Prius Gen 1 at a crossroad .. WWYD ??

I am a miser so I would keep it. I find the Gen I fun and easy to work on and when you do have problems, there is detailed info right here. I have been amazed at the support (technical) for the Gen I. I would definitely change the transaxle fluid if you haven't already. Take good care of your batteries (12V and Traction) change inverter and engine coolant every 50,000 as well as regular oil changes and your car "should" last a long time. Since age is the enemy of the traction battery you can anticipate it may fail at any time. You can still sell it with a bad traction battery however you will get much less out of it.

As far as the CD player, I installed a Dual XDMA 6630 and it fit perfectly in the dash compartment. Now I have Bluetooth, CD and Aux. It was a tedious install but, well worth it.

My advice is "keep it".

 

Keep it but start putting money aside for a new car and try test driving potential replacements so that should something fatal happen to your current car. (Don't buy and don't let the salesmen make you feel you owe them anything. It's not like you're wasting their time, you're just thinking ahead.)

Also note that depending on your midwest location you might have very good independents nearby that can maintain your vehicle well and at reasonable prices. Plus, I've read enough PriusChat threads to know that advice from experts here can also save you a lot of money.

Note: I've been saving for our next cars since I bought the current ones. I hate borrowing.
Note 2: Wait until you can try the Prius c until you dismiss it! If a Gen 1 Prius is sufficient, the Prius c will be too.

 

I'll speak for the other side, I guess. I would get the new model, but that is based on my situation. While I used to work on cars professionally, I don't have the time or facilities to do the work myself, and the shops around here are not the best. I could take it to the dealer, but I would see what that would cost first, for some of those jobs. Also, what is your budget, and sense of reward in each course of action?

I like the newer models because of the features, primarily safety related, but other newer accessories, but you can add those yourself (not the safety stuff.) I also like the larger size of the later generations, but I have to carry around 5 adults periodically, which leads me to the 2012 v.

Anyway, it doesn't look like you drive much, so it has probably been babied. I have to drive in 3 years what you have driven in more than 10, it looks like, so my cars tend to get more "abuse" - not that I abuse them, but that is how my long commute is characterized.

How about you throw more details into the equation, and post some pics? I like me a nice Gen I. I don't see many of them around here (tons of II's and III's, though.)

 

You are at the point where it seems like it would make sense to sell the Gen 1 and buy something newer and more reliable. Are you looking at trading it in or selling it privately? I have also found that President's Day weekend is the best time to buy a new car so perhaps holding off a couple of months would be beneficial.

 

Read the latest revues of the Kia before you make a decision, if it were me I would get a 12 Prius 3 or 4. If you want a new car and can afford it, get it.

 

I was a Gen I original owner from 2002 to 2006. When Gen II came out I heard all kinds of good things about it but I had no intention of trading my Gen I which I really liked. Then in 2006 the $3,150 tax rebate came along and I had an offer of $15,000 for my Super White Gen I so I was practically "forced" to buy a Super White Gen II and I am very happy that I did. I was surprised how much better I like it and enjoy driving it compared to my Gen I. However now it is deja vu all over again, as I am very happy with my Gen II but also well aware of how nice Gen III are, having rented them on business trips. And now we have three more Prius to choose from. Unfortunately Dynamic Radar Cruise Control which I really want is currently only available in the Plug-in and the top packages of Gen III and Prius v so I am waiting to see if DRCC eventually becomes available in lower packages of Gen III or Prius v. In the meantime I'm just riding along in my Gen II and in no hurry at the moment.

 

If you keep your gen 1, you will soon need a new hybrid battery. Battery life is time related rather than miles related and is about 8 years. That is why the warranty for new Prius models is 8 years or 100,000 miles instead of 10 years or 100,000 miles.

My sister-in-law and I have identical 2001 Priuses. I had to get a battery replacement in January 2009 at 197,000 miles. She had to get one in September 2009 at 122,000 miles. I had to replace catalytic converter and O2 sensor in 2010 at 150,000 miles. Hers has just had catalytic converter and O2 sensor replaced at 152,000 miles. Both cars need replacement of the ECU that controls the O2 sensor. We both had wheel bearing failures in a rear wheel that was expensive ($600+) because the bearing replacement includes the ABS wheel rotation sensor. My car has almost 230,000 miles and will probably not be usable again because of all the problems that it has. Codes P0171, P3006, P3009, P3011, P3050, and P3115.

Because your gen 1 has so few miles and is in good condition, you should be able to get a good deal, either selling it or trading it. My advice is to be sure that your Prius is always covered by a warranty, so drive one that is covered.

 

I'm already at 130,000+ and mine is still perfect. I'm not even thinking about replacing it.

 

I'm confused by "Gen V prius". You looking for a 3rd gen "regular" Prius or the larger Prius v wagon (larger but worse fuel economy)? Why the v?

As for Kia Optima Hybrid, I don't have high hopes for it given: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE vs 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Comparison - Motor Trend and what looks like the same powertrain specs (and likely the same powertrain and hybrid system) along with
Consumer Reports calls 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid disappointing.

 

Gen 1s are great cars, but at some point they will all require expensive transmission or traction battery work...it could take years before you need these items, but when they fail they are expensive. Since you have relatively low mileage, why don't you see if any 3rd party warranty companies will sell you an extended warranty? See if they cover the traction battery. That way you'll have nor surprises if something expensive fails. Has anyone out there had a 3rd party warranty cover a big repair on their Gen1 Prius?

 

A quick check of Fuelly | Share and Compare Your MPG is showing that the Gen I drivers were getting around 42 mpg (2001 - 2003) while the Gen III drivers were averaging around 47 mpg.

I'd say you've done very well with your current car. If you can afford a new car, go for it! If you need time to save money, you might want to consider setting aside money for a year to build up a reserve. Worst thing that could happen would be to sell your car, get a new car with a payment and then lose your job 6 months later and be out of work for an extended period of time. You need to have some reserves to see you through that potential situation.