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Used Toyota Prius 2011 vs 2012 vs 2013 advice

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by andy wech, Oct 26, 2022.

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  1. andy wech

    andy wech New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2022
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    Location:
    Wellington
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Alpha
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Looking to buy a used Toyota Prius - budget NZ $12,000.

    I'm toying up whether a low km (say 108,000) 2011/2012 Prius model s/alpha is better than a moderate km (say 132,000) 2013 Prius.

    Any advice on whether it's worth while buying a 2013 Prius over a 2011/2012 model in 2022 would be highly useful.

    I'm looking to use the car mostly for city commutes, beach trips and the occasional long commute (4 hours). Ideally able to sleep in the car as-well (something Prius models are known for).

    The company I'm looking to buy through is called Kiwi Cheap Cars NZ. I can't post the URL as I'm not allowed. If interested, search kiwicheapcars.co.nz/vehicles.php

    The company provides a WOF and service upon sale.
     
    #1 andy wech, Oct 26, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Welcome!
    Unfortunately, those years are all similar, with similar problems.
    Inverter, pistons and rings, oil burning, brake actuator, and eventually, the battery
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 26, 2022
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    And head gasket failure, unless the EGR system is timely cleaned of carbon, say every 80K kms or so. See my signature.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Oct 26, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  4. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    The 2013 might have a brake booster accumulator that might not go bad. Do a search of the forum and see which way the sticker has to face on the accumulator for it to be the updated one. You can also see if the accumulators have been replaced on the other ones already
     
    #4 douglasjre, Oct 27, 2022
  5. Patricia Wynn Norman

    Patricia Wynn Norman New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2023
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    Location:
    Peabody Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
     
    #5 Patricia Wynn Norman, Jan 8, 2023
  6. Patricia Wynn Norman

    Patricia Wynn Norman New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2023
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    Location:
    Peabody Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Well, if there's one thing I can tell you for sure it's that you will love sleeping in the car! I have a 2011 and at one point I was commuting 80 miles each way to and from teaching at a college that was also located in a different state, too. I would get done around midnight and just sleep in my car at a truck stop I knew was safe. If I can't afford to replace it with another Prius, I will really, really, really miss how comfortable it is to sleep in -- oh, and how much stuff you could fit into it. The clearance under the hatchback is totally underestimated by most people's descriptions. From a washing machine to all sorts of furniture and even a huge tree, I have never had to leave anything behind for lack of space. IMG_20210102_115107516_HDR.jpg
     
    #6 Patricia Wynn Norman, Jan 8, 2023
    CR94 and douglasjre like this.
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