i'm a newbie.

doiwantaprius · 06-29-2007, 09:26 AM

Hello all.
Looking to sell my current vehicle and purchase a prius... is there any years I should stay away from? I'm trying to go as cheap as possible so it will prob an 01 or 02. I saw a lot of modifications for 04 and up but what about the echo looking model? ha!
I would like to put an ev only switch on the older model and possible add to the battery capicity. I would consider my self a moder and would also look into plug in conversion.
is this doable on the older model? or should i just fork up the extra cash for an 04?

Thanks for the input!

**efusco** · 06-29-2007, 10:02 AM

There is not an EV switch option for the 1st generation ('01-'03). While those are still good cars, available at decent prices and quite reliable they're certainly not the car that the '04+ are.

If you have the cash I'd look for a late '05+. Again, I have an '04 and it's a great reliable car, and if you can get a better deal it would be fine, but the late '05+ models addressed many of the minor issues that were discovered on the '04 (gas tank issues, traction control agressiveness, MFD failures, etc). You get a car with many more aftermarket toys available and a lot more available mods. More importantly you'll have a larger, more fuel efficient and refined car than what you'll get in the 1st Gen Prius.

NoMoShocks · 06-29-2007, 11:17 AM

Plus, don't you want a hatchback? I traded my 2006 Civic Hybrid for two main reasons, to improve on the 38 MPG average, and for the Prius Hatchback. With the 2007 Prius, I have been able to get up to almost 50 mpg. It is kind of frustrating not being able to break the 50 barrier. Some days, I have been able to beat 50, but if I try for a run of 3 or 4 days, 48.7 is the best I have achieved so far.

doiwantaprius · 06-29-2007, 11:32 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jun 29 2007, 10:17 AM) [snapback]470040[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Plus, don't you want a hatchback? I traded my 2006 Civic Hybrid for two main reasons, to improve on the 38 MPG average, and for the Prius Hatchback. With the 2007 Prius, I have been able to get up to almost 50 mpg. It is kind of frustrating not being able to break the 50 barrier. Some days, I have been able to beat 50, but if I try for a run of 3 or 4 days, 48.7 is the best I have achieved so far.
[/b]

well i'm not in it for the look (i'm already married so i don't need to get chicks!) i'm going for the most cost effective purchase.

anyone have an idea about how long the battery packs last on pre 04 models?

ZA_Andy · 06-29-2007, 11:40 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doiwantaprius @ Jun 29 2007, 11:32 AM) [snapback]470048[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

anyone have an idea about how long the battery packs last on pre 04 models?
[/b]

No indication of any real failure rate, so despite the regular press that battery failure gets, it's not really an issue.

**efusco** · 06-29-2007, 02:39 PM

250k miles is a realistic expectation.

etyler88 · 06-29-2007, 02:59 PM

If you wanna hack and modify it go with the current model. Way more cars produced with the current model meaning more salvage parts available and more numbers of people doing similar hacks that you can copy or build on.

1fixitman · 06-29-2007, 03:05 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(doiwantaprius @ Jun 29 2007, 11:32 AM) [snapback]470048[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

well i'm not in it for the look (i'm already married so i don't need to get chicks!) i'm going for the most cost effective purchase.

anyone have an idea about how long the battery packs last on pre 04 models?
[/b]

I believe your most cost effective purchase is going to be a salvage rebuildable in the 04-06 model. A dealer in the Charlotte/Gastonia, NC area named Chalev's Rebuildables is probably your best bet. I do not know what he has available right now but I have seen the 02 prius with 87K miles go for 6700 out the door. I have an 05 model package 6 with 13600 miles that was $14,000. He is more of a hobby head than a car dealer. He only rebuilds cars that he is interested in driving himself. He prices the cars to sell quickly and he rebuilds about 150 cars a year.
Good luck with your search. These cars hold thier values well.

06-29-2007, 10:02 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	There is not an EV switch option for the 1st generation ('01-'03). While those are still good cars, available at decent prices and quite reliable they're certainly not the car that the '04+ are. If you have the cash I'd look for a late '05+. Again, I have an '04 and it's a great reliable car, and if you can get a better deal it would be fine, but the late '05+ models addressed many of the minor issues that were discovered on the '04 (gas tank issues, traction control agressiveness, MFD failures, etc). You get a car with many more aftermarket toys available and a lot more available mods. More importantly you'll have a larger, more fuel efficient and refined car than what you'll get in the 1st Gen Prius. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD "It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word." -Andrew Jackson

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06-29-2007, 09:26 AM	#1
doiwantaprius Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hello all. Looking to sell my current vehicle and purchase a prius... is there any years I should stay away from? I'm trying to go as cheap as possible so it will prob an 01 or 02. I saw a lot of modifications for 04 and up but what about the echo looking model? ha! I would like to put an ev only switch on the older model and possible add to the battery capicity. I would consider my self a moder and would also look into plug in conversion. is this doable on the older model? or should i just fork up the extra cash for an 04? Thanks for the input!

06-29-2007, 11:17 AM	#3
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,219 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 2 Thanked 49 Times in 31 Posts Friends: 1	Plus, don't you want a hatchback? I traded my 2006 Civic Hybrid for two main reasons, to improve on the 38 MPG average, and for the Prius Hatchback. With the 2007 Prius, I have been able to get up to almost 50 mpg. It is kind of frustrating not being able to break the 50 barrier. Some days, I have been able to beat 50, but if I try for a run of 3 or 4 days, 48.7 is the best I have achieved so far.

06-29-2007, 02:39 PM	#6
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,231 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	250k miles is a realistic expectation.

06-29-2007, 02:59 PM	#7
etyler88 etyler88 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 450 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	If you wanna hack and modify it go with the current model. Way more cars produced with the current model meaning more salvage parts available and more numbers of people doing similar hacks that you can copy or build on.