Prospective Prius Buyer

burkey · 04-21-2005, 09:21 AM

Hi all

I live in the country in Western Australia, and the price of fuel is going though the roof and considering a prius but a bit scared of the unknown. Could some of you answer some of my questions so I can make a better judgement on buying a prius thanks.

1. Overall would you class this car as a good sound car, do they have any machanical faults to be aware of buying a second hand one.
2. What is the life of the motor and battery, most cars with four cylinders motors are past it once you start get close to 200,000 KMs or say 130,000 miles,the computer systems and electronics what are they like.

3 Can you get them serviced or looked at by a Toyota dealer that is not a authorised prius dealer. I looked at a 2002 prius at a toyota dealer the other day they said for regular sevices, would be possible as their only service the motor and not the electrics, but for any electrical work must be a prius dealer. Are the service costs similar to other toyota cars.

4What is their resale like.

Hope you guys can help

Cheers
Burkey

Tadashi · 04-21-2005, 10:38 AM

1. I would consider this a reliable car. They have been making them since 1997 and worked out all the kinks. They are just improving the design now. I have heard of a few problems here and there but that is to be expected (not systemic problems). I replaced our F250 truck and Honda Civic with 2 Prius for the wife and I.

2. I have seen people with the older 2001 models with upwards of 200k+ miles on them and no problems. The battery is warrantied for 10 yrs or 150k miles. I think cars are lasting longer now days. My dad's Honda Civic is on 400k miles. I would hope Toyota has the same quality motor (especially since it is not running all the time).

The computer is a menu driven GUI with large buttons for use while on the road. Most controls are on the steering wheel. You should really go look at one on a lot to see if you like it. Some like it some hate it but live with it.

3. Yes they can be serviced by yourself, non toyota dealer, or toyota dealer. Just make sure you read the book and reiterate any special needs (oil type etc to the techs if not toyota). I would only let Toyota touch the hybrid system.

4. Currently, depending where you are the resell can be from 75% to 115% of your original purchase cost.

DanMan32 · 04-21-2005, 02:37 PM

By service, I think he was referring to repairs.
You'd have to check in your country. From what Rich57 has told us, it used to be only certain dealers got certified to sell and service Prius, but that has changed here. Now all dealers has to have at least one Prius tech.

Some repairs, and even some less frequent maintenance does need the Toyota Scan Tool in order to operate motors and relays and do some calibrations, but in some circumstances, you might be able to get the pump motors operated manually. Some examples are the brake hydraulic pump and solonoids, and the coolant pumps.

04-21-2005, 09:21 AM	#1
burkey Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Prospective Prius Buyer Hi all I live in the country in Western Australia, and the price of fuel is going though the roof and considering a prius but a bit scared of the unknown. Could some of you answer some of my questions so I can make a better judgement on buying a prius thanks. 1. Overall would you class this car as a good sound car, do they have any machanical faults to be aware of buying a second hand one. 2. What is the life of the motor and battery, most cars with four cylinders motors are past it once you start get close to 200,000 KMs or say 130,000 miles,the computer systems and electronics what are they like. 3 Can you get them serviced or looked at by a Toyota dealer that is not a authorised prius dealer. I looked at a 2002 prius at a toyota dealer the other day they said for regular sevices, would be possible as their only service the motor and not the electrics, but for any electrical work must be a prius dealer. Are the service costs similar to other toyota cars. 4What is their resale like. Hope you guys can help Cheers Burkey

04-21-2005, 10:38 AM	#2
Tadashi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fort Hood, TX Posts: 794 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	1. I would consider this a reliable car. They have been making them since 1997 and worked out all the kinks. They are just improving the design now. I have heard of a few problems here and there but that is to be expected (not systemic problems). I replaced our F250 truck and Honda Civic with 2 Prius for the wife and I. 2. I have seen people with the older 2001 models with upwards of 200k+ miles on them and no problems. The battery is warrantied for 10 yrs or 150k miles. I think cars are lasting longer now days. My dad's Honda Civic is on 400k miles. I would hope Toyota has the same quality motor (especially since it is not running all the time). The computer is a menu driven GUI with large buttons for use while on the road. Most controls are on the steering wheel. You should really go look at one on a lot to see if you like it. Some like it some hate it but live with it. 3. Yes they can be serviced by yourself, non toyota dealer, or toyota dealer. Just make sure you read the book and reiterate any special needs (oil type etc to the techs if not toyota). I would only let Toyota touch the hybrid system. 4. Currently, depending where you are the resell can be from 75% to 115% of your original purchase cost. __________________ Two Prii Family - '05 Salsa Red BC#6 (Mine) and '05 Driftwood BC#6 (Wife's) Best Tank: 89.398 MPG (372 mi) - all city Worst Tank: 29.5 MPG (131 mi) - one flat tire Current Year: 56.826 MPG Best Yr: 58.242 MPG (2006), Worst Yr: 51.237 MPG (2005) Lifetime Avg: 54.911 MPG (31799 mi) Savings based on mid-size Avg since 2/05: $3,447.50 ($7,101.94 for both Prius) Dual Prius MPG, Expense, ROI, and Emissions tracker (updated 8/19/9/07) Single Prius MPG, Expense, ROI, and Emissions tracker (updated 9/15/2007) Solar Panel Stats: Overview Power Yield

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04-21-2005, 02:37 PM	#3
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	By service, I think he was referring to repairs. You'd have to check in your country. From what Rich57 has told us, it used to be only certain dealers got certified to sell and service Prius, but that has changed here. Now all dealers has to have at least one Prius tech. Some repairs, and even some less frequent maintenance does need the Toyota Scan Tool in order to operate motors and relays and do some calibrations, but in some circumstances, you might be able to get the pump motors operated manually. Some examples are the brake hydraulic pump and solonoids, and the coolant pumps.