Does anybody else think the PiP is overpriced ???

In what context? I already answered NO in the context of discussion.

 

Hmmm, overpriced? Probably, the standard Prius gives you the most bang for the buck for fuel efficiency as well as environmentally, and if those two are important considerations, financially! if I had the cash to burn would I buy the PIP? In a NY second!

 

That is overly harsh and irrelevant. For any product an increase in performance and the current price, would make it easier for people to decide to buy it. So your conclusion that if they said "YES" means its overpriced is just wrong.

You may find the price to high, so for you it IS overpriced. For many others, its a good deal, which is why they are going to be selling reasonably well.

 

The 230mpg was using the formula's EPA had developed for CAFE, but not meaningful formulas.

MT does not plug it in near as much as owners might, and have take some long trips in it. The 46.7 is the MPGe.. not the actual MPG (I don't think they have reported that in their long-term updates). So they have converted electricity to gallons equiv. EPA projected MPGe is 60MPGe.


MT is tough on their cards. While you get better then the 46.7, MT only got 41 in their Prius.


If you look at voltstat.net you'll see lots of real-world milage of volt users..over 3.4Million miles they average 121mpg and 62MPGe. (Personally I get much better than that too. ) but if you want to talk real numbers, use a larger sample.

 

In the time it takes you to wait for AAA to show up I could change my flat with my spare & be on my way again.....time IS money.

 

I saw 2010 Prius II models selling for $21k when they were blowing them out after the 2011 models arrived. I bought my Prius III with NAV & solar sunroof for $25500 which was $3k off MSRP with 0% interest too. The 2011 model was more then $29k MSRP.

 

I have 3 Corollas in my collection of Toyotas. I like my 09 Corolla S by far the most. It's more comfortable than my 07 & gets the best MPG at 36 mpg since I've owned it. I do prefer driving it over the Prius since I prefer a 5-speed manual any day for driving enjoyment. I will say that I love the 50 mpg numbers though of the Prius when I fill up the car.....and I agree that it's hard to see 35 mpg the same after owning a 50 mpg Prius.

I bought my 09 Corolla in 11/08 after gas first soared past $4/gal & was $4.50 here in the NW. I looked at a 2nd gen Prius but I never liked the exterior design & it was a fair amount more money then the Corolla with fewer features. I played the same numbers game between it & the Corolla to see how long it would take to make up the extra cost.

 

Not saying taking trips in the car is unreasonable, just that mostly long trips is not the ideal user for a Volt.

How do I know about the frequency of EV usage? I read.. and do a little math. In their update
Long Term Chevrolet Volt: Fuel Economy Heats Up Quicker Than the Cabin - Motor Trend Blog
1357 Miles and had used 236.09 kWr of power which puts them at well below 50% EV usage. (Third updated has less detail and no split out of %EV).


In their earlier reports
127 MPG: The Chevy Volt Diaries - Real World Experience - Motor Trend

In their frist reports, when they average 127MPG, they were at 84%.

Of couse people can drive harder/easier, but with a PHEV, the first order impact is %EV used.. Same will be true with the PiP. Those that can get 30% EV will be seeing 70s for MPG, those only able to eek out 10% will be 55-60MPG.

 

So you say the PIP, at only 135 pounds lighter than the RAV4, isn't a "big chunk of steel" because its SUV class weight is OK since it's reducing our need for oil. I don't have a problem with that and I even agree but........ you see that as big minus with the Volt as you've use that talking point over and over. You can't have it both ways, that's being a hypocrite.

 

This is off topic but I will respond. Prius PHV is a midsize vehicle and it's weight is within other midsizes even the non-hybrids. Volt is a compact car with it's weight in the SUV territory. It is clear which plugin is overweight.

Considering refuel time, interior size, efficiency of both fuels, very low carbon footprint, the price and cleanliness of electricity and proven track record, perhaps Prius PHV is worth it. It really depends on each individual.

 

My bad, I just came out of the fog, and corrected post 85...
this was the important part ... the Volt nor PIP or Leaf suffer form this!

Tesla Roadster
The story is that an owner let his Roadster die and left it uncharged for two months. The car then couldn’t be turned on or started, or re-charged. When the car was taken for repairs it was found that it would cost $40,000 to fix the vehicle.
It’s stated several times in the Roadster’s owner’s manual not to leave the vehicle discharged for an extended period of time. Specifically: “Situations may arise when in which you must leave your vehicle unplugged for an extended period of time. If this is the case, it is your responsibility to ensure that the battery does not become fully depleted.” Lastly, “Over-discharge can permanently damage the battery.” While it’s clear that owner negligence caused this damage, some blame can be put on the manufacturer to have more safety measures to protect the vehicle.