Buy a Prius gen I with 60.000 miles or a Prius gen II with 120.000 miles?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Hybrid RR, Jun 27, 2012.

  1. Hybrid RR

    Hybrid RR Junior Member

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    Hi all,

    My friend is very interested in buying a used Prius. I have a Prius gen II so I know all about that car, but he is thinking about buying a Prius gen I from 2001, since they are much cheaper than a gen II. In particular, in my country you can buy a Prius from 2001 with just 60.000 miles for 1000 euro's less than a Prius from 2004 with over 120.000 miles.

    Now what do you guys think is the best choice in relation to reliability? How reliable is the gen I, what are trouble points (weak components) with this model? Will the traction battery be okay after 11 years and 60.000 miles? Or can he expect replacement soon? If so, is the battery of a prius gen I the same price as a gen II?

    Or is he better of with a gen II with twice the milage?
    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 Hybrid RR, Jun 27, 2012
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My thoughts are go with the Gen II. Many weaknesses of the Gen I were fixed in the Gen II but that wasn't the case in 2005 when I bought our first Prius, a 2003. By getting the last of that model-year, we got everything Toyota could think of before the next car came out. A 2001, well it had many things that were fixed in 2002 and 2003.

    The Gen I would be OK if your friend has alternate transportation when the Gen I needs repairs and enjoys the challenge. But folks who like to fix older Prius are . . . well . . . probably not the best use of their time.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #2 bwilson4web, Jun 27, 2012
    cwerdna likes this.
  3. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Around here they put salt on the roads in winter, that is what kills cars, so I personally would avoid the Gen I on that basis alone.
     
    #3 Corwyn, Jun 27, 2012
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    I have a Gen I (2001) and I love it. Very few problems. IMO, great car.
     
    #4 usnavystgc, Jun 27, 2012
  5. chaps

    chaps Junior Member

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    If your are looking for a more spacious car go for Gen II.
     
    #5 chaps, Jul 7, 2012
  6. bobofky

    bobofky Member

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    My experience is that the Gen 1 battery life is determined more by time than by miles. I had to do a replacement on my 2001 in January 2009 at 197,000 miles. My sister-in-law's 2001 had to have a battery replacement in September 2009 at 97,000 miles. That may be why the hybrid system warranty changed in 2004 from 10 years, 100,000 miles to 8 years, 100,000 miles.
     
    #6 bobofky, Sep 17, 2012
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