Should I buy a high mileage 2010? Advice?

Have you considered a full electric vehicle like a Focus Electric or a Nissan Leaf? You could get a brand new car and make the monthly payment with the gas savings.

 

welcome to priuschat! this is not the car for you. while many pri go 2-300,000 miles without major problems, there is considerable risk with any vehicle at that mileage, especially when adding 20k per year. what will 11k get you in a corolla or camry? maybe you need to reconsider your necessary optional equipment? all the best!

 

how long would you like to keep it for?

 

Most Prius cars can go up to 200k miles with fairly low repair bills. But you have to remember this is a Hybrid and it's pretty expensive to fix at a dealership. If you have a traction battery failure, that is $3500. An inverter failure is $3000. Transaxle failure will be $4500. And so on.

If you can stomach repair bills like the ones I've mentioned, then a high mileage Prius isn't a problem. But if you can't stomach bills like that, it's best you stick with a lower mileage car. Estimated 20,000 miles a year will usually end up higher because you will want to drive this car more and more. At 25,000 miles a year, you'll do 200,000 in 8 years time.

If your budget is $13,000, you can go for a GenII with reasonable mileage. Then all you would have to save up for is a potential HV battery when it fails.

 

The Prius is designed to go 180k miles, anything beyond that is gravy. High mileage would be a 2010 with 100k miles. I think that's a good mileage to search to get a relatively reasonable price and a reasonably reliable car.

 

i don't think so. there are plenty of old pri here with 'lower' mileage and no problems. miles are hard on the battery, but heat is even harder. the tranny is pretty sturdy, but would be mileage based and the same with the inverter.

 

I went through this same struggle last month and ended up buying new.
I didn't even consider new until I ran the numbers, and it just made sense. Especially considering the 0% financing toyota was (and may still be) offering.
Buying new removes nearly all the risk, and the Prius seems to have a high enough resale that depreciation plays a pretty small role. Add the warranty and 2 years maintenance and I had a hard time justifying used.


iPhone ?

 

My gen3 Prius has been less than reliable and is only at 80,000 miles. I'd stick with lower mileage and avoid anything over 100k; people get rid of a car for a reason!

If you can't afford anything newer or with less miles, you can't afford a Prius with 165k miles on it. If anything goes wrong you'll be in a difficult place. The gen2 Prius is said to be more over engineered and might be worthy of further consideration.

 

If you can accept Gen II Prius (2004-2009), then the repair cost will be much lower. I quoted engine and transaxle from Autobeyours.com in IN, they can install a used engine with 65K miles for $1500 out of pocket. Add a transaxle will add maybe $700. Battery is $1000 installed.

You should go check used parts price, not new ones. I don't know much about Gen III parts.

I actually bought a 2010 Prius II month ago with 112K miles, and I drive about 30K/year. I have more confidence than average shoppers, obviously.

My confidence come from the Gen II, my 2004 Prius. Bought it 4 years ago with 106K miles, now 220K, the only issue is engine burning oil, that's why I am thinking about getting a 65K mile engine. At the cost of $1100 installed (by my own mechanic), it's nothing. The total maintenance cost in 4 years, 114K miles, is less than $1600, which includes everything from oil change to serpentine belt.

 

That's a tricky, tricky scenario.

A well maintained Prius isn't necessarily a bad purchase at 165,000 miles. But any and all vehicles start to reach the zone where maintenance issues will arise. And by your own admission you would be only 2 years away from having a Prius with 200,000 miles on it.

I guess I would say, the only way I would do it, would be if I purchased with the knowledge and ability to handle any maintenance/repair issues that might arise.

Otherwise, I would probably want to shave at least 65,000 miles off the odometer.

I also think, if you could find a lightly used, very low mile Gen 2, that might be a good deal.

There might be a considerable price difference between a 2009...last year of the Gen 2...and a 2010...first model year of the Gen 3.

 

I have 90000 miles on my 2010. When it gets to the point when I can't rely on a car it's time for a new car. I have had zero repairs.

Cars go to auction for several reasons: They are too old, the mileage is too high, something expensive needs to be fixed. If a dealer can sell it off the lot it's not going to auction.

If you are putting 20000 miles/year on a car you really should be looking for lower mileage. That solar package on the car was probably $4000-$5000, especially if it's on a Four. I recommend looking for a new Two or Three as they are plentiful and there is probably a rebate or finance deal in your Region. If you can double the amount you want to spend you get a full warranty, a couple of oil changes & 8 more years out of the car.

 

I think the reason dealer sell used car to auction company is because those used cars are at different price point (often too cheap) of which their target customers are looking for. New car dealers typically sell used car of up to 5 years old, in my impression.

 

Then you shouldn't get a Prius. It's a terrible car for the highway. It is loud and bounces all over in the wind and is really uncomfortable. I'd suggest you look at a plug-in hybrid like the Ford Fusion Energi or C-Max Energi or Chevy Volt. That will greatly reduce you gas bill on your local trips by using electricity and will allow you to still have the unlimited range of a gas engine for road trips. The Ford vehicles are incredibly comfortable. The seats are amazing and the interior is well padded with high quality materials, unlike the cheap Prius interior.