2016 Prius - let's hear from buyers

get yours before gas prices rise.

 

When I purchased my first Prius back in 2004, gas was cheap and all my coworkers laughed and told me I would never make back the extra I spent for a hybrid (never mind that saving money was not my motivation). About a year later, gas prices skyrocketed and they all sheepishly were asking me serious questions about hybrids.

SAMSUNG-SM-G890A ?

 

I am absolutely refusing to make any predictions on this. I don't think gas prices have stayed this relatively low for any stretch since '80, and I'm not sure I believe estimates of how much oil is locked up in North American shale ripe for the fracking, so my gut tells me don't get comfy with that $1 at the start of the gas pump price. But my rational mind notes that the fracking revolution has had one particularly interesting side effect - the Saudis have decided they should sell their oil at whatever price it takes to hold on to market share and prevent competing sources that depend on higher prices from establishing themselves. Screw the Venezuelans, the Russians, the Iranians, whomever - and most definitely screw the Dakotas. Because as temperatures rise and concern grows, the days of pumping up bulk dino juice and spewing its scorched leavings into the air may well come to an end before all that sweet cheap Saudi crude can make it out of the ground. That is money on the table, and it now appears the Saudis have no intention of leaving it there.

Now, what my gut tells my rational mind is "We've been lied to before," and I cannot entirely ignore that, so I can't say I'm certain all the above adds up to cheap gas until we all choke on it, hallelujah (sort of). What I will say is that I think it unlikely, given the way the pieces are arranged on the board right now, that we're going to see a significant spike in fuel prices this summer. And that, combined with Toyota's need to boost their CAFE numbers, is something I really do think is going to soften Prius pricing later this year. I definitely would not purchase now just to avoid a rush that likely isn't happening.

Nothing's guaranteed, of course. But if I hadn't been holding off a couple of extra years on getting a new car because of all the Gen4 delays, I'd now probably be planning to buy this summer or fall.

 

I won't panic buy a car. I feel it is a opportunity to get the Prius at a good discount while gas prices and demand for hybrids are both low. In the event gas prices increase dramatically in the future the car's value should remain high. If gas prices remain low I still end up with a great car at a great price.

 

You may want to look at the Prius Prime, Plug-in shown at the NY Auto Show. See carscoops.com for article and pictures.

You will need to scroll down a page or two.

 

felt, are you not aware that we already have many threads here on the prime, including reviews and pics? and that the whole priuschat team was in new york for the auto show debut?

 

Thanks bisco, I didn't know. Neither did I know anything about the Prime.

 

you gotta stay with us man!

 

I suppose you are right. In truth, the new G4 just turned me off, and I was not watching as intently. The 2015 PIP did that to me last year.

Then I was reading about the NY Auto Show, and I was awaken. After you made me aware of other PC threads, I searched and read more about the new Prime. Thanks for nudging me along towards being informed.

 

Exactly - that's the real bottom line. For a whole host of reasons beyond "paying for the hybrid", I'd rather have a car that entertains me and meets my needs while getting over 50 mpg. The fact that it will save me a pile of money should we have another random price spike is just icing on the cake. Honestly, I don't put enough miles on my cars for it to matter much.

 

Found these as far as mudflaps



2016 Toyota Prius Mud guards and Mud Flaps and Splash Guards | JuicedHybrid

 

Finally picked up a 2016 Prius 4 with ATP and PCP Wednesday night. The dealer had to trade cars to get the blizzard pearl with harvest beige (Yes I can keep the name Bisque). Still wish I could have gotten blue with beige, but sadly that color combination didn't exist. I purposefully got it without the black console cover. And seeing it in person (instead of photos) for the first time, I was glad I stuck with that because the white console goes really well with the blizzard perl exterior. It even has the same sparkle.

So far I've had some really good surprises:

1) First drive on way home from dealer was a detour to get take out, where I got to experience the blind spot monitoring for the first time.

2) I have a goal to fill the tank early so that I know it's filled consistent with my typical first click stop. Then I can start measuring my miles per gallon per tank earlier than waiting for empty on the tank from the dealer. Unfortunately that's becoming harder to do than originally thought. I picked up the car with 43 miles on it, and took it for a drive up the Angeles Crest Hwy (2) to the top of Mt Wilson. After getting back and running a few errands the odometer was reading 144. I had driven 101 miles (possibly 144 on the tank unless the dealer topped it off) and the fuel gage still reads full.

3) The moonroof opened in first position or popped up is a lot more quiet than my 2010. Although opening the moonroof to the second full position did create some buffeting noise within the cabin.

4) I used AAA instead of Costco. Both were good offers. but the one AAA sent me to, Toyota of Glendale (ask for Anna, she really has been kind and very helpful), not only offered a bigger discount but pointed out a $500 rebate for loyal customers Toyota was running until the end of March. Better, they were able to find a car without the black cover and even better they offered a creative suggestion that allowed me to get the vehicle Wednesday while the rebate was still active instead of having to wait for the settlement of the stock I sold.

5) I called my insurance company to change my vehicle to the new one and was pleasantly surprised. Even after adding a bunch of new stuff, my policy is now 29% cheaper than before.

6) The rear roller cover is very smooth in operation.

7) I love that the HUD projects itself so far outside of the windshield. I'll need some assistance in this, but it almost looks like it may float in above the vey front of the car. I should be able to find out tonight.


Notes:

There is a very strong new car smell (lots of chemical off gassing). Luckily I like driving with the moonroof open.

I need to check the air pressure. It drives great and is more confident holding the curves on Angeles Crest Hwy (2). But it feels almost too comfortable in town compared my old 2010. I'd like to try it at 44 PSI if it's not already there. My average is about 55 mpg with mostly highway/freeway driving so far.

Having a new car has healthy consequences. I've noticed I'm parking in BFE and walking a lot more.

I completely goofed up and forgot to request the dealer programming I needed. I even brought print outs of the settings but forgot until I was backing the car down a row of cars in order to drive it home. Yes the rear beep every second is excruciatingly annoying. Unfortunately the service department had already closed, so I'll take it back next week.


Concerns:

A) My DRL may not be working. When I switch it to that in the garage, there is no lights on in front. I'm going to check again in daylight, and also check if DRL is possibly disabled in the settings.

B) The rear door on the drivers side doesn't align with the top of the drivers door.

C) Last night I was giving a ride to a friend after dinner, and pressing the unlock switch didn't unlock the passenger door. I'm going to check again in daylight ands if I was hitting the right switch or not. The remote did work though.

All in all I'm quite happy with my new Gen 4.

 

Congratulations! Years of faithful service ahead...

 

Mr. Fusion Stickers by William Redoubt posted Apr 1, 2016 at 10:58 AM

Mr. Fusion Stickers by William Redoubt posted Apr 1, 2016 at 10:58 AM

First Prius. 2016 Two, Blizzard White with Prius floor mats. I drive the I-10 between the I-215 and the Arizona border every week. Mileage hovering around 49. Not much city driving. Lots of headwinds in the desert. Paid $24800, which I perceived as a fair, but not spectacular price. Add sales tax, license and out the door. Love the car. I am thinking of rebadging for fun with Mr. Fusion stickers (I have sign equipment). See screenshot.

All plastics are "plant-based." Plastics are made from oil, and crude oil is a 100% natural product. LOL. JK.

 

Thanks.

That's pretty much what I tried to convey to the finance guy when he tried to sell me an extended warranty. Toyotas have always been good to me. Never had one let me down. So I declined the extra cost.

 

Took delivery of my new 2016 Prius Four March 31st.

 

well done, all the best!

 

A few had asked about pics of our hypersonic red Gen4 once I had it home. Quick phone shots after some errands today (maybe next time I'll try the digital zoom instead of cropping):

20160403_135846 by Vike posted Apr 3, 2016 at 3:17 PM

20160403_135903 by Vike posted Apr 3, 2016 at 3:17 PM

20160403_135943_ed by Vike posted Apr 3, 2016 at 3:17 PM

20160329_184857_ed by Vike posted Apr 3, 2016 at 3:17 PM

I suppose it's fairly obvious that's our old Gen2 parked behind The Red One (it's on its way to a family member). Next to the new car in the garage is my '12 i-MiEV (not charging at the time). So now we've both got our midlife crisis cars (a BEV for me, a bright red hybrid for the missus).

 

Congrats really like the red. Saw an article yesterday stating Prius sales were down approximately 3k for March 2016 vs March 2015. Then today I got a bunch of dealer e-mails with reduce prices on the 2016 where I saved selected vehicles.