Finally had to do some work on my Prius.....

Folks,

I have not had to do anything on my DD 2005 Prius since 2014...oil and gas, change cabin filter, clean air filter...that's it.

On Friday night, to my surprise, I had only one headlight!!! Could it really be? Something actually broke on this car?

Bought the bulb ($12), struggled to get the light replaced...1 hr and several skinned knuckles later...back in business.

2014 -> 140km, today -> 265km.....120km and nothing broken??????? A halogen bulb that lasted 14 years??? Crazy.

I'm not quite sure what they made these cars out of, but they should do another run of them....best car I've ever owned.

Faz

 

Big time! I've had some pretty durable cars in my time...83 Tercel, 95 Integra, 98 Volvo V70, 96 Golf 1.8L....all over 300k before I sent them on their way. You could tell they were getting tired near the end....squeeks, rattles, back to back repairs, rotten lines, exhaust...

But not this one! Tight as a drum...starts at -30C, no issues. Exhaust is still mint. I've owned this car from 38k onward...here's the list of things fixed:

1) Wheel bearings; potholed, both had to be replaced (140k)
2) Changed the rotors/pads at the same time...plenty of life left, but for the extra $60 why not.
3) Shocks: Coils broke, might as well change shocks at the same time.
4) +12V battery
5) ICE water pump
6) Inverter coolant pump was changed by previous owner under warranty
7) Tires...probably 4 sets?
8) 1 x transaxle fluid replacement
9) 1 x coolant replacement when I did the water pump.
10) ....and now 1 bulb

That's it....for 220k of driving....

No timing belt, alternator, starter, brakes, exhaust, O2....none of the usual you'd expect.

The kicker is it still gets 4.8L/100k in the summer and 5.8L/100k in the winter. Does not burn a drop of oil!

This is the first car I will continue to maintain after 300k...can easily see 400k in the cards.

Thoroughly pleased with this car...cannot think of a better value for money than a Gen 2.

Faz

 

This car is so dependable that I forget to check in with my Prius brethren

Update time; since 2019, I have fixed the following:

1) The other headlight bulb
2) 2nd set of rear shocks
3) Spark plugs @ 280k/km
4) PCV at the same time
7) Replaced transaxle oil at the same time
5) Exhaust nut holding front pipe to manifold
6) Hood cable

She now has 340k on her; original front suspension, tail lights, exhaust, rear brakes, inverter, traction battery, etc, etc.

Runs tight too! No squeaks or rattles. Body is starting to rust, undercarriage is mint (Krown every year).

My friend let me drive his Model 3 performance on the weekend....man, what a beast.

Been trying to rationalize a replacement car for the last two days; really can't find a reason....for the amount I would save in gas, I'd have to shell out $70K....and will it last to 400K? Will it be cheap to fix?

As long as she wants to roll, I'll keep 'er on the road....LONG LIVE THE BEST DAMN CAR EVERY MADE!!!!

Faz

P.S. Stay away from the Tesla dealership....those cars make me want to do bad things

 

2024 update.....

Since 2021, I have fixed the following:

1) Front struts
2) Replaced muffler
3) Rear park light bulbs
4) 2nd set of front wheel bearings
5) Sway bar links
6) Brakes all the way around

Car now has 415k km (258k miles); still original traction battery, front suspension, rear wheel bearings, etc.

Rust is getting to it big time....rockers are toast, and the mount for the coolant thermos completely rotted off.....zip ties to the rescue.

Starting to burn oil....1/2L between changes. MFD is intermittent; water pump has some pink crust on it.

I broke down and bought a replacement; 2016 Corolla S, manually tranny. It's fun to drive, but no where near as good on gas (6.2L/100km ) Keeping the Prius (aka Vegemite) on the road as a spare car and for the kids to learn to drive on.

Drove it to work the morning; still runs smooth, AC still works. Going to drive her 'til the wheels fall off

Faz