Prius durability, decisions

I have a 2005 Prius with 105,000 miles and have had zero problems. I have changed the tires once, the front brake pads and rotors and all normal routine maintenance. I do drive on smooth highways. So far, no complaints at all. I do feel the floating brake sensation when lightly braking over manhole covers, but I do not think it is a safety issue. The car is not very good going up snowy hills. In short, it is going as well now as when I bought it and I would not be surprised if it reaches 250 to 300k miles.

By the way, I did not bother with an extended warranty.

 

They use the same car as a Taxi in many places. Taxi fleet owners are a mercenary lot on average. If the Prius was unable to deal with over loading, lousy road conditions or speed bumps created by idiots, I suspect they wouldn't be using Prius's as a livery car. I imagine you'd do just fine. You can't be as bad as cab driver. But who owns a car for 5 years and puts only 4000 miles a year on it ? If that is true, you may have the bargain of the century there, so I'd stop procrastinating, if I were you, before the price goes up or someone else finds out about it.

 

Remember that manufacturers will probably not cover damage caused from ruts etc. Have you considered using a piece of junk auto until that strtch of road is completely repaired? Then spend the $ on a great car like the Prius without concerns for pot holes etc.Front end alignment is important and expensive to correct. OEM tires are OK but many owners do seem to want better replacements. I'd be more concerned with alignment issues than tire durability on the Prius.

 

It is too late to buy a Toyota extended warranty on the 2005, as this is available only if you buy it before the 3 year / 36K mile warranty expires. I don't think that "third party" warranties are worthwhile.

Plan on replacing the shocks / struts on the Prius while you own it. I recommend you call your local dealer's service dept and ask what the price will be, if you cannot DIY replace them.

The parts cost ~$650 MSRP or so. I've paid <$500 plus shipping for all four, including new rubber insulators and front strut top mounts.

The labor charge can be quite high depending upon the dealer's billing practices.

In principle an SUV is supposed to be able to handle rougher terrain. That may not necessarily be true for a vehicle like the Escape which does not have a truck-based suspension. Suggest you explore forums for the Ford Escape Hybrid if you are interested in that vehicle, to assess its durability and maintenance/repair costs.

 

Read the waranty fine print and research , research, research...before risking a lot of money. I'd be concerned that repairs needed because of a real bad road would get interpreted as not "normal wear and tear" but accidental damage and "we're sorry"...I hope I'm wrong but...

 

It costs nothing for you to ask. Worst case, they'll say no and roll on the floor laughing at you.:rofl:

Best case, you'll get a new car at a great price.

 

Besides looking at Toyota Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Accessories, Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius / Toyota spells it out pretty well.

 

Toyota Prius Hybrid - 2010 Models: Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV, Prius V

Major difference is JBL stereo and Bluetooth capability.

 

If you want nav you have to buy Prius III with the nav option package.

Prius II has satellite radio capability. You'll have to obtain a subscription for that service.

 

FYI one section of the the plastic shield covering the high voltage wires running from the battery to the motors in front came off on my car.

Cliff notes version of the story:
When I first noticed it, I had thought it was just some crap hanging off my car (I drive though the city, i figured it was an errant newspaper). I didn't think anything of it. Toyota service people didn't mention it when I brought it in for 30k service, so I figured it was really just some crap on my car. I drive though some construction a few weeks later and SCRAPE - it was the cover scraping against the part of the dug up street. Brought it to a Toyota dealership - they wouldn't cover it because the plastic cover was damaged (they did try and bend it back into place). I now feel that my warranty isn't worth much and I kind of regret purchasing the extended warranty.

Good luck on your decision.

 

JBL is more than just speakers. The entire stereo is upgraded and the stereo control panel has a JBL label. Since I don't have a 2010 I can't comment on the extent to which JBL is an improvement. On my 2G 2004 I would not say that the JBL stereo is wonderful.

I don't think it is possible to add JBL or Bluetooth as dealer-installed options.

 

It depends on your commute distance. If it is about 5 miles, get something else. If majority of it is on the good surface, Prius makes sense. Prius maintenance manual has for severe condition. I believe oil change, air filter and other intervals are shorter.