I hate car shopping

[special]

After locating the title of the old car and solving other minor issues on my mind, it's time to send them the title and while waiting for that $7k check, think about how much i want to spend on a "newer" car.

I was considering a Tesla before Elon got involved in politics. My friend says I should de-couple politics from practical purchases and get a Tesla. Wife says NO EFFING WAY. My other friends agree with her.

So I am looking at plug in hybrids and I am considering a Prius or RAV4 but that's still a lot of cash for a new car.

How reliable are Toyota PHEV? I know they are the pioneer of hybrid vehicles but I am not sure if they mastered the plug in part. I usually keep the cars a very long time, the old Volt was 2014 and I was hoping to get another 5-6 years out of it. there is little if any battery degradation on a 11 year old car with 2000 battery cycles.

Typing this out loud maybe I should look for a used but newer Volt, I think the last model year was 2019 which means a 6 year old car with no warranty at this point. So maybe back to a new Prius and buy some extended factory warranty?


BTW wife started a new job, 47 miles each way, 3-4 times per week. So maybe get her a safe, modern efficient car and I take her old SUV since I don't commute much?

[Fritz]

FWIW, our mech says yota PHEV are his fave in the price range.
And actually, yota of any sort, especially where CVTs are involved.
Cousin and friends have owned a few Prius and all been pretty happy.

Me, I'd still go Volvo. Quality and beastly of build. Creature comforts.
Audio system. Though I'd prolly go CPO or leased.
And 2 good experiences with a S60 and S90. Although this time I'd choose a different dealer.

OBTW - https://www.dealerrater.com/

[clay]

I would probably skip the pipe dream of finding a plugin hybrid (at least a Toyota). Rare as hens teeth, at least around here. Unless you can wait for a new car and don't mind the $$.

I mentioned in one of your earlier threads about the Kia Niro. I have the pure EV version, bought a '22 a few months ago (about $20k). CPO from a dealer. About 250 miles of range. I know they also have a hybrid version. I'd say if you can find a decent deal on a slightly used EV, that might be your best bet. Gets you into an EV which should meet your needs, especially if you still have another non-EV vehicle for those situations where you want infinite/easy range.

We had great luck with Priuses as well over 10 years. They were super reliable and cheeeeeeap to operate.

Just a thought.

[jdc]

Toyota PHEV is what others aspire to. volts are great tech... so much so that they got rid of them...?

If you are concerned with longevity, and are not gonna buy new, then I will recommend CarMax and their extended warranty.

if you have never been to a carmax before, they are awesome. walk in, talk to no one, sit in every car they have on the lot... and walk out. They will say "have a nice day" on your way out. And that's it.

2015, 50K miles, loaded, get the warranty out to 100-125K miles.... https://www.carmax.com/car/27173514

[Acer]

Carmax and Carvana will get you access to models that may be rare in your area, such as PHEVs. For a long time Toyota didn't even sell PHEVs outside of CA and the northeast coast. Won't be a bargain, may have to ship 2000 miles, but you'll at least have a choice,

If you want longevity, I really think Toyota is the way to go. In ten years, you'll still be able to find cells and replacement batteries because Toyota is cranking them out. Other manufacturers have been hot and cold on hybrids, sometimes dropping them from the line-up for years before bringing them back (e.g. Honda Civic). I worry the commitment will affect the ability to keep the hybrid systems in good repair for the long haul.

[AllGold]

Car shopping can be stressful and really exhausting.

You can't go wrong with a Prius, plug-in or otherwise. Just get a 2015 or newer because the 2010-2014s had some engine problems that commonly showed up with higher miles.

If you just want a cheap car that you can buy with cash to get you by for a while, you could see what's available in an older generation Toyota Prius (2005-2009). Really, any older Toyota would get you by for a while (hybrid or not).

You could get another Volt or maybe a used Bolt or Bolt EUV. GM also makes a few other EVs now like the Equinox EV or Blazer EV, but those only came out recently so there will be few if any available used. They also have the Cadillac Lyriq EV (Hello, Speedy) that's been around for several years so there should be some used.

If I were going to get a Kia or Hyundai, I'd stick with a pure EV.

Finally, you might recall that I got a Ford C-Max Energi (plug-in hybrid) a while ago and I absolutely love it. The C-Max also is available in a version that is just a regular hybrid (no plug-in) which actually gets a little better mileage than the Energi when the Energi is run on gas only.

The Ford Fusion also comes in both regular hybrid and Energi versions. Both the Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi have a pretty limited range on EV-only at just 20 miles, but it's enough to get you around town without burning any gas.

[mattkime]

For you I'd recommend a used Ioniq 5 or similar. Based on your wife's commuting, she's perfect for an electric car. It might sound silly but the main thing stopping me from buying one is we don't drive enough and half our yearly milage is road trips.

[Markintosh]

It's tough to make a recommendation for you you without knowing your specific needs. But PHEVs are the worst of both worlds right now. Back when the Volt was introduced it was the cats pajamas for sure, but the technology of EV's is so much better than back then.

Most people don't realize that they are perfect candidates for just charging at home on a 110v charger, which generally can get you about 40 miles of range overnight. If you're just taking a few longer trips a year, just dial back your pace and accept that charging stops give you time to walk or read a book or eat something.

Bolt EV, Kia Niro, and many other great deals out there that are not a Tesla.

[Rolando]

AllGold wrote:
GM also makes a few other EVs now like the Equinox EV or Blazer EV, but those only came out recently so there will be few if any available used. They also have the Cadillac Lyriq EV (Hello, Speedy) that's been around for several years so there should be some used.

I'm liking the GM EVs. Seem to be a good product at a good price. But one thing gives me pause.

They are a bespoke platform, not a converted one like the KIA Niro.

Given that, they have a really long hood, just as long as their ICE equivlents, but no frunk, Why?
The T*sla products have a shorter hood, but a have a frunk. The Ford Mach-E does as well,
The Hyundai/Kia Dedicated EVs do not, but they have a very short hood.

So if GM got something so basic about an EV wrong, what else did they get wrong?

[GGD]

Rolando wrote:
I'm liking the GM EVs. Seem to be a good product at a good price. But one thing gives me pause.

I believe that GM also made a conscious decision to drop CarPlay support from all of their EVs starting in I think 2024.