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Looking at used Prius

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by ubuntu, Oct 5, 2015.

  1. ubuntu

    ubuntu New Member

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    I changed jobs and now have a 60 mile daily commute, of which 54 miles is on a highway with no stops.
    I drive a Land Rover Discovery V8..... let's just leave it at that.
    I'm looking at VW TDIs and Prius due to their good claimed gas mileage and long life. I'm looking at 2004 to 2007 years with 150K or less miles.
    Let me add I'm mechanically minded, I rebuilt my Land Rover's V8 engine and fixed a bunch of electrical problems. So taking on a used vehicle with mechanical/electrical issues is not a challenge.
    I've read a lot of posts here and the general advice is don't buy a Prius - not surprised because on the Land Rover forums everyone says buy a Toyota.
    So what can go wrong? Battery dies - it is replaceable for a reasonable amount, is you look long term and plan to use the vehicle 5+ years. Plus the usual high mileage issues that arise in every car.
    Different style of driving - I get it and I'm not a sports car driver.
     
    #1 ubuntu, Oct 5, 2015
  2. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    If you can DIY, a used Prius is great. They're pretty easy to diagnose for most issues and not as impossible to fix as you would think.
     
    #2 vskid3, Oct 5, 2015
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
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    Three
    Hi. If you drive a Land Rover, my usual concern (cost of repairs) almost does not apply to you. :)
    The Prius is a very reliable car but when something breaks, it can be expensive to replace. (as no one is comfortable repairing the parts)

    A used High Voltage battery can be $1000 plus your labor. (oddly, there is more labor for a new $2500 battery)
    The Inverter is $4000 new and installed and $500 on ebay. (bad 12 volt battery jumping and letting the coolant run dry are common killers)
    The Transaxle can be a $5000 installed, $1000 on ebay. (overheated motor windings and bearings, both of which can be minimized by changing the ATF WS at 30,000 miles, 90,000 miles and then every 90,000 miles)

    If you own a Land Rover for ground clearance/bad roads, no Prius is a good replacement. The v is least bad.

    Here is a post about who should not own a Prius (biased to the gen 2)
    considering a Prius | PriusChat
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Oct 5, 2015
  4. ubuntu

    ubuntu New Member

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    I'm not looking for an offroad vehicle ;)
     
    #4 ubuntu, Oct 5, 2015
  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
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    Three
    Good, because you will scrape the under carriage on city streets. (at least when loaded like mine)
     
    #5 JimboPalmer, Oct 5, 2015
  6. johnnyb588

    johnnyb588 Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Within the past year I have purchased a 2005 with 125k and a 2007 with 140k. Great decisions, considering the tech/comfort level of these cars is far greater than most comparably-priced used cars in that range, the efficiency of the prius is top flight, and in general the maintenance costs/frequency are as good as it can get for a high-mileage vehicle.

    It may be easier/cheaper to own an old Camry or an old Corolla in the same year/mileage range, but the keyword is *may.* You never know what you're going to get with a used vehicle, and I think a Prius is just as solid of a bet as any other vehicle out there.
     
    #6 johnnyb588, Oct 7, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    most of the advice against buying older high mileage prius is for people with no diy skills and no budget for repairs.
    sounds like you can handle any problem a prius might throw your way. i wouldn't hesitate. the only thing you might want to consider is seat comfort.
     
    #7 bisco, Oct 7, 2015
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