Bad idea? Possible bad idea. Again.

"JMKarstetter" (jmkarstetter)
06/18/2019 at 01:24 • Filed to: None

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So, I’m looking at purchasing something more economical than my Land Cruiser and my Taurus SHO, and right now I’ve narrowed it down to two vehicles. Either a used BMW i3 REx w/ Tech package or a used 2016 Prius Four Touring. I have about a 65-70 mile commute for work at least 5 days a week, and both of my other vehicles typically average 14MPG (LC) or 18MPG (SHO).

My biggest issue is that we take a family trip at least once per year and usually we go over 1000 miles. And I’m not sure how big of a pain in the rear taking the i3 on a trip that far would be even though it will have the range extender, I will still have to fill up a LOT.

I know the Prius will give me more room and stuff for those trips, but it won’t really be needed most of the time, as we use the Land Cruiser or SHO for almost everything anyway.

I really like the look of the i3 and the newer Prius isn’t bad either. I think the i3 would suit me better in the long run as I am currently hoping to be living a lot closer to work in the next year, whether moving closer or getting promoted to the job I want that is only a couple miles away from home. I also feel like I would have a better time with the i3 at Cars and Coffee and the like because it is more unique and not a Prius.

So here is where it becomes a possibly bad idea, I would be taking whichever one I choose on a trip to California from here in Oklahoma for our family trip for the 4th of July week. How bad of an idea is it to drive an i3 that far, especially one that will be entirely new to me over taking a Prius with Toyota’s legendary reliability and is a CPO vehicle? Also I’d only have to fill the Prius a few times, whereas the i3 wouldn’t miss a gas station.

So what say you Oppo?

DISCUSSION (10)

LastFirstMI is my name > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 02:21

Buy the car that would make you happy for 51 weeks out of the year, and rent a minivan for the long trips. We do this every year and love the unbeatable convenience of a minivan for road trips, without having to be My Life Is A Sad Compromise Minivan Guy the other 51 weeks. Think about it! Also don’t buy from those douchenozzles at Jackie Cooper BMW, drive to Dallas or Tulsa. Good luck!

JMKarstetter > LastFirstMI is my name
06/18/2019 at 02:34

I would be getting it from a dealer in Dallas. I went to Jackie Cooper the other day and the sales person was kind of rude and didn’t know much about the car. He insisted the range extender was useless and that I should just pick a different car, as the range extender only let’s the car do 40 MPH when the battery is low, which is incorrect.

Also my Land Cruiser usually fills the spot of a road trip vehicle, but this time we are going to LA and San Francisco ad figured the smaller more economical vehicle would save us a lot of hassle and money. And we don’t intend to off-road this trip.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 02:59

Not the Prius...once it’s drained the battery (which it will do quickly) , it’s just an overweight Corolla with a Yaris engine. If you must consider Toyota Hybrid then go with the Camry.

Can’t speak for the i3 as, in Australia, they are about as popular as an exploding toilet. But then that might tell you something too.

JMKarstetter > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media
06/18/2019 at 03:24

I actually had a Prius C for a little over a year and liked it, I never had an issue with the battery getting that low even taking it on a couple of longer (~500 mile) trips. Unless you are talking about the plug in model, which is not the one I would be getting.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 07:18

At the mileage you’re currently getting, even a car that gets 30-35 mpg will be a massive improvement.

Which means you don’t have to give up all semblance of life.

TheRealBicycleBuck > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 07:26

Just be sure to run the numbers. When I was commuting 80 miles one-way (oof!) in my truck, I was thinking about getting something with better mileage. My mom, the accountant, pointed out that it was probably more economical to keep driving the truck when I accounted for all of the costs. - E ven though I could save some money on gas, the new car payment and the increased insurance would have made my situation worse, not better.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 09:04

I don’t think the i3 range extender is meant for that kind of usage. There’s been a class action lawsuit about slow speeds using the range extender when the battery is depleted and I seem to recall hearing that BMW might have told owners it’s not designed for the kind of use you’re thinking (long extended duration) .

LastFirstMI is my name > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 10:03

Let us know what you pick, and if you do end up taking either the i3 or Prius off-roading please take lots of pictures :)

NojustNo > JMKarstetter
06/18/2019 at 15:05

Its Not as roomy but have you tried a volt? Since they are going away likely deals to be had.

JMKarstetter > LastFirstMI is my name
06/19/2019 at 00:08

There is no way I would let myself take either off- road without photos.