Hello! I am currently driving a 2019 Honda Civic EX. Unfortunately, I have to let go of her for another car. And that car I chose is a going to be a Toyota Prius for its amazing fuel economy. Is there any suggestions on which Toyota Prius to look at? My budget is $12,000. They all look similar and drives similar. And what are the differences between the trim levels? I hear that there are some Prius comes with a solar roof. That's amazing! Unfortunately, I don't see any Prius at my budget in the local market. I am open to suggestions!
Welcome to PriusChat! You're set on a 3rd generation? (2010-2015) What do you want in a Prius? Just the basics? (II/III or Two/Three trim levels will do) or fancier stuff like the solar moonroof and radar adaptive cruise control?
I've had 5 Prius (Priuses? Pri'i? Pris's's's'?) so far, and the only grief it gives me, as a gearhead, I never get the opportunity to work on them.
Check Carvana, Carmax, Vroom. Autotrader.com for local sales, and of course Facebook Marketplace. Aim for 2013+ if you can. As with any vehicle, high mileage is a factor that you want to keep an eye on. However, I would not hesitate to purchase 2013+ Gen3 with 80-100,000 miles on it, as long as it was maintained impeccibly. Which brings me to... Whatever you look at, register over at the Toyota Owners Site. You can enter the VIN # of ANY Prius you are looking at, add it as if it were your own (you can delete it later) and see the FULL service history, including any open and/or completed Recalls. Always pull a carfax. Most dealers provide this at no charge. If the dealer wont, my Credit Union will pull it for me. My niece had a Civic, which despite its record for reliability, gave her a great deal of issues. She passed the Civic onto my other niece, and she bought a newer Gen4 Prius. Shes loving it.... Edit: I see you are in Tampa. I am bored, my husband is marathon watching " " again" " ATK, so I looked on autotrader for you Heres a Prius Two in your price range: Autotrader - page unavailable Autotrader - page unavailable
If it's a 2014 (or newer) with VIN higher than shown in page one of the attachment, it'll have the improved, higher tension piston rings.
Thanks for your input everyone! I settled with a 2013 Toyota Prius Five. I actually think it is a different trim level though. It says that it's a five on the dealer's website, but I noticed that it doesn't have a backup camera. Prius by ViperChick007 posted Jan 26, 2022 at 12:58 PM
Interesting -- do you say this because any car that cheap probably is nearing its end or is your comment Prius specific?
That was not my experience with the Gen 2's we owned. Gen 3 could be a different story. @ViperChick007, congrats. That's definitely not a trim 5. But if you got it for $12k, that's not bad.
gen3 specific. the o/p's new purchase is a risk i wouldn't be willing to take. but maybe i just read too much priuschat
strike one is the dealer lying about the package level. strike 2 and 3 won't likely be far behind, but i hope not.
The headlights don't look like level 5, which are LED style: Note the dual low-beam LED headlights (on right side), and below the headlight there's a raised cover over the headlight washer jet, both exclusive to level 5.
I entered the VIN in the Toyota Owner's site. And behold, it is a Two trim! I am furious, but they were helpful to bring it around my budget.
Take it back and show them it is not what they sold it as. They should recalculate the asking price for a lower level.
I mean, dont say I didn't warn you... I told you to do that FIRST before buying a Prius! Either way, if you FEEL you got a good deal on it, and you LIKE the car, dont let this take away from that. I've owned a 2012 Prius Two, and aside from adding a backup camera (easy: search the forums for a DIY), and a few other easy fun mods (Toyota OEM lower door trim ($150, ebay), Finding some Softex Leather seats on car-part.com and installing them ($250), the car was perfectly equipped for me. A Prius Four was thousands more than I paid, but I had easily modded it to be a Three and half
If you have an option to return it, you should seriously consider it. Other than Bisco, no one told you about the 2010-14 Prius issues, which are significant.
