Considering buying a gen 2 Prius. Need advice.

I am hoping to make the thing go by doing the module replacement myself as needed. I believe these batteries were designed to last the life of the car, even with some help.

 

Well, I am looking at under $5000 vehicle that still has some battery life left. If I have to put some time and money into the battery down the road and it last another 3-5 years, I am okay with that. Yes, the hybrid has extra systems not present in all-gas cars. But seems Toyota quality is a real thing. I simply do not hear of too many problems that super-costly other than the battery, of course. I am handy with car repair and been keeping my jalopies running well for years now. I can do brake work, suspension work, simple engine work myself.

 

I suppose you are right. But mostly what I hear from many friends who own them is that it's the best car they've ever owned.

 

Volvo had a few models to stay away from 16 valve 4 cylinder engine was a disaster. So was 960's (a 6 cylinder, I believe). You need to stick with the "red block" (cast iron) "brick" (under-powered, but bulletproof 4 cylinder 8 valve engine) or the new front wheel drive "white block" (cast aluminum) engines. Those can run forever and a day with regular maintenance. But, A/C in a Volvo? Don't even go there. Doesn't exist in working order. Maybe the newer ones are better, but I have not had a car with working A/C in almost 10 years. In NEw England I can get away with not fixing it, but I can't imagine it being okay in Texas or California.

 

I read that bit of news the other day. Then looked into the actual article (beyond the headline, as it smelled of corporate BS). Turns out they plan to not introduce any NEW models that are not HYBRID or electric after 2019. The models designed prior to that (all gas) may still be manufactured (or at least the corporate BS wording does not say they won't). But, hey it looks great in a headline: "Volvo will only sell electric vehicles after 2019". I call PR spin on this one, but the trend is obvious. EVs are the future IMO. Hybrids are the transitional tech that will get us there. Car manufacturers who do not see it that way will be gone (and good riddance).

Also, I don't see why a hybrid Volvo won't be as reliable as the all-gas Volvo. Volvo passenger car division is a Chinese company now and China is one of the leaders of EV market.

 

Is there a difference in center info displays between 04-05 and 06-09? It seems the pre-06 cars have a lower resolution or a slightly different graphic style. Am I wrong? Is there a difference or am I imagining it?

What other differences were introduced in 06?