How many miles is too many for used?

Prices are crazy high on all cars, Prius is no exception. Go look at the Fits and others- you'll find that they seem very expensive also, for what they are.

I tell people all the time: a new or young Prius is a great reliable car. An old Prius sometimes is, but can turn into a money pit fast.

Meanwhile, these cars do not know how to read their own odometers. Miles don't matter as much as age.

I'd say that 2018 is worth another look. That's post facelift, so it includes the fantastic new LED headlights (great for country driving!) and a few other minor upgrades that won't be on any of the others.

If there is a downside to the 2018, it is just barely old enough to need a new 12v battery and the '18s require a weird new type that you can only get from a Toyota dealer.

Other bits to check: it should be on its second set of spark plugs, and they should have already done coolant maintenance. Check tires too, probably on 2nd or 3rd set by now.

Bottom line: I'd carefully consider the 2018 and ignore the others, too old for the prices shown. Good luck!

 

I agree...the 2018 is the only one listed I'd consider buying...previous generations haver too many big issues to buy used, especially as they get older. (Kudos to all of you with previous generations that are, still, keeping them going!!)

 

@ColoradoBoo I don’t know of any widespread issues with the Prius C. I know there are bigger Prius models with head gasket problems (Prius V), excessive oil consumption (2010 Prius), etc.. but the smaller Prius has proven itself, thus far, to be one of the most reliable.

 

How many years would you like to keep it, and how many miles per year?

 

Just as a clarification: all Prius c's in the USA are 1st generation, which ran from 2012-2019. There were a couple of facelifts to freshen up the styling of the taillights and front bumper, but precious little else changed over the years.

 

To answer the posted question “the number of miles you are uncomfortable with”. Personally, with used car prices being what they are, for me it is anything over about 20 miles (ie: buy new so you don’t buy someone else’s headaches).

 

Depends on the price, and your automotive DIY capabilities. Definitely research the problems with whatever vehicle you're considering.

 

It seems that there are issues with the brake booster assembly and brake pump assembly on the Prius C from 2012 to 2014.

 

Yes, there are potential issues and a repair program now in place, but it doesn’t appear to be an inevitable issue for those model years. I started a thread about it when I received a letter from Toyota, and looking at it today I see you posted there. I’m sorry to read you had to replace some parts yourself prior to the program being implemented.

 

At first i thought it was a good deal, a 2012 Prius C one with 100,000 miles, but a few months later i had to replace these 2 pieces that i was not expecting to replace at all, because at the time, there was no report about these 2 pieces failing, i was only expecting to replace the hybrid battery and i was ready for that, but the brake booster assembly and brake pump assembly replacement made this a bad deal. I have maybe a new car new, kind of because i have a new brake booster and brake pump, along with a new hybrid battery, but the money i spent on this Prius C, i could have saved it along with the $6,500 i spent on the car and get a newer Prius C, like a 2015 / 2017 maybe.

 

by 2015/2017 do you mean 2015-2017, or is there something wrong with 2016?

 

These days, it seems an awful lot of people only keep their cars for 3-4 years than trade them in...I'm seeing tons of 3-4 year old Toyota's for sale at the dealership.

Prices, however, are insane....how can a 4-year old car be selling for almost the same as a brand-new car? And I just got an email from my dealership saying they are offering 3% interest on new car loans....so folks must not be buying as much as before and they are looking to clear out the 2023 for the 2024.

 

I mean 2012 / 2017, i don't think there is anything wrong with the 2016 Prius C, not even the brake booster failure.

 

My daughter totalled my 2015 Two in August 2023. 160K miles. State Farm gave me $11K.

 

2018

 

Yep...our Prius C has been FAR more reliable than our Gen3's.

Unfortunately, our daughter has the Prius C now...and I'm looking for another one. I'm floored at how stubbornly high prices still are on Prius C's these days. I'm thinking it has to do with supply...there are far fewer Prius C's out in the wild than any other model. Still though...we are not supposed to like small subcompact hatchbacks in the USA....right?! Well...that isn't what I'm seeing!

 

I have 2 2015 rebuilt title Prius C that I will be selling next year. One is damaged by hail with 30k miles and is awaiting repair, and the second one (~65k miles) is currently driven by my wife.

 

What's the ownership and maintenance history like on them? I bought a '13 C with ~200k for ~$5k a little over a year ago; one owner car, and it's been flawless for the 14k-ish miles I've driven on it since then. Original battery I believe but I'm still averaging just over 60 mpg (I do tend to drive more efficiently though).

 

Regular oil changes on the one that my wife drives. Since I bought it in 2019 with 34k miles I haven't done anything other than oil and filter changes. I also recently changed the tires. The check engine light is on now, evap code.
The second one with 30k miles was purchased from an insurance company, damaged by hail and its history is unknown.
It's time to use the Hybrid Automotive method on both batteries and that's what I'm going to do. They are 8 years old, although the second one only has 30k miles, it's time.