2008 Prius was totaled. Should I get a 2012 replacement?

I always look to the newer car since it will the most/newest safety features.

So, is the value of your car before it was hit were more than $6300 ($4800+1500) or is your car worth more?
1. If it's worth more, tell the insurance company you want more.

2. You should also estimate you reg costs for the new car and add this to what they owe you. You shouldn't best that cost assuming that your car was remastered.

3. Did you pay for towering, storage, anything else?

3. Their estimates are going to be low. Get a Kelley Blue Book (or fine it online) I bet they re giving you the low value number. Get the best price you can.

4. Pretend you're selling the car. What's would you want for o it. Tell them you want that much.

If you want to repair it, simply repeat this to them. I was not at fault. You bear the entire cost of the repairs.

It's ok to be unreasonable and possibly look like the bad guy. You may have to fight them for what you want.

Talk to a lawyer. It may be worth getting one. Ask your insurance company if that is part of your policy. It really may be worth it.

Jerome

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I would definitely take the payout. I don't think I'd get a 2010 with that many miles though. I just did that myself, with the same miles, and the EGR was completely clogged. It was a real pain to take apart and clean, and now I'm in need of doing all of the regular maintenance (spark plugs, clean fuel injectors, new tires, ect.). I would've done better to have bought a slightly newer model with less miles.

 

yeah, if you can't afford at least a 2012, i'd look for an 09

 

I've handled totaled cars for myself and for a number of others. I've just dealt with the insurance companies saying "Here's the deal ...". I show them the car I want to replace the car that their client wrecked. Everything has always been close enough and they've picked up the check out the door. Maybe this can work for you too. It can't hurt to try.

 

The 2012 with that high of mileage will also likely have a clogged EGR and potentially a blown headgasket in it's future. I'll also add that a month after I bought my 2010 the hybrid battery died (thankfully still under warranty). I had the same budget as you currently do, I'd hold out and keep a sharp eye on private sales from Craiglist and Cargurus, and whatever sales sites are available, for something with lower miles. I still kick myself for missing out on a 2010 with 120k miles for $6000.

I also think that if you're a handy person, you could get the 2010 and clean the EGR. If the car doesn't need more immediate maintenance you should be OK for a while.

I would also be concerned about the battery on that 2012.

 

Totally understandable about the local mechanic. As for the 2008, I'll leave that for others who are more knowledgable about them. My previous prius was a 2004 that had a new battery installed before I bought it and it was super reliable at 180k miles when I bought it. I sold it to a friend around 210k miles I think, and immediately the 12v battery and water pump died. But the only thing I ever had to deal with was replacing the catalytic converter after it was stolen. I think the gen 2's were incredibly well made.

Perhaps if the 2008 is in really good condition and you can save the leftover cash from your budget for a potential new battery, it might be the best route. But I'm hoping others can chime in with more wisdom.

 

Sorry to hear about the accident and that is a tough price range to be in. I would try to find a 09 unless you can find a 10-12 that has already had its head gasket replaced. Aside from the head gasket and EGR problems, the Gen 3's are shocking reliable compared to the Gen 2.

If only you were closer to me, I would seriously consider letting you have my 2011 for $6500.

 

In my opinion, yes. The Gen 3’s are usually super reliable and problem free until the EGR and head gasket become an issue.

If you put the EGR and Head Gasket issues aside, the Gen 3 does not have these “common” issues:

- Combo Meter
- Inverter Water Pump
- MFD display failing (mostly on the early ones though)
- Axle seal (the driver side one seems to leak somewhat commonly on the Gen 2’s)
- ABS Actuator
- Coolant Flow Control Valve
- Leaking Engine Water Pumps

 

Most of the Gen2 issues are easily fixable by backyard bob’s. They are inexpensive and can be fixed in less than a day.

I think the Gen 3 head gasket issue is inevitable. This is debateable. The EGR clogging seems to be dependent on driving conditions but most of them do get pretty nasty by 150K. Some people claim that cleaning the EGR will solve the head gasket issues, but the 2zr-fe used in the corolla also suffers from Head Gasket issues and that model does not have EGR.

 

Any car with over 100-150,000 miles is subject to part failures. Parts wear out. It's a lot of miles.
It doesn't matter how well you take care of it, things wear out.
And every car seems to have something bad it's remembered for. With the Gen 3 Prius, it's the head gasket.
But if you start putting money aside for it, you'll have it when you need it.

 

does it have to be a prius? you won't save enough gas to pay for repairs. but you could get lucky, a lot of high mile prius are running around without major repairs, but you never know.

 

i said 2012 because i was thinking lower miles. but at the same price point, that isn't going to happen.

the first 100k are pretty trouble free. after that, you just don't know.

 

I am curious, how does age factor into this? Does age wear out the parts just as bad as miles? For instance, between a 2010 low miles (say 80k) and 2015 high miles (150k), both regularly maintained, which one might be better on the paper? I realize there are lot of other factors that come into play (such as were the mile highway mile or city miles, was the car in cold/warm climate, etc), but just trying to get a sense of wear out based on age vs. miles.

 

time is only more harmful to the battery, and i suppose rubbers and plastics. the rest of the car should be miles degradation.

one thing i'm not sure about is the brake actuator, if there are any rubber seals that might be affected by time or not.

the egr clogging is a mystery as to why some have an issue and others don't.

 

Maybe us lead-footers are less prone to EGR clogging and oil consumption?