I'm looking to buy a Toyota Prius and was wondering which car would be considered to be in better condition: a 2005 with 106k or a 2009 with 122k mileage? The 2005 is 1000 dollars cheaper with 1 year warranty on the hybrid battery and related parts. The 2009 still has 28k warranty on these parts, which probably equals two years considering how much I would drive it. I don't know anything about the previous owners driving style and if it were city or highway miles. What are the thing I have to pay attention to for each car? I heard that a lot of maintenance is to be expected on Prius vehicles between 120k and 180k. Is this true? I hope you can give me some advice! Thanks!
The 05 is overpriced. I'd definitely buy the 09. No, the Gen II doesn't require a lot of maintenance after the 120K mileage mark. The spark plugs, transaxle fluid should have been changed already. The inverter coolant and gas engine coolant should be changed at 180K miles. That's it. Not much.
Thanks for the advice, I will go for the 09 then! I was also wondering, since the 09 already has quite high mileage considering it's only 5 years old, is there anything particular that I need to pay attention to or that I should get checked out at a mechanic before buying?
the best way to check a prius is to reset the mpg meter and take it for a good long ride under various conditions. if you get 50 mpg or better, you're good to go. if not, drop it off and don't go back.
Why would you expect a first time prius driver to be able to get 50+ min average mpg on a test drive of a 2nd gen car? That exceeds the DOE's 46mpg combined rating by more then 10%. I have only had my prius for a couple of tanks now and only can manage 48 mpg average tank fulls driving with some care. I know I'm not alone in that either.
The car in your information box is not a Second Gen Prius. (2004 to 2009) It make sense you can get 65 out of a PIP first day, it is a skill that is learned in the Gen 2.
I'm going back for a test drive this week so I'll definitely check it out. The dealer had driven the car for 100 miles on the highway and it had 43 mpg after that drive. I don't know what his driving style is though. Do you think it's bad mileage?
it all depends on speed on the highway. there's a chart here somewhere that shows mpg v speed. i think 43 would be around 70 mpg iirc, but not positive. it also depends on a/c use, tyre pressure, hills and etc.
100 miles on the highway at 55, 65 or 75? On the flat or up and down hills? Altitude? Pulse and glide or just drive? AC on? Heater on? Too many variables to judge without knowing.
Just keep your highway speed between 55-60 miles per hour. You should get 45 mpg if you don't mash the gas pedal. in down use gentle acceleration and again you should get 45 mpg on a 5-10 mile loop. If you take it on a 2 mile test drive you may very well get as low as 30 mpg while the car warms up.
