1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Which car should I buy?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by carloss, Sep 14, 2013.

  1. carloss

    carloss New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2013
    3
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm looking to buy a Toyota Prius and was wondering which car would be considered to
    be in better condition: a 2005 with 106k or a 2009 with 122k mileage? The 2005 is 1000
    dollars cheaper with 1 year warranty on the hybrid battery and related parts. The 2009
    still has 28k warranty on these parts, which probably equals two years considering how
    much I would drive it. I don't know anything about the previous owners driving style and
    if it were city or highway miles. What are the thing I have to pay attention to for each car? I heard that a lot of maintenance is to be expected on Prius vehicles between 120k and 180k. Is this true? I hope you can give me some advice! Thanks!
     
    #1 carloss, Sep 14, 2013
  2. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    1,355
    487
    0
    Location:
    District 6
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The 05 is overpriced. I'd definitely buy the 09.

    No, the Gen II doesn't require a lot of maintenance after the 120K mileage mark. The spark plugs, transaxle fluid should have been changed already. The inverter coolant and gas engine coolant should be changed at 180K miles. That's it. Not much.
     
    #2 jadziasman, Sep 14, 2013
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,009
    4,747
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    without question the 2009. Particularly if manufactured after March 2009.
     
    #3 rjparker, Sep 14, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,008
    49,534
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to priuschat! 05 and 09 are same gen, but i also would do the 09. all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 14, 2013
  5. carloss

    carloss New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2013
    3
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the advice, I will go for the 09 then! I was also wondering, since the 09 already has quite high mileage considering it's only 5 years old, is there anything particular that I need to pay attention to or that I should get checked out at a mechanic before buying?
     
    #5 carloss, Sep 15, 2013
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,008
    49,534
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the best way to check a prius is to reset the mpg meter and take it for a good long ride under various conditions. if you get 50 mpg or better, you're good to go. if not, drop it off and don't go back.
     
    #6 bisco, Sep 15, 2013
  7. sportcoupe

    sportcoupe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2013
    44
    8
    0
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Why would you expect a first time prius driver to be able to get 50+ min average mpg on a test drive of a 2nd gen car? That exceeds the DOE's 46mpg combined rating by more then 10%. I have only had my prius for a couple of tanks now and only can manage 48 mpg average tank fulls driving with some care. I know I'm not alone in that either.
     
    #7 sportcoupe, Sep 15, 2013
    Jamesb93612 and xpcman like this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,008
    49,534
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    because i did. 2004, 65 mpg on the stimpmeter, right out of the shoot.;)
     
    #8 bisco, Sep 15, 2013
  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,867
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    The car in your information box is not a Second Gen Prius. (2004 to 2009) It make sense you can get 65 out of a PIP first day, it is a skill that is learned in the Gen 2.
     
    #9 JimboPalmer, Sep 15, 2013
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,008
    49,534
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    now jim, you know i've been around the block a few times since 2005.:)
     
    #10 bisco, Sep 15, 2013
  11. carloss

    carloss New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2013
    3
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm going back for a test drive this week so I'll definitely check it out. The dealer had driven the car for 100 miles on the highway and it had 43 mpg after that drive. I don't know what his driving style is though. Do you think it's bad mileage?
     
    #11 carloss, Sep 15, 2013
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,008
    49,534
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it all depends on speed on the highway. there's a chart here somewhere that shows mpg v speed. i think 43 would be around 70 mpg iirc, but not positive. it also depends on a/c use, tyre pressure, hills and etc.
     
    #12 bisco, Sep 15, 2013
  13. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,705
    1,650
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    100 miles on the highway at 55, 65 or 75?
    On the flat or up and down hills?
    Altitude?
    Pulse and glide or just drive?
    AC on? Heater on?

    Too many variables to judge without knowing.
     
    #13 mikefocke, Sep 15, 2013
  14. cary1952

    cary1952 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2006
    403
    84
    0
    Location:
    Spearfish, SD
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Just keep your highway speed between 55-60 miles per hour. You should get 45 mpg if you don't mash the gas pedal. in down use gentle acceleration and again you should get 45 mpg on a 5-10 mile loop. If you take it on a 2 mile test drive you may very well get as low as 30 mpg while the car warms up.
     
    #14 cary1952, Sep 25, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)