How to purchase a new blue 2023 Gen5 Prius LE FWD

And in two years, my Kia will have depreciated another $5000. I'm striking current MSRP while I have used car value left, which been falling sharply the last six months.

 

I tend to doubt that. Rav4Primes are worth more than they sold for new, and they still have long wait lists, in canada at least.

Nothing to suggest it would be different with a gen 5 Prius.

Because of the gen5 prius’s longer range, many people can use them as electric cars for daily commutes, with the security of knowing they can just stop for gas on longer trips.

Certainly in Canada the $5k rebate makes the SE model a VERY attractive alternative to, say, even a hybrid Corolla.

I see them being a hot item, in Canada at least.

So take the plastic covers off, and live with the minuscule range loss due to aerodynamics. The alloys hiding behind them look ok.

I don’t disagree that Toyota shouldn’t have dropped the spare and jack… but I’m prepared to find away around it.

 

Yeah, but a Gen 5 Prius Prime already costs $10,000 less in Canada than in the US.

 

Doubt. Gen5 is superior in many ways. The #1 thing it has going for it is that the general public is VERY receptive to the new design, whereas the general consensus of Gen4 styling is that it repulsed many people.

Some of you guys are in some serious denial. You all know who you are, because it's as clear as day to everyone else. While you guys wallow in your own despair and drinking gallons of haterade, the world is moving on with or without your approvals.

 

I am not sure who those "some of you guys" are, but I don't think a 2023 Prius Prime SE is a significant improvement over my blue 2021 Prius Prime Limited. In fact, the new model has less interior and cargo space and worse fuel economy, and it lacks several features that come on the Limited; so, it could in fact be a downgrade for some people.

 

But far superior electric range.

Never considered a gen4 for that reason. Gen5 means a couple days of work commutes without recharging.

 

And far superior power. Actually a fun car to drive. You don't have to drive like an environmental nut, even if you are one.

Plus the great colors offered in the Gen 5. I like the 2023 in red and blue. And I like it in white which is interesting because I have never liked a white car.

 

Hello, I’m a new owner of a 2023 blue Prius LE and brand new to this forum. I don’t think of myself as particularly lucky, but here is my Prius story:
After searching online within 500 mile radius, I did reach out to a dealership in Northern Wisconsin after seeing this blue LE on their website. After my initial online inquiry, I agreed to being contacted by phone and the salesman indicated that this particular car had been spoken for (duh) but I could get on a list by putting down a refundable deposit. I believe he said they had been getting one car a month and there were a few people in line ahead of me, and when I made it to the front of the line, I would then wait so many months for a car to be built. I was prepared for at the very least, a 6 month wait, perhaps longer, factoring in the possibility of passing on any of the upper trim levels, color, etc. After only 1 month, I was surprised to get a call for the very car I first saw online! The salesman said he had been in constant contact with the potential buyer since the order date 02/2023 and multiple times throughout its build and transport phases, but when the car finally arrived, the buyer did not want it. I’m not sure about the other folks ahead of me in line, but I suspect they may have wanted one of the upper trim levels?
*I think Geoj’s advice on checking out a rural dealer is a good one
* speaking to a salesperson to find out how far down the line you are
* choosing a dealer with an online listing of the actual car you want (in case the designated buyer drops out)
*answer your phone

 

For me, the Gen 4 range is more optimal than the Gen 5 range. That's because Toyota does not recommend the Prius Prime BEV mode to be used on the highway, but it recommends the BEV mode only for city driving. Gen 5's BEV range is too long for city driving, as it is not good to keep the lithium-ion battery at a high state of charge.

 

As poor as you think the redesigned Prius is, I'm starting to wonder why you spend so much time in the G5 forum? I believe I can speak for all of us in here when I say, "we are tickled sh1tless over the new rig".

 

I think he's almost done convincing himself he doesn't want the Gen5. It's kind of like the middle school crush where you pick on a girl, but deep down you really like her a lot, except you're an adult and it's regarding cars. Lol

 

This is a very strange comment to make as many people without a Prius post on this forum; yet, I own a 2021 Prius Prime Limited, which is my second Prius Prime.

Nevertheless, you should have known this by now. I have had a deposit on a Gen 5 Prius Prime since February 2022. However, recent developments and the actual specs and the price of the car have discouraged me quite a bit.

 

I don't see what the rush is then. Your car is fine, so youre well positioned to sit back and wait it all out and make the best informed decision. If you're not comfortable, then just put the thought aside. Maybe in time you'll be able to get your hands on one for a good test drive so you can make a better decision.

 

I strongly agree:

The last time I bought a Toyota I rolled up a disposable Email address and a disposable telephone number. I used them because ALL the points of contact with dealers focus ALL their effort on vacuuming up this information. They all used a system called "Constant Contact" that sent out emails on a preprogrammed schedule, even though they had nothing to say.

Now, when I am starting to look for a prime, I dusted off the old phone number. I had it set so it never rang at my house, it just took messages and stored them online. There were over fifty messages still in there that I had never cleared out. When you play them one after another it becomes clear that they are mostly reading from the same script and making the same points. They (apparently) had nothing relevant to say, but wanted to stir the pot and sell me something, anything, that they had sitting around.

If you *like* being constantly bombarded by automated sales systems, then by all means give them your real info. If, like me, you like things a little calmer, then give them what they so desperately want, but do it on your own terms.

Oh, and whatever you do, *don't* contact a Volvo dealer somewhere way out on Long Island. I have never owned a Volvo, and have not been to any part of Long Island for a good quarter of a century, but they still have me in their sights...

 

I'm having trouble with the bolded portion.

I don't see any reason NOT to use BEV mode on the highway.

Looking at the Prime owners' manuals I downloaded from toyota.ca,
the quickstart (only 40 pages) manual says in part:
"Switching to HV mode when driving on a highway or when driving uphill is recommended in order to conserve battery power".

The "War and Peace" manual (684 pages) says in part:
"Primarily using EV mode and AUTO EV/HV mode when driving in cities and using HV mode when driving on highways (or freeways) can help conserve fuel and electricity".

I can easily agree with AUTO EV/HV in city traffic. HV mode for general highway driving? i guess so.

But on highway jaunts where I know my round trip is less than my battery's range? I think it still makes sense to use the battery, and charge it when i get to my destination.

I suspect what Toyota's trying to avoid is have people fully expend the battery on a hwy drive... because if the gas engine comes on to move the car AND charge the battery, it'll be less economical than using the AUTO EV/HV mode.

 

Won’t it do 84mph in ev mode?

 

What?? Are you saying the Toyota manual recommends not using the Prime's electric range on the freeway? Why doesn't the manual simply say you get less range if you do that. It sounds like they are saying it's hard on the battery. This sounds like a step backwards in plugin car capabilities. The GM manual for the no longer available (for some 4yrs now) in the USA Chevy Volt makes no restrictions for running its 53 miles on the freeway. Shouldn't it make no difference? So what gives ....
.

 

That's exactly what it says.

"Switching to HV mode when driving on a highway or when driving uphill is recommended in order to conserve battery power".

"Primarily using EV mode and AUTO EV/HV mode when driving in cities and using HV mode when driving on highways (or freeways) can help conserve fuel and electricity"

It says nothing about damaging the battery by using EV mode on the highway.

I guess it depends how you envision using the car. I find it wonderfully convenient to charge my plug in hybrid at home. I LIKE NOT having to buy gas. Because I know I'd be using it primarily as an electric car, any loss in conventional mpg from Gen4 to 5 wouldn't matter for my application.

Interior space for people and cargo would be fine.

But in terms of which trim level... I'd probably prefer an SE, because it has the best range. And I'm not really into gadgetry in the car- in this case, the gadget IS the car.


But if looking at the pros and cons, you decide a gen5 isn't for you, that's your decision and it should be respected.

 

Yes, this sounds like a general fuel economy strategy recommendation assuming extended range. The worst fuel economy you can get is during acceleration from stop. It makes sense to conserve your EV range for "stop and go" traffic.

But if your total trip is within the stated EV range, and your final destination offers convenient recharging, it doesn't matter if you're driving city streets, highways, or off-road. Run her on batteries.

 

Leave it up to Gokhans denial to arrive at "more range is bad".