Would there be any Damage after a new Prius was left running (engine on) for over 5 weeks?

Something isn't making sense in what the dealer is telling you. Do you have another dealer option in your area?

 

Damage? Probably not. It would mean you need an oil change sooner than later. And once the engine was up to temperature it would maintain that temperature and everything runs fine.

However the dealers seems shady and I would just go somewhere else. If they can't shut a car off, why would you trust them in any other aspect of a vehicle? Drive the distance and go somewhere an hour away if you have to, but I wouldn't use them.

 

He/she stated that there is only one Toyota dealer in his/her city, and the next closest is 8-12 hours away.
If you aren't comfortable with this dealer and/or the condition of the prius (why drive something that may bother you in the back of your mind?), then either drive the long distance to the adjacent city, or wait for 2015 models to arrive (which may lower the price on the 2014's; if the one you want is still there). Try looking up the price difference through different zip codes via truecar.com (if you have not already done so). I got my local dealer to price match one of the lower-priced dealerships' truecar quote that was about two hours away. None of the options are perfect, so pick your poison.

 

You could be perfectly fine with that deal...BUT...

My philosophy is that you should start your life out with a new car, as happy and unconcerned as possible.

It would be worth it to me, to NOT have the worries, even if they were unfounded.

You're investing into a new car. I'd let the dealership worry about selling the car with the questionable history sitting on the lot. It's their problem until YOU buy it. You don't have to buy it.

The deal isn't so great that I think it makes taking any risk worth it.

 

I've bought many vehicles on the other side of the country. A $200 plane ticket can sometimes be worth not having to deal with local ineptness. A plane ticket to BC or ON and a nice drive back might be in order.

 

One thing I don't quite understand, is USUALLY my observation and experience on a dealership lot is that they keep most vehicles with a minimum of fuel in them.

I think this is to discourage long test drives.

But even with the cycling on and off of a Prius engine, I don't see how it could run 5 weeks, A: without anyone noticing and B: without running out of fuel.

 

Maybe it'd had been running a fair while, but not 5 weeks?

I know when we first test-drove ours, I suspect it'd been sitting on the (covered) lot for donkey's ages, and consequently had a dead 12 volt. I was a bit taken aback when we showed up: it was sitting in Ready, the engine cycled on while I was standing beside it. They "explained" they just wanted to warm it up.

That fell apart after the test drive, when we tried to start it again, forget what for. At that point they conceded it was dead, authorized a 12 volt replacement as a condition of sale.

 

IMO, five weeks does seem like a stretch, even if the car was FULL of gas. Honestly though, based on what you posted I agree you should hop on a plane and take your business elsewhere. Why buy something that is going to worry you for the rest of the time you own it. There will be other Pri on the horizon for you. Just look elsewhere.

IMO, The Prius V is a fine car, but it does not perform in the MPG area as well as the regular Gen III Prius does. I would not buy the Prius C unless I was a small person and just starting out. (buying first car). But everyone has their likes and dislikes. I would say that is why all the recent start ups of vehicle manufacturers have been so successful.

FWIW, your question is valid and pretty much posted in the right place. The only place that it might fit into this forum would be the main forum for the Gen III.

Last but not least "Welcome to Prius Chat"!

Best of luck to you,
Ron (dorunron)

 

You must be kidding.

The engine has over-heated, end of story. Do NOT buy that car. And for everyone's sake, refuse to put a penny in the pocket of your scummy salesperson.

 

Is 5 weeks possible (irrelevant but amusing trivia question) ?
The car consumes about 200 watts when awake
5 weeks is 5*7*24 = 840 hours
So car consumed 168 kWh
Assuming 33% thermo efficiency, that would require 168/0.33 = 504 kWh of petrol, or about 15 gallons_US.

This link is amusing and informative, regarding a Prius left in 'ready' mode

 

I would go to another dealer and the dealer you are referring to could keep that car or do whatever he would like with it. I certainly would not buy it or do business with him.

 

This scenario would mean nobody cleaned, opened or looked at the car for 5 weeks. Unless you live in a town of 100 people, this is highly unlikely. I would think they would check to make sure cars are locked at night before going home. ..... At least once a week if not daily

 

i would pass on it. every time you hear a funny noise or smell something, you're gonna think you bought a lemon.

 

The dealer wasted a tank of gas, but other than that I don't see any problems. If the car had actually run out of gas, that would be a problem.

A number of people have used their Prius as an electrical power source for days when the electricity was out. The Prius is designed to run the engine only when necessary, which means that most of the time it was off. I'm really impressed that the car could keep running for the whole 5 weeks. Any idea how much gas was left in the tank?

 

Is the hood of your car too hot to touch on a cloudy day after it has been driven for say an hour and left to sit for a while ?

Does it smell of something burnt after each drive ?

My car sure does not.

 

Come to think of it mine doesn't either. And it gets pretty hot down here. I even check my oil at every fill up. Rain, Shine, Sun or Moon. Never felt a hot hood on our Prius. Now others cars? YES, but not the Prius...

 

If the engine is hooped, think the dealership won't be selling it to someone else?

 

That salesmen is pure BS. he should change career and become a politician!

I have worked in a lexus dealership in my college years as a detailer. We prepped brand new cars for customers and had to peel that protective white plastic sheet off the paint, wash, clay bar and wax all new vehicles. NEVER do they put that plastic inside of engine bays or underneath the car. They will put them over interior seats and interior panels that are more susceptible to scratching (ie drivers side door)

So him telling you that something in the engine bay is burning off is a total lie. I know it's tempting but I would not buy that car.