URGENT About to buy 2010 Prius IV with 73k miles original owner, Advice on problems and price?

It's a matter of "odds". Most Prius will easily run for over 150k w/ no issues. Many will do over 200k and beyond. But no one can say w/ certainty. It's like weather prediction. So- there's maybe a 99% chance your new ride will easily run for over 150k ... & maybe an 89% chance it will get to 200k miles & beyond, problem free. Either way - it's a guess.

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No test drive, no buy.

 

you should be fine, but keep in mind the battery warranty is up and will probably need to be replaced during your ownership.
also, you will need to clean the egr circuit and add an oil catch can to prevent a blown head gasket.

if the price meets kbb.com, that's all you need to know.

all the best!

 

I have a 2010 with 100,000 miles that runs like new. Mine uses some oil, maybe a quart in 4-5,000 miles so I check it regularly. I think you are getting a fair deal.

Battery is probably fine for at least another few years but you can check on battery health by getting an OBDII bluetooth enabled adapter and running the Dr. Prius App. I'd recommend that for future monitoring even if you have already decided to buy it.

You will read in PriusChat lot about EGR issues in the gen 3 but it is way to early to consider cleaning it in your case. I'd consider it when spark plugs are due at 120,000 miles.

 

Sounds like a great deal. I have no oil issues and I change my oil every 5k miles. Don’t go 10k miles as that’s too long. You should also consider using thicker oil than the 0W-20 as that is probably one of the main reasons for Prius to burn oil. I have been using 0W-40 Mobil 1 for about 50k miles. No issues and no burning oil. Like others have said get the EGR cleaned and install a Catch Can. This is extremely important for the future health of your motor. Other than that, make sure all the fluids get changed per Toyota Recommendations and have the Tranny fluid drained and filled every 60k miles. This is not noted by Toyota as they say the fluid is lifetime. But nothing is lifetime. For $100 at the dealer it’s cheap insurance. Hope you enjoy your new car!

 

When you are using 0w-40 instead of the 0w-20, don’t forget that the difference is not just warm side. 71 vs 44.8 cSt at 40 Celsius - where Prius switch off the engine.
http://www.platinuminternational.com/externalpages/oilresults/download/152125.pdf
http://www.ulei-mobil.ro/pdf/MobilAutoDataSheet/Mobil%201%200W-40%20pds.pdf

 

Oil consumption has been a concern with other 2010s.

At fully ten years of age, most of the good days are past for this one.

That does not mean it isn't a good car or a good value, just keep your expectations in line and you'll be fine!

 

It’s still young at 70k miles. It’s got lots of life left in it in especially if all the precautions I mentioned above are taken.

 

Toyota oil recommendation for several countries for the Gen3 motor is 40 weight and up to 50 weight oil. Perfectly fine to use in the Gen 3. Plus Mobil 1 oil tends to be on the lighter side of these numbers.

 

I brought a 2011 Prius 4 new. It now has almost 300,000 miles. It has been one of the best cars I have ever owned. I haven't had any issues with oil consumption, although it is frequently reported. The only issue I have had from the start is that it burns through head lights. I found when I changed the type of bulb, they last longer. I replaced the 12V battery at about 265,000 and it was about $225. Hope it works out for you.

 

congrats!
see @NutzAboutBolts youtube for egr cleaning and all things gen 3 prius.

do not powerwash the engine bay, too many electricals. i've never cleaned mine, but someone will chime in.

all the best!

 

Congrats on your purchase. it looks great.

It's the EGR cooler that gets especially clogged.

Here is a link to Nutz About Boltz videos about maintenance of the gen 3. The EGR cooler video is #17.

Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat

And here is a good discussion of the process. note that the poster cleaned his at 115,000 miles and it wasn't fully clogged, so I stick with my suggestion of doing it when you change plugs at 120,000. For now, enjoy. Others may disagree and have other recommendations.

EGR & Intake Manifold Clean Results | PriusChat

 

Just take a wet rag and wipe down the engine. The plastic silver cover pops off and you can wash that off the engine. The EGR cleaning is not that simple. So if you’re not much of a mechanic you may want to find someone. I would do it around 90k miles IMO waiting till 120K miles is too long.

 

My 2010 Prius II at 292,000+ miles is using about 1quart oil/750 miles = 2 fill-ups. A friend has well over 300k on his. We both just add oil and keep driving.

 

Which doesn’t mean it’s recommended everywhere. I assume where they recommends the w50 is not Canada. In Hungary - temperature is mostly between 5 - 95 Fahrenheit during the year - the recommended oil is 0w-20. 0w-30 can be used exceptional and had to be replaced with 0w-20 at the next oil change.
So I don’t see reason using 0w-40.
The numbers you can see in the linked PDFs.
In my opinion you have to know what you do when you use oil that is not the recommended.
Using all the time in highway or in traffic jam is quite different usage pattern.

 

I just got my 2010 prius with 83k on it and I never thought about adding a catch can to it is it really that recommended