May have just purchased the lowest mileage Gen II in the USA

How much was this 2009 time machine? Clean title?

 

Original engine??
As a veteran used car buyer, I am skeptical of 'ultra low mile' vehicles that sat too long with their own set of issues. I'd like to see any used car that I buy to be driven at least 5k mi a year with full service records...such as my 06 Prius with 92k mi.

 

Yeah, the problem with a car that has too low miles is that the stuff that normally wears out and is replaced on time doesn't get replaced on time.

 

Because it's not worn out? The car was serviced every 6 months so all recalls would have been done along with all required fluid changes. If the recalls have not been done that is no big deal as they can still be done FOC. The only candidate for possible replacement would be the 12 volt battery, and this would be needed even with high miles.

John

 

I see a lot of cars in florida that are 10 yrs old and have under 30,000 miles and I avoid them like a $2 hooker..Old people buy the cars and never drive them.EVERYTHING has to be rebuilt, engine rings,seals,(when your car starts smoking and burning oil DUMP IT) hoses and tires dry rot. your traction battery has not been charged regularly if its not been driven..I wish you luck but I would rather have another one with over 100,000 miles (just me)

 

congrats on a jewel of a find! all the best.

 

Sounds nice. Sometimes it feels like low miles can be bad for HV battery, but if it's 2009 you got a couple years under warranty, so I think if its going to fail you may be OK.

 

What year is this second gen with 15.045 miles? 2009? Did I miss it, haven't read line-by-line.

I thought we were low mileage; our 2010 has 56000 km's, and I'm always cognisant of things that can succumb due to low mileage.

Tires for example: still on the OEM Pilots: they've only been on the road for maybe 35.000 km's (due to snow tire use), have 7~8 32'ths remaining, but are starting to fine crack a bit. One more summer, and I may replace. They were manufactured in Feb 2009, lol.

 

Amazing fine. For 6 years old, I wouldn't worry too much about the low mileage issues. Original parts will be fine. The hoses more than likely be fine with only 6 years. Just take it out for a long drives, use the heck out of it, then see if anything leaks. I'm sure it's a fine car.

Again, congrats on the new Gen 2.

 

The first trip my car makes is to the shop to get covered in protective film. Get as much of the car covered as you can including door cups, rocker panels & the top of the rear bumper cover.

 

Sounds like a great find as the car was serviced at 6 month intervals despite the low annual usage. I also would much prefer a car such as you found, instead of one that had logged six-digits on the odometer over six years. Good luck with your purchase.

 

As pointed out, an ultra-low miles Prius is very rare but you can find numerous examples in certain types of vehicles (aka "old peoples cars"). There are three on my neighborhood street right now: Lincoln MKZ, Chevrolet Impala, and Toyota Avalon. The Impala was bought for out of town driving by the 80+ year old owner who now no longer drives out of town. He does take it to church (yes that salesman line does ring true in some cases) so it does get used but the miles are incredibly low.

 

Hey, it happens.
People age, driving needs, abilities, change.
My grandfather in later years pretty much just used his vehicle as a grocery getter.

You can find vehicles that just weren't driven much. For various reasons.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

With a lack of mileage my biggest concern might be the HV battery. But hopefully it's been driven just enough to keep it healthy.
If it was taken in regularly for service, it sounds like a low miles/but attentive previous owner. Good combination.

 

NImh batteries do not suffer from lack of use apart from the ability to start the car if the voltage gets to low from self discharge. Using the car for 15 minutes twice a year would easily protect it from this situation.
There have been a number of reports where a HV battery has been unused for up to 2 years and has still started the Prius without being charged first.
The act of self discharge does no harm to a NImh battery even if is allowed to become fully discharged and left in this condition. In fact it is recommended that NImh batteries should be discharged before being stored for long periods.
Heat is the enemy, but since this car was from a relatively moderate climate area, and was likely garaged for it's times of non use would protect it from extreams of temperature.
If I could find such a car in the UK "and it is not uncommon for this situation in the UK" I would buy it tomorrow if the price was comparable to the OP's.

John

 

Good, try to plan a weekend road trip or two, use cruise control wherever possible, and report back the MPG

 

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