My wife and I have been searching for a used 2010 Prius for a few months now. Because of a busy summer we've had quite a few awesome cars slip through our fingers or get sold out from under us. Recently I found a 2010 Prius being sold at a Honda dealership for a really good price. They say it's a 2010 Prius I... I've done my research on the forums and online (specifically this conversation Difference between Prius I and II | PriusChat ) and the general theme is that a Prius I does not have EV mode, the smart key system or cruise control. With all of that said, this ad states that the Prius in question DOES have Cruise Control. I inquired with a salesman and he says the car even has the Smart Key System and the pictures show it has EV mode. However, when he contacted a Toyota Dealership they were unable to tell him if it is a I or a II. I grabbed the VIN from the carfax report and went onto the Toyota Owners website to view the car and it wouldn't tell me there either.... so here is the big question... How can I truly know what Prius type this car actually is? What additional questions should I be asking before I drive two hours to check this car out? The ad is below so you can take a look see.... Thanks in advance for any help or recommendations you can provide! http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=49048&endYear=2015&modelCode1=PRIUS&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=68270&startYear=2010&makeCode1=TOYOTA&searchRadius=300&maxPrice=15000&mmt=%5BTOYOTA%5BPRIUS%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=378682209&Log=0
i wouldn't believe anything in that ad. there's no way a one has heated seats, cruise, power lumbar seats and etc. you may want to ask about the missing service from 50 -75,000 miles. salesmen will say anything. maybe he can email you pics of the cruise and electric seat. i think when you look at the car fax options, it doesn't have cruise.
Yeah I agree, I don't want to get a I at all which is why I'm making it such a big deal. Another point of confusion for me is that the carfax says it was a personal vehicle. Which if it was a I can't necessarily be true because those (like you said) are only rentals or business type vehicles. I'd prefer the III because of the stereo... how bad is the stereo in the II though? Can it really be that bad?
All I can offer is an opinion. I own a Prius Two. I'm perfectly happy with the sound system. BUT..... I'll admit my expectations and standards are probably low. On the road? I just want to be able to hear music "well"... I don't need attention getting, ground shaking decibels. While driving? I don't necessarily need or expect my automotive sound system to match or exceed any system I have at home that I listen to in the quiet environment of my home. To me the sound system is good enough, for what I want and expect. I have a Prius Two...but I often refer to it as a Prius II though Roman numerals were only used for model year 2010. My thinking is IF Toyota is going to release an entire family of Prius, THEN change the the whole trim system and model naming protocol? Prius c...Prius C...Prius v...Prius V...Prius One, Two Three, Four, Five...and "only" in 2010 Prius I, II, III, IIII, IV. Then They get what they deserve. Who has a family then gives everyone the same name? Seriously, I'm to the Goldilocks point....I have a "Ma Ma Bear Prius....trim level Deux.
It looks to have leather and power seats and JBL radio. Which would make at a III. It looks like a good deal to me.
@xpcman How can you tell if it has the JBL system? Also... if it has JBL wouldn't it also have bluetooth?
looks like a cruise control stalk. a I might have one door sks, ask him to lock it and try the hatch or passenger door. if it unlocks without using the fob, it's three door.
I think I see a JBL logo on the radio faceplate. (the white box on the left of the faceplate) Also, the power seats completely rule out it being a I or II.
FWIW: The car pictured in the ad IS a Prius III - I have one just like it. There are a LOT of "giveaways" that show it.
... and as someone who drove a 2010-II for three years, I'll confirm that it is a higher trim level than my II.
Looks to me like at least a III with extra options. It appears have everything you need plus some nice extras so I would go and check it out asap.
Yeah I agree... it appears there is a dent on the back passenger corner of the car. You can actually see it in one of the pictures... should this be a concern to have? He said they are going to work on getting that fixed.
I did not want leather seats, one of the main reasons I went with a II. I would've liked to have a few additional options though. Like 3 door unlocking, additional interior lighting, backup camera and built in SiriusXM. At the end of the day, I don't regret my decision.
I checked the Carfax report and there is an outstanding recall that was not performed. Updating the motor/generator control ECU and hybrid control ECU software on certain Model Year 2010-2014 Prius vehicles. You might use this a leverage since the Toyota dealer will need the car for a day to update the computers.
No 2010 Prius had power seats, they were first installed in the 2012 4 and 5's.....at least I'm pretty sure I'm right. I had an 11 Prius 2, no power seats, no leather and an adequate stereo.
