Need some advice on buying a 2010 Prius

check kbb for pricing, and read up here on egr circuit and blown head gaskets. keep in mind the 2010 hybrid battery is no longer under warranty

 

Solar sounds cool but check the thread with rubber surround peeling off the deflector which will run you a few grand to replace and the exploding sunroof glass, another few grand. Don’t be scared to save a few more grand after buying the solar package.

 

I have a 2010 Gen 3 Solar roof. Soon after I bought it (from a Toyota dealer) the steering shaft started to rattle. A short 'clunk' when driving over every bump. Also, if the steering wheel was pulled and pushed (whilst stationary) you could feel and hear the clunk, clunk noise. As it was under the dealers warranty, they replaced both parts of the steering shaft. Very expensive for the dealer.

 

During the pre-inspection, was it put up on a hoist and did you go underneath and carefully look for either damaged parts or surprisingly new, clean parts that could indicate an accident repair? If so, the uneven wear/ steering problem could be related to accident damage. If no evidence of an accident, the worn out tie rods or steering shaft or support issues are more likely IMO. During the inspection, did you have the alignment checked?

 

Skip this car. Certainly skip it until the steering issue is repaired. Just assume that you’ll need to replace the upper and lower steering shafts or the rack, and price those repairs through a trustworty mechanic.

Why on earth would you choose a vehicle known to need a $500-1,000 repair right off the bat?

Also the 2010 is the first year of a brand new model, and our 3rd gens had plenty of teething issues: For instance, many 2010s need a motor around that mileage due to excessive consumption. Piston rings.

Don’t buy an unknown 2010 unless it’s such a good deal that spending $2,000 on a motor still puts you at a fair price for the car. And even then...

 

To me, the steering issue would be a no-deal. When we first bought our 2010 Prius (in 2009), I noticed that it had a grinding noise in the steering. I took it to the dealer, they checked the steering shaft and told me one of the screws was loose, and another was missing. They fixed the whole thing - no cost to me, but very expensive for the dealer (as someone else here noted). I wonder if there were some issues with the early 2010's steering? So far, we've had no oil consumption issues as some have reported. 97,723 miles. Great car, but I'd avoid one with steering issues.

 

Unless a complete turd gen prius before and after long term engine test is done with z max, a very good marketing team will convince you to believe that their product will do that 100%.

 

Recently purchased a used Gen III without reading this forum. Now that I am older and wiser, my advice is to skip Gen III entirely.

This generation is plagued with two very expensive issues on vehicles over 100k miles: EGR path carbon clogging and moist oil condensate in the throttle body on cold mornings. Addressing both requires more than average mechanical skills and $$$.

 

Look for a different used car....... get a non hybrid.....if you want to save money and headaches in the possible near future.

 

You put me in mind of the first time I dug down to the throttle body: pushed open the blade, and "what am I looking at, it's like black mirror down there".

I'm inclined to agree. Maybe mediocre mechanical skills are enough, if you're careful, and not in a rush. But yeah, it's definitely a "problem child"...

 

Good Advice............ ok till they get miles or start burning oil or head gasket. Then traction battery, master cylinder pump, inverter, water pump, plugged egr system and.......