w/17.5K miles in CA

I clicked your link, selected "Prius" in model, and under trim I see "Plug-in", and "Plug-in Advanced", among all the normal trims...

 

What kind of gas mileage do you get in your 2011 Prius? I bet its more than 44MPG. Point is, their testing of the Prius (hatchback, Plug-In, C, V, all of them) seems to be questionable.

There are many threads in the News subforum that discuss Consumer Reports and their testing methodology. If you think they are professional and unbiased, I encourage you to read those threads.

In fact, here's a thread discussing the EPA's comments about Consumer Reports poor test results:

EPA to Consumer reports - "your tests are awful" - hybrids do better than you test | PriusChat

 

I don't get a trim option on that page. I've tried it in Firefox and IE 9.

What browser are you using? I'd ask for a screenshot but that's probably more trouble than most would go through.

 

In response to tplife, post: 1878087, member: 117291, "From Consumer Reports...."

I am a supporter of and subscriber to Consumer Reports. CU is especially useful when I have not done independent "homework" or do not have independent experience needed to make my own judgements. CU testers do not drive like I do. They got 44 mpg average with a standard Prius. The six year lifetime actual average mpg of my 2006 Prius was 49.36. CU puts greater value on price and a plush interior than I do. I value dependability and the solid reputation of Toyota enough to over ride these factors.

There is plenty of information available on this board to affirm that the Prius generally and the PIP specifically, is/are a dependably remarkable car. My personal hands on experience over the past 16 months with this car fully supports that.

Ideally, everyone should make an informed choice based on exhaustive study and knowledge compared to their dearly held habits and values.

Absent that, the best we can do is pick up bits and pieces here and there and do what we can.

One who makes a choice which satisfies is a winner.

 

pure rubbish and that article has been roasted before
I live in a really hilly area and only once in 5 months has the gas engine kicked in going up a hill. Even in that instance I'm wondering if that was due to using no gas for 125 miles.

3.5 hour charge ? if they're unbiased where's that coming from ? I've been getting a full charge in 70 minutes on a 240v and under 2 hrs at home through that common household outlet.

 

Using Firefox on Windows. But I just did it again on Safari on my Mac, and indeed, the Trim menu is not there! Wth?!

 

Modify Search -> Year range -> 2012-2014
Modify Search -> Keywords -> Plug-in

How much is he asking?

 

If you read the article you know CR recommended the Prius as a dependable, reliable car, just not worth the premium vs. the regular Prius hybrid in their assessment. You are free to disregard their findings, and buy whatever floats your boat! AFA charging time, CR is likely basing the charging time on 110V with their own particular line-in, which varies depending on where you live - it's so bad where I live I use conditioners to eliminate noise on my high-end audio equipment. Consumer Reports uses a standard test track at their facility for every vehicle they test to get accurate measurements and comparisons - in my field of science we call this the "scientific method". They test every vehicle in the same manner under the same conditions on the same track, otherwise their data would be contaminated. I am familiar with their techniques as a science professional and find them to be the most accurate out there. There are reasons why their opinions are trusted as unbiased. Your mileage may vary because you don't use their track for comparison purposes...If you trust the EPA (biased depending on which way the wind blows and what the "boss" tells them to say) over Consumers Union, well then, my friend, you're on your own!

“At first, they'll only dislike what you say, but the more correct you start sounding the more they'll dislike you.”
― Criss Jami

 

I did read the article and it was poor reporting. Our family actually subscribed for years so this was disappointing.
Usually I'd take their findings as gospel but here was a case where I actually owned the product being reviewed...

For one - a big one - it came out late enough for them to know that there is no "premium vs the regular hybrid" to speak of. My net after taxback is 24k and probably even lower as I was conservative with assumptions on the 0% 60 mo financing and some would say I'm paying less than for the similar Prius 3.

I understand the test track and all but you'd have to have a real lead foot to get the results they're showing.
Yes they could drive the comparable non-PiP's in that same way but what about those of us who don't drive any vehicle in that manner? I'm guessing someone considering and buying such would be a bit interested in maxing MPG...

 

When I traded in my 2012 PIP Advanced with 20k miles on it the dealer put a $34k sticker in the window. That was in NorCal in July. The dealer were offering less on average in SoCal so my car probably would have been priced lower.

 

I'd have to agree 100% with this. When I take trips longer than my typical 4 to 7 mile jaunts, I usually see these results as well with using HV on the way out and draining EV on the way back. As a side note when I use the PWR button with the HV on the way out, EV boost is twice as long as normal or ECO during cold starts.

 

If you believe this article as the gospel, good dont buy a PIP, there will be one more for the people that believe the masses instead of magazine testers that have proven they don't know how to drive a hybrid.

 

Then there are those of us who sort of agree with the article and switched.

In reality, for a lot of people the PIP can be extremely efficient.

 

Then I guess I have a bridge in Brooklyn I could sell you!

 

No thanks. I got rid of my antiquated rattle machine why would I want another?

 

3 new cars since 2012 ? !
why not trade in that Volt for a Tesla

 

this thread has more twists than a twizzler. i wonder if the op got lost?

 

CU is averaging the mileage out vs. standard Prius models vs. Chevy Volt vs. Tesla vs. GMC Sierra vs. whatever on their particular track. Their data is for comparison purposes. Calling it "poor reporting" is meaningless as each state takes taxpayer's money and redistributes it differently regarding Hybrid models, and each taxpayer in that state pays for it in "the end". Taking 0% interest rates into consideration regarding out-the-door cost? Please, tell me you're not doing anyone's finances other than your own (Most of us paid 0% for our loans if we could anyway). And then tell me you paid CU to find out what the "dealer's cost" net/net/net was and then paid less than that - I did, and you did too, right? CU knows about the state rebates like everyone else, and found that while attractive, reliable, and recommended, this particular PIP is not cost-effective ITO for typical hybrid buyers vs. the standard model. No one is going to sink the money for the PIP and then switch back because "some scientists" said they should. They're going to convince themselves they got a good deal and be happy with it. Isn't that what makes America great?

 

I'll keep it simple -

1- I didn't mention or factor in state rebates. Pretty easy to calculate a $2500 fed back and whether they are taking a dime from other taxpayers to get me my $2500 isn't material to my finances.

2- re 0% financing - are you serious that you wouldn't place a value on such ? since this is in context of paying a "premium" over the Prius3 it should be simple enough for a scientist to calculate...
Same dealer, same time had 3% financing on the other models.

re Sinking $ into the PiP -
Read again : I paid $1,000 more for a PiP than a Prius3. Do some homework and you'll see prices in the 27s for base PiPs - its not 30k and hasn't been for quite some time.
I could've paid cash and missed out on earnings on that cash, paid Toyota 3% interest on a P3, OR paid no interest for 60 mos on a PiP...
I've driven almost 6,000 miles now on 10 gallons.
A P3 would've given me what 1/10 that at best ? (unless I drove it like Consumer Reporters)
Looks like that big premium will be gone inside of a year.

Its been pointed on the roasting of that CReports review but I'll mention it again - IF we chose to drive a PiP like a racecar then the advantages decline. And that's where common sense and scientists part ways.
They may as well have reviewed a hammer poorly because it fails as a screwdriver

 

Boy do I agree with you 100%