Should I buy a 2005 Toyota Prius with 175K miles?

Usually in the States problems with the motor generators inside the transmission are quite rare I don't know what's going on in Greece but should be similar so I don't know where you're reading about the motor generator problem but maybe read about it here in a few places anyway I have four of these cars and I've never dealt with any of the motor generator business the one NZ engine is very solid and reliable and been used in many other Toyota models and Scion models and then it's gas counterpart with a CVT or regular transmission is as a pretty well made Stout engine all that happens to it for hybrid duty as it gets the FXE designation so it has the Atkinson cycle that's not a normal four cycle engine It's a little dirtier different camshafts and has the CVT with the electric motors in it and a battery in the back and a buttload of computers usually it's computer problems communication problems the dash display for your transmission gas gauge and speed is a common issue and the break actuator going out under the hood that handles your braking. The brake business can be very expensive although in Greece and a few places like that I see there's plenty of parts available from places not too far away that you can probably do a lot better than we can here in the United States so there's always that I don't know what you'll be doing with the car in Greece cab duty just regular house duty business delivery don't know but it's a very good car this is the one you want You don't want the generation 3 or forward stay with the generation too and you'll have a happy life move up to the three and the four and maybe not so happy You won't get the mileage out of those that you will get out of the one you're looking at It's a much more solid car Just closing the door getting in it if you can't tell then well you're just not that type of a person I guess but what you're looking at is barely broken in good.

 

it's likely a very good car, but who will repair the hybrid bits if necessary?

 

Buy it with “closed eyes” as Greeks say. The hybrid system of the Gen 2 is proven to last 300k miles or more with no issues other than the HV battery. In addition, labor hourly rate in Heraklion is one third of what we pay in the States meaning you can inexpensively repair some potential minor issues like the brake actuator, three way water pump, engine water pump, invented pump, combination meter, wheel bearing hubs or even a stolen catalyst.

Bonus is the fuel consumption, especially in Greece where people have paid a couple of years ago up to €2.65 per liter which is $11.00 per gallon.

I do not think you can buy a better used car in Greece at this price range. I own my 2006 Prius since brand new for 18 years in Virginia USA and at 200k miles still runs perfectly.

 

Gen 2 is good except sometimes consumes oil, you could ask about it...

 

In the US the brake actuator (abs/master cylinder) can be several thousand dollars as can the catalytic converter. Many gen2s are getting old so it could burn oil and could have a $500 this and $700 that go out. However the transaxle and its electric motors are not problems.

Realize this is a highly computerized brake by wire, electric power steering and electric ac car that most mechanics don’t know how to diagnose or repair. It has two liquid cooling systems and one forced air fan for the hybrid battery. So many owners who are not DIY or don’t have easy access to experienced hybrid independents often have to resort to expensive dealer repairs.

 

These are somewhat common and expensive Prius repairs in the US, possibly less expensive where you are if labor rates are significantly lower:

ABS system
Evaporator for the A/C (buried in dash, many hours of labor)
Catalytic converter (usually because of theft in the US)
Pack failure

You probably don't have to worry about the last one for another 12 years or so as that was just replaced. Why don't you call up whoever has been servicing the car up to this point and ask them what each of those repairs would cost? Then you'll have some idea of what to expect, and if any of these would be a huge problem, you'll know ahead of time.

Of that list, I have had to deal with the last 3 items. The evaporator was luckily covered under a warranty from when the car was bought used, the catalytic converter was covered by insurance, and I replaced the pack myself, so it was only around $2000 (with tax) since there was no mechanic labor.

Most of the rest of the car is like any other vehicle. The brakes tend to last a lot longer due to the regenerative braking. The best MPG is achieved when the car is driven for at least 10 minutes. Very short trips will have comparatively cruddy fuel economy.

The car cannot be left unused for weeks at a time, it causes problems for the pack and the 12V. If you need to not drive it for more than two weeks you will need to make some sort of arrangement. So not a good car for a sailor, for instance.