Have $8k in savings, is buying/living in a used gen2 reasonable?

welcome!

it's hard to say. the best thing to do is see what's available for 8k, and post the details here for evaluation.
all the best!

 

no problem, same thing applies though. prices are different all over the country, so you really need to research what's available in your area and price range.
one thing for sure, you do have to ask yourself what you will do if you need a repair you can't afford.

 

Not to me. Living out of a car on next to nothing sounds unreasonable.

How much will your monthly cost be for food and any other daily expense?

 

I have some experience living for up to six months at a time on a bicycle and out of a backpack. Your monthly costs sound reasonable.

The A/C feature is nice for the type of car camping you're looking at.

Your major surprise repair could be the hybrid battery, and that might be more like $3K. Half that for a less reliable rebuild, which would probably be okay in your case. You should be able to find the used car for under $5K.

 

Sounds like quite an adventure! Norwegian explorer Roald Amundson said that adventure is just bad planning. But sometimes we do it on purpose. LOL! I take it you've already considered shower and bath facilities?

It seems feasible. Hopefully, you'll be able to camp in the shade.

 

What's your plan in the event of an emergency? If you get hurt/sick?

 

+1

Also, the OP asked how to mitigate risk. My idea would be to figure out a plan to get a job or other income stream.

 

Vehicle A/C systems are designed to have airflow across the radiator fins for optimal performance. Other systems like the HV inverter need cooling, too. There's an electric fan to assist, but it wasn't intended to be the primary means of getting airflow; a moving car is the preferred way.

Lots of people have gone camping in Prii and used the car A/C for comfort while stationary over night. I doubt many have done it every single night for months on end. You're going to be placing a lot of thermal stress on some expensive, yet aging, components. Make sure ALL of the cooling systems are working perfectly, with no leaks. Check them regularly (when cool!).

I think you're going to need a bigger repair budget. I also echo the recommendation to find a larger income stream to minimize the time you treat the car as a camper. Pardon me if I missed it up thread, but what's the plan for when the money runs out?

 

I don't think it is a good idea at all. A Gen 2 is probably near the end of the hybrid battery life span and you will not be able to replace it. Then what?

I think the Prius might be okay for camping trips but for living full time I don't think it would be good. It seems like your money will not last long, then what is your plan?

Good luck,
Glenn

 

all the best!

 

I think with a $5000 budget you can do well with getting a prius.

Buy one slightly older like a 2004 or 2005, then put in a gen3 battery pack that should give you 2 to 3 reliable years. Should be able to do this for under $5000 easily

 

Bad idea to keep prius AC running full time... I'd stick to quality sleeping bag. I wouldn't let my kids live out of a car

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I think you will be ok, if the AC unit holds out, but may be underfunded. The AC compressor is a very efficient scroll-type unit, which is also very reliable (like the Prius itself). In the Bay Area you won't need the AC most of the year, so the car can be left off if the temperature is, say, below 80. Based on my experience you can burn up to a gallon of gas on a hot night (Mojave in June/July).

You should consider a gym membership for showering, that would probably be $20 to $50 a month. Sign up at labor shops for daily income, or hang out at the Home Depot for cash work.

Many people make significant income by soliciting around off ramps, stores, etc. Not my cup of tea, but you could probably easily make $50 to $100 a day that way. Meals can be had at homeless shelters. Food is cheap at Dollar Stores, but $100 a month is pretty slim (30 days divided into $100 is about $3 a day). Soliciting for food can also be a strategy.

The biggest risk (outside of health issues) is the age of the car. Parts wear out over time and with use (one or the other or both).

 

Ok something doesn't add up. You saved 8k in your current situation yet claim you will lose money when you switch to living out of your car?

Are you saying you plan to quit your job and move out of your apt? And that is a better idea than coming up with plan to invest the money?

 

It sounds to me like the OP currently lives in Reno @ his parents home and wants to relocate to SF. Hence the idea to live in his car while seeking employment there.

 

I think I would have some sort of backup plan such as shared living in case you don't like living in a car.