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Gen 4: Shopping for a used Prius: General Questions

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by seabright_sc, Jun 30, 2024.

  1. seabright_sc

    seabright_sc Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2014
    15
    3
    0
    Location:
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello Community,

    Current 2005 owner who is likely going to purchase a Gen 4 as my Gen 2 had the cat stolen, I replaced with a non-CA Cat, and after 3 years I'm getting the p0420 code and the car is up for registration. Long story short, instead of dumping $$$ as much as the car is worth for a CA cat in order to pass smog, I'll probably replace the Gen 2 (190K miles and running strong), with a Gen 4.

    As I am narrowing down my search I have some questions that will help me decide on my next Prius..

    My budget is $15-$21k. I've seen a one owner, dealer maintained 2017, 66K miles, trim 2, for $19,000 and a couple of 2020 Primes with around 80K-90K miles for $21000. And lots of other vehicles with higher miles for a higher price.

    Apple CarPlay is essential as I will likely keep this vehicle for 10 years and about another 100-150K miles.

    I'm considering a Prime as we generally drive less than 25 miles per day. Seems like I will need a 2020 Prime as earlier years are not easily retrofitted to a CarPlay unit- Is this correct?
    Re: Primes- Does that 25 mile all electric range hold over time or after 5 years and 80K miles does the range on electric significantly diminish? What about at 125-150K + miles... how's the all electric range? Any reasons to avoid Primes?

    Regarding 2017-2019 (non-Prime)- Lower level trims with the smaller screens are easy to replace the unit with an aftermarket unit with CarPlay.... is this correct? Is there any reason what I want the higher level trims even though the lager screens can't easily be swapped out for an aftermarket CarPlay unit?

    Any years to avoid? Do all 2017+ have the same safety features?

    Any other tips or considerations when looking at Gen 4s?


    Thank you for all of your help!
     
    #1 seabright_sc, Jun 30, 2024
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2024
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,810
    49,429
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    16's and 17's have the potential heat exchanger leak.

    2020 prime sounds perfect for you, but keep in mind that estimated range is just that. YMMV.
    you shouldn't lose more than 10-20% over ten years.
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 1, 2024
  3. seabright_sc

    seabright_sc Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2014
    15
    3
    0
    Location:
    Santa Cruz
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Re: heat exchanger leak

    How common is the problem ? Is it covered under warranty in California?
    Thanks !
     
    #3 seabright_sc, Jul 1, 2024
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,810
    49,429
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    hard to say how common:

    641294770

    i don't think it is covered, but i think there is a tsb
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 1, 2024
  5. cthorsman

    cthorsman Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2009
    74
    27
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Curious, have you made a purchase?
    PDFs of the yearly brochures are available to research the model/equipment standards, changes some each year.
     
    #5 cthorsman, Jul 14, 2024 at 2:06 AM
  6. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2021
    1,461
    791
    0
    Location:
    SacTown, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    It's a fairly common problem on 2016 and early 2017 model years and should be covered under Ca. smog laws in conjunction with the TSB.
    If you want Apple car play, yes 2020 or newer - but I find them to be buggy. I don't even hookup my android auto anymore.
    RE: Prime, I haven't noticed any traction battery deterioration and my guess-o-meter stated I've got 28 miles on my last full charge. It does dip down to 18 miles sometimes in the winter. It's actually 25 miles each way, if you can charge at work, ~4.5 hours on 110 @ 12A draw around empty. Traction battery down to HV mode like.3
    I believe there's a $4K federal rebate for buying a used EV, PHEV, or HV. Please double check federal laws around this and dealer needs to file paperwork.
    IMHO; I'd be looking for a Prime, just because of the larger battery pack. You can lose more cells before being forced to replace the traction pack. 2020 and newer models have a 10 year, 150K mile traction pack warranty, but historically they've been lasting at least 10 to 15 years without issues - as long as the car is driven on a weekly basis.

    As for your current Prius, You can sell it out of state or as a "parts only" car - no warranty, in writing. As a Ca. resident, Ca. DMV laws state that your responsible for brakes and smog, unless you sell it as stated above. Buyer can't argue with a bill of sale, as stated above.

    Hope this helps....
     
    #6 BiomedO1, Jul 14, 2024 at 12:08 PM
  7. Mr.Vanvandenburg

    Mr.Vanvandenburg Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2007
    1,039
    354
    0
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    I have a 2020 Prime. The extra feature I like most is the sonar all around for parking. Comes in the Limited trim. In a regular Prius even the LE has the sonar and parking assistance, which I never have had the nerve to use. Prime Advanced or it’s called Limited from 2020. My battery guess meter range hangs in at about 34 miles most of the time on a full charge. I can do virtually all my local driving on ev. I turn the engine on just to run it from time to time.
    The improved heat exchanger came in sometime during the 2019 model year. The old type may do ok where you are. Not exactly in below zero weather and salted roads in Santa Cruz.
     
    #7 Mr.Vanvandenburg, Jul 14, 2024 at 4:10 PM
    Doug McC likes this.
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