What to look for in a test-drive of used 2013 Prius

More’n likely the Exhaust Gas Recirculation is neglected, but the miles are not so high as to be too late. You would want to get on it soon. Isn’t it nice, picking up a relatively low miles recent car, knowing some fairly involved wrenching is near-immediately needed…

more info:

Bad Flywheel | PriusChat

 

A start up rattle that sounds like a rod is broken is a hg. However most fail slowly at first sometimes going months between rattles. Any sign of dark or low coolant, turn and run. The reality is a can of sealant and a coolant change can hide a hg issue. These sometimes result in replacement engines and Toyota has no program help. Businesses specializing in hg replacements have resulted. Its a serious concern.

Excessive oil consumption is common 2010-2014 and clearly increases blowby, egr clogging and intake manifold oil collection via the hard to access pcv. Caused by a flawed design piston and ring assembly. Bad enough that Toyota would replace pistons and rings during the powertrain warranty. However most issues show in the 150k mile range.

Inverter and Brake Booster design flaws also are chronic, especially the brake booster. Customer Support Programs will fix a failed unit for at least a year on a 2013 with your mileage. The weak booster will run excessively, as often as every 20 seconds if leaking. However it will not throw codes and qualify for the free replacement until it takes minutes to satisfy. A difficult diy.

 

No.............

 

at least 2016, if you want almost 20 years like your 02. go big or go home...

 

well, it certainly sounds like you'll be able to handle all of the gen3 problems!

 

Put a clean rag under the driver's seat and rub the seat springs.

Automakers use cheap steel for those springs, so if the car ever got flooded the rag will come back rusty.

 

Ours is dark grey, but by no means oily.

 

Consumer Reports? ha ha ha ha ha That's funny!
All my cars have dried asphalt in the wheel well. It gets there from repaving roads.
And my tailpipes are wet all the time, because of the catilitic converter.
Eventually they try if they sit for a few hours or so, the moisture evaporates.
Those are not very good reason for not buying the car.

You have to take what cr says with a grain of salt. Manufacturers PAY them to say certain things....

 

I’d concur with that. I do think their credibility is slipping though. Or maybe it’s people realizing they are “spread pretty thin”, ie: their product assessments are not that thorough.

 

let me see put the current political tactic on that, where is your proof and evidence that manufactures are NOT paying cr to say certain things?

list sources also.

 

ha, I was using the main stream media type of argument tactic to stir a response. People think the media is right & credible for that method of questioning.

 

thanks for the helpful tip. If I ever should sell mine, I’ll give the tailpipe a very thorough cleaning just in case.