Prius Prime or 1st gen Plugin

No hesitation: had a new 2012 Prius Plug-in and now have a Prime Advanced. The Prime Advanced is so much better, there's no comparison, as long as you have the money, it's the Prime!!

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I second that! Mine was 2014 PIP which, IMHO, was one of the most under appreciated/misunderstood car in the general public. Prime's improvements in all aspects are harder to deny, especially with Plus model's fantastic pricing.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

If your purpose is to have a vehicle that can truely run as a EV, then the Prime wins hands down. It also has the latest safety and technological features. I use the Prime apps quite often on my Prime Advanced model. You also have 2 different design looks. I think the Prime has a 100 % improvement in the looks department inside and out. Of course, that is in the eye of the beholder. Prime wins in my book! I think you would just be settling with getting the first generation PIP when there is the Prime available. My opinion.

#1 in Easley,SC

 

A minor point is the Federal tax credit on a new Prius Prime requires having a tax liability just above $4,500. This is the taxes owed BEFORE using the withholdings to calculate the refund or taxes owed.

If your tax liability is less than $4,500, your tax liability will be $0 so you get all of your withholdings back. But any excess tax credit will not be refunded. For example, if your tax liability is $3,500 and you buy a new Prius Prime, your tax liability will go to $0 and the excess credit, $1,000, goes away and does not increase your refund.

The Prius Prime tax credit is can be difficult to explain and we've had several threads discussing it. But using the 2016 Tax Table AFTER all deductions:

• $33,100-$33,150 (single or married filing separately) -> $4,505 tax owed
• $34,400-$34,450 (head of household) -> $4,509 tax owed
• $36,200-$36,250 (married filing jointly) -> $4,505 tax owed

Even if you don't get the full tax credit, the Prius Prime is an excellent ride and affordable to drive!

Bob Wilson

 

This might not be applicable to all, but if for some reason you do not have >= $4500 in tax liability, consider converting any old traditional IRA or 401k -> Roth. That's what I'm doing in order to fully utilize the credit

 

In effect using the Prius Prime tax credit to get a tax-free conversion of future taxable 401k into tax-free Roth. Clever!

Bob Wilson

 

welcome!

a lot depends on your commute, and typical driving. for instance, i'm currently at 1700 miles on my present tank full of gas. 91% of that is all ev. but i don't drive very far.
another thing is to look at the back seats and hatch space to see what works for you.
they're both great cars, but the decision should be based on your needs, not the opinion of others.

 

PiP has ++excellent cargo space for a plug-in, if that matters and 5 seats (family vehicle).
PiP may soon lose free HOV in CA effective Jan-2019, if so that could reduce used PiP prices...

you might want to see what the legislature is going to do re: free HOV and how that plays in the used car market. We probably hear by September what CA is going to do (it was September last year that the green sticker limit was removed - which allowed Prime to be a sales success). If Prime also loses free HOV as of Jan-2019, wow I do not know.

 

Another very important thing to consider is the used PIP EV range, the latest PIP out there is the 2015 model year earliest model year is 2012 so with that in mind think about battery degradation. The best that I got was 15 miles EV and that was driving like a (to quote @HPrimeAdvanced) crippled snail.When I traded in my 2015 PIP the range on it was 9 miles EV. The Prime I have right now is getting 36.3 miles EV

 

agreed. ev range is a major factor if it is part of your equation. you need to drive both cars to see what you like and don't, and also to test ev range, and ice firing. getting them charged at the dealer will be the challenge.

 

OP, what is your commute like?

 

I'm assuming you figured in all rebates etc....
The huge array of new toys, much better mileage (if you're like me and your various clients let you plug in), more power, QUIETER drive, sweet headlights (for old bats like me who don't see well, but still have to drive at night!), much more comfortable seats (great electric lumbar support!), more luxurious look and feel, better handling, and on and on, and on.....!!. If you've got the bucks, get the Advanced!

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I picked up a base prime with a few bucks off from the dealer. Are you looking at the plus or premium? Besides the all door locks and auto headlights I don’t think the premium is that much better than the plus

 

Ok, here is the deal:

• Call 'Central Maine Toyota' (207)872-5444 and negotiate the best deal you can. Recommend a Plus trim but would not turn down a Premium or Advanced. Also call 'Lee Toyota', (207)729-3358 with the same idea. Be up front and ask them how to handle a California sale (they can do sales tax, cover tags, e.t.c.)
• Arrange purchase date 21-30 days out for a cheap flight to Bangor and call me with your arrival date. I'll book my own 'cheap flight' (United???).
• Fly to Bangor, 'red-eye', and visit the the dealer. Be prepared to walk away from the deal. Drive around and make sure the car meets your expectation and give me a call.
• Next day, I fly to Bangor and you pick me up.
• We drive to to Portland Oregon ('hot bunk') and 'interview' each other outside of every Toyota dealership, open or closed, on the way. We'll stitch together a YouTube video. Theme:
  • Where are those dang TDI Jettas?
  • Heaping scorn on any TDI found along the way.
  • Average speed, xxx mph, YYY MPG at each fuel stop (my treat.)
  • In front of at least one VW dealership,"Lets find a TDI Jetta." (Open a bag of dog treats.)
• Arrive in Portland Oregon with trip totals
• "Oh, could you give me a Lyft to Los Angeles?" -- "Sure, Uber?"
• Last interview at LAX with a recap.

We post production the YouTube(s) while I fly home.

Bob Wilson

 

Sorry, you are not aware of the 2009, 'Portland-to-Portland' driving stunt:
Portland to Portland Green Test Drive. What we did and why we did it.

The Northeast has the best Prius Prime deals ... often with discounts and buyer friendly terms. The cost of a no-frills, one way ticket will easily fit in the budget. All of the car purchase can be handled over the phone, e-mail, and registered mail.

I volunteer to be your second driver and buy the gas and on the way back we do a parity of the 2009, "Portland-to-Portland" stunt including fake interviews.

You get a Prius Prime for a good price; I get video for a joke, and; we take ~64 driving hours to reach LA. But I understand even the Prius may be a new experience.

I've driven over 5k miles in our Prius Prime and they have been a joy. However, putting 4,300 miles on a new Prius Prime might not be your idea of a good time.

Bob Wilson