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Considering buying a 2016. Thoughts?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by An2TheTwan, Mar 22, 2023.

  1. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    https://www.northtowntoyota.com/used-inventory/index.htm?make=Toyota&model=Prius

    I am/was a generation 3 owner. Had pretty good luck with my car, especially considering I did not take the best care of it.

    How does the board feel about 2016s? I am always a bit cautious about buying the first year in a new generation. I heard a lot of kinks such as EGR clogging/head gasket issues from generation 3 have been worked out.

    Looking forward to the replies!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wouldn't hesitate. they've had a few issues, but nothing major. i think the worst thing is the leak at the exhaust heat exchanger for the coolant, and idk how prevelent that is, but there's an easy work around.
    no mph/kph button?
    does it have a spare?
     
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  3. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    Thanks.

    I will be test driving in a few hours. Will be sure to check if it has a spare. MPH/KPH button doesnt matter to me.

    They are asking 22k. Is it too optimistic to try and get 21k? You can't negotiate used cars like you once could.
     
  4. tucatz

    tucatz Active Member

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    I purchased an early 2016 early build. (In 2016). There were issues with the active grille shutter and windshield, both replaced under warranty. I’m living with a few rattles in the dash, but other than that very safe and sound.
     
  5. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    Took for a test drive - didn't love it.

    -No spare tire
    -Dealership could have prepared car to be more presentable. Weird gunk on the windshield and some of it seemed to carry into the interior. Dealership is pretty reputable in general.

    My biggest concern/red flag was the MPG history. On trip A it was at 40mpg over 2000 miles, trip B about the same 40mpg over 1200 miles, trip C about the same 40mpg over several hundred miles. I could be looking too much into this because none of this trips are very long but I feel at 2000 miles, that's a few fill ups. 2016 MPG is "Up to 58 city / 53 highway". I feel this fluctuation is too significant on a car with only 45k miles.

    Wanted to get the boards opinion on this? Am I reading too far into this or is there a real concern to be had with the MPG/Hybrid battery?
     
    #5 An2TheTwan, Mar 22, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2023
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Wouldn't a 2016 with only 45,000 miles still have a significant fraction of its emissions warranty (applicable to traction battery) intact?

    Not like I've seen this particular car but going from information presented I'd be pretty optimistic.
     
  7. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    I think the hybrid battery warranty is 150,000 miles unless they raised it. Something feels wrong about spending close to 25k on a hybrid with a weak battery. (if we can go off the limited trip history)
     
  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I won't disagree with your statement, but I do think you might be reading too much into the MPG history. Certainly worth asking the dealer to explain it.
     
  9. An2TheTwan

    An2TheTwan Junior Member

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    Asking the person trying to sell you a car their opinion? They will say whatever they think will get you to buy lol ;)

    I mentioned it to the salesman and he was more or less talking out of his @$$. He didn't bother trying to ask someone in servicing.

    I feel the members on this board will give better, unbiased answers.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if the mpg is the only thing holding you back, reset a trip meter and take another spin. but make sure the tires are pumped up
     
  11. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    I’ve got a’22 and wouldn’t touch a ‘16 with a 10 foot pole, especially at that price. The heat exchanger had problems, those mpg figures you’re mentioning, and a few other issues. Check out the bulletins and recalls. JMHO, for what that’s worth.
     
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  12. Harters

    Harters Active Member

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    What did the end of journey MPG trip state? This is one that shows up at the end of the journey when you switch off. This would give a good indication of what you could expect to get.

    Mine is a 2017 and I did a trip to London and back yesterday (approx 160 miles) and I got an indicated 71.6 MPG (UK Gallon) and this includes the climate control running. 65-70 MPH both ways. These car have the potential for amazing fuel figures.
     
  13. Jburner

    Jburner Member

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    Hybrid battery warranty is only 10 years in some states. Not sure why that is. I have a 2016, bought at 95k. No problems at all except replacing 12v battery. It’s possible to get those figures for mpg if driving all interstate and possibly 80mph.
     
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  14. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    My 2016 was solid. The price is crazy but all used prices are right now. If you absolutely need a car right now you can't go wrong with a gen4 prius.

    If you're in NY or the northeast and the car was a recent trade the last 2000 miles could have been highway driving in winter which that's not great mileage but not totally out of the question. Or the previous owner only did short trips. It's only had like 6-7k miles per year. It also appears to be a Four Touring model and those came with 17" wheels which can also hurt MPG a little bit. Plus the MPG could have been messed up if the dealership regularly let it idle on the lot or moved it around a bunch between service and sales and test drives. Test drive again and reset a trip meter and try to drive it normally and see what the mileage looks like for your typical style.
     
  15. Prius2016excel

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    2016 here. I’d swerve the first year of the new model. I’ve had 12v battery replaced under warranty, the heat exchanger at 100k, a breakdown due to faulty early ECU firmware (T-SB-0241-17, “Reduced Power When Accelerating From a Stop,”), and the car is now on its 3rd windscreen.

    Apart from all that, the intrusive cabin noise and feeling every bump, the MPG is excellent and I’m happy with it!
     
  16. amos

    amos Active Member

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    finding that spot where that might leak ? do we just change a piece of rubber tubing? i dont have any coolant issues but i thought to take a look at it. do you have any diagram for that weak spot location , or maybe a diagram by @Mendel Leisk ?
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    The exhaust recovery circuit leak is inside the exhaust AFAIK, necessitating replacement of the whole shebang, between exhaust manifold and muffler connection. Toyota has acknowledged issue, will fix for free, but often the replacement part is unavailable. There is a workaround, just bypassing the system, but Toyota and the dealerships were adverse to "compromising essential pollution control devices", which effectively bricks the car. Not sure if they're loosening up now.
     
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  18. amos

    amos Active Member

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    will toyota replace the whole converter and the exchanger inside it? or just do the bypass, i understand that if we do that bypass than we wont have any heat in wintr time? do we need to come up with a code or just go to dealer for rplacement, i dont want to sound too naive.
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    AFAIK they only will replace the effected components.
     
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  20. Jburner

    Jburner Member

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    you will still have heat, it will just take a little longer to get it.