I am sick of this car. I really am. About one year ago, I bought this prius with the hope and intention that it would be a good car. I was banking on Toyota's reputation for building reliable vehicles, which I had come to know through the HiLux and Tacoma. I really thought it would stand out. But alas, this car is turning out more like the 2003 - no, worse than the 2003 Intrepid I had traded in for the 2002 Prius I have now. At first it was my own ignorance with the car (I thought non-OEM parts would fly, which did NOT happen) and then it has begun to build up from there. At first, I was forgiving. Ok, I'll pay for the $10.00 spark plugs in lieu of $4.00 spark plugs. I'm ok with that. Then, the car was finnicky about the oil. Not just the viscosity. It HAS to be synthetic. Then came the charcoal canister. Easy enough to replace, but at $169.00 discounted? There was also the mysterious steering column knock that cropped up. And now, that warning triangle came on again, and the car had to be driven home with the gas pedal pushed down to keep the engine running. Why? The hybrid system would not function properly - when I pushed the go pedal, the engine would not turn on. Problem? Going uphill and losing power when I needed it most, I'd say YES. Normally I'd be more forgiving of problems such as these and consider upgrading to a newer model. But I must ask, can I expect the same nickel-and-dime effect from a 2nd-gen prius? And then there's the 3rd-gen prius, which has yet to even roll into production. Will I be able to expect the same thing from that car as well? Honestly, I'm fed up with this car, and I'm trading it in for *GASP* a new, conventionally running vehicle. Savings at the pump have been lost in translation because of the quickly adding repair costs, and quite frankly, I'm not going to let the car badger me to death with the next part that's bound to fail. So, flame me, blame me, curse me, spit on me, ban me, whatever. I'm sick of this car, and sick of the smugness that everyone seems to have because of their super 'eco-ego' that comes from the apparent savings to the environment (I've been here before under the s/n 'ozyran'). I'll wait until someone finally gets it right with an electric vehicle before I even TOUCH another hybrid. Good day, and goodbye.
So, let's see. You bought a used, high mileage, 2002 Prius a year or so ago, and have been having problems with it. Buying a used car is a risky venture . . . EVEN IF IT IS A HYBRID with a good reputation. Are you sure you didn't buy a lemon? Something which was trashed by it's previous owner(s)? Maybe a flood damaged car? Oh well . . . I don't blame you for being upset - but the problem with the car isn't BECAUSE it is a Toyota Prius.
Well, that just sucks, ozy. I'm sorry to hear it. I've had a couple of surprise repairs, too, but overall, the Prius is still considerably less expensive to own and operate than most other cars I've owned. Even if I don't factor in the cost of the air pollution.
It sounds like your anger is directed at the entire MODEL of car, when it seems that the problem is with your specific example of the vehicle. On first read, I thought you were speaking of a 2007 model - and I'd be ticked too. But buying a six-year-old car and projecting the problems you're having onto the entire model? That doesn't see relevant. I liked the last comment about waiting for an EV though!
Have a great day! Oh, and don't blame a car for it's problems. I mean, you did buy a used model, and given how any used car can be suspect, you should have known what you were getting into. Blaming a car for being a car, is just adding stress to your life. It's easier to just accept things and move on.
I hope you have a better experience with your next car, but I have to say that my Prius has been the best car I've ever owned.
Both steering & big-hand are well documented issues with that older model, definitely something to ask about before a used purchase. Did you research Prius before buying? The charcoal canister is a clue that the previous owner overfilled the gas tank routinely. Where did that oil advice come from? Synthetic is not required. Did you get an owner's manual? .
You're probably gone now and will never read this, but my '05 package 6 has had 0 ZERO 0 problems. I've never had to take it to the dealer for repairs, never had to put it in the shop, never had to work on it because something was going wrong. I do have to change the oil though because I cant remember the last time I did it... and I dont have to use synthetic if I dont want to. I'm not some hyper-miler driving the prius like I'm driving through a crowd of people looking for someone I know. I drive it just like I drove my Scion tC, peppy and just like every other driver out there. So its not like I baby my car and thats why its lasting. Wait wait WAIT!! I take that back. I did have to do maintenance on it. I had to take out the cabin filter and blow it out with my air compressor because... I felt like it. And I had to adjust the tire pressure when the weather broke from winter to spring. That cost me....10 minutes and $0. I f**k'in' love my Prius!
Well it looks like Ozyran has done a runner. I have no objection to paying $10 for spark-plugs that last 100,000 kilometres rather than paying $4.00 for plugs that need to be changed every 20,000 kilometres, it actually works out you spend half as much on plugs and 20% of the install cost. How many things have to go wrong to offset the $1000 per year savings on fuel? I hope he/she enjoys what ever they believe is a better car than a Prius
I too bought a used Prius two years ago, an '04 with 41,000 miles on it. I paid $16,500 for it and then another $50. to have the platinum 100,000 mile warranty transferred. We are now at 87,000+ miles and it looks like that $50. was the worst investment I ever made. PA P
