Camping in Gen 3, Gen 4, or Prime...what is the best option for me?

Hello!

I currently do not own a hybrid and am looking at possibly purchasing one. I have never driven a prius, but am impressed with their mpg since my current commute to work is 50 miles one way. Though the biggest reason I am looking at the prius is for camping in it. I would be camping in the vehicle while attending a college that is 75 miles away from my house. (I have looked at possibly renting a room or moving, but that would be more expensive than purchasing a vehicle to camp in. Especially when you consider daycare, school system, current house, etc.) I was introduced to the prius after looking at "stealth vans" and then found out about the climate control that a prius provides.

So, the primary concern for me is to have a reliable vehicle for camping in four days a week. (I currently live in Virginia and we have cold winters and hot summers.) The next concern is that I would need this vehicle to last (with minimal maintenance) for 4-5 years. I already have access to a gym that is open 24/7, a fridge at work, and a desk that I can store dry goods in. I would be washing/prepping clothes and food on the weekend at home with my family. I also have multiple locations to sleep in and have no worries about police and/or safety.

After looking through the forums I am now wondering what my best option would be when choosing a prius. Should I choose a gently used gen 3 and save money, should I choose a 2016 gen 4 and save some money over a new gen 4, or should I choose a brand new prime due to the possible savings/discounts available?

In case anyone is wondering my vehicle background is:
1981 Toyota pickup regular cab (used) <--- third favorite
1987 Mazda Rx7 (used) <--- cool, but not practical
1984 Toyota pickup (used) <--- beat up, problems, sold
2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse (used) <--- good deal, though never like it
1998 Honda Civic (used) <--- good car, used as trade for next vehicle
1998 Toyota pickup (TRD, extended cab, SR5, 4x4) (used) <--- second favorite
2001 Oldsmobile Alero (used) <--- good deal, drove it until it died
2008 Toyota Matrix (brand new) <--- my favorite car!!! (Never thought it would be, but I fell in love over time.) After 274k miles transmission gave out and she finally broke down.
2011 Kia Forte (used) <--- current vehicle...reliable, but I miss my Matrix a lot!
2016 Toyota Sienna (brand new) <--- her vehicle and is used as the family car

I really like Toyota! I prefer a truck, but it is more practical to have a small commuter car. My wife drops off and picks up the kids so she has the minivan. (BTW, she LOVES her van!) I prefer hatchbacks now, but am not too interested in the prius V. I like that the prius V has a lot more cargo room, but I feel that the greater mpg gained by the standard prius/prime outweighs the extra space. I also like to buy vehicles brand new and keep them until they die completely. (Been burnt too many times buying used cars that break down.) However, we don't make a lot of money and are still paying off the van. We could possibly swing a new car payment, but it would be tight and I would want to make sure it is a GOOD deal!

Finally, items that I've never had in my own vehicle(s):
Quality sound system <--- I rarely ever listen to music. I either have nothing on or news on.
heated seats, mirrors, steering wheel, etc.
HUD, navigation, bluetooth, auto dimming, parking assists, and any other technical advancements.
***There are some advancements in her Sienna, but I can do without them personally. I also have a 12 volt plug to charge my phone if necessary. My Forte has a USB port, but I've only used it once for charging the phone. I guess what I'm saying is that I'm very used to basic vehicles/models.

So...please provide any and all recommendations. I am sure a great deal of information is available in other threads! If you wouldn't mind, please post a link to some good threads for me to visit.

Thank you very much for taking the time to reach this! Also that you again for having this great forum!!!

-Bill

 

Also, how long until "Awaiting moderation before being displayed publicly." is over and/or removed from posts that I make?

Thanks!

-Bill

 

Should say "Also, thank you again for having this great forum!!!"

 

For hooking additional stuff to the battery, you just have to run it through the car instead...kind of like most other cars right?

I have no problem doing things myself...as long as there is a video telling me what to do and what not to do!

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Thank you for the information!

 

Yes, I used the term "climate control". Okay, so I currently do not know all the ins and outs about the car and how it operates. I do know that it will cycle on and off to maintain the temperature set. I also know it will burn fuel while doing so. Of course when I sleep in my current vehicle I typically turn it off and leave the windows cracked. I then turn it back on when it gets too cold or hot. I've slept (in the drivers seat) a handful of times in my Kia Forte and MANY times in my old Toyota Matrix. I'm a very deep sleeper and have actually slept 9+ hours before (in the drivers seat) of the Matrix.

Where I currently work it is a 24/7 operation. Many people (5000+ roughly) sleep in their cars either before or after their shifts. Most of them run their engines on their vehicles (from trucks to muscle cars) while sleeping. No worries about police and I'm not worried about my safety.

I've never had a key FOB...interesting, I'll have to figure all of that out too I suppose.

I'll have to look at the prius, prius V, and prius prime to get a good evaluation of camping in each of them.

Thank you all very much for the information and insight.

-Bill