Smoking Hot Deal – New 2021 Toyota Prius Prime LE for $15,787 + TTL and Reg

Discussion in 'In the News' started by xcel, Apr 8, 2021.

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  1. MaxxMPG

    MaxxMPG Hasta Lavista AAA-Vee Von't Be Bach

    Remember that the hybrid DCT accelerates from a stop using the electric motor, which starts from 0 rpm. There is no need to slip the clutch to get the car moving so clutch wear is much less. If you "get on it", you will feel the car move under EV and then the motor joins in after about 5-7mph. It feels like an early shift after you accidentally pressed the "turbo" button.
    Another quirk of the hybrid's DCT is that the clutches and gear train are between the traction motor and the drive wheels, so downshifting as the car slows is much more noticeable. Since the motor is used for regenerative braking, the shifting will feel more abrupt because the motor is doing much of the braking, and so it applies the "next" clutch firmly enough to keep the braking force consistent. In the gas engine models, the downshifting only needs to send enough energy back from the wheels through the gears to keep the crankshaft spinning as the car slows. The energy from the wheels isn't being used to recharge the battery, which soaks up a lot more power to store in the pack.
     
    MaxxMPG, Sep 22, 2025
    #81
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  2. EdwinTheMagnificent

    EdwinTheMagnificent amateur hypermiler

    That's why I'm not too worried.
     
    EdwinTheMagnificent, Sep 22, 2025
    #82
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  3. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Hi All:

    A 2026 update as the 21 Prius Prime surpassed 378k miles...

    [​IMG]
    KBB finally came up with a more realistic TIV for a 21 Prius Prime with 378k miles. The TCO/mile calculation increased by just over a penny. ;)​

    [​IMG]
    Just $850 TIV in Good condition which appears to be much more realistic than $7.8k from the 350k mile update.​

    Which brings us to the latest TCO calcs.

    For the 378k mile update, I performed two DIY OCs, consumed fuel to drive 27.9k miles, plus 5 TN Home charges at $0.169/kWh ($5.07) and one free Volta to drive 192 miles.

    This period's fuel and electricity cost(s):

    Gasoline: 27.9k miles at 71 mpg = 392.9 gallons at an average price of $2.87/gallon = $1,127.62
    Electricity: 192 miles from 5 full 6.1 kWh charges at $0.169/kWh = $5.07

    M&R additions: (2) DIY Synthetic OCs: $63.00

    All in costs from new through 378k miles

    Fuel Cost(s) to date: $16,370 for gasoline and $357 for electricity = $16,727
    Depreciation - $14,937
    Insurance - $3,700
    Maintenance and Repair - $2,896
    CA TTL - $2,673
    TN Plates and Registration - $604

    Total Cost of ownership = $41,537 or $0.109/mile after 378.1k miles.

    Fuel still costs real $s but this period I experienced some of the lowest fuel costs since driving it off the lot. And I still not dare plug in in CA due to the $0.50.kWh rates. While I expect a major repair to appear every time I push the start button, so far, nothing. Not even a brake job. :)

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Feb 6, 2026
    #83
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  4. BillLin

    BillLin electric everything with solar and geothermal

    And by 'like' I mean love it!
     
    BillLin, Feb 6, 2026
    #84
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  5. DaveJ

    DaveJ Well-Known Member

    Very impressive Wayne! Thanks for updating.
     
    DaveJ, Feb 8, 2026
    #85
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  6. DriveYourWay87

    DriveYourWay87 New Member

    378k miles and still no brake job is genuinely impressive! that regenerative braking is really doing its job ;)
     
    DriveYourWay87, Mar 2, 2026
    #86
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  7. EdwinTheMagnificent

    EdwinTheMagnificent amateur hypermiler

    Or maybe Wayne's considerable driving expertise.
     
    EdwinTheMagnificent, Mar 2, 2026
    #87
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  8. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    Hi Dave J.:

    You are welcome!

    DriveYourWay87, that big Li-Ion pack has been a regenerative gold mine for sure. Using the brakes far less less than most is where the savings really occur. ;)

    The 2021 Prius Prime now has over 383k miles but this post will not be about that.

    I have a full round trip TCO on a 2010 Prius that Jesse R. sold this morning. I may have a few minor edits but this is really close to the actual.

    2010 Toyota Prius

    [​IMG]
    Parked along the road in Stuttgart, AR.​

    Purchased for $3k with 207,311 and sold for $4k at 244,810 miles.

    KBB shows the following TIV and PP values for this 2010 Prius III in Fair/Good condition.

    TIV: $850/$1,400
    PP: $3,005/$3,955

    Depreciation: - $1k over 37,499 miles and 9-months of ownership
    TTL and Reg: $350
    Maintenance and Repair included the following: $490 (OCs) + $60 (air and cabin filters) + $25 (wipers) + $100 (coolant swap) + $360 (plugs and coils) + $700 (HV Junction block) + $250 (used tires) + $540 (rental cars for pickup and when broken down on the road plus the fuel to drive them back and forth) + $50 (alignment) + car washes ($135) = $2,780
    Fuel over 37,499 miles at 45 mpg at (833.3 gallons) at ~ $2.70/gallon = $2,250
    Insurance: $1,312

    Total cost of $5,692 over 37,499 miles = $0.152/mile. Not bad for purchasing a Prius with that many miles and possible maintenance headaches or being stranded somewhere a possibility. The new HV Junction box and extra rental car caused exactly that. Most well used vehicles have a TCO measured with a 3 or 4 handle vs a 1.5 handle like this one did given the low upfront price he picked it up for.

    Wayne
     
    xcel, Mar 8, 2026 at 3:26 AM
    #88
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