Prius--Trouble Free-or Trouble

I have no regret with my purchase...Nothing is a 100% perfect, imperfection and flaws are a part of life. I didn't purchase this piece of machinery for the "green" aspect instead I went after the technology which is just a stepping stone for things to come in the automotive industry.

 

I don't know what boards you are looking at. Here most complaints are about beeping in reverse, being tailgated, and not getting over 50 MPG.

 

I have over 47,000 miles and zero repairs.

 

I think you'll find your perception of the Prius's problems is skewed by one thing - if one person has a problem they tend to post here looking for help with a solution. You never hear from the hundreds/thousands of others who have no problems day by day, except for a few who post their excellent mileage stories, modification suggestions, and other similar things.

In the years I've owned Priuses (started with a 2007, bought a 2008 for my wife, then traded mine for a 2010 with the sunroof) I've had nothing but excellent mileage and trouble-free driving, with only routine oil changes and simple convenience modifications over the total 65,000 miles or so.

Also in these boards are the folks who like to stir up trouble by making outrageous claims about how bad their cars are, with no real truth behind them. They tend to be the longest posters, with the longest threads after them replying to shed light and truth over the original claims.

So I'd say don't worry about it, buy one and see for yourself what a wonderful car it is!

 

This forum is a double edged sword; Sure some threads make it look like the Prius has a lot of issues, but should you ever have any of those issues, this forum has a cornucopia of knowledge and help.

Above all you might read a lot of bad things here about the Prius because generally, the people with problems are a more outspoken group. The fact that we see so many positive threads, as well as elated new owners, is a testament to what an amazing car the Prius really is.

 

I agree with all the others.....although I only have 5000+ miles on my 2010 III. I really enjoy driving it....seeing my MPG go up, as I learn to control what it does. If you look closely at a lot of the post on PriusChat....they come from owners that don't read the owners manual and thus don't know what is actually happening. Some posters will come up against a bad dealers service department, that looks bad for the Prius & Toyota. Buy the car from a good dealer, have a salesman that knows the Prius...have him explain everything to you, have him answer all your questions.

Buy the Prius......it's a great car. !!!!

 

It's sampling bias - people only start threads when they have problems. And with over 71,000 members, *somebody* is going to have a problem on any given day. Nobody starts a thread just to say "Well, it's another Tuesday, and my Prius is performing exactly to my expectations. Just thought you guys should know."

 

Heh, yeah, it can look like the Prius is nothing but trouble if you go by what people post here! Rest assured, it's a very reliable car and a technological marvel! The main things to keep in mind are don't expect to get 50mpg, at least right off the bat and in the dead of winter! It's not a BMW or Mercedes, so it won't rise to that level of quality in terms of fit and finish... It also won't be spending as much, if any, time in the shop for mechanical problems as those cars! Have the dealer turn off the reverse beep and passenger seatbelt chime as a condition of the sale, trust me, you'll be happier! If you have access to a outlet at home, have the dealer install an engine block heater! It'll get you a few more mpg's in the Minnesota winters! Now go get one!

 

Actually some people do.

 

i have 2 prii...an 04 and 09...the 04 has 144,500 miles on it and counting...no issues but routine care...still have original brakes...the 09 has 41000 miles on it with no issues but routine care...a few recall scenerios but other than that im getting 40-42mpgs winter time with crappy e-10 winter blend gas and around 48-50 summer...both cars have done multiple long haul trips cross country in excess of 7000miles with no issues...

 

Hi Keriden,

Allot of what you are seeing on here is petty stuff, mostly based on inexperience and ignorance. The cold weather fuel economy threads are about the most blatant of these.

And some of the recent coments are downright gurellia anti-marketing.

Your going to get the best out-the-door price on a new Prius right now. The value car buyer marketplace is depressed. People are buying on price. And this is leaving allot of Prius cars on the lot. The Prius has got to be the best value car out there, but performance (any kind - mileage) costs more up-front. For the size of the car, its has the least total cost of ownership of any new car.

Just because somebody says "Toyota does not care", is hardly evidence of that. And may just be somebody trying to gore Toyota.

So, do not be scared off by any single post on here regarding the Prius. Rent one and see what you think. The traction battery is a total non-issue. And the simplicty of the transmission, results in great service life. There are no starters, alternators or brake wear maintenance over the life of the car. Well, you might want to get the brakes done after 150 K miles. Hell, the 2010 does not even have any belt drives to be serviced.

A salesman aquantance of mine called the other day. We bought 2006's about the same time. He got his first warning light on his car this week, at 180 K miles. Most likely he needs an O2 sensor, or spark plugs. Can't beat that.

 

I cannot image that an interest group this large for any of my previous cars could possibly have produced any better results.

One would have come fairly close, but only one.

 

Agreed--this has been the case on every one of the many car forums I've participated in over the years.

 

I think it's safe to say that Prius owners collectively are among the happiest and most satisfied with their purchases. I know I am.

 

I drive one and sale them. I sent all my new prius own to prius chat. I have learn more here then anywhere esle. I have not meet a prius new or old owner that was not happy with life.just all cool pp. They and I love the car!!!

 

My 2010 has over 10,000 miles now, got 60 mpg summers, 53 mpg winters. Runs great, no problems. Have 4 friends with a wide range of from 2000 - 2010, no one has had any problems. It is a safe buy

 

21,000 miles on my 2010 and no problems. Averaging 48 mpg.

I would recommend one to my best friend.

 

I only have about 1,000 miles on my 2010 but so far it seems to be the best all around car I have owned. I'm only getter 46-47 mpg but this is way better than any other car I had except for a Metro. And the Prius is 100 times the car the Metro was.

Plenty of room for four. Purchased some 10 foot plastic pipe the other day and it fit right in. Hold all my purchases just fine and the high loading height is easy on the back. Back seat folds flat for big boxes and gear. I'm going to sell my mini-van because I think the Prius will do anything I want it to do.

My sister has a 2002 with well over 100,000 miles with zero problems. I hope mine does as well.

TED

 

95000 miles with no problems at all, .... oh I just remembered I had a number plate light bulb die.