Question on buying a 2010 prius

A google search on that subject will turn up many replies to the question. Here is a link to a search.
oil consumtion issue 2010 toyota prius - Google Search

 

This is a common, and tough question. Checking for oil consumption typically requires living with the car for a month or so. Anyway you could rent it for a month? Is that even a thing? Talk it over with the sales manager, express your concerns, why you'd want to do that? Assuming the sale is through a dealership. Or by owner??

Just for giggles:

Check the oil on the dipstick. If it's down near the low mark, walk.

This is obviously not conclusive, but who knows.

Tip for checking the oil:

Pull the dipstick and wipe it. Wait a solid 5 minutes before reinserting for the check. The 3rd gen Prius tends to draw oil up the guide tube when you pull out the dipstick. Immediate reinsert for the level check you get oil running way up the disptick on the edges, making it hard to read. The wait gives the drawn-up oil time to drain back down.

FWIW, our gen 3 with 86K kms so far, has no consumption. I'm following a very short oil-change interval though. Here's a thread with a poll, third gen oil consumption by model year:

3rd gen model year and oil consumption | PriusChat

 

i wouldn't touch it with a ten foot social distancing pole. but we have no way of knowing what % have a problem, or will blow a headgasket.
hanging around here, you start to think prius is the worst car ever built.

that being said, how trustworthy is the seller? if you do buy it, plan on cleaning the egr circuit, and possibly adding an oil catch can.

all the best!

 

i have a 2010 with 98,000 miles. It uses about a quart every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, so I was adding a quart once in between each 10,000 mile oil change. it is our secondary vehicle now, so I don't put on many miles, will do an annual oil change and don't expect to have to add any. So, the main thing is to check regularly.

I'd try to get that price down a bit.

 

I have a 2010, just passed 200,000 miles. I use about a quart every 10,000 miles.
That's driving 65mph or less, about 80% highway driving.
Cleaning the egr system would be the first thing to do. Not that hard.
And the price is way too high! Check out kelly blue book for price in your area.
$5000 would be the right area. Depending on your area, but a good place to start.
A dealer or used car shop will always be more.

It's due for both coolants, spark plugs, and transmission changes.
Engine and cabin air filters.... All normal maintenance things.
Make sure all the TSB's have been completed.

Can you do the work yourself? You'll spend a LOT less money if you can.
Cleaning the egr system, the cooler is the most important, egr valve, pipe, and the intake manifold
holes for the egr gases. And the intake will probably have oil in it.
Installing an OCC will help keep the oil out of the intake.

The valve guide seals are where the most of the oil is getting burned, rings are secondary I believe.

If you drive it like a Prius, not a Formula 1 car, you will be fine.

I think if you take your time and do some searching, you can fine a newer model for the same or less money.

 

I would tend to agree.
Of course I'm not familiar with prices in the OP's area.
But in great shape or not, nearly $8000 ( $7,900 ) for a 10 year old Prius with over 100,000 miles on it seems too high to me.

I'd check Kelly Blue Book, and prevailing prices in your area.

Gen 3, has some challenges, but overall I think if you mind the EGR situation, it's a well built, well designed vehicle. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase one. I owned a Gen 3, and as long as I owned it, it was a great vehicle.

 

Don't do it. Gas is cheap.....get a camry or some other ECE. Your costs down the road will be MUCH LOWER.
If it's original that's a 10 year old battery...... or blown head gasket.... oil burner...... just my advise....
Like throwing dice.....could be good or could be very bad. Especially if you would purchase this to keep for a long time......

 

My 2010 Prius has 97,723 miles on it. No major issues. No oil consumption as some have experienced. The oil and filter have been changed every 10,000 miles, always using Mobil 1. It's the most trouble free car I've ever owned. I take care of it and drive it like a Prius. As others have suggested, check about the price. As you might note (below), I've made some mods, which makes the Prius even better for my purposes.

 

Likewise, 154,000 here, solid car, oil stays where I put it.

I did a leakdown test shortly after buying it (four years ago), and I did note a just slightly lower compression in #2 than other cylinders. Didn't make any great effort to find out why at the time, nor have I repeated the test lately. So it falls that far short of perfection, but doesn't seem to be a big deal.

 

Previa and Camry most dependable vehicles I've ever had.... Never touched the Previa till 245,00 (radiator) (parts purchased at Autozone for under $200 for both parts) and the camry till 238,000 (starter) Previa now 433,00 camry 320,000. 98,000 is new to me.
Supplemental... Previa water pump went out at 364,000 starter at 289,000... both vehicle minimal oil usage. Both still have original alternators and AC systems.
This is what I consider reliability.

 

Hi there,
It is not possible to give a clear answer to your question, because every Prius has its own story. How it has been maintained, how hard it has been driven, Drivers driving habits and climate conditions it has been in. If you are going to purchase it from an individual , I can only suggest you to take it to your trusted mechanic shop and have it inspected. It is also very important to have it checked by a body repair shop expert for you might loose a lot of money on purchase and resale value. I got mine from Auto nation. They give 5 days full money return warranty and that’s when I had mine inspected by a third party. They also gave free six months mechanical failure warranty. which I thought it was nice for a used car purchase. it was no stress.

Hi there, if you discovered combustion chamber compression leak although it might not be significant enough to experience noticeable oil consumptions. Further in the future the cylinder you mentioned will be the first one to start burning oil, as you might know oil burning engine has greater negative impact on other mechanical components too. Such as Catalytic Converter, Air flow sensors. Resulting reduced mpg and potentially costly repairs. The reason for compression loss could be due to a damaged compression ring or bend, chipped valve or leaking valve seal or cylinder head seal. Anyway I hope it is non of what I mentioned and you enjoy driving safely many many miles.