Buying a used Prius UK, Prius or Jazz?

GBP2000 sounds too good to be true for a low mileage Gen2 Prius.

IIWY, I would narrow down any Gen2s based on carfax (or it equivalent in the UK), current owner's maintenance records, and Toyota online records.

Once narrowed down then take the selected Gen2 for a thorough test drive and a used car inspection at the TOYOTA dealer (unless you have a place that specializes in Toyota Prius nearby). Toyota used car inspection costs about USD100 around these parts. You are especially concerned about: i.) HV batttery and 12V battery; ii.) odometer discrepancies; iii.) functioning of all components and options; iv.) check engine light and codes associated with it; v.) oil consumption; vi.) maintenance/repairs actually performed; vii.) gas mileage history of current owner (poorly running Prius with defective HV battery will generally generate lower gas mileage); viii.) accidents (if any) and adequacy of repairs; and ix.) tires and brakes.

Good luck!!!!

PS I have no experience with Honda Jazz.

 

Good info on checking the gen 2 Prius.

Honda Jazz isn't any more reliable.

Hybrid in Jazz (and other Hondas of that vintage) is less reliable and offers less fuel savings than Toyota hybrid system. I would generally say that it's just not worth it. So if you decide to go for Jazz just normal manual or automatic is probably better option. Both automatic and manual transmissions do have problems on Jazz so check those carefully.

 

Welcome to PriusChat!!

When comparing, be sure to include the statistics for stolen catalytic converters.

 

If you DO opt for a Gen 2 Prius, my best advice is; if you buy one with the original catalytic converter installed, DO have it removed and replaced with a replacement non-OEM Prius II cat.

Unlike California USA, this isn’t an issue in the UK. Klarius do excellent replacement cats for the Prius II.

That way, you’re less likely to have your catalytic converter stolen again. I haven’t heard of anyone having a non-OEM cat stolen from their Prius yet.

I guess many Prius owners are eagerly trying to part with their Prii. Many have been technically written off due to the “Grand Theft CAT” epidemic in the UK. Resale values would naturally drop - especially after the vehicle is deemed written off but put back on the road after repairs.

Or.....maybe my imagination is running riot.

Just a thought.


iPad ? Pro

 

I have both 2007 honda Fit = Jazz at 160,000K good shape
and 2007 Prius at 327,000K poor shape.
I paid aprom $1500 US each for them,
Honda Fit ( Jazz) 5 speed is nightmare for me, My advice is that, Do not buy manual , It is the worse manual I ever have than 10+ other old car, both My brother in Law has Automatic which are much better and reliable, and They like them. I replaced bearing and clutch, and It last for 3 months and something wrong and master/slave clutch area.
Regarding with 2007 Prius, It is much more comfortable, My car is high mileage and poor maintence, It is still very comfortable. also lots of room inside, However It has many problem, I replaced both tractor 200V battery ( not cheap) and 12V AGM battery ( Very expensive). Lucky, I have Electronic backgrond and DIY myself to fix them cheap, and It has badly water leaking problem at back, I sealed 80% of them and I will seal all of them this summer.
Also, It has some strange problem, If door is not close tight for overnight, Its security system will drain 12V battery and it needs to jump start car. It took me while to figure out,
Honda Jazz/Fit has very good fuel economy in City, It is the best fuel economy car I have except 1992 Honda VX lean burn. it is not very comfortable, lousy shock, noise, very tight front seat, My overweight Co-worker complaints its seat and no room.
2007 Prius is better fuel economy both city and Highway.

I am not young anymore, I do not have time to deal with all those problem, I am thinking to buy a newer car.

 

Funny how they call it the Honda Jazz instead of the Honda FIt in the UK... I guess they were trying to avoid the sexually suggestive nature of the word "fit" in the UK?

As for what car to use... It's a matter of how many kilometers you want to get out of it. If you plan on doing massive amounts of driving, the Prius is going to be way less expensive in the long run. But if you aren't going to be driving very much at all and just need a car on rare occassion, the Jazz is going to be way less of a maintenance hassle. Prius are at their best as an everyday driver. They're way more problematic if not driven very often. That's why taxi cab companies like them so much and think nothing of putting a 1/2 million miles on them.