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Keep or sell 2013 Persona 180K miles

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Finney, Apr 3, 2024.

  1. Finney

    Finney New Member

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    Persona
    Hi y’all! I’m new to the forum and wanted to get some advice on my Prius - whether to sell or keep!

    I have a white 2013 Persona with 180K miles. Only two owners, me and a woman who used it as a commuter vehicle for about 6 years. It’s had regular maintenance and I have all the records. Still has the OG hybrid battery. No other major issues. No accidents, just door dings from parking in the city.

    I’m concerned after reading through this forum about a major issue, the hybrid battery needing replaced or an issue with the head gasket killing it. and not being able to get trade in or sell it. I’m not handy myself - beyond windshield wipers and air filter-type jobs - so I don’t think I can do the work on it myself to save myself money.

    My question is, should I keep or sell? If I sold now, how much do you think I could get for it on the private market? I live in Austin.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    If you're not too underwater in the car now is a good time to get out of it an excellent time if there's no problems try and get $8,000 for it or whatever I don't even know what it would be worth if it's in really nice shape no stains in the seats and so on and as the soft tex interior door panels and seats that's premium If there's no damage on the skirts of the seats any white showing that sort of thing I would think you'd get top dollar I didn't even look to see where you are or what market you're in I own a persona that's in just about that kind of condition with the damage that everybody talks about here I also have a 2010 solar roof car which made $387,000 mi I think and just failed but the only reason that car made that kind of mileage is because it was running cab duty basically it stayed in the wind If you are a delivery driver and you're staying in the wind working on the weekends all of that you might make 300 close to 400,000 before the engine fails I don't think preventive maintenance will stop the failures It's part of a grander scheme of things but anyway I would recommend you get out of it as quickly as you possibly can without taking any loss as the car is running well at the moment etc don't push it If you really have to have a hybrid vehicle buy a generation two with the money you sell the three for You can find a nice one in the pretty green color with Grey leather seats. And many in amazing condition. If you're getting on up there in years like myself a generation 2 could last the rest of your life literally unless of course somebody slams into you that's why I have three or four of them so as they get slammed into or what have you I have another one ready to go so I've got three shots at getting slammed into and then one car left but seriously look into not getting into losses.
     
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    And you're in the heat of Texas too I would probably try to handle that get out of that Yes sir
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If you want to keep it, do some maintenance on the EGR circuit and whatever is recommended on your owners manual based on year and mileage.

    keep $10000 ready for expensive failures down the road.

    new hybrid cars are close $40000 now so if you want to keep yours going, just make sure you’re prepared to fix it when it breaks
     
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    180k is late in the day to start EGR cleaning ; the head gasket is likely going, or will be soon.

    My 2 cents: if EGR cleaning is done every 50k, there’s be no head gasket failures.

    Toyota could have ‘fessed up about this, but there’s a few obstacles:

    1. they like to maximize profit; being responsible costs them.

    2. they like to tout low maintenance; needing to tear the car apart for a messy carbon cleanout every 50k detracts from that.

    3. they went to production with an EGR system which in hindsight has proven to be woefully untested. Likely due to their mandate mentioned in #1.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Apr 4, 2024
    Last edited: Apr 4, 2024
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  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    To add to the above post, you should also change out the electric water pump if you haven't done so. If you're not going to keep the car, then it probably doesn't matter.
     
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  7. Finney

    Finney New Member

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    Persona
    Update: got an OBD reader and tested with Dr Prius App. Life expectancy test said I have 72% capacity left and I didn’t get any error codes on the full battery test or special features page.

    So, EGR cleaning and I should be good for a while?
     
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Maybe. Optimum is every 50k. Leaving it to 180k, your head gasket may be failing. It’s always good to clean it, but don’t expect it to turn back the clock.

    see first two links in my signature; on a phone turn it landscape to see signatures.
     
  9. Finney

    Finney New Member

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    Thank you!!
     
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