Unsure About Prius...Any Help Encouraged

[GreenCleaner]

I've been reading the site for a while and have grown interest in the Prius in the past year. I originally fell in love with the Camry's when they turned hybrid but the Prius started to look more attractive for a lot of different reasons. I just sold my 97 Sebring LXI last year that did good for the 5 years that I owned it. Luckily I didn't put a lot of work into it, I've been desiring that in my next new car which is another reason I want a hybrid.

Now getting to the point... I have a long term friend that works at one of the larger dealerships here in Chicago and he happens to work at the Toyota one. Every now and again I mention my desire for a Prius and he immediately shoots it down that "no one wants those things and people are bringing those back faster than anything because of the problems" and his famous line "why would you want to get s*** that's expensive on maintenance". It's hard to decredit his word because he actually works in a Toyota dealership so its hard to swallow what you see in B&W on a screen that says it's true vs real experience.

I know everyone is either enthused or happy with their Prius and would have a 1,001 encouraging words to push me to join the Prius family. Besides that I want to know some real facts on the negative side. Things I need to be prepared for. Luckily my last car lasted long enough that I felt comfortable to be without a car but I don't want to get a car that I have to keep a separate bank account just to pay for unexpected maintenance. I'm pretty discouraged by my friend not pushing for a sale. What's more sad is three weeks ago I found a 06 Prius for 17,995 w/ 48k miles at his dealership and he blew it off when I asked him about it. So I blew it off. Today I saw it again for 17,495 (I wonder why the $500 difference) and he says "you're still on this s***". Now I don't want to blow it off because now I want it but I want to know what I need to be prepared for considering the maintenance of a non-hybrid has normal expectations and repairs which I am familiar with.

At this point I would like to know from older drivers of 2004, 2005, 2006 drivers and even 2nd owners with 30k-60k miles driven, what problems have you experienced? What should I expect? I seen info about recalls, how did that hinder you and how did the dealerships handle helping you?

Any help and advice to get me back where I need to be is encouraged!

Plus I'm tired of talking to my bone head friend... I think this Prius will end our friendship.

[F8L]

Your friend seems like he is pursuing his own agenda or he is an idiot or both.

Toyota ranked #1 in 2007 for reliability just behind the Yaris. Judging by the lack of major issues seen in this forum, all of my friends that own a Prius, and my own experience I would say your friend is talking out his pie hole. Maybe you should ask to see figures?

In 60,000 miles I have only had an issue with a single burned out tailight bulb. It was a $1 fix.

[priusenvy]

Originally Posted by GreenCleaner

"no one wants those things and people are bringing those back faster than anything because of the problems" and his famous line "why would you want to get s*** that's expensive on maintenance".

Your friend is an idiot. No one wants one? They sold over 180,000 of them last year in the USA. Also take a look at Consumers Reports reliability data on the Prius. Rated "Much better than average", and achieves the highest reliability rating in every category except one (out of 17). That's all solid red dots (much better than average) except for one half-red dot (better than average).

They're so unreliable that here in CA we get a 10 year, 150k mile warranty on the hybrid powertrain.


1. Ford F-Series . . . . . . 690,589 ..... -13.2%
2. Chevrolet Silverado . . . 618,257 ...... -2.8%
3. Toyota Camry . . . . . . 473,108 ...... +5.5%
4. Honda Accord . . . . . . 392,231 ..... +10.7%
5. Toyota Corolla/Matrix . . 371,390 ...... -4.1%
6. Dodge Ram . . . . . . . . 358,295 ...... -1.6%
7. Honda Civic . . . . . . . 331,095 ...... +4.6%
8. Chevrolet Impala. . . . . 311,128 ...... +7.3%
9. Nissan Altima . . . . . . 284,762 ..... +22.5%
10. Honda CR-V. . . . . . . . 219,160 ..... +28.9%
11. GMC Sierra. . . . . . . . 208,243 ...... -1.2%
12. Chevrolet Cobalt. . . . . 200,620 ...... -5.1%
13. Toyota Tundra . . . . . . 196,555 ..... +57.9%
14. Toyota Prius. . . . . . . 181,221 ..... +69.4%
15. Dodge Grand Caravan . . . 176,150 ..... -16.6%
16. Honda Odyssey . . . . . . 173,046 ...... -2.7%
17. Pontiac G6. . . . . . . . 150,001 ...... -4.8%
18. Hyundai Sonata. . . . . . 145,568 ...... -2.6%
19. Chrysler Town & Country . 138,151 ..... -13.2%
20. Toyota Highlander . . . . 127,878 ...... -1.5%

If you buy one, I hope you don't get a lemon (very rare). You'll never hear the end of it from your "friend".

[patsparks]

Prius are a heap of crap mate, don't buy one.
















Anyone looking for a cheap second hand Prius in Chicago? I just found out about one there.

[GreenCleaner]

LOL@Pats
Send the info to me vanessa@ecohomeclean.com.

Everyone, I already know he's an idiot. Unfortunately when we make small talk about it and I'm busy blowing him off, I just get turned off and move on. However, my concerns have always been here. I have read about different issues like I said, recalls, gas tank, battery, dumb service departments at dealerships with no answers (I hate spending tons of money on something and there's no one to turn to). Because this site is my only resource of individuals with long term history of a hybrid vehicle I just wanted to educate myself on the cons. I am already sold on the pros... I like to prepare myself sometimes before I actually step into the abyss (in this case...hybrid land).

In the meantime, I am actively looking high and low across the country for a good deal in my price range with certain features.

[JimboK]

I'm not one to call people names, but it's hard to argue with the label the others have used for your "friend." There is anti-Prius and anti-hybrid bias out there, even among those that work for dealerships that sell them.

My 2005 has been just fine, thank you. A couple of minor cosmetic problems early on that were fixed under warranty. Nothing since, and mechanically it's given no problems.

As for his claim that maintenance is expensive, the opposite is true. That is, unless you fall for a dealer-designed (rather than Toyota-designed) maintenance package that includes many unnecessary items, reports of which are common in the forums. Most maintenance intervals generally require only an oil and filter change, tire rotation, and air filter changes (which anyone can do with no tools in about 2 minutes).

I put a lot of stock in Consumer Reports' reliability ratings, and in fact used them to help make my purchase decision. As Priusenvy says, the Prius has been very dependable across the board, and Prius owners are among those most likely to buy the same car again. That and other reliability studies carry much more weight than one person's opinion.

I suggest you spend some time here searching and reading to reassure yourself. You'll find a few problems reported here and there. Keep those in context when you see them. Folks won't usually be saying, "M car gave me no problems today!"

[sgails]

I have an 06 that will be 2yrs. old this year. I still love it and have had no problems at all. My husband went and bought an 07 last year and he loves his. I wouldn't trade mine for a million dollars. (well!!!!!!!!!maybe but I would go and buy another one lol) A lot of salesmen don't know what they are talking about. Sorry but your friend sounds like one of those. Maybe the commission he makes isn't as high on the Prius so doesn't want to be bothered selling one. How many used Prius do you see setting in a used car lot??? I would buy a new one if you can afford it. GL

[Bob64]

I suggest you look for galaxee's list of maintenance services you need to answer that maintenance question of yours:
http://priuschat.com/forums/care-mai...you-don-t.html

It's basically oil changes every 5k miles.
And replacing some other fluids after 100k/50k miles.
(see list for more details)

[arntz]

I've had my 04 model for just over 2 years now, and I still can't get over how advanced it is. That's definitely a record for me. I'm usually over a new purchase after its third wash.
The worst thing about the Prius is the zero towing capacity.
The best things are everything else.
The scariest thing, that Toyota stops making them and I have to go back to an inefficient manual transmission or slush box.
My biggest regret, I didn't buy it new.
This is the car you are most likely to want to drive long distances. The reason, because you can.

[qbee42]

No problems with our 2006. Get a Prius, but buy it from a different dealer.

Tom