Prius Prime or Regular Gen 4?

Work out what sort of range your normal commute is & whether EV mode will save you in the long run. Also - if you can get away with 4 seats (I had all 5 full this afternoon).

Take them both for a drive - see which you like, and buy it!!

 

Touring adds 17-inch wheels and lower profile tires, so a little stiffer ride (shorter sidewalls --> less flex) Perhaps a different suspension tune for better handling? Some cosmetic touches to the front fog light cluster and black rear "diffuser" below the painted bumper.

 

Have you seen this chart?

Visual Tables of Gen4 Package Combinations | PriusChat

 

My concern is if I buy a prime and keep it 15 years. What is going to be the cost of a replacement battery in 10-15 years?

 

Nobody knows, batteries are getting cheaper though, there are three lithium Insights I’m aware of , possible hobbiest upgrades by then

 

you could probably find a salvage one by then.

keep in mind the prime hatch is smaller, and no spare tire.

 

Much less than your savings in petrol. There were the detractors with PRIUS batteries - they lasted on average much longer than the 8yr warranty and even then were about 1/3 to ½ the price that they were rumoured to be. But your savings in other maintenance like brakes and a "gearbox" (which it doesn't have) which could well last forever.

The landscape of cars is changing so rapidly, I'm not sure if we'll be keeping them as long as previously (I think the average USA age is about 10 years - but that includes classic cars which aren't really driven much at all). While PRIME and PRIUS are well equipped by current standards, in 15 years, we'll think back to the '18 models the same as today we think back on 2003 models - antique.

As @Tideland Prius said, from what I have read, a PHEV (PRIME) should be able to achieve better MPG than an equivalent PRIUS - the same as a PRIUS is much better than a non-hybrid - because of the largest battery's ability to play the hybrid game with more gusto. With the bonus of EV for at least some of your driving.

 

Or, you could get a good deal on a 2018 when the 2019 is released, whether it's changed at all.

Here, nothing has changed since early 2016 - same as in 2018.

 

If your buying brand new you will probably find the Prime has a better features VRS cost compared to a Normal 4 (in many areas the Prime is cheaper)

Unless you need the 5 th seat a lot personally I don’t see a lot of financial reason to buy a non plug in at this point

Ah well good luck

 

A Volt can go up to a year between gas fills because the tank is sealed and because the car has complex fuel maintenance programming, I have no doubt Toyo can automatically monitor and maintain the gas/engine like GM


Next,
Can you order a car?

In my area there are no Prii plug in or otherwise at any dealer, my solution was to drive 2 states away and get a half price Volt,

And thinking back,Honestly I’ve never bought a car locally as there has never been a car I would want nearby .

I guess to each his own.

 

I'm with you there. Get one with the spare for sure.

 

You can force it to run the ICE occasionally - run out of battery. Not sure if it will start the ICE if you hit the accelerator hard - PRIUS does that, but maybe not PRIME. If it does, it'll keep running at least till the ICE warms up.

Not sure about Magnetic Grey - I had one car that colour, and it was the hardest to keep clean. Worst still, it was the one which seemed invisible to other drivers as it blended into the grey of streets, shadows etc. I drove with headlights on day and night. My sister bought it from me, and she commented about the invisibility too.

Whatever you get, enjoy!!

 

I wouldn't worry about not using the gasoline, thats true for many Prime owners.
I don't think lack of Primes in the state is a big deal either.
I'd be focus on spare tire, cargo space, 4 seats, and commitment to plugging in.
If you dig that, and can give up 5th seat. spare tire, and cargo space...OK.
Color is another thing...I like the orig blue though if they still have it.

 

Another way to fire up the ICE is to crank up the heater and that will call for engine to heat up.