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Considering a used 2010 Prius V (uppercase v for 2010 Prius)... Have questions.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by El Cuajinais, Dec 8, 2016.

  1. El Cuajinais

    El Cuajinais Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
    31
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Hello. I purchased a new 2013 Prius v two 4 years ago and have loved this car. I am now strongly considering a used 2010 Prius V not Five. 2010 used Uppercase Roman Numerals for model designation. That's why the Prius v (wagon) uses a lowercase v. After 2010 Prius liftback used Two Three etc. with Adv. Tech package. I have a few questions:

    1. Carfax says this vehicle has two open recalls. If I purchase this used car, will a Toyota dealer perform the recall work for free? Also, there are an additional 3 recalls that the 2010 Prius may be subject to, but the Carfax does not show any info on these other recalls (for example the one involving the possibility of a nitrogen leak into the break system). Can I assume that these other recalls not shown in the Carfax were either:

    a. Not applicable to this vehicle?
    b. Applicable but the recall work was performed already?

    2. Is the Adv. Technology Package worth it? I'm very interested in the Lane Keep Assist and Pre-Collision system. Do people here find themselves using the LKA function often? I ask because I find myself driving drowsy sometimes. I hate that it happens, but it has happened quite a few times. Is is possible for someone to relate their experience with driving drowsy with LKA. Is it possible to even have this conversation without being judged or preached to? I know I should not do it, but sometimes I just get drowsy. I find it happens more commonly after lunch, even if I've slept my 8 hours. Also listening to an audio book makes it worse than listening to music.

    3. What is the final word on using the car's navigation in this day an age when everyone has a smart phone? Is there reason to use the car's navigation system at all?

    4. Are leather seats generally more, less, or equally comfortable than cloth seats?

    5. Is there a reason why a used 2010 Prius V is a bad purchase in general?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    As you can imagine, being on PriusChat with a 2013 Prius v and a 2010 Prius V will get you lots of confused answers! :) I suggest a user name per car!

    No Prius even has a break system, to the best of my knowledge. But yes, the dealer will do all the recall work they can, as they get paid for it by Toyota.

    Vehicle Nav is nice, but not essential. I am sure your phone works better than mine, and I do good with just a phone when I am not in a Prius.

    In theory, you want to avoid the first year of a new model, but in fact 2010 is very reliable.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    What's the miles on it? Our Canadian Touring is somewhat similar to the US V, in that it has:

    1. OEM 17" rims and 215/45R17 tires. It also has a slightly larger turning radius. And last but not least, the steering seems to have a different feel, much surer/planted, compared to other levels, just my seat-of-pants feeling. Also, esthetically: I couldn't stomach the 15" rims with plastic wheel covers, that was a big factor for me.

    2. LED headlights, with headlight washers, levelling system. Love them.

    3. JBL sound system, and satellite radio tuner built-in. (the latter I don't care for, tried it for a year, then dropped it.)

    4. Fog lamps. Cosmetically, a plus. But never use them, and they appear to be pretty useless.

    Ours does not even have a MFD, and none of the tech in the US V level, so can't really comment on those. I am a bit of a luddite, not that impressed by built-in tech.

    Recalls we've had:

    1. Software update to change acceleration performance, to protect the inverter. That went well, actually made the car slightly more willing to slip into electric-mode.

    2. The brake master cylinder area update, that you mentioned.

    3. Air bag fix.
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
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    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I use the LKA sometimes on long drives. It seems to work in conjunction with DRCC, which is great when you're drowsy. Set your speed and it'll speed up and brake accordingly, you will not hit the car directly in front of you.

    LKA will beep and give a slight adjustment to keep you in the lane. It will not steer and make a turn for you.

    precollision system is not a good feature. It is suppose to slow your car and tighten your seatbelt before the car hits an object, but it'll still hit the object.
     
    #4 JC91006, Dec 8, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2016
  5. El Cuajinais

    El Cuajinais Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
    31
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks for all the info and replies.
    @JC
    Holy cow! Your signature shows you have PLENTY of Prius experience!
     
  6. tonycd

    tonycd Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2016
    80
    56
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I bought a 2010 Prius V three months ago as my wife's daily driver. We feel lucky -- it's a terrific car.

    1. Yes, any Toyota dealer is obligated to perform any pending recall work free of charge. They are not obligated to give you a loaner, so you do have to schedule the work.

    2. I don't have the Tech Package, but I wish I did just for the adaptive radar cruise control. That's a terrific feature that's just now showing up on more and more new cars.

    3. I'm a fan of a good in-dash nav system, but most owners say this one isn't very good. My wife already had a Garmin and uses it instead. Smartphone nav or Waze would make equal sense, although I'd recommend an aftermarket holder for your phone so it's properly seated and not a distraction falling all over the place.

    4. The leather seats are much more comfortable than the standard seats. This isn't just because they're leather, but because in the Prius specifically, the leather is applied to basically better seats with power-adjustable lumbar support. They also have very effective seat heaters.

    5. I think the V is actually a better buy than other same-age Prii, for one simple reason: Options depreciate more than the car model overall does. You pay much, much less for those desirable extras in a used car than the $7-10,000 extra cost they commanded over the II when new. Also, you can't get the superior headlights or the quicker steering and handling of the V on any other 2010 Prius at any price, and they make a real difference. If the condition, documentation and price of the car are in order, I say go for it.

    One note about #5: I looked the other day at all 2010 Prius V's available in the nation. I'd estimate a solid 80% of all cars called "Prius V" were not – the 15" wheels were a dead giveaway. If it doesn't have 17" alloys and headlight washers, it's not a V
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.