Used Prius, a good idea?

The Prius has a plastic 'floor' under the car - it helps with the aerodynamics. I suspect that you could run into problems when you get off the beaten track.

 

Welcome to PriusChat.

I have a 2010 V with ATP (Advanced Technology Package).

In winter I use Blizzak WS-70 on all 4 wheels. With these, NH winters aren't a problem for me and the car heats up reasonably well. I've had my car serviced by my dealer and haven't had any issues in my 113K miles. I average about 52 MPG in summer and 45 in winter. For me highway mileage is always much better than local and city driving.

10K is in the ballpark for a Prius with that mileage if it is also a V. If you pay attention to your car's hybrid monitor, it will help teach you how to get the best mileage.

 

That sounds like a good choice because at 63k miles you still have some years left on the 100k/8-yr warranty. Prius is quite flexible and practical and many use in snowy weather. The only thing I can think of is some people live at the top of a mile long driveway up a hill if that is all ice there can be come special issue getting up (traction control on the wheels).

 

How about a hybrid SUV ? That'll give you more ground clearance.

 

If you buy the Prius, what you are going to get is a fuel efficient vehicle, and as a hybrid, also one that has low emissions.

It may be somewhat unpopular, but I would want to know more about your projected needs. I'm concerned that you say you've always driven either a pick-up or a vehicle with "higher clearance". You evidently also like to do nature photography, which means you need to get to :nature".

It's an opinion others disagree with, but IMO The Prius is just not the best snow/ice vehicle. It can be serviceable in snow and ice with good snow tires, and some drive them in very inclement conditions BUT imo the hybrid aspect of "instant" electric torque and a very IMO aggressive traction control system, simply make The Prius, while "possible" as a vehicle in snow and ice, NOT the best.

It also does have low clearance. As many vehicles today do.

You also say, you typically like to do a lot of work on your vehicles. While many people educate themselves to the intricacies of hybrid synergy drive, and do various degrees of upkeep and maintenance, the complication of working with a hybrid, does make this more of a commitment, and requires learning about a vehicle that is a different "horse". High voltage batteries and a unique hybrid transmission system, make working on it yourself a voyage of discovery.

I obviously own a Prius. I enjoy it. With a Prius you will get amazing efficiency, and IMO a quiet, very civilized drive. It's great in urban conditions, and on long drives.

If I lived on the banks Lake Michigan, and my hobbies included nature photography, I don't know if the benefits of hybrid fuel efficiency and lower emissions would be enough for me to choose a Prius as my vehicle.

This may not be the answer you wanted to hear. It may be an answer many of my fellow Prius owners will disagree with, but it is my opinion. Unless you are totally committed to everything a Prius/Hybrid is....then I think there are better choices for not only your environment but your lifestyle.

 

Nothing I can think of - it is a historically low cost of ownership vehicle.
At some point the hV battery could go bad, but we've had so few Gen3 bad batts we don't even know how common that will be after say 10-years.

 

I don't think the Prius suits your lifestyle. If you go on a bumpy road and mess up the skid control computer/sensors, you'll have a headache to deal with.....especially if you don't know much about fixing hybrids. Best to stick with something high clearance for what your life requires

 

RAV4 hybrid? Big drop in fuel economy tho, maybe not worth pursuing the hybrid options.

 

If you're ready to own a Prius?
Well, many people do drive them in cold, snowy and icy environments.
Doing what you are doing, IS the best approach. That is trying to know as much as possible about what owning a Prius would entail.

What I tell anyone that asks if a "Prius" is right for them, is how much do they want one?
How much do you want the fuel efficiency, the lower emissions?

If these advantages are just something that you believe will be transitory or passing, vs. things like all wheel drive. and higher driving clearance? Then a Prius 's allure will dissipate relatively quickly.

If you're ready to be all in, with the entirety of Hybrid ownership? Then Prius is an incredibly efficient vehicle, with low emissions, and a reputation of being reliable.

One simple but important thing to try to check, is how the seat comfort works out for you.
Some people have found The Prius seats to be uncomfortable.
50 miles a day, means you'll be spending a lot of time in it.

Good Luck.

 

If the choice is between a Sonic and a Prius I'd take the Prius every time. Changing the oil & the air filters is easy. In 100,000 miles I've only need to replace fluids, tires, and wiper blades. I'm on the original spark plugs & brakes and don't expect to be replacing them soon. Every car will need a new 12v battery someday. When a Prius needs "frequent jumping" either the battery is old or it has been run down.

Part of the joy of ownership is not needing to work on the car.

In the winter you'll want to block the grill and have a block heater just as you would with other cars.

 

You can check out posts by our members such as @2k1Toaster up there in the Rockies. Sounds like the one 2008 owner had bad problems, but not necessarily the cars fault. She had a bad 12v battery which can cause a lot of probs, you don't want to always be jumping. if ever. If they mess up the jumper wiring they can cause damage. No reason to drive around with a bad 12v all the time. The Gen2 had a few less safeguards, for example the smart key system could drain the battery after sitting a week or so, you had to know how to turn it off (which is easy button). Gen3 the smart key system automatically goes off. Also on Gen2 the software let the HV battery drain down too low in certain special cases (like out of fuel).

By all means get what you want, but if you want a handy dandy car that gets 50 MPG, well slim pickens. And PS you got PriusChat...match that!

 

I have had my 2010 about a year and bought it certified with 80 K. I live about a mile off the highway on a gravel road but it has no clearance problems, the road doesn't. So far, it's been good, no problems at all. Changing the oil and transmission fluid has been it. We don't get much snow so no expierence there.

 

IMHO the Prius is kinda designed for the urban commuter. I get great (better than EPA) commuting my 72 mile round trip mostly slow freeway drive to work (with some city congestion as well). I would recommend it highly for anyone doing that kind of thing. Would even say that's it's niche! I love my gen3 and my next car will very likely be a gen4.

But, am also thinking a Prius may not have the kind of clearance you might need. The bottom front of mine scrapes just exiting the gas station and some other places. I also have an F250 and if I need or want clearance, that's what I drive.

Anyway, just a couple thoughts!

 

I'm a 2006 gen 2 owner with 200K on it still working perfectly. 10 years and never did anything to it except oil changes, with Mobil 1. I never changed the trans oil. I tied to get the dealer to do the trans oil changed. They said it didn't have any oil in it. I never got around to finding the plugs for draining and filling it. Oh it did do the plugs at 180K (ran the same), 12 Volt battery i think 6 years ago(need to put in a new one before it dies). But no brakes, so I conceder this doing nothing. I'm giving it to my grandson since I got a new Gen 4.

So, that kind of mileage and reliability is typical. Ride and power is adequate. It's not a big boat ride. One of the week points is snow, it's poor, low ground clearance and mine wouldn't let the wheels spin (traction control). So it easily is stuck in ice ruts. But that said if the snows not deep and you keep it moving, plowed roads are fine, watch where your going I get by with it. On bad days I take my AWD CRV. I looks like the Gen 4 has improved the traction control.