Would you buy a 2021 Prime again, with high milage?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by PixelRogue, Nov 10, 2024.

  1. PixelRogue

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    Would you buy a 2021 Prime again, with high milage, if the price were right?

    In the hunt for a new 'used' Prime and seeing a few models Limited's w/high milage of interest (both single owner, no accident and excellent dealership maintenance records.) One is at 93k while another clocks in at 140k. One 2020 XLE @ 90k.

    All seem to be running low on the warrantee coverages given the milage. Seeing less 'issues' in threads around high milage for these years, maybe clicking the only pattern. Interested in owner's thoughts. I'm also handy and willing to roll up the sleeves for proper preventative maintenance as needed.
     
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    IMHO; A newer car with that kind of mileage on them - NOT a ride share, is a good car - as long as it's mostly highway miles. You should be able to tell by time between maintenance and lifetime average mileage. There's also an EV/ICE percentage of usage screen. You already know these batteries will last 10+ years and I believe there's a 15yr or 150K mile warranty on the 2020 or new cars.
    For example; I'm nearing 50K miles on mine and my commute is 75% highway, 25% city, just beyond my HV battery recharge limit. Tank up about once a month and lifetime average is 100+mpg. A highway runner should be around 75 mpg lifetime.
    YMMV
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    should be good for another 100k+ if everything checks out.
     
  4. PixelRogue

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    Found another option ... 2022 XLE (100k). CarFax cites 1 moderate accident. Cosmetically looks like new (in photos.) Here is the report of interest and asking if folks here, based on the carfax showing:
    a) not totaled, no frame damage etc,
    b) dealership repairs and
    c) few months after the accident it appears to have been traded in/sold and moved around the country between dealers a fair bit​
    if the car would be lemon or faith in the Toyota dealership repairs the car would be adequate? Also, no one would be blamed if opinions didn't pan out....so if folks rave about it and then I'm stranded, no one here would be blamed.


    upload_2024-11-12_7-3-49.png
     
  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I'd be concerned with bent suspension components that wasn't replaced. Take it for a long test drive to see how it tracks, drift, rattles or squeaks. Take it over uneven pavement and pothole roads to see how it reacts.
    Did you notice the 'internal transmission repair'? Undercarriage left damage is the transmission location, seems to have been missed on the original repair.
    If your serious about this car, take it to an independent shop for deep inspection. Remove those under-body panels to access damage - hopefully it was properly repaired, rather than just covered-up.
     
  6. PixelRogue

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    Appreciate the input.
     
  7. Scarface2005

    Scarface2005 Member

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    I don’t consider 93k or even 140k to be high mileage. The 10 year 150k mile warranty is only in California, and a couple other states. I bought a 2020 prime in 2022 with 109k miles. It had a lifetime mpg of 49.1 when I bought it, which to me suggests it wasn’t plugged in too often, maybe even never, and the og owner bought it solely for the solo HOV lane access.

    I already had a 2017 prime back in 2022 when I bought the 2020. I bought the 2017 in 2019 with 19,000 miles on it, and a lifetime mpg of 199.99. The 2017’s seller claimed the car was still on the first tank of gas that it rolled off the dealer lot with. So, the 2017 has been consistently charged up throughout its’ life.

    so today, the 2017 (148k miles) battery gives 22 miles, and the 2020 (155k miles) battery gives 27. Also, the 2017 is still on its’ first set of brake pads bc using that B mode correctly is just awesome!

    I’ve just done oil changes every 5k-10k miles, throttle plate cleaning every other oil change, and trans fluid change at 145k miles.

    The 2017’s hood release broke at 90k miles and sadly I couldn’t fix it myself and had to take it to the stealership.

    also, the little 12v battery sucks for the prime. The 2020 is still using the og 12v battery, which means it has to be jump started if it isn’t driven for three days… which rarely happens, really only at the airport.
     
  8. Scarface2005

    Scarface2005 Member

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    Just for reference, my 2012 Prius plug in was right at 300k miles when it was wrecked in 2022, which led to my purchase of the 2020 prime with 109k miles.

    I bought the 2020 prime for $25,009.00 out the door at a used car lot called “Plug In Auto”. It’s in either Glendora or Covina in LA County, California. I hate dealerships, but I was in a pickle and needed a car that day. The 2020 had an active solo HOV sticker when I bought it.

    Plug In Auto has a great selection of EVs, hydrogen fuel cells, PHEVs, and hybrids. Sadly the employees don’t know anything about what they’re selling. But, I’ve never seen any other used car lot with that many different manufacturers’ PHEV, EV, etc available at the same location.
     
  9. PixelRogue

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    What would be a reasonable rate to hire a shop to look over the car, which wouldn't have much time to schedule in advance? I may be looking at a car tomorrow to purchase....high milage 21 Prime.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you know a shop with familiarty with plug in hybrids, a coiple hundred would be fair. but shops like that are few and far between.
     
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  11. PixelRogue

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    these are distant unknown locations... leap of faith a well socially reviewed shop would work.
     
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  12. PixelRogue

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    Was out there yesterday. Had the car independently inspected (shop was excellent) with needing a few items; only 1 item (12 volt battery) was new to the conversations w/the sales manager. Made the long trip out, paid for the inspection, tolls/gas etc (so invested in the sale.) The sales manager refused to step out to meet, I was handled by a floor sales person who (at manager's direction) denied the original terms of the deal. I turned around and left. Hot mess, and sadly these experiences further reinforce the stereotypical reputations portrayed on film and television. Back to the drawing board.
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i had the same thing happen with my chevy bolt. made a deal with a sales lady over the phone, drove a long way to the dealer only to have them tell me no deal. i asked to see the person i talked to on the phone and got the old 'she isn't in today'.
     
  14. Danno5060

    Danno5060 Active Member

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    I bought a 2019 with 55K at the end of 2023. That's a purchase I'd do all over again.

    High mileage? That's kind of a subjective term. For a Gen 4 Prius, I'm thinking that's somewhere north of 200K. In that case, there are plenty available with less than 100K. You'll spend way more than you'll save, either by having to buy your next car sooner or having to put more money into the suspension parts that are going to be wearing out soon.
     
  15. Recian

    Recian Junior Member

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    I know I'm kinda thread jacking here but this fit what I was looking for perfectly. I had a 2018 normal prius years ago I bought with 20k and traded it in at 105k. I wasnt commuting anymore so i traded it in and got me a truck. Truck is now payed off. Loved my gen4. It's the only car I've owned that I look back and miss it. Now that im moving to a bigger city, im wanting to buy another the same as what i had for driving around town. My 18 was a four with 11.2 screen and leather. I always wanted a prime and in my area primes with 100-140k are alot cheaper than regular prius and easier to find with leather and 11.2 screen than regular prius also. I guess theyre more misunderstood in the SE states. People wanting 20k for regular prius when I can get the dame miles and options in a prime around 15k. I know the gen4 are reliable I'm just curious about the battery being bigger for ev purpose after 150k. I even found one with 200k for 11k.
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so far, there aren't (m)any reports of bad batteries, and they are mostly under warranty i suppose.
    after 150, you're on your own. how many miles would you like to keep her for?
    i'd guess over 200k, we might start seeing some, but maybe not. the original plug in is 12 years old now, and we aren't seeing (M)any issues there.
     
  17. PixelRogue

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    Enjoying this thread and everyone's input!

    Still a bit beside myself on pricing of these cars, used...few years old...higher mileage. Finding 2020+ models (higher trims, leatherette) trending for about $23k and upwards of 50k miles. Lower the miles the higher the price climbs...over 100k price starts drifting to about 20k. Then seeing some 2023s models (higher trims, leatherette) starting apx. $33k, lower miles. Tossing around if the extra 10k is worth the jump (more of a question for Gen 4 sub.)

    Anyone have input on insurance for the 2023+ Primes (which is more of a. question for the Gen 5 sub) - did you see insurance rates spike?
    (on a related note - as I'm turning over rocks looking for the right vehicle/price point, I am seeing what appears to be insurance companies writing off Gen5 Primes w/front end damage....damage that doesn't even look that bad - say left or right headlight damage from light collision.)
     
  18. Danno5060

    Danno5060 Active Member

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    @PixelRogue

    In the US, at least for the rest of this year, there's a tax incentive to a Prime (must be 2017 or later and have a price tag of less than $25k) that gives you up to $4k back on your taxes. That's not just taking the $4k off your taxable income but reducing your overall taxes by that $4k. (There are a few other caveats here.)

    I'd be looking (and I did) for Primes that fit in that category. That $4k will put you into a much better class of Gen 4 Prime - where you won't have to be building one out of spare parts and trying to keep it on the road. It also will probably limit you out of the Gen 5s (which is a pity because the EV range is about double what the Gen 4s get).

    I effectively traded a 2009 Gen 2 for a 2019 Gen 4 Prime. The insurance went up, but not unreasonably so. More because the 2009 didn't have much of a replacement cost compared to the 2019.
     
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  19. Torquewrench

    Torquewrench Junior Member

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    Is this on new purchases only or does used also count?
     
  20. Danno5060

    Danno5060 Active Member

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