Wow, 279k miles with the original transaxle fluid. If it has been reliable, I would say keep it and see how far it goes.
Just turned over 200,000 miles! 2005 Pkg #9 purchased February 2, 2005 Date hit 200,000 miles - December 30, 2009 Orignal brakes Transaxle and coolant change at 100,000 Oil change every 35,000 miles (Amsoil) 5 oil changes with a new filter every six months Replaced driver side wheel bearing assembly at 100,000 fourth set of tires, now have Pirelli Cintarato 195/60 42 MPG average over lifetime, including towing 2 and 3 motorcycles and many bicycles on the back 30 cents per mile considering the total purchase price/maintenance/insurance cost rear ended at about 150,000 miles (Their insurance fixed like new)
Did the work myself. Toyota made the work easy by requireing the whole assembly be replaced. Found the part for about $150 from Hoy Toyota in Texas. Usually the part is like $450. Haven't checked the price in the past two years though. Took about 2 hours because I was taking my time and wanted to be careful with the ABS/Traction control shield
An update. Im at 238,000 miles. Replaced rear shocks last month. New spark plugs this week. Tie rod ends replaced in November. Rear wheel bearing in November or early December..cant remember.
2nd set of Spark Plugs right? How did you know to change the rear wheel bearing? Does it get louder over time to the point you realized something must be wrong? Did MPG drop?
We just bought a 2006 Certified Used Prius with 67k w/ nav,rear camera, 6 pack CD player, and traded in my 2001 Honda Insight with 284,000 miles to the same dealer. It didn't burn any oil! Oil changed: every 3-3,500 miles. New IMA controller and battery pack at 148k under warranty. New main computer at 210k under warranty. over the life of the car- 5 sets of tires(kept inflated at 45-47 psi) front main engine seal. 110k and 210 k services 2 sets of brake pads It was a great car. -------------------------------------------------------- Also own a 1999 Toyota Tacoma p/u with 238,000 miles, orig motor and automatic trans, doesn't burn any oil. Engine oil changed every 3-4k. Just routine services done.
I was talking about the Insight warranty items replaced. Honda had a great warranty for items I had replaced. Hopefully, the newer Prius will keep going past 200k miles like my Tacoma truck has done so far
Our 2001 has 371,000 km on it (about 260,000 miles). And it looks like we're finally putting her out to pasture. She's worth about $2000 on a trade in at best, and she needs about $2000 in repairs for wheel bearings, leaky struts and sway bar link connectors. I'm gonna miss her.
Why don't you donate it to a High School Trade school? I'd bet they'd love to have a hybrid to tinker around with. Plus maybe you get a tax deduction?
I'm still on the original HV battery. Our A/C died a few years ago, and on very hot days when traveling on the highway we had the hybrid warning light go on. We were told the first couple times it was a weak cell in the battery (different cell each time). The last time it went off in August '08 we figured we'd save the cost of having it checked out, and it's run fine ever since with the little yellow check engine light on. I've posted her story on Toronto Craigslist cars section. I'll give it a couple of weeks to see if I get any bites, and if not, I might take her to a Prius specialist to see if she can become a parts donor.
Yes !! 06' over 200k -Wheel bearing @87K, inverter coolant pump?@197K. Uses a half quart of oil every 4k.
My Silver '05 is at 180K right now..should hit 200 by late summer. Full report at that time!! But it has been the best car I've ever owned as far as reliability goes!