Would you recommend the Prius PHEV?

intoxicating.

 

From December 2001/March 2002 to September 2013 myself and my wife have been driving 2 Prius. Bought/sold one to get a 2004 Prius in December 2003. Gave away our last 2002 Prius to our Nephew and leased a Nissan Leaf S in 2013. I bought a Used 2014 PiP Base w/Nav and 30K miles 2 weeks ago the day after we bought out our Leaf lease. Sold my 2004 Prius 2 days ago w/267K miles at 12.5 years (only replaced shocks in 2015 no other major repairs), so now just getting to really drive the PiP.

I'm driving for Uber and Lyft a lot and typically drive 80-150 miles a day and live in Illinois where as of this year at least one insurance company now has Rideshare insurance. We also have lower electric rates with higher gas prices(Chicago area).

Over the last 2 years have been waiting to buy a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, only to keep hearing of postponements. Didn't consider the previous years Chevy Volts because of 4 seats(need 5 for Uber and Lyft) and the Premium gas. Considered their 2016 model, 5 seats, normal gas, but couldn't pull off the price right now, didn't know about the Bolt until this week otherwise probably would have gone all EV with the Bolt, even with the similar price, Also, we would have had to rent for road trips, and we do a lot, so prefer to have one EV and PHEV in our household right now.

Illinois is not a CARB state and barely even considered PiP as they were rare to be sold used and never sold new here. Went to look a couple of weeks ago and saw mine actually priced $1,000 less than regular 2014 Prius w/o Navigation, so the Price was right for me. Paid $16,300 for my PiP that was previously leased in New York, shipped/bought by a local Toyota Dealer in Chicagoland, then sold to me. I sold my Used 2004 Prius for $2,500 cash, it's still working great.

I'm still learning about the PiP with daily driving since I did not do extensive research. Between my mother, my wife, and myself the PiP is the 6th Prius in our family. Experience with Prius for 12 1/2 years and with Nissan Leaf all-electric for 3 years(no battery degradation), it was a given I would only buy a PHEV. Because of the Prius reliability over the long term and some experience with Nissan's Lithium Batteries in Chicagoland, I am very comfortable and happy with the PiP purchase and have no battery degradation anxiety. Also, the fold down seats and luggage space are really good for the many times I have people with luggage or large items.

I'm finding to get the EV from full charge down to 5-8 miles then switch to HV mode and it is astoundingly better and more fuel efficient than my standard Prius for all day driving. I'm even charging at a very inexpensive charger at one our our airports(Midway) which in/at/near the Rideshare waiting area while waiting for a ride, there's also a few free chargers at Whole Foods where I typically take a break. I switch to EV mode on the highway on the way home each day to deplete the EV and then use HV to finish the ride as I come off the expressway onto low speed streets for about a mile, and plug-in right away.

We'll probably buy a Used Bolt coming off lease in 3-4 years for that bigger EV range, if they hold up....IF. Otherwise, I'm looking to put a LOT of miles on my PiP and will let everyone know how it goes.

For me getting the most EV is very important so I'm also planning on installing a 2nd 240V 40-amp Leviton ESVE in my garage for my Pip. My 120V line isn't that great and I'd just as soon run another new 240V 50-amp circuit to my garage. Using the 240V ESVE vs. the 120V makes a difference for when I take a break from driving at my house as I really want to get the EV charged up as quickly as possible before leaving again. I'm using the 40-amp ESVE to allow for better cars in the future to use the same ESVE(s) we have now (or if I win the Lotto this week and get a Tesla Model S next week)

 

Good purchase for your use.
You simply will never find another plug-in *car* with as much cargo space as a PiP.
Chrysler Pacifica plug-in looks good on paper for cargo space but I suspect that'll be expensive when we see it. Do Uber drivers need spare tires or is that not needed.

 

Forgot to mention the Chrysler Pacific PHEV, it was off my list because it's a Chrysler, otherwise would have probably bought one since I like it otherwise. Consumer Reports convinced me, Chrysler at the bottom, Toyota at the top for fewest problems with any vehicle by make.
There's no requirement for a spare tire, I keep my tires at max cold pressure for longevity, maybe a couple psi less and haven't gotten a flat in years. We now own 2 cars without spares. For my customers, just have them call for another Uber. For me, call for a tow and/or an Uber. They would likely get a credit for both rides and their next ride free or something like that for the inconvenience.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

agree on chrysler, and i've owned a few too many. all the best with your pip!

 

Historically, I agree. But my 1-year old 2016 Ram has been flawless.

 

all the best!

 

all the best!

 

Good to hear, maybe in consideration in a couple years, others can be the first year buyer this time around, I'm more and more happy with the PiP each day.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I've had 4 Dodge Caravans including the one I have now is the VW Routan version. I have huge under floor storage which is where they would put the PHEV guts. I think it'll be real expensive I'll be looking to see what 3-yrs old prices look like.