Help! I have a choice: 1) 2016 with blind spot monitoring and 92k miles. 2) a 2013 with only 77k BUT it got a new big battery 2 years ago. (It was a snowbird car and they let it sit around too much and it failed prematurely.) The older one with the new battery is a couple thousand less, but I’ll need to have some aftermarket blind spot monitor installed on the older model now that I’m addicted to the one on my Volt, (which I’m dumping). which would the experts lurking here buy? P.S. I had a 2004 gen2 for 14 years, and I have decided I prefer Prius to my Volt. (That’s another thread).
absolutely no way to tell which might be a better or less bad choice ! might be able to get better results talking to someone that knows a little about cars IRL / face to face.
If you can wait to replace your current car it would make more sense to continue driving it. Used prices are starting to drop and even new cars aren't seeing the same markups as earlier this year. I've noticed that stock of new prius and Prius primes are more available in my area of the northeast. Local dealers have at least 1 or 2 on the lots. With the new 2023s shipping soon you may find a deal on a new or gently used 2022. But if you're stuck needing a new ride and these are your options I would first have an independent mechanic evaluate both cars. The 2013 is coming up on being 10 or 11 years old and has already had a battery replacement. The 3rd gen can become a problem if it starts burning oil leading to needing a head gasket. Brake booster is another common repair. The 2016 is 3 years newer but also higher miles and getting up there in years. I've seen a few reports of coolant leaks into the exhaust that I've noticed browsing the forums. It does get consistently better gas mileage - I went from a 2013 with a lifetime of 48mpg at 175k to the 2016 which saw 52 when it was done in by a deer at almost 100k. What are the prices and what is your budget? If the 2013 is much lower and below your budget enough you can put the savings away to cover any expenses of an older car. But if they're similarly priced and you're not doing anything crazy like rolling in negative equity from the Volt I would probably go for the 2016.
hands down the 2016. gen3 prius (2010-2015) are toyotas worst cars ever. besides all their defects, the gen4 (2016-2022) is a much better car all around. and 100k on the battery is nothing.
Even my “bad” 2010 I had to Gen 4 swap the block on was better then many of the so called “good” cars I had owned prior. LoL
