GBA's New to Him Beater

[Johnnymac]

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.

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.

[Blueprint]

^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.

[Blueprint]

Well 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

[RRocket]

quote 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 😆

[GreatBigAbyss]

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.

[RRocket]

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.

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.

[Blizzard]

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.

[RRocket]

, 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

[Firm]

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?

[GreatBigAbyss]

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. 

[dkazzed]

, 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?!

[RRocket]

, 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

[GreatBigAbyss]

All highway kms, baby!  What's the saying... 10 highway kms equal 1 city km?

[Blueprint]

quote 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

[RRocket]

Oh 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!