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Should I buy high milage 3rd gen Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Shane Burns, Dec 6, 2016.

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  1. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Thanks for the detailed answer. This was always on my mind when shopping for a used Prius, and it's been asked on these boards from prospective buyers. So, an owner can have warning lights indicating that there's a problem with the hybrid battery and he can clear the codes, which might last up to 1,000 miles?

    Meanwhile, the original owner can sell the car without disclosing the problem with the hybrid battery. And 1,000 miles into new ownership, the warning lights for a failed battery can return? Looking back on this, what could you have differently to identify this? Did the mini vsc help diagnose the problem with the battery?

    Bottom line, I'm impressed with your ability to track down a lightly used traction battery in my backyard for $500. I have some other questions about that, but I'll ask via pm so I won't bore the masses.
     
    #21 MelonPrius, Sep 17, 2017
    Shane Burns, Prodigyplace and Raytheeagle like this.
  2. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    Well, what I could do differently to identify?...... Well, Its impossible. I did give a test drive and the battery SOC did not bounce up and down. Just stable.The Prius seem to run fine and engine turn off and on the way it should be. And I thought that was good enough for me. Then bam! The light came on.
    Although, I signed a piece of paper accepting the fact the battery can fail anytime due to high miles and they will not be liable for this. Im going be honest with you...this Prius used to be a taxi and thats why I took the risk.
    Checking your PM now! Feel free to ask more :)
     
    #22 Shane Burns, Sep 17, 2017
  3. ckam1989

    ckam1989 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2014
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    Location:
    Irvine, CA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    She's beautiful hopefully I'll see her/you at a prius meet (socal)
     
    #23 ckam1989, Sep 17, 2017
  4. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    One year later and 18,000 miles later... My Prius continues to run amazingly well! Finally did some maintenance... Got new spark plugs and all new rotors and ceramic pads! EGR cleaning will be next! She will definitely make it to 400,000 miles!!! :ROFLMAO:
     

    Attached Files:

    #24 Shane Burns, Feb 19, 2018
    Tbkilb01, wastoooo, Raytheeagle and 6 others like this.
  5. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    And here come the bad news.... just after 350,000 miles, my engine begin to knock on the way home. Took it to the shop, praying it is not bad head gasket. Turned out it is bad head gasket.:( So my only option is to rebuild the engine or replace the engine. I went ahead and sold my car as is. I missed my 2010 Prius a lot but I do not want to spend too much money on 350,000+ miles Prius. Right now, I’m using a beater 1998 Lexus GS300. Yup, terrible gas mileage and I have my eye set on 2014 Toyota Camry hybrid. I won’t leave Priuschat.com as I still have my trusty 2005 Prius that have 141,000 miles and still run like new! Thank you everybody for checking on me! (y)
     

    Attached Files:

    #25 Shane Burns, Jun 12, 2018
    Aaron Vitolins likes this.
  6. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Some people pay MUCH more to put 50,000 miles on a car!

    ALL the best with the G2!
     
    #26 ETC(SS), Jun 13, 2018
  7. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Well that's a good run for sure! Original hybrid battery ?
     
    #27 Aaron Vitolins, Jun 13, 2018
  8. RMB

    RMB Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Three
    Maybe you can also strike gold with a $1000 low mileage used engine, clean the intake/EGR passages and have it last until 500k?;)
     
    #28 RMB, Jun 13, 2018
    PokerMunkee, mjoo and Raytheeagle like this.
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