New Prius -- what type -- why?

In my opinion, the Gen 4 is more refined (better ride, handling, and smoother transition between EV and ICE), but some of that just may be as a result of the car being newer (our Gen 4 has about 10k miles, the Gen 2 has 280k miles). The Gen 2 has more storage (more cubby holes to place small items) and the back seats fold to the same level as the storage space behind them. On the Gen 4, the back seats are about 2 inches higher when folded down than the storage space. Neither of them have an inside hatch release (one of my pet peeves), but at least the outside release on the Gen 4 seems to be designed in such a way that the storage space will not become completely inaccessible when the weather turns cold. On the Gen 2, the rubber on the the hatch release becomes completely inflexible before the temperature even drops below freezing, to the point where I have had to fold down the seats just to gain access to the storage area (not to mention that in the summer the rubber melts and begins to disintegrate all over a person's hands, I hope the Gen 4 doesn't do that when it gets further along in years.) Also, my wife can reach the hatch on the Gen 2 when it is open, she cannot reach it on the Gen 4.

Still, I wouldn't trade my Gen 4 for a brand new Gen 2. Overall the Gen 4 is just a better car.

 

wait, you don't need hearing aids, but may cost you a car?

 

Some gen 4's have more level hatch floor with the back seats down, the levels with spare tire?

 

In Seattle?
I'd consider a Prime.
It'll have all the swag she wants, they're not over-the-moon expensive, and there are a lot of places you can plug one in.

Plus?
It's a dual-fuel vehicle.
That way, if you start experiencing electrical problems normally associated with "developing nations" and some parts of a certain state below you, then you can still use it as.....a car.

My second choice would be a Hybrid Corolla - presuming the boss wants to stay in a sedan.

 

If she is fine with plugging in, I second the Prime. The heated seats are standard, but heated steering wheel is only on the Limited.

To get heated seats on a Prius or Camry hybrid requires XLE or higher trim. No heated seats in the Corolla hybrid.

 

I have to guess that that same Toyota reliability will be there in the AWD Toyota RAV4 hybrid or plug-in.

You might be amazed at her acceptance of getting something bigger after that many years of driving a Prius. I used to sell Hondas, and converted many women - merely by asking that they test drive X in addition to whatever new version of the small Honda they came in with to trade for the same/similar model.

Of course, it depends on use, plus numbers of friends, family, and groceries transported.

 

We have both a "new" 2018 Prius II and 06 Gen2 and the differences between the two drivetrains are fairly substantial whereas the form factor is basically the same. Can't go wrong here; more of the same, etc.

Washington? Liking the Subie? Hmmm, I'd also suggest the RAV4h and, if time and budget allows, the upcoming plug-in version. The drastic reduction in gas station visits and "filling up" at home was something my wife came to absolutely love (electric drive being #1).

 

When you were born, male life expectancy was 66.

But the men who were in their 60's when you were a kid, were born about 1900. And their life expectancy was just 46. Don't forget that back then, far more people died young from injuries and communicable diseases before they could get to the normal age-related problems, sharply pulling down the average.

Current male life expectancy is 76, down few a tenths since peaking in 2014. That is U.S. only, many other countries are higher and not sliding back.

Do note that these figures are technically for people born in said year, not for folks who are already old. But the remaining life expectancy for the old folks who are still alive is always much greater age than their original expectancy. I.e. at your age, with the already-expired folks removed from the calculation, your average remaining is still a bit over 20 years:

Social Security: Actuarial Life Table

 

I think twice when buying the big pack of disposable razors, at Costco. Or the 48 pack of AA batteries. Ah, somebody'll need them.

 

We're ALL on borrowed time...

 

+1

 

they say if you make it to 70, youre odds of longevity go up

 

Yeah that @ASRDogman is putting everyone to shame...

 

My great grandmother was swinging a sickle until the age of 95.

My old man had to take it off her property in order to prevent its use by her.

Buttermilk she said was her secret to longevity .

A glass a day.

 

It is unlikely that all your kids will be expired before the batteries reach their labeled expiration.

Though if you are under about 80, then odds are that you'll make it too.

If you make it to your own 1st Birthday party, then your total life expectancy has already risen by nearly 6 months.

But there is no point on the life expectancy chart where your remaining years ever increase. My dad was somehow taken by this fallacy.

 

yeah, it was a story i read online at some health website iirc. i dont remember any data involved