advice on buying used prius vs. another used economy car

Yep you've figured it all out man . If you can do work .go for it . I do 200 miles a day sometimes . A gas car similar costs only gets 33 ish or so mpg

 

if you're trying to save money, it's all about diy. prius is a very different sanimal. you need to be tech savvy, along with a good wrencher.
the expensive systems are the battery, brake actuator, inverter and a/c compressor.
about 10-15 grande at a dealer, you can diy them all for under a hundred with salvage parts, a proper laptop and tech stream software, access to the service manual, and a good range of automotive tools.

learn as much as you can about hybrid idiosynchrosies before going to test drive cars

 

The central screen / display is also incredibly expensive to fix through a dealer, but there are people who can fix them for much less.

As with any car, expect a bathtub curve for operating expenses. It’s the most expensive when new and when it’s at the end of its operating life. Given the average car on the road lasts 12 years, every single Gen 2 Prius out there is at the point where things are more likely to start wearing out. Toyota designed the batteries to last for 180,000 miles although some can go double those miles or more.

I’ve had my car for 6 years and spent around $24,000 total, including purchase price, gasoline, insurance, maintenance and repairs. If I project that out to 10 years, that would be roughly $35,000. If you do things yourself you could pay less, but I’d say that’s a rough estimate of how much a 2nd Gen Prius would cost for a decade.

 

There's two kinds of gen2 owners: those that have replaced the HV battery and those that are about too. Inverters, brake systems and A/C are the other big ticket items. Trans/engines fails are rare in comparison.

For mainly hwy use and low costs, I'd look for a used Corolla or Altima, slap a set of new 80k mile tires on it and call it a day. Those get 40ish hwy too. Hybrids deliver the best efficiencies at lower speeds in town and after a warmup. Very short trips on a cold ICE in the 1-5 mile range (my life) delivered 28-35mpg in our Gen2 depending on temperatures.

You'd definitely need a NEW (not rebuilt) HV battery. Search costs.

The used vehicle buyer's paradox: Reliable, cheap, good. Pick two.

A gen 2 could be a good and cheap purchase right now (I don't. I think prices are WAY too high on most every vehicle) but if it needs any of the above to remain reliable, it's no longer cheap. DIY skills and used parts help a lot on costs but that's true for repairing an ICE too.

My hope is prices across the board (new and used) should be lower by summer. I'm already seeing price drops everywhere (tv, ads, sites).


FWIW

 

A recession will do that. Summer 2023.
Average person is currently being squeezed out of market due to inflation and financing costs.

 

A camry or accord might be a better choice. Gen 2s are no longer cheap. Got the kids into them 3-4 years ago, 2500 got a pretty decent sometimes a bit ugly car. Same car today would be over 4000. I know because I bought one this year.

 

seems like a good one, all you need is an inverter and brake actuator, and you got the big stuff covered

 

Are you havin' a laugh? NO. Thats even ridiculous for pandemic scarcity pricing. Find something better. I know someone who just bought a Gen 2 prius with 115k for $6000. Deals are out there. At the end of the day, the Prius is not considered a cool car and people buy cars emotionally not like us (logically) so no matter the gas savings people will stay pay a premium for other trendier cars. Not to mention latest generation of Prius out this week so theoretically should drive down prices of Gen 2s.

IMO Gen 2s are the THEE best value overall IF you find a good one and as another poster above mentioned you learn to do the repairs (that you are confident doing).

btw: i think that seller is trying to dump his repair expenses on you via asking price. really not worth over $4000.

 

I think he is trying to sell a $2500 high-mileage car for a massive premium...should be around $4500 (based on below not to mention dem parts are now used so even less $3500+)

1) Hybrid battery: Brand new battery from Toyota dealer, Also Installed and warranty by Toyota dealer. Total service $4206. (replacement battery is around $1k)
2) Brand new 4@ Michelin tires (on sale $500 NEW i use michs)
3) Oil change, Inverter coolant flush and engine coolant flush by Toyota dealer.(you can do this $100?)
4) Service replacement of 2@ front wheel bearing by Toyota. (hardest part is taking the bearings out...take em to a shop and they'll remove em with a hydraulic press around $20...parts $500 roughly for GOOD bearings)
5) new brake pads. (EZ $50)
6 New air conditioning condenser. (no idea about this ...I presume its not worth thousands though)

The battery isn't as complicated as many make it out to be. Once you see the guts and how its done; it is something one can undertake. Furthermore, the failing hybrid prius battery is more of a meme. google it. they tend to last a longer than expected time. so many are scared by the reasonable tbqhonest replacement cost they tend to sell pre 200K miles.

I think if you took the $2500 Prius to get checked out by an experienced Prius mechanic it would be well worth the cost (not to mention you could likely deduct that from the purchase price if not more $). there is no way in hell its worth 3x less than the other car unless it is on its last legs. Unless there is something structurally wrong with it i would give it a serious look and spend the money to get it looked over.

I recently bought another 2007 Prius for $3500 almost one year ago. had I think 238K miles and was spotless inside; like it was never driven at all. Same with the outside. Of course I've caused some damage with my dogs and maybe not so perfect driving habits but no major expenses (maybe none at all other than oil changes for the past year driving daily). The previous owner took it to the dealer for repairs even for minor things but it didn't have any major repairs anyway (maybe because she did that).

For over $7500 I would buy two prius'. That said...your needs might be different than mine. My philosophy is that a car is just a tool that will last a long time if you take care of it and driving is working (time away from leisure) and working sucks so be prudent in how you use your car anyway.

So much is how you use/plan to use your car AND the fact whatever YOU think is reasonable. .

I do not know somehow people seem elated with paying around $4 for gas too so at least in my area there isn't as strong as a demand for good-mileage cars.

 

Can’t get it if you don’t ask. A sucker born every minute.

 

Just order a new 2023 Prius that looks like a Tesla model 3
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/11/2023-toyota-prius-makes-the-iconic-plug-in-hybrid-better-in-all-areas/

 

Wouldn't go over 4500. I would offer 4 and tell him you are looking at one for 2500 over the weekend to give him some motivation.

 

Get a simple car.

It isn't hard to find a regular gas car that gives 40ish MPG, and it'll be a lot cheaper to repair.

 

We had a 2007 Hyundai Accent from new until 2020, close to 200k on it then. We sold it well cared for and fully functional and the buyers were stoked.

This is the MC chassis version- they use two letter codes to define them.

Stuff broke over the years, but the parts were cheap and available everywhere and the problems were easy to figure out. If I drove easy on the highway I could hold 42mpg. Couldn't always do that, but it was generally easy on fuel.

If you want to save money (not just fuel) a car like that is a great move.