What do I need to look for? All of the ones I've found for sale that are in her price range have over 100K miles, some are even approaching, or are over 200K. Is there a certain point (either in miles or time) where the batteries drop dead and would need replacing? Are their any quirks with this particular vehicle that a buyer needs to look for? I'm fairly knowledgeable about vehicles in general, but I know little about hybrids. Any insight would be appreciated.
welcome to priuschat! unless your daughter has an unlimited repair budget, this does not sound like a good idea. yes, the battery will eventually die at some point, but there is no way of determining. there is a long hybrid component warranty, but you need to find out what it is in your state. she might be better off with a used camry/corolla/accord/civic. all the best!
Like most used cars, the lowest mileage you can get would be best. Certainly under 100k, preferably under 75k. Some owners bought extended factory warranties that cover up to 125k miles, so one of those would be ideal with low miles. If she will put on a lot of miles (say 20k a year for 3 years) then even those low mileage cars might not be good. If you are going for it, consider investigating where, in your area, high voltage battery repairs or refurb can be had outside of the dealer. By the way, using your location in the profile will sometimes get you more specific information.
Well, I guess its time for me to buck the system again. lol I have owned 3 Prius and all 3 had or have over 100k. None show/showed any real signs of wear. I know what people are saying here and I respect that. They are looking out for you (as am I). If you can afford it, obviously a 75k car of any type is more desirable than a 175k car of the same type. My experience with these cars is a record of very high reliablility. Yes, some problems are encountered but the Prius is in the lowest of the low categories for repair frequency and the Gen II (2004-2009) is truly very reliable. I would almost say bullet proof but as we know, the Titanic was unsinkable. The key is to find one that's been well maintained. The 05 I recently purchased (with 149k miles) was a 1 owner car with all maintenance done at the dealer. Like any car, that's what yer looking for. Its fairly easy to tell if a car was taken care of. I say buy a Prius. you will love it and so will she. As for what to look for, turn on the Energy Display and look for quick charging and discharging of the battery, slow is normal, quick (like from full to nothing in 30 seconds) is bad. Accept no check engine lights. After the car is warmed up, turn off the heater, pull over to a parking lot and let the car turn the engine off on its own. Swith to the Consumption Display on the MFD and hit reset. Drive normally for 10 -20 minutes of mixed hwy/city driving (heater off). You should average about 40-45 mpg. Other than that, look for the usual stuff, check the oil, check the fluids, normal used car stuff. Phil
There are hybrid specific issues, any brake work involving bleeding needs a dealer specific computer as an example. But 90% will be in common with a regular car. While the Traction Battery (or High Voltage) has a long life, it will, as all batteries, wear out. However, many more Prius are totaled than have the battery wear out, so if you can accept used, this is not more work or expense than an engine or transmission swap. (read this Prius v dismantlers guide, then reverse the steps to put in another battery: http://www.toyota-tech.eu/HYBRID/HVDM/EN/hvdm_Prius_ZVW40.pdf If you are not really considering the Prius v, there are similar guides for other Prius) Here is my post on what kind of owner should not have a Prius considering a Prius | PriusChat
After a quite lengthy conversation with my mechanic (this is a person I've known and used as my mechanic for years, so I trust what he says), he said he would not recommend buying a Prius with over 100K miles. Not that they aren't reliable vehicles as he said they are very reliable, and they CAN go 200K or more on the original batteries, but he said there's no way to know just when the batteries will need replacing. They could go at 120K, or 300K...there's just no way of knowing. He also said maintenance in general on the Prius is more expensive than with other non-hybrid vehicles. He said any work done on the brakes for example requires the use of specialized equipment and must be accomplished using very specific replacement parts and procedures, which means more of an expense. He actually recommended that my daughter keep her 20 year old Corolla, or if she simply wants something a bit newer/nicer, to buy something like another Corolla or a Civic. He said if she absolutely has to have a Prius, she should wait until she can afford to buy a new, or at least newer one...one that has less than 75K...a lot of what he said is in line with what many of you are saying as well...
I disagree. The Prius has been the most maintenance free vehicle I have ever owned. The part about the brakes is simply not true unless your bleeding the brakes and that too can be done without any special equipment. This sounds like someone who has never worked on a Prius to me (and it wouldn't surprise me because the Prius requires so little maintenance, most mechanics have never worked on them. Prius mechs are like Maytag repairmen, they don't get to do much).
usnavtstgc Like I said, this guy has been my mechanic for years and I trust his opinion. If he had never worked on the Prius, or had too little experience working on them to offer an opinion, then he would've told me so....
i think your doing the right thing grampi. while usnavystgc is correct, your mechanic is dead on regarding the battery. and same with the inverter and transaxle. save up for a new(er) one.
I respect yer decision, I just wanted to refute the false info about the brakes and it being more expensive to fix because that's simply not true.
Prius below 100k miles are overpriced because people don't understand the durability / reliability of the Prius.... Read the link below to see loads of success stories of people who didn't believe in the old outdated urban legend that says cars with more than 100k are no good! Did you buy a Prius with 100K+ miles? Share your story here! | PriusChat
PS: You only spend money on half as much gas over the life of the vehicle... And if the kids want a Prius, buy her a Prius, it'll be the best gift you ever give her.
You really need to re-evaluate your heavily misguided perspective: Did you buy a Prius with 100K+ miles? Share your story here! | PriusChat
As a Mechanic I agree, especially with the last statement. There is a strong fan base here for obvious reasons, but with money base concerns, normal used car problems with a Prius are amplified. The reliability of the Prius is very high, but when it breaks it is very expensive to repair compared to "normal" vehicles.
Bought my 08 a year ago with 101k on it. I've replaced the 12v battery. That's about it. Oh yeah, water pump too. I wouldn't be afraid at all of a 100k Prius.
Some folks will voluntarily jump out of a perfectly functional airplane just for kicks - like Gabby Giffords did today. Some won't and never will - like me. Some will buy a used Prius with more than 100K miles, some won't. I bought one with 134K miles on it over three years ago It's been a reliable car for the 80K miles I've driven it. It was well worth the risk. Take the chance if the car is clean, has been driven at least 12K miles per year, and has a clean carfax/autocheck.
Go with "your" gut on this one, but given the circumstances I say no. You are not likely to get to many cons here because this is a Prius site.
if you had children, with no money for auto repairs, and no skill for diy, you might re-evaluate your opinion of my misguided perspective.
frodoz737 said: ↑ As a Mechanic I agree, especially with the last statement. There is a strong fan base here for obvious reasons, but with money base concerns, normal used car problems with a Prius are amplified. The reliability of the Prius is very high, but when it breaks it is very expensive to repair compared to "normal" vehicles.usnavystgc said: "I guarantee you that any problem on the Prius (and I mean any) can be fixed for less than $1000." usnavystgc...my comments were to grampi so don't tell me, tell him....or better yet his Daughter...and guarantee by contract to pay any overage on repairs your advise is responsible for. Your being a self professed DIYer per signature and the comment in personal info "I try to fix anything" means nothing to someone who just got raped at the Dealership...or to me for that matter. I have turned a quality wrench for most of my life and I am very successful at it.
