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My 12 Month Experience with the UK Plug In - TOYOTA NEVER Again!

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Pete Higgins, Oct 21, 2013.

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  1. Pete Higgins

    Pete Higgins New Member

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    I had been enthusing about the Prius for some time. Driving a one year old Jaguar XJ6 3.0 Sovereign had been a 'treat': a reminiscence of my father who had driven me as a 5 year old child, in a Jaguar MkI in the 1950's. I always planned to honour his memory by driving a Jaguar again.......but, a heart attack at 59 and the choice of an early retirement to make my health my new career, meant cutting back, and so I thought of replacing the Jaguar with the vehicle of retirement for many... the Prius.
    I have long hated the petrol driven economy which ruins the environment, so the chance of 'making some difference' with the purchase of a Prius Plug In appealed. It all seemed to fit!
    Then my Mom died suddenly three weeks before I was due to pick up the Prius. I had included her in the choice since she was to be the main passenger, taking her shopping and visiting friends etc.. She liked the Prius and thought, in her too modest way, that it suited us. Though she had so thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of being driven around in an XJ6 .
    Prius Plug In, advertised as 15 miles on battery.....well when I picked it up in November 2012 the day after my Moms funeral, the salesman at RRG Rochedale explained that because it was winter the low temperature would only result in about 11 miles registering as available in EV mode. He was right. The whole winter showed only 11-12 mile EV available. Then Spring and Summer 2013 arrived......and the EV available DROPPED TO 9 MILES!!!!
    Meanwhile the Sat Nav, which had already demonstrated that it was sub standard, viscious and enjoyed leaving vocal instructions until too late, randomly decided to reboot itself mid-trip and worse still at the near end of trip.
    Overall, finish and plastic-crap feel....... ahhhhhhhh!
    On the good side..... I came off the M42 other day and the petrol low beep came on.......I haven't been watching my petrol dials cos you just forget them with this car! No doubt this car has saved me money...... it has also made me feel sick, angry and estranged from Toyota.
    I am currently planning to get rid of the Prius and buy a 4x4.
     
    #1 Pete Higgins, Oct 21, 2013
  2. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    This is the text on the TOYOTA.COM website about the PHV model: EV Mode is great for those shorter trips. Prius Plug-in has an EPA estimated driving range of 11 miles in EV Mode, and you'll be able to cover them quickly since it's capable of traveling up to 62 mph on electric power alone.

    The purpose of Prius PHV is to deliver a significant MPG improvement. That benefit is delivered even when the engine runs and the electricity being used isn't counted as EV miles.

    What were your MPG expectations and what did you actually get?
     
    #2 john1701a, Oct 21, 2013
    zhenya likes this.
  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Probably the PiP was never your kind on transportation.......
     
    #3 mrbigh, Oct 21, 2013
  4. zhenya

    zhenya Active Member

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    Plug-in Base
    As John says, the PIP is NOT designed as an EV. It is designed as a hybrid vehicle with a larger rechargeable battery pack that can greatly increase mileage. Under some conditions it can be driven as a pure EV for a short period of time. If you wanted an EV, you bought the wrong vehicle. Gasoline engines also vary their consumption by time of year and use. Do you intend to get furious at the next manufacturer you choose as well?

    The reality is that it excels at what it was designed to do. It is fantastically efficient even if the gas engine comes on sometimes. Most people here are well above 65mpg (US cycle) lifetime - many at 80 and above. What other car can do that for you while also giving 500+ miles range?
     
    #4 zhenya, Oct 21, 2013
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  5. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Bye, have fun with a 22mpg vehicle in GB
     
    #5 ursle, Oct 21, 2013
    radiocycle likes this.
  6. Bingee

    Bingee Member

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    What was your miles per gallon with the prius ... It's not a pure Ev
    How does your prius MPG compare with your Jag
     
    #6 Bingee, Oct 21, 2013
  7. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Yes, the PiP is designed to be a hybrid on steroids, not an EV, but that point is not necessarily obvious from the marketing. How many non-geeks understand the distinction that, for example, the Chevrolet Volt is first and foremost an EV, with a gasoline engine for a range extender, whereas the PiP is first and foremost an extremely efficient hybrid, with some plug-in capability. To the non-initiated, both of them look the same: a car you can either plug in or use gasoline.
     
    #7 CharlesH, Oct 21, 2013
  8. zhenya

    zhenya Active Member

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    Indeed.

    To ask the question another way, if the 'miles to zero' indicator on your gasoline car says '15 miles to go' how much faith do you put in that estimate? Conditions, and therefore mileage, varies. This is a simple truism that applies to any propulsion method.

    Also, where does Toyota advertise 15 miles range? Here in the US it lists 11 which is just about right (ie. sometimes higher, sometimes lower)
     
    #8 zhenya, Oct 21, 2013
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Note that the site you reference is a U.S. site, and the EPA is a U.S. agency. The OP lives in the UK, where the advertising is different, and the fuel economy and EV range estimates are far more 'optimistic'.
     
    #9 fuzzy1, Oct 21, 2013
  10. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    What a tragedy. Ditto if you drive your 4x4 expecting Prius fuel economy.
     
    #10 usbseawolf2000, Oct 21, 2013
    radiocycle likes this.
  11. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Mini and Land Rover Never Again......that is all I have to say! I am sure Jag's are not any better, I will drive me crappy plastic car over these anyday!
     
    #11 orenji, Oct 21, 2013
    radiocycle likes this.
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    why don't you tell us how you really feel?:p welcome to priuschat!(y)
     
    #12 bisco, Oct 21, 2013
  13. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Now that I've owned my PiP 12 months, I'll be keeping it, especially after saving me by providing power after Hurricane Sandy. ;)
     
    #13 El Dobro, Oct 21, 2013
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  14. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Prius isn't for everyone.
    I'm happy with my choice.
    Cheers
     
    #14 patsparks, Oct 21, 2013
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...wrote a song just for this occasion:

    Just you wait, Peter 'iggins, just you wait!
    You'll be sorry, but your tears'll be to late!
    You'll be broke, and we'll have the money;

    Ooooooh Peter 'iggins!
    Just you wait until we're swimmin' in the sea! (4x4 CO2)

    This week on the twenty first of October
    I proclaim Prius Plug_in Day!

    "Thanks a lot, King" says I, in a manner well-bred;
    But all I want is Peter 'iggins 'ead!"
    As they lift their rifles higher, I'll shout:
    "Ready! Aim! Fire!"
    Oh ho ho, Peter 'iggins,
    Down you'll go, Peter 'iggins!
    Just you wait!
     
    #15 wjtracy, Oct 21, 2013
    radiocycle, Robert Holt, DadofHedgehog and 2 others like this.
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    loved pygmalion.:love:
     
    #16 bisco, Oct 21, 2013
  17. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    #17 El Dobro, Oct 21, 2013
  18. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Duplicate.
     
    #18 El Dobro, Oct 21, 2013
  19. jdk2

    jdk2 Active Member

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    Their miles are shorter. They're on an island :ROFLMAO: :LOL:
     
    #19 jdk2, Oct 21, 2013
    Skateruk likes this.
  20. -1-

    -1- Don

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    :)After further review, you might want to rethink you decision. Remember your rationale for buying? That should be worth some concessions. The Prius will never be the most stylish, fastest, or sportiest vehicle. What you have is one of the most technologically advanced, reliable, fuel efficient vehicles available.
     
    #20 -1-, Oct 22, 2013
    radiocycle and Andyprius1 like this.
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