Thinking about a PiP

I had 2006 Gen2 Prius before this 2012 PiP. I went through 7 NY winter and 1 NJ winter. No problem with getting to work. The last winter was one of the worst, BTW.

 

PiP is good all seasons car and buy back under $20k for a 2014 souinds like a good deal to me.
Recently prices have been arouind $20k for used 2012 PiP.
You probabky want to make sure the CARB warranty is in tact, Toyota requires the orig sale and registration was in CARB state such as NJ.

The toughest issue is do you really need a PiP or just go with Liftback? Keep in mind a PiP has no spare tire (you can carry one) a little slight less storage under the floor and a little smaller gaso tank.

 

Since you do 100 miles a day, 12 EV miles may dissapoint you, unless you understand when and where it makes sense to use EV.

 

Buy a lift-back. The PIP is essentially the same car that only benefits those short hauling around town...however it cost more for the same, you loose space and the spare.

 

I've been driving my 2012 PiP 107 miles round trip to work. Just hit 70k on her. Including electricity, charging at work and home gives me about 70 mpg. I drive up and down California every three months or so between San Diego and San Francisco 500 miles to visit family. 3 adults and 2 children in car seats have done this trip many times so space is ample if you Tetris your cargo carefully. Was able to get a week's worth of luggage for 5 once with umbrella stroller. Kids in child seats don't need legroom so I maximized the space. Haven't driven in snow so can't comment.

 

Yup, you can do EV for those short trips or in the weekends.

Gen3 is great at higher speed due to bigger 1.8l engine. It is geared to rev lower rpm.

PiP can get higher than 50 MPG at 75 MPH.

 

No spare but plenty of space.

What fits in PiP cargo? | PriusChat

 

Yes, on level roads with no headwind.

 

In February my wife and I drove our 2014 PIP from Virginia to Florida (around 2000 miles round-trip) and got 56 mpg for the trip (according to the trip computer). Other than the 1st 10 miles after leaving home we didn't plug in. And I was cruising 70-80 mph whenever possible.

 

Last I heard after the first 9-12 miles on electric only the mpg are the same +/- under equal conditions. So the cost premium of an equally equipped and mileaged used or new vehicle would have to paid for by the 10-12 miles electric to break even...considering total fuel and charging costs accurately for one's commute. With long haulers any enhanced mpg results diminish. Cargo space is reduced by the loss of under panel tray storage, but that is relative to need. Spare tire/wheel...I never leave home without one and I've had 2 flats with mine...and with a 100 mile commute, no way in hell. I know the lift-back can handle 3-4 of snow driven "carefully", ice...forget about it. You can not turn off anti-slip on Gen III's. I am a big Prius fan, but I am also realistic. If I am wrong feel free to correct me, but those are the facts as I know them.

 

What about those of us that paid about the same as a similarly priced regular Gen3?

 

Perhaps you were lucky. Not all of us have/had the option to pay "about" the same price...new or used...especially in states where it is not sold and there is no state tax incentive. The usage and math must be determined individually.

 

EPA rating is about the same, however, many here that had a regular G3 are reporting about 8-10% improvement in HV MPG.
My personal lifetime with PIP is 25 km/l as compared to 22 km/l with the G3 I owned before, equal conditions.

 

hycam?

 

I chose not to buy an out of state PIP without the tax break (based on residence for registration) so my first hand experience comparing mpg after EV is used up is not there. The math did not add up in Texas with my usage though.

 

On my over-hilly commute of 90 miles a day, about 20 are EV and the rest HV. I charge on both ends. Average MPG per tank ranges from 60-65. If I only charge before leaving home, same routine gets me 55mpg. I routinely cruise, traffic permitting, around 75. To avoid being run over in the HOV lane, sometimes 80.

My trip benchmarks are typically over some significant mountain passes; from OC to Las Vegas (charging when leaving home and at hotel on way back), I average only 48-50mpg. But I might have neglected to mention how fast I go on that stretch. As the statute of limitations has not passed, I'll remain silent about specifics.

 

...and "if" you happen to get free charging on the other end all the better for "overall" fuel costs (electric+gasoline). Most of us in the real world do not have the benefit of convenience and accessibility to charge outside the home though. I could charge at the airport where I work if I paid $10 a night for parking and the charging fee though. Again one must determine individually.

 

Even if never plugged in, the PiP should get better mileage than the standard Gen III Prius, due to:

1) The PiP battery can take a charge faster than the standard Prius, so so one can brake more aggressively without using the friction brakes. This is due to a bigger inverter, and the LiIon battery chemistry in the PiP.

2) On long downhills, the PiP has a lot more capacity to store energy, usefully putting energy in the battery long after the battery on the standard Prius is full, and the system has had to resort to engine compression braking and/or the friction brakes.