2nd gen Prius a safe reliable buy?

agreed. and if it doesn't?

 

Then I'll fix it. Been playing this game for many years now.

 

exactly

 

I am not sure what your point is.

 

o/p wants a safe reliable buy. it is not objective

 

My definition of reliable came from driving several used Pruis's (Prii?). The one I bought had the best driving characteristics, and still I needed $2600 more to bring it to a condition I feel confident with.

Bisco, I appreciate all your advice while I was asking the newbie questions. It was invaluable. I will use that on my next, used Prius purchase.

 

Well, in that case there is absolutely no car made today, new or used that can be called reliable by your definition. You can buy a brand new car and have it not start and run tomorrow. It happens. Price paid does not correlate with reliability, which your statement seems to suggest. Nothing is objectively 100% reliable, but a gen 2 Prius in good condition can be a very reliable and inexpensive vehicle.

OP may not be the right candidate for one as he is not a "car" guy, but that does not mean he can't find a cheap Prius that will run for years without a problem. These things run all over NYC, San Fran and other major cities as cabs with great results.

 

i did not define it, outside of my blanket price statement. but you're right, that in itself is subjective.
even new cars break down, we have seen it many times here.

 

Don't know if I should step into this hornet's nest debate.
But I'm not sure I actually agree in totality with this statement.

The old saying...you get what you pay for...has some truth to it.
Sure ULTIMATELY nothing can be totally guaranteed...new, used, economical or expensive.

But generally, the more you pay with an automobile, the more risk factors you can minimize.
Brand New from the factory, with a new car warranty is probably the least amount of risk but also the most expensive ownership option.
Then I do believe the less you pay....the older the vehicle is likely to be, that does correlate to both risk and potential reliability.

I mean who would argue that a 2019 Prius, is likely to have less problems over the next 10 years, than a 2009 Prius? And a 2009 Prius today does come with a significantly different price paid reality,- if you are buying it today.

I mean simply, there is a reason older used vehicles are cheaper than there corresponding newer counterparts, and a big part of that reason is projected maintenance needs and reliability.

The only exception might be older "Classic" automobiles which are sold for entirely different reasons.

 

He has a second estimate for struts and labor, it’s in the first hard to read attachment that one is to replace the struts and it’s a lot. Like around 540 just to rebuild the rear ones.

 

Another member made a recent comment that I am going to steal. He said that Toyota used to have something to prove with hybrid cars, and this could be why an 09 (Gen 2) has high reliability. Can the same be said with the latest 2019 offerings?

 

Reliability also depends on who and how the car was built. Put a 2007 Prius next to a 2007 mini. You will more than likely have a much, much less reliable car if you pick the mini. Most of the stuff the OP is complaining about is minor and might not even be needed. Spark Plugs? They would not have even been looked at in a pre purchase check. The guy didn’t even check the oil level. Plus look at the parts pricing and labor charges. You can have most of that work done cheaper at the dealer.

 

Minor engine maintenance is fairly easy on a Gen 2. You do need the tools, tho (looking at you, torque wrench). I did the spark plug change out in about 45 minutes, mostly because I reviewed youtube videos as I did it. Air filter /Throttle body was 10 minutes, MAS sensor was 10 minutes (9 minutes air-drying time) cabin filter was 30 seconds. 12V batt replacement took about 30 minutes because I'm old and weak. replaced tail light bulb in 10 minutes(cheaters kept falling off). I left the oil change and invertor fluid to the professionals for convenience sake.

 

I don’t think the guy has any idea about cars whatsoever. Who goes to look at a car and doesn’t even check the oil? Could be he has no mechanical skills, could be he doesn’t care to learn. Whatever the reason he’s at the mercy of a mechanic. He better learn to check the oil though. Prius are known to burn oil, and I’m pretty sure it was mentioned to him.

Edit: I looked back and I can’t find anyone who mentioned the oil use problem. Seems like we all got so wrapped up with his questions we missed it.

 

GeorgeW, torque wrench? Wait until you start working on BMW’s and need to torque then set an angular turning degree.

 

didn't want to break those iridium plugs

 

I would take breaking a plug over stripping out a plug hole.

 

as a diabetic whos slowly losing sensation in his fingers, i need a torque tool.

 

I was not dissing you for using a torque wrench. I use one for the same job. I was just showing you another way bolts are torqued. It’s the guys that don’t use the proper tools that wind up stripping out threads.