Do you think a Prius could go 1,000,000 miles?

I guess my problem is I'm not that old.

 

Trust me on this one, don't consider that a problem

 

Yes, you're quire right, the other cars have had plenty of repairs along the way, but not nearly as expensive as what it would cost the Prius to take it to that many miles. Prius parts are very very expensive, especially the hybrid components. Prius can do it, but way too much money when compared with non-hybrid cars.

 

You are all missing the point. The way to keep an old car running is, and always has been, to use parts salvaged from wrecked cars. They are inexpensive and available for any car that sold in large numbers for a long period of time (2004-2009 for the Gen2 Prius, and 2010 t0 2015? for the Gen3).

For those calling cars from earlier eras "POS", there were always exceptions. Some engines could last forever (Chevy 283, Pontiac 350, Ford 289, ...) with periodic maintenance. Most manual transmissions were bulletproof as were a small number of early automatics (Oldsmobile 4 speed Hydromatic)

JeffD

 

well said.

 

Jeff, I agree there were exceptions, but they were exceptions not the general rule. In the 1950s, an engine or automatic transmission that made it to 100,000 miles without internal work were something to brag about. Now an engine or automatic transmission that doesn't make it to 100,000 miles without internal work is legitimate cause for complaint.

As a high school student, USAF Airman, then college student, I kept cars alive with parts from the wrecking yards during that era. Problem was that then most 10 year old engines and automatic tranmissions you got from a wrecking yard weren't good for much more than a core to rebuild. Now there are loads of good 10 year old parts in wrecking yards.

 

I haven't read all the thread, but regarding this very very high mileage, some preventive maintenance must be made to engine components.
Example timing chain - it is said as "lifetime", but lifetime definition is a narrow window compared to a 1 million mile long life...

 

I don't think Pruis has a timing chain! does it?

 

Gen III has a timing chain but I am not aware of any scheduled replacement mileage or wear inspection criteria. It's a roller chain so with good design it could have life of well over 150k miles. I expect it and the sprockets would need to be replaced before 1,000,000 miles a few times though.

 

Thanks!

 

All Prii have timing chains, is part of VVTI of engine families 1NZ and 2ZR.
I believe all Toyota petrol engines feature valve timing for some time, whether VVTI or Valvematic.

 

I am a proud owner of 2010 prius with 187k miles. Will be Getting to 200k pretty soon. Mpg is between 45-50 normal with some aggressive driving. 10k oil changes ( no burn) , 30k atf oil changes. I will drive it as much as possible

So are you guys saying that I should think about replacing the timing chain ?

 

I'm sure its expensive to replace, and you have no idea if it needs replacement, so if you don't mind a tow if it breaks, I would just ignore it.

 

Sure, a Prius could do it, just like any car can, IF YOU WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY ON IT TO GET IT THERE. I sure would not do it. I would hate to think about the breakdowns you would have trying to accomplish that.

 

No, it will make noticeable noise and warn you before it breaks (if ever). My 2004 Prius has 260k miles and no timing chain noise yet.

JeffD

 

Have you priced Lexus or Mercedes parts? Toyota parts are cheap!

 

jdenenberg beat me to it. Price out USED parts, and then take into account repair frequency. The sky-high adoption of Prius by taxi drivers (when they have a choice) should tell you something.

As an aside, I suspect that the owners of 1 kk mile cars also perform at the very least the easy maintenance and repairs themselves.

 

Thanks.
Other than that what else do you think it my need changes. What about the coolant for the hybrid system ?

 

True, but not only Prius leads you there by the mark with lower fuel and maintenance costs, nor a newer car is a better investment - depreciation costs are way over any repair costs...
What kills a car? Obsolescence, being tired of, scrap scheme, rust out.

 

I think the scaremongering about price of Prius parts is a furphy. Try replacing a transmission in any normal ICE vehicle built in the last ten years and compare the price to major parts in a Prius such as inverter or HV battery.

On a different note I drove a '74 Hi Ace with the 1600 cc motor, fitted out as a campervan, for 1,000,000 miles, i.e. 1,600,000 kms.