200,000 Mile Club

Definitely sell (because of cat issue and although an hour fix and $120 aftermarket you said that doesn't comply with CA inspection...and also the abs pump is pricey repair).

Did you buy OEM water pumps from Toyota? I used to get them on Amazon (imitation for $30) and noticed the difference in weight between buying from Toyota Dealership vs. the imitation. The Amazon one for $30 is light as a feather. The Toyota pump is heavy.

 

Hello all, I used to post here years ago and still come here for information from time to time. I'm glad this forum is still doing well because it's a great resource. Many thanks for all the help I've gotten over the years.

My 2007 Prius reached 200,000 miles on October 6, 2020. It's at 202,000 now.

For the first 6ish years my commute was 40 miles per week, all on local roads with lots of stoplights and stop signs. Then my job moved and my commute became 50 miles per day, all highway, for 6 years. The last few years of that were non-stop work zones -- lane shifts and closures, stop and go traffic, a nightmare. A year ago I started a new job that should be work from home 4 days per week, drive 80 miles round trip the fifth day, all highway.

In addition to commuting I often go on weekend day trips, 60-120 miles each, plus trips to NY (600 miles round-trip) to visit family which was happening every 4-6 weeks as my parents have gotten older. Through it all the Prius has been great, reliable, comfortable, capable of carrying anything I need to transport.

Since the pandemic began I rarely go anywhere except grocery shopping, though I have driven to NY a few times.

MPG these days is 42-45 depending on the weather. If I only drive on local roads it's below 40 because of frequent stop signs and stoplights, especially in winter.

As for repairs, I go to a local dealer service department. The same service manager has taken care of the car the entire time I've had it. I can trust him, so I follow his recommendations. The 12v battery has been replaced at least 3 times. The hybrid battery is original. I think the brakes have been replaced twice. I don't recall specifics on other repairs. I'm told I need a new muffler and it does sound louder than usual when I accelerate. Last year I learned that it was burning oil.

It has survived 3 crashes. The first was when someone ran a red light and hit the left rear; fortunately the damage was minor. The second was my fault, clipping the left rear of the car in front of me while changing lanes in slow traffic. In the third incident I was driving on a highway when I was sideswiped back to front on the driver's side by a Prius taxi after it was hit by an SUV. The damage was not too bad, surprisingly.

The only big problem I've had was years ago when it was still under warranty. The symptom was that the headlights didn't work right. It took weeks to figure out what was wrong and resolve it -- iirc 11 different computers needed to be replaced. I may have written about it here at the time.

I'm hoping to keep my car going for a while longer, though I'm looking into the Gen 4 just in case. All in all buying it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

 

Here's the odometer on October 6.

 

I have three Gen2 Prius in my family that are all 200k+ miles

As of 2/11/2021
2005 203K purchased in 2017 with 166K for $3,000
2005 263K purchased in 2017 with 182K for $3,500
2009 253K purchased new

Except for warranty / recall work, I have done all the maintenance.
On all three vehicles:
12V battery
Front brakes
Wheel bearings
Inverter pump (2005 failed, did preemptive replacement on the other two cars).
Changed coolant
Changed transmission fluid.
New spark plugs every 100K
Rear Coil Springs (on both 2005).
Front Struts on one of the 2005

Catalytic converter was stolen on 2009. Replaced with cheap non CA NY replacement and new 02 Sensor $180.

Catalytic converter was stolen on 2005. Replaced with cheap non CA NY replacement and new 02 Sensor $180.

Pre-emptively replaced Catalytic converter on other 2005, Sold converter on ebay, after fees made $1,110 from ebay.
Spent $180 for replacement, and I don't have to worry about the hassle of having the converter ripped off.


I change the oil every 5K on all three. I purchase Toyota Oil filters in bulk for around $4/filter.
As for oil, any 5-30 that I can get the best price, typically 2-3/quart. I have always used regular (not synthetic oil), just my preference.

All three cars do burn oil, around a 1 to 1.5 quarts per 4K miles, so I have to remind my kids to CHECK the OIL!

I have been very pleased with all three cars.

My 2009 still gets 46-48 mpg in the summer and around 38-40 mpg in the cold Wisconsin winter.

-andy

 

wow. $1,110 for the converter?

hi all, just found the forum and hope to gain some knowledge on these cars.

my wife needed a more fuel efficient vehicle for her daily commute. so we naturally looked at the Prius. as i was searching around for her car, i was kind of impressed with them and decided to look for one myself. so we ended up getting a 2008 (hers) and a 2009 (mine).

2008 has about 170,000 miles on it. while my 2009 has 229,700. haven't done anything with the cars yet. although i have to figure out why my fog lights aren't working. and unfortunately for us, the CEL came on her 2008. so i have to figure out what is wrong with that.

 

As of 2/24/2021 on Ebay Gen 2 converters are selling for $1500 - $1600.
There were be more theft, might want to replace them on your own if you don't live in NY or CA.
-andy

 

1) Did you replace the HV battery pack? Nope
2) Did you replace the 12v lead-acid battery? Yes, it was replaced every 2-3 years by original owners for the first 9 years of its life (too often if you ask me). I just replaced it after 7 years of not being replaced.
3) Did you replace the hybrid transaxle fluid? Yes @ 190,000 miles
4) Did you replace the brake pads? Yes, @160,000 miles. Maybe once before that by previous owners.
5) Your lifetime MPG (if available)? Not available. I get between 5.2 l/100 kms in summer and 6.0 l/100 kms in winter.
6) How often do you change your oil? What brand / product did you use? Every 7,000 miles with synthetic blend up until 160,000 miles, and after that every 15,000 miles with full synthetic.
7) How about post a picture of 200,000 miles on ODO? Sorry, im too lazy to walk out to my car. But I am not lying!

 

Just joined the site. Have never posted though I have viewed many posts as an unregistered lurker.

Am now at 214,000. Changed out the Inverter Water Pump today with the improved Dorman just as preventative maintenance.

I have done almost all maintenance on the vehicle myself, since I bought the car at an auction with 90k miles. I bought it for $2200. It had been in an accident that struck the front driver fender and door. I replaced both, had to have a body shop tweak the door frame just to get the right fit. (Before and after pics)

so far my work (some of which I did with help of this forum, others from Chrisfix/YouTube clones):

Replaced Front Brakes & Calipers (do not leave keys nearby while doing this! Only time I have had to take to dealer to fix my screwup)

Replaced EGR valve

Replaced ICE Water Pump

Replaced A/C belt

Replaced Front Struts

did Piston soak with MMO (with help of this forum, it helped oil consumption a lot)

Replaced Inverter pump

changed out Transaxle and both coolant fluids at about 60-80k intervals. All oil changes and filters.

only other thing I took it to shop for was to get tires

I’m hoping to join the 400k club, but am wondering if that will require a battery swap.

 

I am not quite at 200k but hoping I can slide in.

I just purchased a one owner, very well maintained 2008 with 189k. I bought it from the dealer that originally sold it, maintained it and then took it back as a trade-in. There are no dash lights on and it drives perfect as far as I can tell. It went through a pre-sale inspection and they did an oil change, replaced the rear latch switch, and the height level sensor. I am attaching the carfax so you can see what was done over the years. I don't see that the 12v or main battery has been replaced, so I am obviously preparing for that. Is there anything I SHOULD do now based on the attached maintenance history, and the fact that I can't detect any problems at all?

 

It looks like you got a good car. I can’t find on that list when they last changed the 12v battery, so that might be something to look into if it’s more than 5 years old. There are some folks who recommend doing a transmission drain and fill every 60,000 miles, but it’s not on the factory maintenance schedule so it’s up to you. I would also recommend getting a catalytic converter shield installed to make it harder to steal your catalytic converter. Thefts have been up considerably of late. Other than that, enjoy your car!

 

Thank you! Is there any reason to change the 12v now I am am not having any issues or dash lights? I don't mind being proactive but also dont want to do something that is entirely unnecessary. Is the 12v failure the kind of thing that will happen slowly with some warnings, or just fail drastically and leave me stranded somewhere?

 

The Prius has a relatively small 12V battery, because it is not used to crank the gasoline engine when starting. But it is needed to start the car, because it boots the computers, and powers the relay for the high voltage battery. Since you don't hear a starter motor struggling when the 12V battery is weak, it will often die without warning. Sometimes when the 12V battery is weak, it will cause random warning lights and error codes, possibly sending you and your mechanic on a wild goose chase.

So yes, if it is more than five years old, you should proactively replace it.

 

It's actually the original! So I will definitely get it replaced at the dealer. $250 for a TrueStart

 

1) Did you replace the HV battery pack? NO
2) Did you replace the 12v lead-acid battery? YES twice
3) Did you replace the hybrid transaxle fluid? only trans mission fluid at 100k and 200k
4) Did you replace the brake pads? at 100k
5) Your lifetime MPG (if available)? 210k
6) How often do you change your oil? What brand / product did you use? mobile 1 at 6k

 

A month ago.

 

I'm at 269,000 my final amount of caring for the car was around 200k (cheap struts in the front).

Have done nothing last 2-3 years (70k miles).

Since I got it at 140k I've done minimal to the car. Original 12V, hybrid bat, all headlights always worked never once an issue, radio, display, brakes, etc....AC always been ice cold and heat hot.

I would say it is on it's way out cause of oil burning (meaning to do the piston soak but never gave to mechanic)....cosmetic...and overdue for an upgrade.

Only ever had 3 issues:
1) Annoying P0456 very small evap leak has engine light always on but sometimes in hot summer months goes away
2) Around 180k miles noticed losing a quart or so per oil change (every 3k miles). Now I'd say nothing will be on the dipstick at 2k miles. So probably losing 1 quart every 900 or so as a guess.
3) Tire leaks and tire pressure light although part of that is from buying used Michelin tires for about $200 instead of brand new ones over $500.

 

Our 2005 is still going strong.

200100 miles.

Replaced the 12v battery once.
Original traction battery - no warnings concerning it.
I have replaced the HID bulbs I think twice.

Just did (for the first time):

• front struts
• rear struts
• front brakes
• rear brakes

Also just did these (they may have been done before):

• serpentine belt
• inverter coolant
• ICE coolant

This car has been one of the best vehicles I have ever owned.

On the way to service about a 15 mile drive, it got 49.5MPG

It does burn a little oil now. Maybe 1 quart in 5000 miles or so.

 

237K

Traction battery replaced 5 years ago. Other than that, zero issues. None. Nada. This is the most reliable car I have ever owned and I plan on running it into the ground... then getting another one.

 

Almost to 200k myself. But I won't ever reach it if I can't fix the thing. Hopefully I can make a thread about that issue soon.

 

Over 352 thousand km. We bought this car around 2012 and still have it.
Still original battery, hybrid battery, suspension, brakes,
Only thing changed has been a few tyres and just recently left rear light went out. Apart from general oil and filter i have not replaced anything.