What watch for / check out while shopping for Gen IV

Gen IV EGR has been pretty bulletproof so far.

Ditto for head gasket.

And oil consumption.

 

As of 2020 (I don't know about earlier) the Higher Trim Gen4s have heated seats.

JeffD

 

I owned, in succession, 2009 JSW, 2009 Jetta, 2012 Passat, 2014 Passat, all "clean diesels." I LOVED the cars, but seriously, the anxiety level of owning one of these German hyper-engineered cars was just too much.
Yes, for sure, the driving experience of a Prius is BORING, but seriously, I will never go back to a VW TDI.
The Gen 4 Prius is a much more satisfying driving experience than the previous gens, but it's still rather vanilla.

As for "gotcha" issues, VW TDI vs. Prius, in my opinion, there's...just...no...comparison.

 

It has a spare tire an 17” wheels. I have heard that can make for a harsher ride. In 2016 many safety features that became standard starting in 2017 were only in option packages.

If you plug the VIN into the Toyota Owners site you can verify the options and any dealer service. You may want to verify all recalls were performed too.

 

I've owned both the 15" and 17" tires. The 17s make a much harsher ride, but sharper steering response.

I guess I'm OCD and paranoid, but I wouldn't buy a car as complex as a hybrid from anyone but a dealership, assuming it's a dealership with a good service department.

 

Well that restriction removes the majority of Toyota dealers. I drive 150 miles to deal with a Gen 1 Prius owning salesman. I made that drive twice for the harness inspection recall because my local dealer service department could not even perform the free tire rotation and inspection correctly.

 

Since the car is in Sanford NC, you have access to one of the best independent hybrid car repair facilities in the US - Taylor Automotive : Automotive Service and Maintenance in Sanford, NC

JeffD

 

Have you ever driven one of the previous gens?

Were they the ReInvolt vendors? I went through their website, interesting info and videos.

 

Yes Mendel, The original owner, Dave Taylor started the battery rebuild business as "ReInVolt" (I bought and installed a ReInVolt battery in my 2004 Prius). He sold ReInVolt to Dorman and later sold his auto repair business in Sanford to the current owners.

JeffD

 

Not sure about @pianewman, but we've had three gen 2, one gen 3 (PiP), and two gen 4 (Prius & Prime). Gen 4 is vastly nicer than previous generations in terms of comfort and handling. Considerably more fuel efficient, too.

 

I tried for 14 years to own a Prius. Nope. Driving dynamics just weren't for me.
Gen4 solved most of my gripes: more linear gas pedal, better braking, handling...

 

I have had good experiences with the Sanford Toyota dealer, Fred Anderson. The service and parts people are good. No experience buying a recent or used car from them.