Sold my 2012 Prius v Three - Parting thoughts

The whole engine is the same design as that in your regular Prius.

 

just sell my civic hybrid and dont feel my toyota cheap i feel it even better for sure no fun factor but I know it before to buy i completely agree in the GPS and voice system piece of crap.. me I buy it used so and pay less and happy

 

Amen brother, isn't that interesting to all the people that gave me crap for mentioning the same thing.

 

"3. Depreciation. Blue book has this vehicle depreciated nearly 50% in 3.5 years which has never been the case for the 4 other toyotas I've owned. I sold mine at 53% what I paid. Pretty surprised, but this may be a function of the low fuel prices."

Nail on head. Low fuel prices do serious harm to gas-sipper car sales, and wonders for SUV sales. Consumers have short memories. The low fuel prices drive down demand for new to used hybrids. One good outcome though is that the consumer can purchase a fine used hybrid today, at $2/gallon, with zero hybrid price penalty. One example is a used Prius v Five sells are about the same as a used Camry at similar trim level.

 

You sell a Prius when fuel prices are high, not when they are low (unless you are trading a Prius for another one). You buy a Prius when fuel prices are low, not when they are high. If you don't like the depreciation on the vehicle (Prius), why sell it?

 

For practicality, the same interior cargo space as the Prius V, more fun to drive, higher quality interior and for about the same price, the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is a much better car than the Prius V. The MPG is good enough to kill the need for a Prius V. The RAV4 4x4 also is much better in East Coast winter/snow driving/potholed street driving. And it can go off-road - where the Prius V cannot even dream of going.

 

You got it right. My wife's drives the 2009 Prius and I have the 2012 Four. The JBL audio system in the 2009 beats the 2012 hands down.

 

this is ultimately what drove me away from the regular Prius and towards the CT 200h.

unfortunately there isn't a Lexus equivalent of Prius v

for a people carrier, you're stuck with econobox type models, paying a fortune in gas, or I guess the Model X.

 

FWIW, with 120K miles on our early build 2012 "v", we have zero interior rattles. One issue with the rear hatch seal wearing out due to heavy, heavy use from 5 years of family roadtrips galore, work usage for hauling things to events/shows and general grocery getter duties. But that back seal was $200 and now we're back to a quiet car that still gets over 47MPG average (about 2/3rd city driving). True, depreciation hit we've taken stinks though as the US market simply doesn't love the MPV/wagon car shape like the "v" (anyone remember the Venza?). But that downside for the "new" buyer, certainly makes the "v" a great used car buy.

 

What about the RAV4 Hybrid? We have one user here who calls it an overweight Prius
So happy with the Prius.... | PriusChat

 

for 32 mpg and still only 5 seats why even bother with a hybrid? get a civic or mazda 3, or better yet get a used prius or hycam for less than 10k.

 

Well for one some are getting considerable better than 32mpg.

Also the RAV4 has a much higher seat position so it's easier for some to get in/out of a RAV4 compared to a sedan. The E-AWD, the ability to have condoned towing are a few things off the top of my head are noticeable positive differences for me.

 

I passed my early 2012 v on to my woman friend when a driver who thought STOP signs were mere suggestions totaled her 2nd Gen Prius (125K miles and no mechanical problems). No injuries, thanks to air-bag deployment. I purchased a RAV4 Limited Hybrid. I like it as much as I liked the v (note past tense). I ride in the v a lot. I still like it. The point is, like them for what they are: If you want a sedan-like vehicle, the v can't be beat. If you want an SUV-type vehicle, the RAV will be hard to beat--we'll see what the future holds for that . . .

 

That's sadly the norm 'round here; dangerous for other cars and pedestrians. I can't recall seeing anyone do a legal stop, ie: come to a full stop behind the white line.

 

I have the same year and model sold.

Yes, middle console cloth was not well thought. There is covers available here and other accessory suppliers for purchase.
Yes, it is no BMW to drive. Umm, but it was purchased for MPG, not how fast can it get me from here to there. Odyssey will most likely have same numbers in the 0-60.

Thought about selling mine, but mine will be my son's first car.(he is looking forward to it) Mine turns 100k this month. Getting myself a new Rav4 Hybrid in 2019 when he gets the v.