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Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Rph74, Oct 25, 2013.

  1. Rph74

    Rph74 Active Member

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    I just bought a 2006 Prius today, and wow I am impressed already! Took it on a 180 mile road trip to Kansas City with my wife and 2 kids. This thing rode very comfortably! I am accustomed to getting 15-17 mpg in my SUV's so this car is a very welcome change for me! I have a feeling that the other gas hogs in my house will start seeing very little use.
    I have been lurking here for a few weeks, doing some research, so thank you to all who have contributed. I hope to learn some and share some knowledge as time goes by.

    My car is the 2006 with backup camera, Smart Key, Side And Head Airbags, and Electonic Stability control. I bought it from the original owner and it has 92,000 miles.

    The previous owner just replaced the water pump, serpentine belt, and the Goodyear Assurance Fuelmax tires have only 6k on them. The only pressing maintenance is the 12v battery as it is original!

    Chris
    Springfield,MO
     
    #1 Rph74, Oct 25, 2013
    uart and Prius_Cub like this.
  2. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Congrats on your purchase and "Welcome" to Prius Chat.

    Info in my signature file on the 12 V battery. Definitely DIY with just a few tools.

    Best of luck to you.
     
    #2 dorunron, Oct 25, 2013
  3. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Sounds nice Chris. (y)

    If they've been reasonably well cared for by the original owner, secondhand Priuses can be extremely reliable. I bought a secondhand 2005 model back in 2009 and it's been brilliant. Apart from oil and fluids as per usual, it hasn't needed touching. Not so much as even a light bulb has failed.
     
    #3 uart, Oct 26, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome, all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 26, 2013
  5. Rph74

    Rph74 Active Member

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    That kind of reliability is what I am hoping for! I also own another Toyota a Land a Cruiser and it has served me very well for almost 11 years now. I am every bit as impressed with the fit and finish of the Prius as I am my LC.
     
    #5 Rph74, Oct 26, 2013
  6. jgny

    jgny Junior Member

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    Welcome! I am new here too and have a 2006, been driving it now about 3 weeks and love it! Makes me wish I'd
    bought a prius years ago!
     
    #6 jgny, Oct 30, 2013
  7. scotty80

    scotty80 Junior Member

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    Welcome to the club. I bought my 2005 with 148,000 about 4 months ago. Just did my first oil change and everything is working out well. I too am wondering why I didn't do this several years ago.
     
    #7 scotty80, Oct 30, 2013
  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    #8 usnavystgc, Oct 30, 2013
  9. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    For mpgs, the Prius is number #1. :) Our 2007 Prius used to be the number one car we drove- 2 years ago we traded our aging minivan for a 2012 Fiat 500 and that is the preferred car for errands. The Prius feels like a log wagon compared to the Fiat.- My wife hates driving the Prius now- steering is hard, much harder to do u-turns in, sits too low, seats are uncomfortable, - nobody waves at her cute car when driving the Prius, and it is fast when you need it to be.. did I mention how nice the seats are in the sport model? The Fiat gets 39mpg on the highway, 30-31 in town. You can almost steer the Fiat with one finger, very nimble. We purchased a lifetime warranty with the Fiat, so I know this car will be the last one we take to the senior living complex before we hand in our keys.We are looking to trade the 07 in for a Prius V for the more numerous long trips and vacations in retirement.( need the extra room for our teenager) I can't tell you how many times we have grabbed parking places at Walmart with the Fiat- you can do a u-turn and grab the diagonal parking place in the same lane, before the other car gets around the corner.
     
    #9 benkhanobi, Nov 4, 2013
  10. alekska

    alekska Active Member

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    But its tiny...I would be scared to drive that small of a car in between all the Pickup trucks here...

    - Alex
     
    #10 alekska, Nov 4, 2013
  11. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    I can't see how your 12v is still operating the car. It could quit any day now without warning. Unlike a normal car the 12v does not crank the engine and a marginal 12v battery will not show itself by slow cranking.
     
    #11 xpcman, Nov 4, 2013
  12. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    I agree- be proactive and replace that 12v battery. They go out at the worst times and the road service is not prepared for a dead Prius. I was lucky, mine quit in the garage- it took an hour on a small charger to get enough juice to fire off the car- Then I had to wait a couple days for our local auto parts store to get a battery- not in stock!
     
    #12 benkhanobi, Nov 4, 2013
  13. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Welcome to PC from the other side of the pond.
    As others have said the 12 volt battery should be changed soon. It is also worth pointing out jump starting the Prius if required needs special attention.
    Make 100% sure if you do this that you are connecting the batteries the correct way round. A reverse connection for a split second can cost $1000's. The vehicle you are jumping from should not be running "the Prius does not need a lot of current" and under no circumstances jump another car from your Prius.
    The Prius does not have a battery that was designed for cranking an engine.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #13 Britprius, Nov 4, 2013
  14. Rph74

    Rph74 Active Member

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    Location:
    Springfield,MO
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
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    N/A
    I replaced the 12v battery last week, thanks to the DIY. I ended up buying an OEM battery for $187, as the Optima was $179 in my area! I probably could have gotten it cheaper online, but lately my time comes at a premium so I figured I would get it done since the time allowed. I'm glad I did it, as it allowed me to familiarize myself with how to jumpstart if I ever had to. At first I was trying to connect the Jumper cable to the little bolt in the fusebox to no avail. Finally figured out the cable clips onto the tab just above the bolt!
    Next up is for me to replace the transmission fluid.
     
    #14 Rph74, Nov 6, 2013
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