$1300 to replace fuel level sending unit??!!

So how much have you spent on the car since your original purchase? It’s tough to keep score but It looks like most of your problems were covered.

 

Except with the Forrester a blown head gasket is just around the corner, talk about EXPENSIVE. I know cause I bought 3 new Subarus, 2 had head gasket problems and fixing them is not cheap.

 

I can understand becoming frustrated with a new used vehicle that immediately starts demonstrating repeated problems. BUT...

Sorry, but that doesn't seem that bad.
I think, I'd make the investment...and keep going. I've lost a lot of money, hoping I'd hit that tipping point-towards the good, with a vehicle that repeatedly needs repair.
But if you still have the warranty you purchased?
Well I just don't think I'd be ready to give up yet.
Piece by piece, you're getting a lot of parts replaced.

However, as I said, I've lost money over the years, following the same hope...
Maybe I'd give it 1 more shot. If something big, not covered by warranty comes up again? Then maybe I'd give up. But not yet.

 

So, when is the instrument cluster on my Gen4 going to crap out? Any problems with the Gen3 instruments yet?

I've only had my 2016 Prius for 3 years (first hybrid) so my opinions probably don't mean squat. But I've said from day one, that I think these cars are unnecessarily overly-complicated! Especially the electronics. What's wrong with just having a very simple instrument cluster: A speedo, an odometer, a simple battery level gauge, and a gas gauge. Why all the fancy and complex displays, and dancing lines, and crazy indicators, etc, etc. Get rid of the silly "scores". I just turn all that stuff off!

Are all those things really necessary to just drive this Prius?! I say no. Make the damn car simple, and quit trying to impress all the "techno geeks." (But then maybe they wouldn't sell any?) Go back to actual knobs and buttons, instead of all these electronic touch-screen switches. And that big ugly computer screen like in the Prime, what a huge distraction! I just don't think the Prius is as reliable as Toyota (and some owners) claim? These forums are FULL of problems! Yeah, I know, most are older Gen2 Prius cars... and all brands have problems... But it just seems like the stuff that is failing, shouldn't be failing so soon, if it wasn't so overly-complicated.

A couple of Priuschat long-term members made a really good point: If you choose to own a Prius, especially when buying a used Prius, you had better have a "car repair fund" set aside. The repairs and parts are very expensive for a Prius. More so, it seems, than any other cars. (My insurance lady warned me about that. After the fact.)

Just a sleep-deprived rambling from an older man who appreciates things being very simple and easy to operate. Sometimes I love my Prius, and other times I hate it. I'm no "techno guy" and no mechanic. Maybe I should start calling Uber for my rides. Getting good MPG is sometimes not worth all the troubles that come with it? I don't know.

 

HOLY SH!T That is NO BARGAIN, even at HALF that price!!!!!

While it is maddening, they surely did not INTEND to mislead you or misrepresent the car. Everything mechanical WILL break, if you drive it long enough.... you will replace every part.

All you really *need* is a gas tank from a wreck and swap it in, maybe $50 in parts?????

 

I would agree with part of what you stated. Especially about having a fund to repair the car if something happens. To many people even on newer cars have no emergency fund set aside for the insurance deductible or non covered repairs. You should always have some money set aside for a set of new tires, new battery or etc.

The second part I don't agree with is why the cars are more complicated. Almost everything has gone this way. I don't think any vehicle that is brought in or made here has as simple interface. Almost all have gone touch screen, multi display and etc. People complain about the cost of cars but then bare bone models just don't sell anymore. If you look at most of the low price models that are listed for vehicles good luck getting one ordered. Sometimes they only make a few and they are way down on the production schedule.

 

I think if you look at the long term history of Prius, it has always been, as a Hybrid, a flagship vehicle of technology, even when that technology was pretty much just being a Hybrid and the Dash included a symbol of a turtle on it.

And I do believe that Prius appeals to a segment, not limited to, but including those that do embrace technology and do look for above the norm feedback and information from their vehicles.
I would say The Prius is simple to drive and operate, but it is not a simple vehicle. Never has been.

My experience was, upon initial purchase, and maybe for a month or two, I was "into" all the gauges, and all the feedback. But I pretty quickly settled on what I liked, and what I chose to use. Then? Really the Prius can be as simple as you wish to make it. Just because a gauge, screen or specific feedback is available, doesn't mean you have to look at it, or use it.

I don't see how you operate a Prius, or any Hybrid without a battery charge gauge, and at least some nod to illustration of Electric/ICE operation. But really? When it boils down to it, I actually think the Prius is remarkably comprehensive and simple.
You even have a segment that add a ScanGauge, in search of MORE feedback.

 

Like TEM above, I basically want to know nothing that is not required for safe operation.

Tell me: Speed, fuel level and if anything is amiss, otherwise, forget it.

 

umm yeah, thanks for proving what I have been trying to tell people for over a decade, low miles doesnt mean a good car and its death for a hybrid.. dump it before the ABS brake actuator fails and costs you another $3000.... the 2013 (and up) KIA's are nice and get almost 40 mpg with no hybrid drama

 

so you dont want a temp gauge? just a warning light when the motor has overheated and will need to be rebuilt or replaced? ok its your money

 

But a LOT of people will pay big $$$ for something they think is "cool", a perfectly well functioning G1, 2, or 3 Prius falls into that category for many people, including me.

I and most others, very well know that statistically a Corolla is a MUCH safer bet, there is a measure of excitement in risk