Anyone have any ideas of this advantage? I am thinking of shelling out more dough than ever after purchased a used "certified" Prius. Cost so far vs savings: Cost 1.) Oil change $40 vs conventional $30 2.) Toyota coolant $60 3.) One new tire $115 4.) New aux. battery $200 (installation fees not included) Saving ( I have driven near 5K miles) if my car average 45 mpg, vs modern car 20 mpg, then saving of 25 mpg 5k miles/20miles * gallons * $3.00/gallon = $750 5k miles/45miles * gallons * $3.00/gallon = $334 (which is the Fit mpg) net saving of $416 if my car average 50 mpg, saving of 30 mpg 5k miles/50miles * gallons * $3.00/gallon = $300, saving of $450. Of course you have to think ahead. A main battery replacement when it reach 150K miles will cause $5000 per Toyota standard. That is about 70k miles left for me, which cost about $0.07 a miles for me or $357 so far. So I net a negative $326 (upkeep cost) or a saving of $59 on fuel and a whole bunch of headaches. FYI, I lived in a former oil rich state, xenophobic kind of mind people and I am afraid. Which is why I garage the machine from public eyes.
At 150,000 miles the traction battery is just coming off warranty. Very few fail that early. Keeping $5000 handy in a repair (or replacement) fund is a good idea. Why pay $40 for a $30 oil change? If you are changing to syn then you should also extend the oil change interval. I thought the Gen2 OCI was unrealistic as my 3.5L Intrigue was scheduled for 7500 miles & the ICE ran all the time.
No, it is not that expensive. Anywhere from $1,000 to $3,500, depending on what you get. No, your car does not need a $40 synthetic oil change. No, your car does not need 3 gallons of coolant at the 80K mile mark -- necessary at 100K. Yes, you should spend $36 + tax and labor, to have your transaxle fluid (ATF WS) changed.
We bought our 2006 Prius "Certified Used" from a Toyota dealer. They wanted $19,950 for it in 2009 with 61,000 miles. I grinded them to $16,000 which was private party pricing per Edmunds and KBB at the time. Plus, they took my 2001 Honda Insight Gen1 with 287,000 for trade value of $3,000! So, Never pay asking price at a dealer.
