I am new here and don't have a Prius yet but was almost ready to get a T3 1.8 with over 200000 miles, now that alone didn't bother me to much, it was the head gasket issues I have reading about. What I would to know, am I as well maybe going for the T2 1.8 or is it much the same. Thanks for any advice and help.
You don't want the generation 3 with the 1.8 2ZZ engine or at least I don't those aren't keepers interiors are kind of shoddy they look nice just don't touch them Don't let people get in and lean on the armrest in the doors and lean on the center console and flip the cup holders back and forth and generally do things that people do when they get in cars that aren't theirs even with all of that taken to heart is just not the car for us A lot of work a lot of maintenance and so on for us that's what we found We had a persona and a 2010 solar roof car and just didn't work out we went back to the generation twos have been just driving since for the most part no drama really.
T3 & T2? Are you talking about trim level 3 versus trim level 2? My advice is to stay away from purchasing a Gen 3, especially one that has 200k miles on it. It will be a big money pit to keep it running.
Don't buy a 200k Gen3 to save money. Don't buy it to drive EV. Either step up to a 2018 or newer Toyota hybrid or use your gen3 money on a conventional Camry, Corolla or Civic. Still spend $200 on a pre purchase inspection (PPI) on the conventional car. A PPI is inconclusive on a gen3 hybrid. First it's easy to hide a head gasket by scammers or car flippers. Gen3 has bad brake by wire systems that cost $2400 if you are lucky. Inverters fail and will strand you.
