Gen II or Gen III

Try a google search here (search, lower box google) on things like 2009 vs. 2010, etc...

We've been hashing this topic since 2009, so lots to find. Personally I don't like talking about it due to a bad experience with 'Gen II'.

 

Depends......
You can get into a G2 more cheaply for sure, but you're going to have to make that coin toss for yourself.

You can probably buy more G2 for the same money than you can a G3, however (comma!!!) the used car market for both is pretty tight.
I'm thinking that most of the clean, one-owner G2's have already been converted into less-clean, multiple owner, higher mileage G2's.

Good Luck!

 

There are a TON of improvements and new features (some optional) w/the 3rd gen (2010+). See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/88583-prius-versions.html#post1242903 and a bunch of posts that follow.

The 3rd gen's a superior car and unless you have a high mileage 3rd gen, you'll have more of the warranty left than on a 2nd gen.

That said, I'd consider seilerts to be a repair expert here and he posted his opinion at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-has-been-destroyed-what-now.html#post1405319.

If you do get a 2nd gen, if you get HIDs (06-09's seemed to have failure prone HID bulbs vs. 04-05s), well, 3rd gen doesn't have them even as an option. 3rd gen also ditched the coolant heat storage tank and its water pump. The pump would squeal on some cars. I had mine replaced under warranty due to squealing (I think there's a TSB on it). 3rd gen doesn't have the quirky bladder (no, this isn't a deal breaker or a huge issue).

 

It's more than small differences here and there. Although they look similar, the two chassis (heck, cars) are different. They don't 'share most parts'.

The roof peak has been moved further back on the 3rd gen. Although the front seats aren't quite 'perfect' they have been improved a lot in 3rd gen. The entire car feels more robust as compared to the non-touring 2nd gen.

I really like the Hybrid System Indicator gage in the 3rd gen and finding it helps me get better fuel economy.

3rd gen is a very well built car. It has not done anything quirky in my 6 weeks, 900 miles so far.

btw, I just brought home a 58" tall cat tower in the Prius. Such a useful car too

 

Cycledrum has WAY more seat time in a 3rd gen Prius than me (I've only had a few test drives) but when I first drove it in March 09 (at Prius Connection San Francisco), my impressions was the the 3rd gen felt a lot more solid than my 2nd gen. I even wrote about it at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-driving-impressions-thread-2.html#post819419, after the embargo was lifted.

 

I think, speaking now as a "cheapie," that economically it makes much better sense to get a Gen II. It should not be depreciating as quickly now as a Gen III. As far as I'm concerned, the Prius is the battery, not the new flashy interior or a solar option. I would probably agree that a Gen III, compared to a Gen II, is overal better, but it comes at too high of a price for those marginal improvements. And they took away the three door SKS except from the high end packages, which in my opinion was just plain nasty.

My opinion of course.

 

You may also consider a Honda Civic Hybrid or a Diesel if your commute is mostly Highway. They perform well in that environment. Gen II vs Gen III Prius goes to the Gen III for me mostly due to driver comfort.

 

The Gen III is slightly bigger, has slightly more power, and gets slightly better mileage particularly on the highway if I have heard correctly. I can't speak to the good/bad aspects of the Gen II since our 2011 Gen III is our first Prius. We've had it for about 9 months now and have ~11000 miles on it. It's a solid car that is used mainly as a commuter/kids to school car, but we've taken it on a couple of weekend camping trips (400-500 miles) and its been comfortable on the long trips as well as having enough room for 2 kids, 2 adults, and camping gear (it does take some efficient packing!). I generally get about 47-49 mpg (calculated) in my daily commute, but have averaged well over 50 on the longer trips.

If you can afford it I'd recommend a Gen III. With the 2012's showing up this is probably a pretty good time to get a decent deal on a leftover 2011.

Good luck!

 

I would not buy an HCH due to HV battery longevity concerns. As for diesels, that limits your brands and let's just say that brand has a questionable reliability record.

 

If money is tight buy a used Gen II - if you have the flexibility get a Gen III, doubly so if you are to sort of person to buy and keep things for the long run.

In your original post you state "I will be driving 50+ miles round trip and would like to invest my money into a fun, reliable, and dependable hybrid so my pockets wont run dry" Just to keep your expectations in line, with a Prius you will get 3 of the 4 things that you want - great mileage in a reliable and dependable car. While the Prius is great at what it does I do not think many people would classify it as fun. I know that I was at peace with that when I bought mine (a Gen II) and as long as you are OK with it you should have a happy and long relationship with whatever one you choose.

 

Although Prius may not be the most fun car to drive, it is a very satisfying car to drive.

Basically the more electric driving a car does, the more satisfying it is to me. The 3rd gen spends a little more time in electric drive than 2nd gen, and as I recall the transitions are smoother too.

 

As the proud owner of a high mileage Gen II for over 1 year and almost 30,000 miles (closer to 29,600 due to odo/speedo error ) deciding on a high mileage Gen II or newer Gen III depends on how well you can psychologically withstand the unexpected mechanical or electronic fault an older hybrid car will throw at you.

My '05 Yoda has 163K miles now. The only fault that has occurred during my brief period of ownership thus far has been the dreaded headlight levelling sensor warning light with HID lights. This error light has come on only in the winter so far. I believe it has lit and turned off at least 5 times since last year February. And everytime it does occur, my first reaction is panic followed by relief when it's just that stupid headlight levelling sensor error!!! I plan on trying the DIY repair soon, possibly this weekend in hopes of taking care of this fault once and for all.

The bottom line is: If you can't handle the thought of being stranded in a Prius once a (inevitable) drivability related fault occurs, a high mileage (100K+ miles) Gen II is not for you.

And there probably just aren't that many Gen II's out there with low mileage and virtually none with the OEM warranty. So either way you're likely to be wary of that demonic red triangle with the exclamation point inside of it to make its unwelcome appearance on your dashboard. And I used to think that little yellow outline of an engine that shows up on the dash was traumatic.

And pity the poor Honda Civic Hybrid owner! Honda's IMA warning light is a virtual certain occurence for those unfortunate souls. cwerdna beat me to it - STAY AWAY from that particular Lepermobile.

Most people would choose the Gen III and they would be right to so.

Meanwhile, Gen II daredevils like me will just take our chances awaiting the sad day when our beloved Prius needs to be towed on a flat bed to the dealer for diagnosis and repair or to be sold to someone who is willing to shell out what will likely be $$$$$ to repair it.