New Prius for 9k miles a year driver?

That explains why the motor is not hub-mounted, inside the spokes, like the ones I see around here. Do you have a range estimate?

Technically speaking, I don't believe we have an e-bike exception to our prohibition on motorized vehicles on our many designated bike trails. But so far the e-bike users have been blending in quite well with the human-powered flow, so it hasn't yet become a significant issue.

 

An oldish fart like me in poor condition rides an E-bike 20 - 25 mph. People who are physically fit ride unassisted bicycles faster.

 

I think the OP has his answers and I'm interested too. I've used one like the $600 Watseka XP, but a conversion might be more to my liking depending on what's all involved.

 

Take your time deciding, it's not like the cars are going to disappear if you aren't in the market for one yet.

And again, who knows, waiting to see the next gen vehicles may be more worthwhile in the long run than buying a car now and then finding out those next gens are even more impressive and you didn't use your money as effectively as possible. I don't really want to say "waste", because they're still good cars if you do need one now.

 

Ok, you talked me into it. Here's the thread with the info about my e-bike for all that are interested.

My Home Made E-Bike | PriusChat

 

To the OP.

We get this question or derivatives of this question from time to time. That is, if driving a low amount of miles per year, is a Prius a good choice?

Well the obvious reality is if you are driving few miles per year then obviously the benefit of hybrid gas mileage is not as impactful than if you drive a huge amount of miles per year.

My kind of cop out feeling is that it is up to you.

Regardless of how few miles you drive per year, you will get Hybrid gas mileage benefits for those miles. Be aware that if you are driving infrequent short trips, your gas mileage is likely to be less than the optimal 50 miles per gallon range. The Prius does best when warmed up fully.

So is it a wise choice?

That's up to you, and how much you might want a Hybrid.

There are things outside of gas mileage and fuel economy that I like about driving a hybrid. Some as intangible as I'm simply driving something different than the majority of the vehicles on the road.

I enjoy the IMO, the quietness of the vehicle, starting out on electric on most starts. I really enjoy the engine shutting off at most stops, and in creep and drive through like situations. I have come to just really like the smoothness of the Hybrid driving feel. Now when I drive a "normal" ICE vehicle, the drive seems jerky and almost too aggressive. It's subjective, but once you adapt to how a hybrid drives, IMO there is a real benefit to the feeling driving a hybrid produces. It's generally a more relaxed drive.

IMO The Prius is a comfortable and utilizable vehicle. Check the seats out thoroughly as some people have reported a incompatibility with The Prius seats. I myself find them to be fine. But before you buy one, sit in one for a while. It's been an issue for some people.

If these benefits aren't enough? Then surely you CAN get vehicles in the same price range, without the hybrid benefit, that might offer a greater amount of creature comforts in replace of Hybrid Synergy Drive. Nobody can really make that decision for you. When you buy a Prius, you are paying for a Hybrid, and the "extra's" you are paying for upfront are the extra components that go into a hybrid. If the benefits of those extras aren't enough to make you want to be a Prius owner and operator? Then I would invest into whatever vehicle you really want.

Honestly, even though there are other benefits to owning a Prius, low emissions, quietness, smooth driving experience, but the primary one I think for most people IS the gas mileage. Let's be honest, if The Prius was The Prius, BUT only got 35 miles per gallon? Nobody would buy one.

And the truth is that at only 9000 miles per year? You could probably afford to drive any vehicle you want and simply absorb the difference in yearly fuel costs. Because they aren't going to be high regardless. You COULD probably buy a Corolla, for several thousands less than a Prius, and consider that those thousands of dollars will purchase LOTS of gasoline.

So as usual, to me it really boils down to how much do you want a Prius or Hybrid?

If the answer is only marginally, or simply out of passing curiosity? Then you might be better served simply buying the "nicest" standard vehicle you can afford.