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

Considering a 3rd gen Prius, need some pointers

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cleanneon98, Oct 15, 2016.

  1. cleanneon98

    cleanneon98 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    27
    23
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hey guys and gals, so I'm currently driving a 1997 Honda Civic EX 5-speed with almost 200k miles. I have decided that it's probably time to move into something else a bit newer, and lots of bike riding makes an automatic make sense to save my legs after some long rides, and for every day convenience. I do still have a modified 2004 Mazdaspeed MX5 making over 300 horsepower to the wheels, so the "fun" aspect is not really important in a daily driver either.

    My mechanic who is also a big performance car guy has had his 3rd gen for over a year now and loves it. Lots of cargo space, decent ride, excellent MPG, when I asked him for advice on what car to get and gave hi a list of my needs, he instantly said Prius. The quiet ride is a plus, the room inside is a plus (and all of the storage compartments), and the trunk space is a plus as well since I can shove my bicycles right in.

    I am looking at cars in the 2010-2012 range, since my budget is only under $10,000. What I'm looking for are some pointers on what to look for, what trim versions are worth paying more for and which are not. most of what I am seeing is a level 2 or 3 car, so fairly mid range. I am going to take it to my mechanic to have it checked out before purchase either way.

    Should i go for a newer 2012 with more miles or an older 2010 with less miles perhaps?
    What are some areas of the car I should check over besides the body work and under-side. Is there a way to check battery health?

    Any other pointers would be appreciated. I don't know ANYTHING about these cars aside from the fact that I always used to make fun of them, but after having driven his, I can see the appeal. Yes it's boring, yes its slow, but the older i get the less I care about that stuff (especially having a second car which is a polar opposite: corvette killer and track day machine). Also wondering what kind of roof rack options are available for this car. I know these will lower average MPG some, but even with a Thule square bar roof rack on my 97 civic, I averaged 38.9mpg driving 1000 miles from Philadelphia to Canada (which is more than my car is rated for anyway). I don't mind shoving my road bike inside of the trunk, but if I go out on muddy trails with my mountain bike, I'd like to have the roof rack just for keeping the cabin clean and mud free. It's certainly not a deal breaker as I can always just lay down a sheet in the trunk and throw the ol muddy 29er in there anyway.

    Thanks for any help that you all can provide.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to priuschat!

    i would start by test driving a new one, so that you have a benchmark to compare used ones to.
    learn how to reset the trip gauge from your mechanic, then, take them for a good long drive under various conditions. it will give you the average mpg's for that trip, which gives you some idea of how everything is operating.
    you can have a health check done at a dealer, but that will only tell you how the battery is today, and not tomorrow.
    i would go for a higher mileage 2012, because the consensus is that years are harder on the battery than miles, but of course, it depends on how much higher. all the best!(y)
     
    Felt and Kramah313 like this.
  3. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    There were a couple teething issues in the 2010 such as the brake accumulator and the headlight voltage fix, which were solved by 2012, so I would tend to recommend the 2012.
    However, I am biased as I have a 2012. Aesthetically, I like the refreshed styling of the 2012 model, and specifically the wider visual angle of the rear taillights--they are much more noticeable in my view.
     
  4. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2009
    1,624
    603
    0
    Location:
    Mountain West
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    I owned a 2010 (IV) Prius, and traded it in 2015 for an Avalon hybrid. It had 130,000 miles on it, and was never in the shop for repairs (2 software recalls, oil and rotate tires only). My "lifetime average fuel efficiency (I kept a record) was 52 mpg (calculated). When traded everything was original (including the brakes) except the tires. At about 60,000 I installed Michelin Energy Saver tires. They greatly improved the road noise as well as a small improved milage.

    PC writers mention the new Prius has improved handling ..... I have not driven one, and since you mentioned your budget, you are not in that category anyway. Personally, I am one that does not like the looks of the new Prius (interior or exterior). I've considered looking for a good, previously owned 3rd generation Prius. I personally liked what it called the "flying bridge" as well. I found the interior was spacious (I am 6' 2") and the back seat ample for 2 guest. I drove my 2010 all the way across the country and back 5 times. I found it comfortable, efficient and reliable. For all of those reasons, that it what I bought an Avalon. Toyota makes fantastic hybrids.

    I hope that helps.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    they also made a model in 2011.:cool:
     
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Download the sales booklets from 2010-2015 so you can see which features were available and how they were packaged over the years. I believe all of the cars will have the 10/150 CARB warranty on the hybrid components. 2010 & 2011 were basically identical. Also check out the Plug in Prius. Around here in your price range you'll find Twos & Threes.

    Gateway Toyota has a 2010 IV listed on cars.com in your price range. Roman numerals in 2010, the numbers spelled out every other year.

    Happy hunting.
     
  7. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    2,207
    897
    0
    Location:
    Torrance, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    8yr/100K miles for non-CARB States. 10yr/150K miles for CARB States.

    There are States that adopted the CARB emission standard, but not the longer warranty (ie Washington State).

    The CARB warranty is applicable if the car was initially purchased in a CARB State (first owner), and continuously registered in a CARB State. There are exceptions to this, and it seems to be an individual case by case basis determined by Toyota.

    You would have to look at the warranty booklet for the model year you want, for the specifics. If anything is unclear, contact Toyota Customer Care. Many dealers don't know, and many cases of them giving incorrect info.
     
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,064
    14,969
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    When I was looking for a Gen 3, I found it very helpful to have downloaded the spreadsheet from this page to know what features were in which models for which years. Nice to have it all in one place rather than poring over six years of sales booklets trying to compare.

    -Chap
     
  9. Shank

    Shank Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2016
    10
    3
    0
    Location:
    Vermont
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I recently sold my 1999 Honda CR-V and bought a 2010 Prius 3 and have been really happy with it so far. The Honda was great in the snow here in Vermont and I'm pretty sure the engine would have lasted forever but it began to rust so badly I had to unload her. In terms of comfort and conveniences the Prius is light years (11 to be specific) ahead of the CR-V. The Prius is so quiet, smooth and I feel like you get such a great quality car for the price I paid $10,000. The road noise on the CRV was unbearable on long trips and the Prius is like driving a cloud in comparison
     
    N.J.PRIUS and orenji like this.
  10. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2013
    5,884
    3,486
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I would not discount the 2010-2011 years if you can find one with low miles and service history, which will be mainly oil changes. All recalls on these years have or should have been preformed, so in terms of problems their shouldn't be any. I would look for one that is a 3 or higher and if you can find one with the solar roof even better! Good luck on the search.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  11. cleanneon98

    cleanneon98 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    27
    23
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So after searching around, my mechanic and I decided to make a deal on his car. It's priced fair, 2012 level 2 with 107k miles. Best of all it's got a few modifications that make it look less like a Prius. It has red tinted tail lights, black headlight housings, lowered on H&R springs, and has lightweight 17x8" Enkei RPF-1 wheels with new tires, HID headlights, and is a black inside and out color scheme. It also has a tow hitch which can easily accept a bike holder that won't cut down aerodynamics and keep the car clean.

    IMG_9632.JPG IMG_9631.JPG

    Pretty excited, never thought I'd be excited about a Prius
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats! all the best.(y)
     
  13. N.J.PRIUS

    N.J.PRIUS Member

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2011
    139
    49
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Your Prius looks great! Good luck with your new ride. Let us know how you like driving this amazing vehicle!
     
  14. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2016
    376
    211
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Congrats on a cool looking car with great features.

    Hey, what's all this BS about it being slow?
    That's a myth!

    It goes up to 116 mph. Don't do it. But that's not slow! :)

    Maybe you were referring to acceleration.
    Put it in PWR mode ! It's fun, and it won't cost you more than $120 a year to do so.

    I have stats..
     
  15. cleanneon98

    cleanneon98 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    27
    23
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have a 2004 Miata with a built engine, and EFR turbo, putting down 330 horsepower and 310 torques to the wheels. It runs around on slicks when I do drive it. My track/summer toy. PWR mode isn't going to make it exciting like I'm used to, this thing gets up to 60 in 4 seconds, and I've had it up to 140 and it's not exactly slowing down at that point.
    IMG_9222.JPG
     
  16. cleanneon98

    cleanneon98 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    27
    23
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Driving the two is very different. When I get in the Miata I find myself driving slowly, but the slightest poke and you're on the person in front of you in no time. Then when I get back in the Prius I lose a few average MPG cause I'm still in Ricky Bobby mode for a while. I love both cars though
     
  17. TR MS3

    TR MS3 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2016
    9
    7
    0
    Location:
    Pottsgrove, PA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Feel kind of stupid, I read through this whole thread without looking at your username. I thought, a Mazdaspeed Miata from philly huh? Reminds me of the dude from TST. Sure enough I recognized the username :)

    First off, WOW the Miata has come along way. Looks great! I remember when you bought this car, and its early stages of mods. WOW!

    Second, I am in the market for a used Prius as well, but having a bit of a struggle with my ego. Well not really an ego, more so adapting to the thought of something new/different. I've always owned performance cars, so this will be a transition into a practical car as well as my first car with an "automatic" transmission. The driving experience has always out weighed my need for practicality. However, I'm older now with a family and a good paying job. The catch is I commute 88 miles a day to work, and a Prius just makes tons of sense for what I need. But that smiles per gallon side of me says screw it pick up an RS lol.

    So my question to you is, being a like minded car enthusiasts did it take time to adjust to driving the Prius as a daily? I don't really track my car other than the occasional trip to Atco or Maple. So chances are I would sell my speed3 as I wouldn't have time with my job and family life for a project car. :(

    At this point I'm pretty sure I'll pull the trigger on one, it's more of a when will I pull the trigger.
     
  18. cleanneon98

    cleanneon98 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2016
    27
    23
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Haha good to hear from you again (not sure who you are but you obviously know me lol). Before this I had a daily driver civic manual trans that I tried some MPG tricks with, so driving slowly is nothing new to me. The biggest adjustment was having an automatic car, and I have to say this thing is really nice for what it is designed to be. The ride is smooth, super stable on highways, and even the base stereo is nice. It's a totally detached drive which is nice to hop in after a long day and literally not have to move or have my coffee flying back and forth between shifts.

    If you're still in the philly area, you're welcome to give it a test drive. I can also take you for a ride and show you what I've learned about driving the car and machining MPG. Maybe that will help you decide what to get.

    I figured at what I drive (15,000mi/yr) and an average gas cost of $2.50 a gallon, I am saving almost $400 a year from having an already fuel efficient car that averaged 35ish (still over EPA rating by the way). If you have a good paying job, $400 may be negligible, but you may like the disconnected and subdued driving experience of the Prius enough to buy it for reasons other than MPG. It's roomy for you and the family, very safe, and virtually maintenance free

    If you want to meet up for a drive let me know via PM
     
  19. Bham_prius

    Bham_prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2016
    35
    12
    0
    Location:
    bellingham
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Nice and you paid $10k ?