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Toyota’s Prius is the least expensive model to maintain at Yourmechanic

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Pijoto, Sep 19, 2016.

  1. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    "Toyota’s Prius is the least expensive model to maintain at both low and high mileages; maintenance costs a meager $6,700 over 150,000 miles."

    I'm practically justifying all the traveling I've been doing this year (21,000 Miles in under 11 Months...) on the cost savings of owning a Prius. I'm assuming the figure above has a lot of Gen 2 Prius cost averaged into it, how much lower is the Gen 3 maintenance cost for up to 150,000 Miles? I got to justify making 3-4K Mile long roundtrips for next year...

    How Much Do Car Maintenance Costs Increase with Mileage? | Advice from YourMechanic
     
  2. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Most definitely low cost but isn't going by mileage kinda skewed? Because I have an 09 Prius with already 163k miles on getting ready to clock 164k and my mantiance is pennies.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 eman08, Sep 19, 2016
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2016
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  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    First I agree statistically, the Prius is so trouble free it is a wise car to own.

    My problem with recommending a used Prius is that any one that does have issues, the costs climb rapidly.
    So 998 owners out of 1000 are happy as a clam, but two guys have $5000 repair bills.

    While 998 won't need to use the 5 grand, it is hard to recommend a Prius to someone who can't be the one in five hundred
     
  4. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    But that applies to all used cars, a blown transmission in any regular car is going to cost an arm and a leg... It's also why I bought mine new, don't have to worry about how the previous owner treated the car, and I drive like a Grandma most of the time, so there's a better chance than average my Prius won't incur expensive maintenance issues early into it's life.
     
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  5. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Exactly! I don't worry about parts dying out on me on X miles because that's with any car with normal wear and tear which is expected. My friend has to pay $3,000 to replace his transmission in his Honda Civic, which of course is a Ricer, Ricers love blowing their trannies haha. Just gotta know how to take care of a car and keep it well maintained, keep the Hybrid duct and fan cleaned out, don't drive the vehicle rough, oil changes, tranny fluid etc etc drive the car, because the more you drive it and keep it exercising it, the longer you extend the battery life keeping discharged and charged.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  6. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I don't think I've ever put $6,700 into any car. Today, cars all offer free scheduled maintenance and most cars make it to 100K miles with no additional maintenance.

    It seems like these guys are using some very high rates, don't you guys think?
     
  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Probably reported as dealer maintenance costs. While I have done some of these at the dealer, I have done no where near $6700 and I am at 140 k and counting. Will do both coolant flushes and trans fluid drain and fill this weekend. This is at the cost of about $80 for fluids and 3 crush gaskets:).

    But I did the usual call around for these and it would have put me over $320 at any of the 3 dealers within 20 minutes of my house;).

    Free labor in the form of my father arrives Thursday night and the list will also include buffing out the fogged headlights that have gotten to the point of getting in the forward beam path:(. Another job that will pass at the lower than dealer maintenance cost. That $100 to $120 an hour labor rate will add up quickly and lead to the figures reported.

    One reason that the Prius costs might be lower through 150 k is there are less moving parts and parts to replace like water pumps and belts.

    I know on the wife's 98 4Runner with 255 k miles and counting we haven't spent $6700 on maintenance either though.
     
  8. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    My previous car was a Honda Civic, kept for 10 years and over 150K miles, and don't think I've spent anywhere near $6700...so they must be going by inflated dealer cost and getting every "recommended" thing on the checklist done... Along with the first 25K maintenance being free, I'm pre-paid up to 95K miles in 6 years (which I'll easily meet) for around $1,000, which sounds reasonable...doubt the next 55K miles will cost me over 5 grand....unless the battery or hybrid components fail *knocks on wood* :unsure:
     
  9. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I mean... There's tires, right? Everybody buys tires.

    What I want to know is... what's the Prius v Hummer maintenance cost?
     
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    H1 or H2? Since the H2 was built on the Tahoe chassis, that was the 3 rd cheapest at 75 k miles then at 150 k miles it is between the 2 extremes. I found it interesting that the most expensive car to maintain to 150 k is the Ford Mustang in their analysis.

    And there were plenty of other fords on that list :oops:.
     
  11. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    There was an infamous "study" which came to the bizarre conclusion that a Prius had higher long-term energy consumption than a Hummer H2. Part of the analysis was based on the H2 lasting an average of 379,000 miles and the average Prius lasting only 109,000 miles.
     
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    How did they arrive at the conclusion that the Prius would last only 109,000 miles? Where the gen I's known to be in reliable? I still see plenty around and on the freeway so they probably have well over 109,000 by now.

    You got a link to this high quality "study"? Sounds like a quality evening read. Maybe with a couple of adult beverages, their conclusions might make sense.
     
  13. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Don't waste your time with it. Just another case of someone making a completely outrageous lie and watching how many people of a certain political persuasion are stupid enough to believe it. The guy made up all his data and twisted it around to make it look as though the Prius was incredibly expensive to manufacture. He focused heavily on the nickle used in the NiMh battery of the Prius, while apparently ignoring that the tons of steel in a Hummer also contain nickle. Things like that.

    It's best left forgotten and ignored. The "study" has already been thoroughly debunked.
     
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