Opportunity for 2022 RAV 4 Prime

[andrew_j]

Hello

I have an opportunity to purchase a 2022 RAV Prime SE with 74k for $25k - $4k EV tax credit. I know owner and it would make a slightly expensive commuter for me. Charging the 40 miles it can run pure EV is completely free at work. It would go 100 miles round trip to work/back over two weeks per month(1000/month in work commute).

The negative I see is cloth dark interior that looks dirty now. I would pay for detail and hopefully it would not look so dirty inside, I wish it was leatherette.

Positives are 40MPG when hybrid and AWD so I can take this skiing.

The battery/hybrid warranty is 8yrs/150k miles. It would likely only be driven 15k/year.

Thoughts?

 

[bullwinkle]

Can't argue with the price! I would love to find an FWD one of those for that price here.

 

[Oldwolf]

I'd like to have a RAV4 hybrid myself. But in this case, why not consider an EV?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I'd like to have a RAV4 hybrid myself. But in this case, why not consider an EV?

Its a plug in hybrid - best of both worlds.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Can't argue with the price! I would love to find an FWD one of those for that price here.

Pretty sure there only AWD. All the Toyota Rav4 hybrids are - electric motor front and back.

 

[SC Maintenance]

The price is really good. People were lining up for those a couple years ago.

If you hate the interior color you hate it. If you can get over that I don't know how you loose - especially with free charging at work.

 

[Oldwolf]

There are some issues with only running the primes in EV mode for long periods. Something about stale fuel causing engine troubles.

 

[SC Maintenance]

There are some issues with only running the primes in EV mode for long periods. Something about stale fuel causing engine troubles.

People run them 100% in EV mode, and the engines don't use up the fuel before it goes stale. If fuel sits for a year, yes it will go bad. Not the cars fault.

OP has a 50 mile one way commute and a 40 mile EV range, so he likely use about 0.6 gallons per trip +/-. So in his case a tank likely lasts 3 weeks and shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Oldwolf]

I'd be inclined to use the charger at the office so that I would start my home journey with a full battery.

 

[zzyzzx]

Since when are cloth seats considered a negative???

 

[SC Maintenance]

Since when are cloth seats considered a negative???

Matter of taste. Lots of variation in cloth. I like the textured cloth in my two NIssan's. I hate the velvety cloth in many cars.

Also, keeping clean is obviously a disadvantage.

 

[millerbl00]

Too many miles for the price

 

[GenSan]

Go for it!
Just did an oil change this morning (Ravenol 0W-16 EFE + FE)on a 2024 R4P XSE. And I'm enjoying this little thing and driving it like a Supra and it still returns 40-60 MPG. Worst was driving in Charge Mode and getting 19MPG on the highway with a heavy foot. It just rolled 12,000 miles and it arrived from Japan on July 25.

 

[supton]

Have you run the numbers? cost per year, cost per mile, TCO.

Might be AWD but don’t forget, tires kinda matter in snow. And didn’t RAV4 hybrid have wiring harness issues in the rear motor area?

Check insurance cost. I was sad to find that my Corolla costs more than my Camry.

 

[andrew_j]

Since when are cloth seats considered a negative???

They look really dirty easily including my 2015 Pilot and this car. My wife’s Tiguan has leatherette which you wipe clean with damp cloth and looks new.

 

[I<3oil]

Since when are cloth seats considered a negative???

Since 2002

 

[2005jettatdi]

Explain the tax credit. While this vehicle appears to qualify for the $4K tax credit, that is only if it is purchased through a dealer.

 

[The Critic]

Complexity of a plug-in hybrid kinda scares me compared to a conventional hybrid. Look at the how the battery is cooled compared to a "traditional hybrid."

Explain the tax credit. While this vehicle appears to qualify for the $4K tax credit, that is only if it is purchased through a dealer.

There are some online services that will do some shenanigans to allow for private party sales to get the credit.

 

[zyxelenator]

Go for it, just keep in mind it may be hard to keep in EV mode only over certain speed or if you hit gas pedal a bit harder(read up). I had 2 PHEVs 2014 Volt and 2018 Mitsu Outlander PHEV. In Volt you could mash gas pedal to the floor and it will still use only battery and electric motor all the way up to speed limiter. (Was fun especially in sport mode). As Volt was made as EREV (extended range EV where gas engine works as generator in most cases) and Mitsu was more of traditional hybrid that can drive in full EV mode under certain conditions. (speed, engine load, battery level).

P.S. do not get 1st gen Outlanders-- battery degradation/ battery sw issues.

If you don't really need AWD look for used Bolt/Bolt EUV. Their prices tanked(average Joe is afraid of past recalls associated with some battery fires, but a smart Joe realizes that he gets a brand new/safe battery, often even in high milage example. ((There are cases I saw where GM were replacing packs on cars with already 180k miles on the clock with a brand new one)) they are simple and very low on operating cost. Also eligible for 4k rebate.

 

[andrew_j]

Explain the tax credit. While this vehicle appears to qualify for the $4K tax credit, that is only if it is purchased through a dealer.

The transaction/title would happen thru an entity with dealer license. They are selling thru this third party.