What does it really cost to own a Prius?

[rendog]

Hello: I am a proud old Prius owner a 2005 bought on Nov. 10, 2005, I have 26k and find the milage is about 42 + highway and 40 city. i also drive very fast and carry small inventory of equipment not to exceed 200#.

I am sadly dissapointed in the Toyota dealership 5Kmile service. Very costly indeed the last one was estimated to be $!,100 before I left and spent $80.00.

Thios event opened my eyes and I almost had a stroke when I found that:

1. The tires are not going to last over 3K.
2. The plastic tire rime guards are worth an arm and a leg.
3. The air flow guard (that gets riped up by parking blocks) is $175.00 I is now wired up into place!
4. The Paint job is very flackey due I think to the angle of the front hood. It needs a cover hopefully clear plastic that will not affect the looks of the car.
5. That the start and stop switch timming changes with time. It seems to lake longer to turn off and start.


Then came the grand slam: Every 5 years the batteries have to be changed. What is the cost of this? Who can or will do it? How long does it take?

At my rate of useage I will have 125K on the car and all of my extended warranties will be expired. Yep I bought the 100K milage plan.

Sounds like I am an unsatisfied owner and it is partly true but the car is amazing and I am very proud of its service. We use it in the bussiness and it is a phenominal saver both in time and expense at least so far!

Can anyone give me some pointers. I am in the San Jose Ca. area.

This is alsao the first time I have ever posted anything.

Ren

[Blegate]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rendog @ Dec 17 2006, 05:20 PM) [snapback]363493[/snapback]</div>

Hello: I am a proud old Prius owner a 2005 bought on Nov. 10, 2005, I have 26k and find the milage is about 42 + highway and 40 city. i also drive very fast and carry small inventory of equipment not to exceed 200#.

I am sadly dissapointed in the Toyota dealership 5Kmile service. Very costly indeed the last one was estimated to be $!,100 before I left and spent $80.00.

Thios event opened my eyes and I almost had a stroke when I found that:

1. The tires are not going to last over 3K.
2. The plastic tire rime guards are worth an arm and a leg.
3. The air flow guard (that gets riped up by parking blocks) is $175.00 I is now wired up into place!
4. The Paint job is very flackey due I think to the angle of the front hood. It needs a cover hopefully clear plastic that will not affect the looks of the car.
5. That the start and stop switch timming changes with time. It seems to lake longer to turn off and start.
Then came the grand slam: Every 5 years the batteries have to be changed. What is the cost of this? Who can or will do it? How long does it take?

At my rate of useage I will have 125K on the car and all of my extended warranties will be expired. Yep I bought the 100K milage plan.

Sounds like I am an unsatisfied owner and it is partly true but the car is amazing and I am very proud of its service. We use it in the bussiness and it is a phenominal saver both in time and expense at least so far!

Can anyone give me some pointers. I am in the San Jose Ca. area.

This is alsao the first time I have ever posted anything.

Ren
[/b]

Re: 5K
Ren - My 5K service costs $39.00 - oil and tire rotation. My last 5K service I just did myself as I've always changed my oil and rotating tires isn't very hard. I don't truly enjoy this but it helps save some $. I put in synthetic oil myself.

Re: Tires
As for the tires lasting 30K (I think you meant to say this- not 3K) I think this may be close. I inflate my front tires to 42PSI and the rear to 40PSI. Supposely this helps increase tire life + also boosts mileage. The latter I know is true for certain. Other tire brand exist that might be better quality. Most stock tires are not that great on any car. My Saturn Vue has 42K and the tires are shot.

Re: Tire Rims
I scratched mine up like the first week I had the car. Two weeks ago I took the scratched up ones, lightly sanded them and spray painted them with a matching paint. They actually look very nice again. BTW I've seen replacements on ebay for around $30 for four.

Re: Battery-
There's a small 12V battery in the car that runs the dome lights and other accessories. I do think this will need to be changed when it expires - all 12V lead acid eventually fail. Not sure what they cost but I expect you can find deals on the Internet. I wouldn't buy from the dealer since everything is marked up 300%. If you are referring to the main NiHM batteries, the warrenty is 100K or 8 years on those. If you bought your 05 used with 26K this should still be covered. Note- if you are in CA the battery warrenty is 10years or 150K (Please someone from CA verify this)

Re: the front hood-
Yes I think this car is prone to chips more easily than other autos. Bras and clear coat is an option if that really concerns you

RE:Point #5
Starting takes longer over time? No I don't think so.

There's a lot of bad press about these cars. Most articles or comments from from die-hard GM owners or from the detroit press.
cheers,

[MegansPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rendog @ Dec 17 2006, 06:20 PM) [snapback]363493[/snapback]</div>

Every 5 years the batteries have to be changed. What is the cost of this? Who can or will do it? How long does it take?
[/b]

Who in the world told you that? Please tell us the specific Toyota repair shop that told you the battery needs to be replaced every 5k. That's just a shop to be avoided. Plus, there's lots of S. Cal Prius owners here who could probably recommend another shop.

For example, an LA times article, titled Prius Keeps Car Dealers -- but Not Repairmen -- Busy
from last year you can read at
http://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/l-a-tim...-quot.2470.html
mentions:
"Another issue — the lifespan and replacement cost of the high-voltage battery pack that is the heart of the electric drive part of the hybrid system — remains a question. The batteries are under warranty for 10 years in California — eight years in most other states. Toyota says that except for a few unusual cases resulting from an accident or other external damage, it has not had to replace a Prius battery pack."

[maknowlton]

Well, I've only had mine since July, but I can tell you your info is not completely accurate. I'll leave it to the experts to dissect most of it, but I can tell you most assuredly that a) the tires last much longer than 3k. I've got 8500 miles on mine, and they still look brand new. (did you mean 30k? If yours has 26,000 miles on it, I really hope you're not on your eighth set of tires.)

And b ) you don't need to change the battery at 5 years... I don't know where you got that from. Ask john1701a lots of questions... he's had priuses since the dawn of time. (or at least, since they've been available in the US.) Lots of smart people with answers to qualm your fears... I suspect the dealer you went to wasn't particularly well versed in the Prius.

Good luck,
Mary Anna

[efusco]

Ren,
Welcome to PriusChat. I encourage you to spend a couple hours perusing the site. Also be sure to look at john1701a.com and read the Users Guide and other info he has on the site, it will help educate you a bit about the true facts about your car.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rendog @ Dec 17 2006, 04:20 PM) [snapback]363493[/snapback]</div>

Hello: I am a proud old Prius owner a 2005 bought on Nov. 10, 2005, I have 26k and find the milage is about 42 + highway and 40 city. i also drive very fast and carry small inventory of equipment not to exceed 200#.[/b]

Your mileage is good for fast driving...it could be better if you changed driving style a bit...your choice.

I am sadly dissapointed in the Toyota dealership 5Kmile service. Very costly indeed the last one was estimated to be $!,100 before I left and spent $80.00. [/b]

Yup, I'd be disappointed too...they're ripping you off. Regular service shouldn't cost much at all. Tire rotation adds to the cost but every 10k miles is probably adequate for the OEM Integrity tires since they aren't going to last forever anyway.

Thios event opened my eyes and I almost had a stroke when I found that:[/b]

Hope you don't stroke, but since the majority of the info you list is dead wrong I think you've got a good chance of recover.

1. The tires are not going to last over 3K.[/b]

Assume you mean 30k as well... That probably is accurate for the OEM tires...they're soft and cheap but have good low rolling resistance. Most of us have changed to longer life higher end tires once the OEM got serious wear. I have Michelin HydroEdges warrantied for 80k...They're holding up very well with about 25k miles on them now. All cars need tires and your cost here should be no different than any other car.

2. The plastic tire rime guards are worth an arm and a leg.[/b]

Take them off....a lot of people think the rims look better without them. You might even be able to get someone here to send you theirs for free for the asking and cost of shipping.

3. The air flow guard (that gets riped up by parking blocks) is $175.00 I is now wired up into place![/b]

Another unnecessary piece...if you want it on there then be careful that you don't pull over the parking blocks. Other cars have this piece too and you can tear it off of those cars too...this is not a Prius specific issue and shouldn't be taken into consideration any more than it would on any other car.

4. The Paint job is very flackey due I think to the angle of the front hood. It needs a cover hopefully clear plastic that will not affect the looks of the car.[/b]

I've had a few chips in the hood. You can buy a bra inexpensively to protect it, they also sell inexpensive bug guards/brows that will protect that leading hood edge. I just use a touch up paint pen when I find a little chip...Other cars get these too, though I acknowledge that the Prius design can predispose it a bit more.

5. That the start and stop switch timming changes with time. It seems to lake longer to turn off and start.[/b]

Huh? Never heard that and I know people with 2G Prii with over 100k miles...I'm over 53k and it starts like new.

Then came the grand slam: Every 5 years the batteries have to be changed. What is the cost of this? Who can or will do it? How long does it take?[/b]

The battery is designed to last the life of the car...you'll find no one who's 'worn one out'...a handful have had faulty batteries that required replacement due to early death...all covered under warranty. Cost will be high for a new battery if you ever need it replaced out of warranty, but that is very very unlikely and there will likely be plenty of salvage batteries available for much less than a new one...currently they sell for around $500 on Ebay.

Sounds like I am an unsatisfied owner and it is partly true but the car is amazing and I am very proud of its service. We use it in the bussiness and it is a phenominal saver both in time and expense at least so far![/b]

You should've come here first, you've gotten a lot of false information from ill informed sources.

[gupchurch1349]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rendog @ Dec 17 2006, 05:20 PM) [snapback]363493[/snapback]</div>

Hello: I am a proud old Prius owner a 2005 bought on Nov. 10, 2005, I have 26k and find the milage is about 42 + highway and 40 city. i also drive very fast and carry small inventory of equipment not to exceed 200#.

I am sadly dissapointed in the Toyota dealership 5Kmile service. Very costly indeed the last one was estimated to be $!,100 before I left and spent $80.00.

Thios event opened my eyes and I almost had a stroke when I found that:

1. The tires are not going to last over 3K.
2. The plastic tire rime guards are worth an arm and a leg.
3. The air flow guard (that gets riped up by parking blocks) is $175.00 I is now wired up into place!
4. The Paint job is very flackey due I think to the angle of the front hood. It needs a cover hopefully clear plastic that will not affect the looks of the car.
5. That the start and stop switch timming changes with time. It seems to lake longer to turn off and start.
Then came the grand slam: Every 5 years the batteries have to be changed. What is the cost of this? Who can or will do it? How long does it take?

At my rate of useage I will have 125K on the car and all of my extended warranties will be expired. Yep I bought the 100K milage plan.

Sounds like I am an unsatisfied owner and it is partly true but the car is amazing and I am very proud of its service. We use it in the bussiness and it is a phenominal saver both in time and expense at least so far!

Can anyone give me some pointers. I am in the San Jose Ca. area.

This is alsao the first time I have ever posted anything.

Ren
[/b]

Hey Guy, Looks as though you are a little misinformed about your Prius, or you need to proof read your messages before you post. No tire is going to last for just 5,000 MILES. Also as far as getting only in the low 40's for gas mileage, I suggest you slow dowe and observe all speed limits. I do, and I can tell you that I have never averaged less that 49 mpg ( routinely get above 50). If you drive 70 and 80, then of course you will not get good mileage. Also, the law of averages suggest you will probably have a very large unexpected bill in the form of a speeding ticket or worse. Additionally, a regular battery in any car usually does not last beyond 4-5 years. Any car that a person has for 6-7 years is expected to have relacement costs. No car or no part lasts for ever. As far as getting chips on your paint, I suggest that you do not tallgate and perhaps these can be elimnated. If you are driving at high speeds, then I would probably guess you are also tallgating. Let me stop here.

[cwerdna]

I'm not going to repeat everyone else's responses here but yes, it sounds like you've been given a ton of misinformation. The HV battery is warranted for 10 years/150K miles in CA and a few other states.

As for 3K mile tires... err, I don't know of any except maybe racing tires that have no treadwear warranty that have such short lifespans. I'm at 13K on my original tires so far. The stock tires have a UTQG treadwear grade of 460. Heck (not comparing apples to apples), my 350Z has came w/Bridestone Potenza RE040s that have a treadwear grade of 140 and at ~30K miles the rears will need replacement soon (the fronts got replaced for free due to the infamous front tire feathering issue). An example of some very short lifespan tires would be these http://www.kumhousa.com/Products/PtnDetail...amp;mainCatID=1 w/treadwear grades of only 30 to 50!

As some others stated, some folks have removed the trim rings and would be happy to get rid of them. Why do they matter anyway? If you scrape alloy wheels, I'm sure they'd cost a lot more to replace than plastic trim rings.

I haven't noticed any paint chipping probs. My former 02 Nissan Maxima had paint that chipped VERY easily. I got tons of chips on the front of the hood within the first 5K miles.

MegansPrius mistakenly thought you were in So Cal... we're in Nor Cal, about 60 miles south of SF.

[fshagan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rendog @ Dec 17 2006, 02:20 PM) [snapback]363493[/snapback]</div>

Hello: I am a proud old Prius owner a 2005 bought on Nov. 10, 2005, I have 26k and find the milage is about 42 + highway and 40 city. i also drive very fast and carry small inventory of equipment not to exceed 200#.

I am sadly dissapointed in the Toyota dealership 5Kmile service. Very costly indeed the last one was estimated to be $!,100 before I left and spent $80.00.

[/b]

Others have corrected some of the things in your post, but I'll focus on this. The dealer is ripping you off.

Look at the Owner's Manual. The only maintenance recommended by Toyota is an oil change every 5,000 miles, and tire rotation, for the first 100,000 miles. You should be paying from $24 to $30 every service, not $80 to $100. Less if you trust Jiffy Lube, or doing it yourself. (There are also a couple of cabin air filters and engine air filters to change ... but you can do these yourself).

The dealers routinely try and "pack" the bill by offering you a package deal, i.e. "product", they call "xxxx Mile Service", with "5,000", "10,000", etc. being in the spot of the "xxxx". So if you drive up and say "My Prius needs its 25,000 mile service" they substitute their own product they have named "25,000 Mile Service" instead of Toyota's recommended maintenance items. Remember the service writer at that desk works on commission, so he'll try to give you as many unneeded items as possible. You'll note that on their "25,000 Mile Service" product they have items that are not even ON your car. Its a crock, and it should be illegal.

Tell them you want the specific things done that are in the owner's manual. "I want an oil change and tire rotation." If they try to pressure you for the product they have created, ask them where in the manual it says you need those things. My local shop has learned not to BS me and try to get me to buy their specially named products instead of what Toyota recommends. They still do their "courtesy safety inspections" (their lawyers will die if they don't), and they still check the VIN against any campaigns or recalls, because they charge Toyota for those service items.

I'm not even having the tires rotated (never have) and at my recent 20,000 mile oil change, I looked at them pretty closely. No uneven wear. I think tire rotation is another crock ... I want these tires to wear out so I can replace them with Michelin X's, but alas, the damn things are lasting a long time. Must be the higher inflation and the fact that I check them every week or so. When I replace them, I get them at Costco where they do free tire rotations, but I'm reconsidering even that idea.

[cwerdna]

There's also the unwritten rule that if you take your car to a tire retailer of the company that made your tires, they'll rotate them for free. I've had this done by a bunch of Goodyear places before.

[mrbigh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rendog @ Dec 17 2006, 05:20 PM) [snapback]363493[/snapback]</div>

Hello: I am a proud old Prius owner a 2005 bought on Nov. 10, 2005, I have 26k and find the milage is about.....

This is alsao the first time I have ever posted anything.

Ren

[/b]

In my case, what will make me go broke is all the money spent in accesories and Mods on my 2004....