I go pick up a car in two weeks and drive it home.
Any guesses?
A red, previous-gen Prius PHEV imported from Ontario and initially registered in Quebec, sporting new tires ;)
I'm pretty sure that Blueprint just nailed the guess. LOL
Well that wasn't hard at all. Yeah that's it.
"I'm still reaching for the keys to the Prius most days.....I'm going to miss it."
Good luck getting the keys!
It just makes me think I'll be a happy 3rd owner.
My daily commute to work is 8km each way. Factor in a few extra kms for errands, and I'm easily within the electric only range of the car on a daily basis. I may only have to charge it every second day.
In winter I won't be worried about the drop in EV range, because of the gas engine. I actually suspect that for a few months out of the year (January/February/March) when it's consistently below -10C, the car is just going to run in regular hybrid mode anyway.
It's already got a class 1 trailer hitch installed, so I'll be able to use my Thule bike rack from day one.
From Ron's description, the pictures, and what I know about him, I think the car is pretty sorted, even if it's high mileage. Plus this generation of Prius is known to be the most reliable generation, with basically no known problem areas.
Compared to other cars in the price range that I was looking at (which were all older, but lower mileage), this one has most of the new tech: Full Speed Radar Cruise, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, LED headlights, automatic High Beams, HUD, etc.
The ONLY downside is it doesn't have Android Auto, and there's no feasible way to add it.
Yeah, this should suit you well. My neighbour and friend have these in the red colour and both are big fans of them.
It always surprises me how stingy Toyota was about adding Android Auto/Apply Carplay.
Lol, congrats! Welcome to the partially electrified life.
Enjoy sitting in Ron's butt imprint where he has endless miles and farts accumulated. I would avoid black lights in the hatch...there are some missing grifters in his area. ;D
Thanks a lot for that image that I'll be living with for the rest of my tenure with this car.
Pretty much the risk with any used car purchase.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Jan 29, 2026, 02:53 PMIt just makes me think I'll be a happy 3rd owner.
My daily commute to work is 8km each way. Factor in a few extra kms for errands, and I'm easily within the electric only range of the car on a daily basis. I may only have to charge it every second day.
In winter I won't be worried about the drop in EV range, because of the gas engine. I actually suspect that for a few months out of the year (January/February/March) when it's consistently below -10C, the car is just going to run in regular hybrid mode anyway.
It's already got a class 1 trailer hitch installed, so I'll be able to use my Thule bike rack from day one.
From Ron's description, the pictures, and what I know about him, I think the car is pretty sorted, even if it's high mileage. Plus this generation of Prius is known to be the most reliable generation, with basically no known problem areas.
Compared to other cars in the price range that I was looking at (which were all older, but lower mileage), this one has most of the new tech: Full Speed Radar Cruise, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitoring, LED headlights, automatic High Beams, HUD, etc.
The ONLY downside is it doesn't have Android Auto, and there's no feasible way to add it.
If, after you see and drive my car, if you can honestly say you don't think it's a steal given the condition and price...I'll give you an extra $100 off. That will pay for your gas home! LOL 😆
And boohoo on the Android Auto. My new car has it and I don't see what the big deal is. What am I missing? Serious question!
Or is this just the usual millennial and younger romance and co-dependency with their phones?
Google maps (with live traffic) and access to my music app. Both are pretty useful. Sure, I can bluetooth music from my phone, but the AA interface makes it a lot easier.
Quote from: Tortoise on Jan 29, 2026, 08:48 PMGoogle maps (with live traffic) and access to my music app. Both are pretty useful. Sure, I can bluetooth music from my phone, but the AA interface makes it a lot easier.
I can listen to Spotify while at the same time I get the turn by turn Google Maps through the car speakers. The OEM map is always on the big screen, so you have a map to cross reference with already. Without Android Auto. The steering wheel also controls the music app playlist. Album, artist, song displays on the big car screen. No album art which I notice you get with AA.
Maybe it's better suited to a "power user" though I'm not sure what that would entail.
So far I'm only seeing very minor differences. Definitely not to the point where I care whether I have AA or not.
Quote from: Gurgie on Jan 16, 2026, 09:40 AMGet Ron to deliver his Prius out to you :D
Called it ;D
Congrats!! I think it fits your use case very well!!
Quote from: RRocket on Jan 29, 2026, 10:56 PMQuote from: Tortoise on Jan 29, 2026, 08:48 PMGoogle maps (with live traffic) and access to my music app. Both are pretty useful. Sure, I can bluetooth music from my phone, but the AA interface makes it a lot easier.
I can listen to Spotify while at the same time I get the turn by turn Google Maps through the car speakers. The OEM map is always on the big screen, so you have a map to cross reference with already. Without Android Auto. The steering wheel also controls the music app playlist. Album, artist, song displays on the big car screen. No album art which I notice you get with AA.
Maybe it's better suited to a "power user" though I'm not sure what that would entail.
So far I'm only seeing very minor differences. Definitely not to the point where I care whether I have AA or not.
I've had Apple Carplay and Android Auto in every vehicle for the past 10-11 years. I've used Apple Carplay I think twice during that time. I'd probably swap it for a CD/Cassette player if I'm being honest.
^this. I'd rather have a CD player than AA - except in a rental car. I **love** AA in a rental car, especially in Europe. But at home - gimme my tunes with as much purity as possible. My '22 Subawoo has a CD player, and with the h/k acoustics it's pretty damn good.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Jan 29, 2026, 02:33 PMWell that wasn't hard at all. Yeah that's it.
Congrats! My biggest surprise when I reviewed it was how comfy it was - no wonder cabbies loved them. ECO mode while in EV operation is dangerously slow in town, otherwise it's a really good commuter.
This one's in English: https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20171011/test-drive-2017-toyota-prius-prime?srsltid=AfmBOopUKnh3wz6uFX_lOJX_qCXdIQSXdpA02UrS5UFUht3893RMxeYV (https://www.autotrader.ca/editorial/20171011/test-drive-2017-toyota-prius-prime?srsltid=AfmBOopUKnh3wz6uFX_lOJX_qCXdIQSXdpA02UrS5UFUht3893RMxeYV)
Quote from: Blueprint link=msg=2250quote author=Blueprint link=msg=2250 date=1769787805]
ECO mode while in EV operation is dangerously slow in town, otherwise it's a really good commuter.
That's just not true.
I know this because that's the only mode I've ever used. :)
ECO mode just lessens throttle response and affects the climate control a bit making the car more efficient. Allegedly.
When GBA comes to get the car, I'll send him out in ECO and we'll see what he thinks! LOL 😆
Mathtime:
This gen of Prius Prime has an 8.8kWh battery that is good for 40km of range during non-cold months.
My daily commute is 16km round trip. With short errands, assume I can charge every other day, therefore assume 20km/day. Manitoba Hydro's residential rate is currently 9.970c/kWh. Therefore a full charge of the Prime's battery will cost me 88c. Divide that into 2 days, and we get 44c/day to drive to/from work and run some errands.
Compare to the CX-5:
In the summer the CX-5 averages 10-11L/100km. Let's call it 10.5L/100km. Take that 20km/day allowance from above, and I'm using 2.1L of fuel daily. With fuel currently a $1.20/L, that works out to a daily cost of $2.52 for fuel alone, or a difference of $2.08.
Assume 260 working days in a year, and that's a net savings of $540.8/year, just for driving to/from work.
Now, obviously these calculations will change, because we're not replacing the CX-5, just complementing it. So my spouse will likely end up driving more than she did, including to/from work, because now there's a car available for her to use when I'm not home, reducing our overall savings. But there's additional savings to be realized from using the Prius to transport myself and my bike to out-of-town trails. The Prius should just about double the fuel economy of the CX-5 on the 1-2hr roadtrips that I take to go biking on the weekends. So the $20-$40 that I used to spend on gas, will drop down to $10-$20.
I'm just rambling. I'm not expecting to see new savings compared to just having one single vehicle. Our insurance cost will double, and maintenance will be increased (car washes, oil changes, etc.). BUT, this seems like one of the cheapest, lowest impact ways to add the convenience of a 2nd vehicle to our family, as far as running costs go.
Quote from: GreatBigAbyss on Jan 30, 2026, 02:22 PMMathtime:
This gen of Prius Prime has an 8.8kWh battery that is good for 40km of range during non-cold months.
My daily commute is 16km round trip. With short errands, assume I can charge every other day, therefore assume 20km/day. Manitoba Hydro's residential rate is currently 9.970c/kWh. Therefore a full charge of the Prime's battery will cost me 88c. Divide that into 2 days, and we get 44c/day to drive to/from work and run some errands.
Compare to the CX-5:
In the summer the CX-5 averages 10-11L/100km. Let's call it 10.5L/100km. Take that 20km/day allowance from above, and I'm using 2.1L of fuel daily. With fuel currently a $1.20/L, that works out to a daily cost of $2.52 for fuel alone, or a difference of $2.08.
Assume 260 working days in a year, and that's a net savings of $540.8/year, just for driving to/from work.
Now, obviously these calculations will change, because we're not replacing the CX-5, just complementing it. So my spouse will likely end up driving more than she did, including to/from work, because now there's a car available for her to use when I'm not home, reducing our overall savings. But there's additional savings to be realized from using the Prius to transport myself and my bike to out-of-town trails. The Prius should just about double the fuel economy of the CX-5 on the 1-2hr roadtrips that I take to go biking on the weekends. So the $20-$40 that I used to spend on gas, will drop down to $10-$20.
I'm just rambling. I'm not expecting to see new savings compared to just having one single vehicle. Our insurance cost will double, and maintenance will be increased (car washes, oil changes, etc.). BUT, this seems like one of the cheapest, lowest impact ways to add the convenience of a 2nd vehicle to our family, as far as running costs go.
That's your nightly off peak rate? Mine is 3.9 cents.
And with my Pion Charger, I get paid 10 cents per KW hour. So a net of 6 cents. It's also available in Manitoba.
But yes, the Prius saved us so much gas, it posits for itself (insurance, etc).
Truly the best car I've ever owned and will miss it.
I hate to say this..but I have a feeling I'll be back in a Gen 4 Prius in a year or two. Or less.
Nice! A used Prius Prime is probably one of the best, if not the best, low-cost commuter cars out there. I can't think of another car that's cheaper to operate, with similar reliability and longevity. If you don't drive a ton and you're diligent with charging, I imagine you could go weeks, if not months, without filling the gas tank.
I looked at the latest generation before buying my Bolt, but there were no new ones available at the time and used ones were selling for the same as new or more. Compared to my Bolt, I couldn't justify paying an additional $15k + tax, and still have to put gas in it.
I sat in one at the dealer though (top trim). It was very impressive, although I couldn't get over the front bumper license plate mount that cannot be removed and sticks out like a sore thumb here in Quebec where there's no front plates.
Quote from: Blizzard on Jan 30, 2026, 02:45 PM, I imagine you could go weeks, if not months, without filling the gas tank.
My best tank is 4,500kms.
Lifetime average over 280k is 2.7L/100
Love it when cars trade between this group, very cool! Sounds like the Prius will be a great fit for your needs. I assume you'll fly into Windsor and drive back from there? Any planned stops or just going to mission it right through?
I've got some old friends in Hamilton/Dundas that I'll be stopping to visit. Other than that, drive through. I'll stop in Sault Ste Marie and Thunder Bay to get some rest and sleep. I'm getting too old to power through 12hr+ drives. I like to split up my days into 9-10hr drives.
Quote from: RRocket on Jan 30, 2026, 02:52 PMQuote from: Blizzard on Jan 30, 2026, 02:45 PM, I imagine you could go weeks, if not months, without filling the gas tank.
My best tank is 4,500kms.
Lifetime average over 280k is 2.7L/100
You put 280,000 km on it?!
Quote from: dkazzed on Jan 30, 2026, 05:10 PMQuote from: RRocket on Jan 30, 2026, 02:52 PMQuote from: Blizzard on Jan 30, 2026, 02:45 PM, I imagine you could go weeks, if not months, without filling the gas tank.
My best tank is 4,500kms.
Lifetime average over 280k is 2.7L/100
You put 280,000 km on it?!
180k are mine
All highway kms, baby! What's the saying... 10 highway kms equal 1 city km?
Quote from: RRocket on Jan 30, 2026, 01:47 PMQuote from: Blueprint link=msg=2250quote author=Blueprint link=msg=2250 date=1769787805]
ECO mode while in EV operation is dangerously slow in town, otherwise it's a really good commuter.
That's just not true.
I know this because that's the only mode I've ever used. :)
ECO mode just lessens throttle response and affects the climate control a bit making the car more efficient. Allegedly.
When GBA comes to get the car, I'll send him out in ECO and we'll see what he thinks! LOL 😆
Oh yes it's true. I felt like a sloth surrounded by chipmunks on Red Bull on downtown streets. Getting out of a yellow in a hurry was not possible. Only older XC 90 PHEV's were more scary slow to react. My tester was a 2017 - software updates may have changed things at some point.
ECO modes this slow are rare these days. The Sonata and Palisade hybrids are just fine in ECO, as are most cars these days - even the new Prius PHEV ;)
Quote from: Blueprint on Jan 31, 2026, 01:45 PMOh yes it's true.
Well I have no idea what you're talking about. Truly.
I've used it in downtown Detroit, Toronto, Indy, etc....Like I said, I never use anything but ECO.
And compared to Detroit, Montreal traffic is like being in a relaxation vault! LOL 😆
And yet, here I am to tell the tale!
Just handed the keys and car to GBA and his lovely wife. Really nice people! After a very efficient exchange, they were on their way!
They have a teeny road ahead of them, so I was glad they were able to be on their way home without delay. Am curious what his L/100km will be for this journey!
Also, I deliberately left the car in EV ECO mode to see if his life felt threatened! LOL 😆
Safe travels GBA! Enjoy the trip, hope the weather is decent.
(https://i.ibb.co/wrZ9Q4sW/IMG-20260215-185212.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zHWy2ZJR)
A pic of a misanthrope and a borderline autistic fellow (or so my spouse tells me).
We made it to the Sault today. No problems. Eco mode didn't try to kill me.
4.6l/100km between Burlington and The Soo despite having a depleted battery when starting out (charger at the hotel was bogarted by a Fusion Energi)