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Looking to live in a Prius (Prime?)

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by adrianmcli, Aug 12, 2017.

  1. adrianmcli

    adrianmcli New Member

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    Hi all!

    I'm looking to live out of a car for a while (for the freedom of it), and after some research on the internet I feel that a Prius probably suits me the best!

    I will be moving to Los Angeles soon, so the hot weather means that I probably will need some A/C overnight. I heard that the Prius is one of the few cars that can do this and I'm super stoked.

    Currently, I'm still deciding which Prius will be the best for living out of. Assuming money is not an issue, I'm currently looking at the Prius Prime. But I am still open to other opinions (because I still don't know too much about Priuses).

    Where should I take my questions?
     
    #1 adrianmcli, Aug 12, 2017
  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    You cannot buy the Prius Prime of=r Prius PHV in Toronto. Toyota only sells it in Quebec to their residents :(
    If you are considering the Prime, you should at least test drive a 2017 Prius Liftback since they are similar in many ways.
     
    #2 Prodigyplace, Aug 12, 2017
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  3. adrianmcli

    adrianmcli New Member

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    I was thinking of buying it after I move down to LA. But yeah, that really sucks that it's currently only available in Quebec!

    Thanks for the advice about the Liftback, I'll see if I can get myself to a dealership. :)
     
    #3 adrianmcli, Aug 12, 2017
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    shoot down to the northeast for the best deal on a prime or lift back, and cross country it to l.a., cali is too expensive.
    a lift back suits the camping thing better than prime, because the hatch is roomier, and the whole rear seat folds down.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 12, 2017
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  5. adrianmcli

    adrianmcli New Member

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    Wow that's awesome advice. I'm not sure about the tax credits thing, but I won't be paying US taxes until I move down there. I guess I could always try to find out.

    It sounds like you guys are all saying the Liftback is the best choice out there.
     
    #5 adrianmcli, Aug 12, 2017
  6. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    My thoughts are, if you wanted to live out of the car would you need the plugin facility of the Prime anyway?
     
    #6 RCO, Aug 19, 2017
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  7. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    I regularly camp in my 2016 Two (with spare tire). Works great. I carry all my gear and two coolers, plus I have a hotel sytle Kerig that I run off of an inverter. Meals are cooked in a RoadPro 12 volt oven, a 3 cup rice cooker and a miniature crock pot.
     
    #7 William Redoubt, Aug 19, 2017
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Have you looked at Prius v?
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Aug 19, 2017
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  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    No Gen 4 HSD on Prius v (yet?)
     
    #9 Prodigyplace, Aug 19, 2017
  10. adrianmcli

    adrianmcli New Member

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    I'm not that tall, only 5'8" or so, so I don't think I really need the extra space of a Prius V.

    In terms of Gen 3 vs Gen 4, would you guys suggest that I pay a bit more to get the newer generation? I don't mind paying more if it means maintenance (and my life) is significantly more hassle-free.

    What would be the ideal year and mileage I should get if I want to make sure that I'd have to do the least amount of maintenance?
     
    #10 adrianmcli, Aug 21, 2017
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the newest, cheapest car you can afford. but that doesn't mean it has to be brand new. these things are pretty maintenance free for the first 120k.
    how many miles/years do you plan to keep it?
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 21, 2017
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  12. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Camping in a prius is done by some but living in one in is completely different. How will you go to the bathroom or take a shower? What will you do when you're not sleeping? Long term parking? Privacy? Security?
     
    #12 fotomoto, Aug 21, 2017
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  13. adrianmcli

    adrianmcli New Member

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    Probably about two years, and will likely put less than 40k miles on it (probably somewhere between 30-40k). Do you have any advice about the financial "sweet-spot" of used Priuses (Prii?)?

    Haha, I appreciate the concern. I plan to get a 24 hour gym membership and have access to a 24 hour co-working space. A lot of these questions are answered on the /r/vandwellers/ and /r/priusdwellers/ communities on Reddit so I don't want to get into it too much here (I can't post links because I am too new). But if you're wondering if this is feasible, I think the online communities (and several YouTubers) have already made it pretty clear that it can be a pretty decent lifestyle.
     
    #13 adrianmcli, Aug 21, 2017
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, i'm not sure there is one. why don't you look at 2012 and newer with mileage under 100k.

    price will be dictated by location, california being the most expensive.
     
    #14 bisco, Aug 21, 2017
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  15. adrianmcli

    adrianmcli New Member

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    Solid advice. Thank you!
     
    #15 adrianmcli, Aug 21, 2017
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  16. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    OK I'll take my "dad hat" off now and say, as bisco says, "All the best." (y)
     
    #16 fotomoto, Aug 22, 2017
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  17. William Redoubt

    William Redoubt Senior Member

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    Always go for new, if you can afford it. Yeah, you lose on depreciation, but at least you know the history of the car, have the warranty and get to maintain it the way you like to (for me, that means checking the oil and coolant every time I gas up, hand wash every week, etc.). The Gen 4 is significantly different, and I believe, and improved. Not that a Gen 3 isn't an excellent car, but the Gen 4 is an advancement. The only options I added to the 2016 Two was floor mats and the Blizzard Pearl paint. No regrets and the car has a black console and a spare tire. I am 6 feet tall and sleep in complete comfort inside the car. The 750 watt inverter and the 1 cup Kerig coffee maker makes all the difference, too.
     
    #17 William Redoubt, Aug 23, 2017
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  18. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    #18 kenmce, Aug 27, 2017
  19. Kalimah

    Kalimah New Member

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    Hi William, where do you run your inverter from? Do you run it from the car battery itself or do you have a different dedicated battery? Whats your setup?

    Thanks!
     
    #19 Kalimah, Oct 26, 2020
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