Hello everyone, I am new here and I guess I would be visiting often. So I recently bought a Prius 2001 with 122k miles almost 123 now. The buyer had the car since 2005. I paid 4400 for it. I got it checked from mechanic and he told me everything seems good except front shocks. So when should I get those replaced. Besides, the car drives fine, only had it for a week and havent had any problems. Also, I think I should get it serviced cause the owner said she hadnt done 120k service, I called toyota dealership and they quoted me $1200 for that, is that usual for this kind of milage? or can I get it cheaper somewhere. PS: I live in SF Bay, so someone from here could maybe suggest a good mechanic or shop to do the service. Thanks
Welcome to the club! You might read the 'sticky' about who should own our model Prius. Older cars come with their own set of issues but it sounds like you're off to a good start. In the SF area, there is Arts Automotive and Lucious Garage, which both have excellent reputations. As for the shocks, mine had the dust-covers split when bought in 2005. I have no idea if they are still working but the handling is consistent and not a problem. I would defer the front shocks, ~$1,000, until getting some basics handled: ScanGauge II or equivalent OBD scanner - having the ability to read out your own codes means you can make informed choices. use 65 mph as top cruising speed - for the MPG vs mph reason. tall hills (1 mile or more) - try to follow semi-trailer truck up or 55 mph if possible, best climb speed for an 8% grade. warm-up helps, 1-2 miles or 5 minutes - try to run the slowest speed routes, 25 mph is great, to let the car warm-up and enter hybrid control law mode. Then drive it normally. Going faster than 65 mph and the MPG will ditch with 75 mph giving only 39 MPG. I know the temptation to mod a newly bought car. If you can, hold off a bit, keep it in reserve, and get a feel for how it runs and responds. You might also join Fuelly.com and start recording fill-ups. This can give you hard data to understand how your car is performing with like models. GOOD LUCK! Bob Wilson
What did the Toyota dealer say it actually needed for it's 120,000 service? $1200 is a substantial amount to pay for just fluid changes. TomK
OEM shocks rarely last at their calculated performance range beyond 60k - 70k miles. Of course, prior owners' driving styles also factor into shock wear rates. IMHO, at 122k the shocks (if OEM) are worn out. Good luck!
I also agree that the shocks are for sure worn out at 122k but that does not deem it unsafe or drivable until money permits the repair. I have a 2002 with 147,000 and I am sure the shocks are also original, it just does not drive and handle perfect. As long as your car is not bouncing as that can wear out other parts as well as tires prematurely the car should be fine for a few thousand miles. For all you know it has been driven that way for 60,000 miles. TomK
Wow, I love the energy over here. Thanks a lot for the information.. Is there any other good OBD scanner I can buy for less? Scangauge seems a bit pricey. I will probably wait on the shocks, turns out the repair is about 450-500 bucks. is there a guide for DIY the shocks? I will take my car to Lucious sometime next week for a service and get a 2nd opinion on everything. One thing I have noticed is that when I am going above 65 or 70 miles, it makes this sound sorta like whistle, wasn't sure what that might be causing.
GOOD PLAN!!! They and Art's have excellent reputations and it will be hard to find much difference between them and what you'll find here. Hummmm, deer whistle? My first flight trainer had a tube pitched to such an angle that when approaching a stall, it would whistle . . . very simple but effective system. It now explains how you found an old Prius in good shape! Bob Wilson
