To purchase or not to purchase a 2001 Prius?

I'm not an expert but It's probable that the hybrid batteries may need to be replaced soon and I've heard they're very expensive. Also, you may want to research blue book values on the '01 so you can be assured you're in the right price range. Is there an extended warranty that is transferable to you that may cover the hybrid components that would extend coverage to you for several years? This may make your decision easier.

That being said, I have an '06 and am very happy with the car. So far as recommendations on the Prius go, it's a winner.

 

any vehicle with a hundred thousand miles on it needs a good comprehensive check over to look at all the normal wear and tear things. The Classic Prius in 2001 had a few mechanical issues one being the steering rack assy, subject to a recall. The HV battery was also subject to a recall for a sealing problem. The throttle control unit on the pedal is a problem on the 2001's and 2's. If you take it to a Toyota dealer and have them check it over make sure they run all the SSD's and TSB's against the serial number to make sure they are all done. That said there are a lot of 2001's around with substantailly more mileage on them than that, some with 400,000 on them and are still going with out issues. PS the gas engine is the same in all Prius.

 

there are people on this forum who are probably a lot better equipped to speak of the reliability of an "01 model. before you do anything, wait a couple days to see what other responses you get to your question. some of the people here are very knowledgable. it may be worth the wait.

 

I'm no expert either, but I think that three models of Prii have been imported into the States: NW10, NW11, and NW20 (am I even close on these?)

The one you're considering is, I think, a NW10. Again, consider the source (me!) when I tell you that I believe the changes to the powertrain from the -10 to the -11 included better battery management, so the car wouldn't 'run out of juice' as much and have to rely just on the gasoline engine. You may have heard tales of seeing the 'turtle' icon; that's what that's about.

From a financial standpoint, I don't think I'd be that comfortable purchasing a car of this complexity, and that year, used. Perhaps I'd feel differently if it had an inclusive extended warranty, though. Everybody here seems to stress that.

Is there an emotional appeal to this car that might, in your calculations, offset the possible additional expenses of maintenance in comparison to a conventional automobile of similar age and mileage? And would you be able/willing to spend the extra money?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hppygrl @ Oct 6 2006, 01:45 PM) [snapback]329015[/snapback]</div>

As much as I love my Prius, it would not be first choice for a used car in that price range. I'd prefer something a bit more conventional. A quick search of cars.com turns up '02 or '03 Corollas with ~ 75K miles, for example, in that price range.

 

the kelly blue book value for a 2001 with 99k miles on it ranges from 8860 (fair) to 9925 (good) and 10785 (excelent) for private party sale. Sounds about right for the asking price. That being said, there are legitimit concerns when buying a used Prius (especially if it's coming from a private party sale and not a dealership) that should be looked at. The batteries are by far the biggest of these concerns. With that many miles on it, it's pretty much out of any hybrid power train warrenty, which means any problems with the car would be your problem, not toyotas. with a newer car with less miles, that wouldn't necissarily be the case.

FWIW, i'd say a little financing isn't all that bad, so long as you shop around a bit and get the best deal available to you. for me, it would definately be worth the extra hassle to have the peace of mind that a newer car with an extended warrenty would bring.

 

the redesign happened in 04, and i'll give ya that they're built better and have fewer problems. however they're going to be much more expensive, some are still being sold for almost new price! if you can find one for a price you can afford by all means investigate but you're not going to find one for the under-10k that you seem to be looking for.

no worries about the battery, your chance of having to replace it is very low. but lots of other little things go here and there. if you take it to a dealer and have them give it a thorough lookover like Frank suggested, and they give it a thumbs up then i'd really consider it if i were you.

if that falls through how about a used honda civic, those get great mileage and you don't have to worry about some of the mysterious problems that crop up on the classic prius now and then. then since you probably can find one without financing, you can save up to get a newer prius when you're ready for your next car!

 

Just buy yourself a Yaris or Fit, take your 40 mpg and get the base package brand new for 12,500 bucks.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/toyota/yar...s.html?action=1

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 6 2006, 01:40 PM) [snapback]329144[/snapback]</div>

and LH drive and no cone and belt CVT and all the readouts in English instead of Japanese.

 

hm....... looking at the buysell.com ... prices for a prius in canada ranges from 13000 (cheapest) to a whopping 22000 for 2001-03 models. Man even after the gas prices settling down these cars won't be any dirt cheap! And these cars have at least 130,000 km on them!!!

Bleh I have a civic that has 45000 km right now... I don't think I'm willing to pay extra and downgrade my mileage (on the car) to something older.... not espically when I'm getting 48 mpg on my last tank

like some say, the yaris is a safer pick, or used civic/corollas.... learn to drive a 5spd and learn to hypermile... probably save you so much more money....

even if the prius is a tempting choice.... my 2 cents

edit: okay i was not fair with my biased approach. As you know you have fear of replacing the components if any of them fail in the future, however, as tochatihu says, if your willing to do your own mechanical work then the prius is one heck reliable car as well as any well built economy car out there. Although be sure to check the service records to see what has been done and what has been not and then look at the mileage and just be sure all the puzzles go well together. (by asking the pros here)

think of it this way, I have to do all this shifting, keying off/on my car, just so that I can emulate what the prius does with the base of your right foot. That alone can mean the difference between traffic jam nightmare and traffic jam relaxation paradise.

Go test drive one in the worse traffic conditions possible (like going to work and home) to justify your deliema, I know mine still exsits today.

Safe travels

 

A 2001 Prius is an NHW11 (I drive one of them, now approaching 96k miles). To expand on Frank's list, I would want to confirm that the HV battery was resealed under SSC 40G. I would want to know if the engine control module (computer) had been replaced under TSB 011-03 (rather likely), if the steering rack had ben replaced (somewhat less likely), if the accelerator pedal assembly had been replaced (likely only for VINs ending in 35000 or less, approximately).

Do get the service history on the car and let us know the details. A really good Prius tech could use the special scanner to reveal the internal resistance of the HV battery modules. This ought to be either below 20 or 200 milliohms each, I forget which. But such a tech would also know the answer to that question.

For any used vehicle with about 100k miles, an inspection ought to include brake, steering, and suspension components.

Personally I seem to be in disagreement with some of the other posters here that it is not such a good used car for $10k. I expect it to have total operating costs as low as them (or better), and to be less polluting as well.

If you get it, please change the engine oil and transmission fluid as well - the latter is starting to look like it needs periodic maintenance, even though Toyota did not specify that intially. Unless the 12 volt battery has been replaced already, that will be coming up soon. Clean the throttle butterfly. Any tread on them tires?

Splurge and get new wiper blades, serpentine belt for the A/C, and coolant hoses. Sometime in the next few years, anyway...

If I were looking for a classic Prius it would probably be a 2002 or 2003, because side airbags were an available option then.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 7 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]329608[/snapback]</div>

did you notice that there are two Classics for sale this week? a 2k1 for 16,9 and 2k2 for 17,K 27 for a 2k3 Wth I only paid 25,5 for mine brand new in March of 2k4. Including the block heater PDI and Transportation and a full tank of gas.

 

i have two 2001 prius's no problems so far, and i ran one without ATF fluid in the HV transaxle, trust me a 2001 for 8500 is worht it, a 2001 prius with 40,000 miles can sell for 13,000 dollars, trust me its worth it.

I have a 05 Prius also, and there are reasons i like the 01 over the 05, its so much more easier to park, better rear view, and i feel much more connected to the mechanicals then the 05. The 01 prius is a great car, just make sure everything is maintained properly, and all recall work is noted when you buy it. The steering rack replacement is only for certain VIN's you can check that online, i think the steering rack replacement is a must for vehicles with the affected VIN.

2001 Prius 36800 miles no problems, just changed inverter fluid, and atf fluid, drives great 45-50 mpg, and a testiment to how reliable this car is, i ran it without HV transaaxle fluid on a 90+ degree day ( i know this isnt good, but hey it runs great now with fluid no problems )

2001 Prius 52600 miles no problems, this car was salvaged severe frontal collision needed both frame rails replaced, and the vehicle runs perfectly no problems ( i never changed the HV transaxle fluid because i forgot )