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Buying a used Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by pbratt, Aug 30, 2012.

  1. pbratt

    pbratt Junior Member

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    Hey All:

    Until June 2012 I owned a 2004 Toyota Prius that my wife and I put 80,000 miles on. It was destroyed in a hailstorm, and we miss it a lot. Right now we drive a 2005 Toyota Camry, which feels like a boat. A family member has given it to us as a loaner, so we can't complain.

    We have been looking around at getting another Prius as our new car. I'm still not sold on buying a brand new Prius, and we test drove a Toyota Prius C, which was a disappointment (felt really cheap and tight with an under powered engine).

    My question to the forum is whether I should look at getting another Generation II or to get a Generation III? My father-in-law has a 2011 Gen III which we drove on a vacation and really liked it. However, while the millage was better than the Gen II, I didn't get a sense that it handled any better, and it felt much bulkier than the Gen II. I've been looking at some potential cars, and I've found a 2006 Gen II with 37K for $15K, and a 2010 Gen III with 40K for $17.5K. Any suggestions on what would be a better choice? Both cars check out on car fax, and have similar levels of features (cruise control, ipod, etc). As always, I appreciate the advice.
     
    #1 pbratt, Aug 30, 2012
  2. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    That must have been some hail. What was the result? Destroyed sounds extreme.
     
    #2 nh7o, Aug 30, 2012
  3. pbratt

    pbratt Junior Member

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    It was a lot of hail. Our car was totalled-it would have costed $10K to fix everything up, while the car was worth $9K. All the windows and windshields were bashed in, and the body looked like someone had taken a machine gun to it. Very sad...
     
    #3 pbratt, Aug 30, 2012
  4. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    I have both a 2008 Gen II and a 2010 Gen III. I think the Gen III is a better car in every way.
    Tires and tire pressure have a lot to do with your perception of handling. I suggest you test drive both cars with say 38psi front and 36psi on the back. If either car needs a new set of tires you should read F8L's posts about tires.
    The traction battery deteriorates with age and heat more so than mileage. So the newer car may be a better/safer buy.
     
    #4 xpcman, Aug 30, 2012
  5. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    For the price difference I think the 2010 is a better value and for only 2.5 diff. Similar options? I really like my 2006! H
     
    #5 HaroldW, Aug 30, 2012
  6. NinnJinn

    NinnJinn Member

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    You have been driving a Camry for over 2 months.... When I drive my wife's Camry for a week or so, then get in my Prius, it seems under powered. You might possibly be used to the get up and go of a Camry vs. a Prius.... Plus some Camry cars have a V6 in them....

    Just my 2 cents worth....
     
    #6 NinnJinn, Aug 30, 2012
  7. pbratt

    pbratt Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone for the advice. I drove the Toyota Prius C while in the midst of borrowing my father in law's 2011 Prius, and it still felt rather under powered. Based on the feedback, I'm leaning towards a 2010 or 2011 Prius. Stay tuned!
     
    #7 pbratt, Sep 5, 2012
  8. mlhenderson

    mlhenderson Junior Member

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    I would go with the 2010 for the increased time period on your traction battery. I have a 2006 with 77K miles and my traction battery failed this week. This is probably a rare occurance but I don't know if I want to own one of these outside the warranty period.
     
    #8 mlhenderson, Sep 7, 2012
  9. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Not sure if you are aware, the traction battery is covered under warranty by Toyota for a minimum of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

    Toyota Auto Warranty and Extended Warranty Information

    In CARB states, the warranty is 10 years/150,000 miles.

    A '06 with 77K on the clock should be eligible for warranty coverage of the traction battery as long as the appropriate codes are present when Toyota diagnoses the car.
     
    #9 dorunron, Sep 7, 2012
  10. mlhenderson

    mlhenderson Junior Member

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    yes thanks, mine is in the shop right now getting the traction battery replaced under warranty. That was my point of recommending the later model. He's getting two extra years of coverage if he keeps his miles in check.
     
    #10 mlhenderson, Sep 11, 2012
  11. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Glad to hear that Toyota is standing behind their product and their warranty. I bet when you get your car back, it will give a lot better mileage along with the engine not working as hard.

    Good luck to you.
    Ron
     
    #11 dorunron, Sep 11, 2012
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