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I miss my hybrid :( - would you buy a car with 100,000+ miles on it?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by prius_noob, Apr 4, 2016.

  1. prius_noob

    prius_noob Member

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    First of all, I'm from the UK - not the USA or Canada, so hey and stuff :)

    Secondly, I did have a Honda Civic saloon (sedan) hybrid. I now have a diesel car, and it doesn't have quite the same feel, despite being a VW Golf underneath..

    I'm considering getting a Toyota Prius, 2008 with around 144,000 miles. I can't post a link because of the forum rules not letting me - well I can after three more I believe.

    It's got a full service history. I was considering another car that had 165,000 miles too, for slightly less money (£3380) but it didn't mention any thing about it's service history

    For reference, 3360 GBP is 5266.74 USD/6896 CAD

    I believe the average wage in the UK is some 25K, so around 35K USD, or 46.7K CAD
     
  2. prius_noob

    prius_noob Member

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    ^ I'll post a link when the forum allows me to :)
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    with that kind of mileage, i would want to have some cash available for emergency repairs. there are some costly items unless you can diy, however unlikely it might be that they fail.
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That's about what we were offered for our 2005 Prius IF it had a working battery. We had 245,000km (153,000 miles)
     
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    We have some UK members might be able to help as far as battery....We have not heard too many 2008 batts fail yet but their turn is coming soon. Toyota has some service plans in UK where if you keep up with Toyota service, I think batt replacement is included. Might be a good car!

    If you have an eBrochure I'd like ask what the VDA luggage space quote is for my data base. I found it difficult to get UK/EU old brochures...USA I can easily get eBrochures for all prior years.
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    @GrumpyCabbie @PriQ are two PC members off the top of my head. I apologise if I forgot other members.
     
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  7. prius_noob

    prius_noob Member

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    Oooh so if I keep getting my car serviced from Toyota and Toyota only, they may well replace the battery?

    @S Keith did you have any issues with your cars? Typically with my card I have been going for regular services - not always at the dealer. I've just been buying the service parts myself and handing them over
     
  8. prius_noob

    prius_noob Member

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    Also not sure what you mean by the VDza boot space? I've seen this CSR on auto trader so I doubt there's an ebrochure. It wouldn't be from Toyota direct.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    disclaimer: s keith is a prius expert.:) ^^^
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    'britprius' is top notch, haven't seen him in awhile though.
     
  11. prius_noob

    prius_noob Member

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    Im really sorry, I don't quite understand all this. Could I ask what the HCH2 is or the HV? And HV leak code? I think I get the rest of it..sorta
    I guess likely things to go wrong are
    • battery (but which one? The hybrid or the 12V?)
    • Cat
    • A/C compressor, so something with the aircon?

    That doesn't seem TOO bad, for such a high mileage car?
     
  12. prius_noob

    prius_noob Member

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    Ah thanks! Tbf, in the UK, whilst our cars are probably more expensive after taxes, there are very many reputable independent dealers out there, that are reasonably priced. The parts are also reasonably priced in here as well I believe.. A £500 cat may cost you maybe £100 or so for someone to fit it in - a lot cheaper than dealer!

    Thanks for the terminology btw! See, I'm very willing to fix say equipment that I feel comfortable with (ie: IT type stuff) because a) I've done some thing similar before many times before, b) I work in IT, and c) I feel it's a bit safer to work with IT equipment than with cars, if you don't know what you're doing. I have a slight fear of...injury/death with a car fix :D

    I guess also, my uncle is a mechanic too, so that does help
     
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  13. tallman

    tallman Junior Member

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    I JUST BOUGHT ONE WITH 359762 MILES ON IT $500 USD RUNS QUITE WELL AFTER REPAIRING THE BATTEY FOR $ 84 2007 MODEL WITH FOUR NEW TIRES
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well done!(y)
     
  15. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    I believe Toyota UK will change your HV battery on the Prius II if it is 8 years old or less - as the Hybrid bits have an 8 year warranty. :D

    However; as long as you continue to service the vehicle (notice I called it a vehicle....it's much more than a car ;)) with your Toyota dealer every year, they will extend the warranty for each year to a maximum of 10 years (as in 2 extra years). Alternatively, some dealers offer an extended 24 month warranty (around £500+) that will also protect your Prius 'spaceship' up to 100,000 miles .

    This might not help Prius_noob though :(.

    However, when you take out a service with Toyota, they do tend to check the state of the HV battery amongst other things, and will warn you if any problems are detected. :)
     
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  16. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    Three months ago, I bought a 2007 base Prius that has 195,000 miles on it.

    I'm more concerned with the battery pack, but it usually varies thru only 3 of it's 8 bars, so that should be good. Nearly got one that varied 7 of 8 of the bars on the MFD on a short test drive - that's dying.
     
    #16 Chuck., Apr 6, 2016
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2016
  17. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Please elucidate on what you mean by "nearly got one that varied 7 of 8 bars on the MFD", and how you concluded that the HV battery 'was dying'.

    I'm curious.

    My Prius HV battery bars have always displayed from low purple bars to a full set of green bars, depending on operational traffic conditions, the weather, and what settings I have onboard "life-support" set to.

    Just to clarify, mine doesn't swing wildly from one extreme to the other in a matter of moments - apparently a sure sign the HV power pack is on the way out.

    Please elucidate.
     
  18. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    I was test driving a 2004 Prius and it was less than ten miles. The SoC on the MFD bounced from 8 to 1 bars and back. I called the PC member TexasHybridBatteries (Matt, I believe) and said he expected it to get worse within a week - i.e. it would soon be undrivable.

    Did not mean to scare anyone. If your SoC varies from 1 to 8 over a month or two, maybe that's OK, but definitely not on a short trip.

    hope this helps!
     
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  19. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Understood. Thank you! :)
     
  20. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    People more knowledgeable might elaborate, but on the MFD, the top two blue bars and occasionally the green bar above it may be the sweet spot of 50%-70% SoC. I have ScanGauge to check and perhaps make me paranoid.