Need some advice on which Prius for a 100 mile commute

I've had a few +100 mile drives now, with only a single charge. The result is usually about 63 MPG. That's roughly 10 more than I would have expected under the same circumstances with my 2010.

Being able to specific when to use EV is great. It totally turns the term "hypermiling" into a basic driving experience. Just like you said, save it for the heavy traffic and use HV for the open road.

As for cost, how much is helping promote a solution for the masses while having fun at the same time worth? You need to factor that into the equation. The approach is here to stay. Having driven the early test-model, I have already witnessed the progress.

Short trips around town, errand running that is usually considered a chore, turns into a new experience when you can do it all with electricity. I'm look forward to how it will deal with the chaos of winter too, since having more electricity will allow for more efficiency opportunities.

 

The reason I bought my Prius back in 2010 was exactly because I had to drive 62 miles to work, one way.
If your primary goal is to cutting cost, a used Gen II prius is the best bet. Nothing else can compete, not even a new Prius, liftback, C, or V. Run through the number and you will know.

I bought my 04' Prius at 105K miles for $8000 cash in 2010, now at 165K, it only cost me oil change, spark plugs and serpentine belt, 12V Battery, plus all the Toyota recalls. A private mechanics does all those basic maintenance in his home garage. Even counting the depreciation, my operating cost is less than $1.2/100 miles.

If you buy a new C, in 4 years you will easily pass 100K miles and the depreciation alone will cost you $12K, that's $12/100 miles, 10 times of a used Prius. The extra gas $ saving will probably used on oil change and tires, assuming nothing else goes wrong. Of cause, for a new Prius, you will pay 25% more, that will count as $15/100 miles roughly.

OK, with 165K miles, my Prius might need a HV Battery soon. But that's like $1500 to $2000 deal with a used one, installed, based on what I know. That will extend the life another 80K to 120K I guess, make it $3/100 miles in future operating cost, still much much better than $12/100 miles. Luckily, my HV battery shows no sign of weakening so far.

So the question of New or Used comes down to $12/day or $1.2/day. To me, the choice is easy.

 

Based on your commute distance and lack of at work charging, I would say the PiP is not for you. Unless you absolutely HAVE to have a new vehicle, I'd go with AllenZ's recommendation for a GENII.

Do a lot of research here at Priuschat on what to watch out for and go for an '08 or '09 with 50-60k miles on it. Get a Certified Used one at a reputable Toyota Dealer and skip the extended warranty. JMNSHO.

 

Do not buy a new pip or C. Allenz hit the nail on the head, you should listen to him. I realize this is just a forum and most people will buy what they want anyway but regardless of what your telling yourself you need, Allen is right.

I traded in my 08 for a pip. Did I need to, no probably not but I loved the idea of an electric car AND my daily commute is less than 11 miles.

 

I could probably successfully dispute the G2 versus G3 mileage claim, but the deltas would be small and it would come down to route and driver.
Besides...there are already enough pissing contests in these pages over stuff like that.
There is no disputing that if you're knocking down 100 miles a day, and you buy a new car to do it with, that's fine....as long as you don't try to con yourself into thinking that you're saving any money by doing so.

Get a dependable, used Prius. G2 or G3.
If you go the CPO route (certified Pre-owned) you'll pay a little more up front, but the reliability gamble will be reduced. If you search long enough, and hard enough, you might find a gently used private deal, but then you'll have to do the noodle dance as far as the vehicle's pedigree.
Your call.

If you have to have a "new" car (Prius,) then I would try to get a left over G3-Two, which can be had for about $22,000. Buying anything more expensive than that when you're racking up 27K a year in mileage just to get to work and back...is moronic from an economic standpoint.
Now....if you're a "one percenter" and you want THE GREENEST car...meaning bunny hugging type green, then yes. The PHV could put you an eyelash or two ahead of the more plebian Priuses from an energy throughput standpoint.
Your call.

There's a "trial-sized" Prius (the C-model) that should be a little cheaper than the G3, but currently....it's not, cause it's hot. I'm thinking that the full-sized G3 can be had for about the same money (base to base) and on the interstate it'll get about the same mileage....and be better suited for this tasking to boot. IMHO.
YMMV.

Good Luck.

 

If you factor in the parking cost in city, time spent on congested traffic near city, you might consider park and ride somewhere, assuming your destination is not too far from train station. Carry a folding bike maybe allowed on train? Hope so.

The other benefit of ride to work is that you can have extra time to relax or be productive on train. Driving 3+ hours per day, you will have very little free time left for yourself. You will feel like a working machine. Also, you dont need to fight with bad weather. Less chance for accident or traffic ticket.

Of cause, winter time biking or walking in Chicago is not fun. So you have to consider all thoseo factor. But hey, you got a job, many others don't...

 

I looked at a similar decision and picked the basic Prius Two. I wanted a new car and this supplied me with quiet, comfort and my requisite level of luxury. I am old enough that I imprinted in the days when a luxury car had air, cruise, power windows and locks and a power seat.
OK, the Two has a manual seat - but it goes up and down and it's way less than a model with a power seat. I do miss the satellite radio and am thinking about putting one in - if you peruse this forum you'll find that there is one that integrates seamlessly with the factory audio system.
I think built in nav is silly (my last car had it) when I have it for free in my cell phone, and a portable system is ~$100 with lifetime map updates. And face it, 99% of the time I'm going somewhere that I could probably find blindfolded. Nor do I want Entune - I'm an old fart and am totally content with the Bluetooth integration with my phone. It gives me hands free calling, music streaming (as well as NFL, NHL, and MLB if I want it). I can even get an app on the phone that will transfer alerts like calendar updates to the audio system. So why build a separate system into the car that would have it's own learning curve when I already have my phone with me?
I guess the only thing I would like that I don't have is the solar roof - I did not realize what a hit really hot weather would give me on short hops due to having to cool the car off. Even this, though, is not really important. I will never burn enough extra fuel to offset the cost of the roof.
I am happy with the noise level, ride comfort, seats, and fuel economy. I am quite confident that I chose the right car for me.

Good luck.

P.S. I love the rims they hide behind the cheapo wheel covers.

 

Gen II Prius will get you around 45-50mpg. My commute, at 60 miles/day in a PHEV with no plug in at work gets about 63.9mpg. The monthly payment for my PHEV over my Gen II increased about 10%, and insurance went up about 5%.

Since we got rid of a very nice, but fuel guzzling, Venza, keeping the "old" '09 Prius pretty much made up most of the difference in total overall cost increase that occurred by adding the PHEV, plus we reduced our carbon footprint.

So in your case, you are going to have to consider the new cost increases in your insurance and monthly payment as well before you consider any possible fuel savings.

1.) If I bought the PHV and since I'm going to be driving in heavy traffic, would it be better to save my 15 EV miles until I reach the traffic and drive HV in the non-traffic areas? That way I am using zero fuel while sitting in traffic? I don't have a charging station at my work, the closet one is about a mile away. ​

I've tried that strategy, I use up EV range quickly in stop-and-go traffic, and it isn't a mile for mile exchange probably because of the extra energy it takes to move the car from standing to moving. So even if the range says 12 miles, I will likely eat that up in 4 or 5 miles.

2.) From solely a cost stand point, which car is better for the cost of the car + fuel mileage for a 100 mile commute? The Prius C, Prius, or the PHV? How long would it take to break even on the extra cost of the PHV based on fuel savings? ​

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Probably the regular Prius. And as mentioned, a used - but newer one - will likely serve your needs the best.
The Prius C is based on a different frame and body style - not built from the ground up to be a hybrid. Looks like a Yaris converted to a Prius.