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Looking for my first Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Aries426, Apr 27, 2019.

  1. Aries426

    Aries426 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    East Greenwich, RI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Hello everyone,

    I'm in the market for a car and I have decided on the Prius based on price, options, dependablity and mileage. I have been looking at the Gen3 models and there are some locally I have been looking at. The first is a Prius 5 with the Solar Roof package and the other has no Solar Roof but the Advanced Tech Package. I'm wondering if the roof is a gimmick or does it help? I do love gadgets being a techie but I want to make sure I get the right ones lol.

    I have read other posts and one thing I read to look for is EGR, so when I go check them out I make sure to try it out in the morning from a cold start and look for shaking, hesitation, etc?

    Any help on what else to look for, options to stay away from, etc.

    I appreciate all the help.
     
    #1 Aries426, Apr 27, 2019
    amos likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    before looking at cars, read here for gen 3 potential problems, and ask yourself, 'if i have a problem with my car, who will fix it?'

    what is your budget?

    what will your repair budget be?

    although prius is generally pretty reliable, a few specific expensive gen 3 issues, depending on age/miles are: hybrid battery, inverter, brake actuator and egr/intake/headgasket failure.

    do yourself a favor, educate yourself by searching for these threads and reading thoroughly, then make an informed decision.

    all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 27, 2019
    m.wynn, Bay Stater and amos like this.
  3. FnRedPrius

    FnRedPrius Active Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I would be more of the altitude of "when" rather than "if" and allow for that if you get one that hasn't been done related to the EGR / head gasket issue.

     
    #3 FnRedPrius, Apr 27, 2019
  4. Aries426

    Aries426 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    East Greenwich, RI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Thank you for taking the time and helping me out.

    As for the purchasing budget, I would prefer to not go over $10k-$12k.
    Repair budget doesn't have a set number, some of the maintenance and repairs I feel comfortable doing on my own and ones that I don't will go to our mechanic who we have known for years.

    I read somewhere that you can buy a product that connect to the OBD and will tell you the life left of the battery and such, is this correct and if so is it worth getting and where?

    After doing more research I found that the 2010's can have oil issues that apparently they repaired in the last half of 2010/early 2011. So with info and the fact they did a small refresh in 2012, that's the year I'm aiming for, I would like trim level 4 or 5.

    Can you get the Solar Roof Package with the Advanced Tech Package?

    Thanks again!
     
    #4 Aries426, Apr 28, 2019
    Bay Stater, amos and bisco like this.
  5. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    RI seems to be a CARB state. Does that mean there's a longer warranty on the hybrid battery?
     
    #5 MelonPrius, Apr 28, 2019
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, idk anything about packages. iirc, you can sign up at the toyota owners website and find package contents.
    have a talk with your mechanic before purchasing. ask him about the egr circuit and head gasket failure, and if he can install an oil catch can
     
    #6 bisco, Apr 28, 2019
    amos likes this.
  7. Aries426

    Aries426 Junior Member

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    Location:
    East Greenwich, RI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I'm not sure as far as used cars go but on new the warranty should be fine or at least for me when I bought a new 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
     
    #7 Aries426, Apr 28, 2019
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    toyota transfers new warranty to all buyers down the line
     
    #8 bisco, Apr 28, 2019
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    #9 Grit, Apr 28, 2019
  10. Aries426

    Aries426 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2019
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    Location:
    East Greenwich, RI
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Aside from normal things to check on a car (tires, plugs, lights, etc) is there anything else to look for? I read about EGR and to look for the "Red Triangle of Death". I will also have a OBD Reader to check for codes.
    I will ask for maintenance records/dates on service and reapirs.

    Any other thoughts?
     
    #10 Aries426, Apr 29, 2019
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