Reasons NOT to buy a PIP

I first Bought a 2011 Prius (Non Electric) had it two years then traded it in for 2013 PIP which I.m leaseing. Big mistake of my life.
Should of kept the 2011 it wouls of been paid off by now .. Far as the PIP it cost me anorhrt $800 for a Home charger and a thousand dollars worth of electric work to install it.. PIP only goes like 8- 10 mils on electric and reverts back to a regular Prius. My advice stay away fromToyota and get a real electric ca is thats what you want low end is Leaf and the high end is Tesla .. Now thats a really good one but quite expensive at present upwards of $70000.00 and more.

 

I do not think the Prius PHV works like you think it works. Electric operation is always optional, it works just fine as a Prius when not charged.

 

Understood. Again, just my preference. I guess.if I don't use the electrical operation because of my reasons as mentioned above, the Gen III Prii is just the right car for me. To each his own.

 

certainly, if you're not going to or can't plug in, it wouldn't be worth the extra cost, unless you want a sticker or something.

there's no way you're going to spend $1800 on electrical work unless you want a level two charger and have the worst electrical system possible.

 

It's sad even PiP owners don't know you don't need to plug in the car to drive it. You never need to plug it in. It reverts to regular Prius mode and gives you 1 extra mpg per EPA due to the larger battery. It's a regular 110V plug, BTW at 2.5 hours charge time. No need for a dedicated charger at all.

There are only 3 negatives to a PiP. It costs more, there is no spare tire and slightly less trunk space. In CA, where I live, the first negative is moot as the PiP cost me only $500 more than a comparably trimmed Prius Three due to state rebates. I'll certainly get that back at resale. Or save that much in lower cost EV mode and bridge tolls. Most bridge tolls are half off for Plug ins in the Bay Area with the sticker.

I can enjoy my solo HOV access. There are a few in this forum that are not plugging in anymore since gasoline currently costs less to run a PiP.

I would expect maintenance to be lower since I am using the electric motor more often than a regular Prius. Meaning my ICE is equivalent to a regular Prius with 25% fewer miles. That's my EV ratio. However, that's speculation. 1 car at 80k miles without issues is anecdotal.

 

Problem with the PIP is it's a gateway vehicle that leaves you wanting more... pure EV range.

Been there, done that...
Started with Prius Five, moved on to the PIP, wanted more... ended up with the 2014 Volt.

Now 2016 Volt II is out- 50+mi pure EV range at up to 101mph, 5-seat capacity, etc...

I'm done with gassers- I'm holding out for the 2017 Chevy Bolt all electric with 200+mi EV range.

 

marijuana?

 

really? a pip owner didn't know they didn't have to plug in? what did they think was happening after they ran out of wall charge?

 

actually, this is not really a problem, but a benefit, and a great way to start moving hybrid drivers to bev's. now, we just need something similar to move gas drivers to hybrids!

 

What if you DON'T charge your Prius Plug-In and continue to use it? | PriusChat
Beats me. I'm still shocked that thread went two pages.

 

"More expensive."
- Well OK, I'll grant you that
"Needs electrical work at your home to charge at home."
- Nonsense, I plug into an heavy-duty extension cord snaked through a hole next to a basement window.
"Needs electrical work at your employer to charge at work, and an employer willing to do so."
- I plug into a nearby outlet on a lamp post in the parking lot.
" 'Refueling' is now an everyday chore to remember."
- It's optional, just if you want to reduce gas usage.
"Not available in every state, so mechanics will not be familiar with it in every state."
- Toyota dealers everywhere can service it.
"There will not be a 2016 Prius PHV."
- And that means what?
"Much shorter electrical range than Volt, Leaf, or Tesla."
- Yes, but if your commute is within the short range, it's ideal, and preferable to any EV (save maybe a Tesla) as a single car that may go on longer trips.

 

Practically speaking, a smaller trunk and no spare tire. Otherwise, there's no downside I've experienced. It can sure hold a lot more regen that the standard Prius on a long downhill.

 

Question why drive on electric when it is probably cheaper to run on gas!
Have done better, before fill up:

So next Gen Volt will probably do better than its 53 ev miles, maybe even 60 miles on one charge in the right hand. For me, 60 miles is just about a $2.00/one gallon of gas without plug.

 

To answer the question in the title:

1. You have a long regular commute, rarely do short trips near home.
2. You want a spare tire.
3. Extra cost of the PIP model (maybe, depends on rebates?).
4. More costly battery, if replacement ever needed.
5. Increased complexity, cable security and cable replacement cost.
6. Lack of access to secure and convenient electrical outlet.

That's about it, none deal breakers for everyone, just thoughts. I do think if the Toyota engineers got in gear they could rework the tail end sheet metal to incorporate a spare. Maybe drop-down from underneath style, like a truck?

 

cost isn't the main factor driving alternate fuel vehicles.

 

for anyone that cares, 'smaller trunk' means the storage space belowdecks, not the actual hatch/trunk space.

 

I do not fear my wife forgetting to plug it in, I fear her forgetting to unplug it.

The long extension cord is very much discouraged by Toyota, the National Electrical Code, and your local Fire Department, who will be blamed for not saving your house.

 

Just to show even a 60-mile ev range may represent one gallon of gas for a Prius. Also, some plug-in hybrids do not do well running on gas compared to their regular hybrids. Compare Side-by-Side

 

understood. that's why saving money isn't the main focus for the manufacturer, or most buyers.

 

I have a 2.5 mile commute from home to office. I can drive to and from work without every using gas, and for routine local driving with 9ish miles of usable charge it serves my needs as an electric car.