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Is it Prime time?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Witness, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. Witness

    Witness Active Member

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    I have no reason to trade-in my 2013 PiP, but the dealer I bought it from sent one of those specials that I always ignore until this morning. I actually read the thing and they're offering a trade-in (which is just pitiful considering what we've paid for it) along with another $5,500 that essentially pays the car off. If that's how it goes, I'm essentially getting $12k for my 160k PiP.

    Looking at the Prime Premium, I'm most keen on the EV range (of course) and the Pedestrian Collision Detection thing - had three instances where I just can't see the guy walking because of that thick A pillar. The price I can get it for is about $28.5k - what to do...?

    I'm driving about 115mi during the week and with free charging at work now, I'm averaging about 68mpg. Can I get substantially better mpg to justify this upgrade? It's a weak justification, but my estimate is that I'd get around 85mpg if I try to burn up the battery by the time I get to work and most of it going home to really only save about $500 more per year, based on today's fuel prices.

    Talking with a dealer now to just entertain the idea of upgrading this 3.5yo car. It's tempting. I'm hoping maybe somebody can talk me out of it. Getting $4500 in Federal tax and another $1500 in State tax makes it more difficult. I suppose I'd lose my carpool sticker that I don't use all too much? I do not know... Anyone else here thinking about the Prime?
     
    #1 Witness, Aug 11, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    12k would great around these parts. i'm looking at 10k according to kbb, and only 53,000 miles. but the prime is a great deal around here at 9k off, so, that would make it worthwhile for me at 19k net/net. but i still can't get beyond the hatch space.
    have you driven one yet?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 11, 2017
  3. Witness

    Witness Active Member

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    I looked at KBB and Edmunds. Essentially, Private Party is around $10. I looked at trade-in plus the remaining payments to arrive at that figure. It's decent, but then my brain starts mulling over what I paid 3.5yrs ago. These cars are like computers and depreciate like it. Sigh...
     
    #3 Witness, Aug 11, 2017
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so true, and prime will depreciate from the net after tax credits, so i don't think it will save gas money.
    my problem is, the pip is a fantastic car. but i agree about the vision problems.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 11, 2017
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  5. Witness

    Witness Active Member

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    It's not a far fetch thought that Pedestrian Detection can literally save you thousands. I did have some regret not going for the Advance back then, but it was $6k more just for that one feature.

    I'm trying to rationalize my want. lol
     
    #5 Witness, Aug 11, 2017
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  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Hmmm.... Seems to me that, just from a financial standpoint, the Prime wouldn't pay. It think it's mainly a decision of if you want it enough to pay that much and whether it will pinch you financially. I will say that, if I could test drive one (which I can't down here) and liked it as much as I think I would, and if I had the available cash (I don't), I'd go for it.
     
    #6 jerrymildred, Aug 11, 2017
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i backed into a merc, between my deductible, fees, fines and surcharges, around 2k.
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 11, 2017
  8. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    You'd lose THAT carpool sticker since it follows the car. But you could apply for a new one. They're still giving out Greens. And if the current bill makes it to law, then your new Green sticker will be good until 1/1/22 (kind of.. you'd have to turn them in in 2019 for the new sticker which would be good until 2022)

    Oops, sorry, I just assumed you were from CA.. what I said above is for CA
     
    #8 Tracksyde, Aug 11, 2017
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  9. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    Something else to think about is the new car would get you 2 years of free maintenance and 4 years of new car warranty. (actually, with your mileage, I guess you wouldnt even get a full year of maintenance and your warranty would be gone after about a year)

    I know putting tons of miles on a Prius is relatively trouble free.. but if you're doing 40k a year.. how much longer were you planning to keep your PiP? If you kept it until 240k miles.. what do you think it would be worth at that point?

    If you can't tell, I'm pushing you towards the Prime :p

    Sorry again, I just realize you said you only drive 115mi a week. So, maybe all that crap I wrote above is meaningless to you. I'm off my game today.. need to step away from keyboard for a while o_O
     
    #9 Tracksyde, Aug 11, 2017
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  10. Witness

    Witness Active Member

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    LMAO, yes I can tell you're pushing me towards it. Problem is, it doesn't take much to push me. I hated Priuses in the past and when I got the PiP, I'm all about it these days.

    I'm in CA and that carpool sticker extension would be awesome, plus I'd get another shot at sticking it with even more alignment precision. I had extended warranty up to 120k which was gone so fast. By my calculation, the total cost after rebates, trade-in, that $5500 equity offer would make this car about $15k.

    The only thing I've replaced since purchase were a set of tires, the battery... that's it. I had the car tinted, I have my spare cabin filter that I've not gotten around to installing as well as new wipers, tires on are on their last legs and I'm still on my original brake pads. So... I guess I'd save another $500 on tires, $10 cabin air, $15 wipers, around $300 for brake job for a total of rounding it to $1,000.

    I'm not supposed to talk myself into this. Argh!
     
    #10 Witness, Aug 11, 2017
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  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I guess you just have to figure out what is the extra cost to upgrade? If it's small enough and you're willing to spend it, then go for it. The added driving enjoyment (new chassis, better suspension, quieter interior), better headlights (if you drive at night) and TSS-P makes it worthwhile. The windshield rake is less so the pillars don't block as much as the PiP. The view is quite good - almost like Gen 2. You will lose a bit of cargo space since the floor is raised 3" compared to the PiP.

    Also, take into account 2 years of free maintenance costs into the upgrade cost.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Aug 11, 2017
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