There are several threads already on this subject. But basically it comes down to five factors. What kind of driving do you do? Short PiP trips can be gas-free. Longer trips depend more on the gas engine, but the hybrid battery still seems more efficient than the one in the regular Prius. Can you recharge at work? What are the electric rates where you live (and are they tiered so that you can save by recharging overnight)? If you pay too much for power, the PiP isn't saving you much. Many folks also look at how "dirty" the sources of electricity are for your utility company. Does it sound like fun trying to milk every mile out of the battery? If you "just drive," you'll do fine with a PiP. But if you view watching your mpg as a sport, the PiP is a nice hobby. How much money do you have to spend? The basic Prius is cheaper, of course. and the advanced PiP is pricey -- although you can currently get discounts. I bought the basic PiP...and think now that the advanced might have been the better choice (if only for the larger viewscreen). I'm enjoying my PiP. Your results may vary.
I, too, have had a GenII and now, a PIP. I loved the GenII, had it for 7 years. After 4 months, I REALLY love my PIP. The joy comes from all the driving I've done on electricity only, plus the very high mileage when I'm using the ICE. You'll never recoup the extra dollar cost of a PIP. But the emotional recompense?--Priceless. James
The only way this car is worth the money is with the green HOV sticker ... I'm my opinion makes it almost priceless ... but without the sticker it's a 20 thousand dollar car (not 40 like i paid)
that's a bit harsh. if you don't feel it's worth it without the sticker, that's understandable. and i can't speak for the advanced, but driving electric is worth every penny i paid and more. but like any car, it's a personal decision.
I wonder if there is a NV HOV sticker. Not sure whether it's "worth" it for the OP to get a PiP, but I'm not sure why it's worth it to go from an '11 to '13. I'd personally wait until the next generation. I'd imagine that'd be the '14 or '15 model year. Heck, I'm still on my 2nd gen and have no plans to upgrade until 4th gen, unless my car gets totaled or stolen. OP's location says Southern Nevada, so I'm guessing around Vegas. Given how hot it gets during the summer, the PiP doesn't have any sort of active thermal management beyond a fan, AFAIK for the batteries. Given the degradation and capacity loss on the Leafs in AZ and TX (also no thermal management), I'd be a bit wary of getting a PiP in a very hot location. Fortunately, PiP is still perfectly drivable once the "EV" portion of the battery is depleted.
We currently have a 2011 Model III (which we love) and we're adding a 2012 Base Plug-In next week, which we are picking up in Northern CA (we're from the Texas Hill Country). I look forward to being able to provide you an answer shortly!
We traded our 2010 in for the PiP (which is what I wanted all along) and it's such a cool car, I'm very glad we did. I have the green stickers but haven't used 'em even once so I can't speak to that. But I just dig being on the 'cutting edge' and having a car that is sooo clean! What's not to like? It would be a no-brainer for me... radio
I traded a 2008 gen2 with 45k and $5k for our 2011. The trade-in was so good, my thought was, how was I going to loose all the $5k when I moved to a PIP? Now with more trade-in value of a 2011 and driving the gen3, I'm ready to move to a 2013, 2014, 2015... model year. Anyway, I'm hoping it was the right choice. Vern