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Advantages/disadvantages of buying 2012 v with low mileage vs new v

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Debdavid, Dec 24, 2016.

  1. Debdavid

    Debdavid New Member

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    Hoping I can find some sage advice on this forum.

    I've been seriously considering a Prius v (need the cargo room for multiple pets & equipment on trips between cities) and happened upon a 2012 v at a local (Canadian) dealer, that has very low mileage on it (28,000 km - 17,000 miles) and is about half the price of a new one (perhaps due to the excessive depreciation I've been reading about).

    Was wondering whether anyone might have an opinion on getting a 5-yr-old Prius v, rather than a 2017.

    If I understand correctly, 2012 was the release year for the v. Were there any issues or problems specific to that first model? I've looked up the recalls and found 3, including a problem with the hybrid system, but I'm assuming (and plan to confirm) that because the car is being sold by a dealer, all recalls issues will have been corrected.

    One of my concerns about the v is ground clearance. We live in the great white north and have had some bad experiences not being able to get our Honda Civic out of our driveway (or street) in big snowstorms. The clearance on the Civic is not dissimilar to that of the v.

    I'm also concerned about a topic that seems to be laced throughout this forum - and that's road noise. I'm on the highway a lot. Should I be worried about this? And is the noise issue any worse in snowy conditions? Would a new model possibly be better sound-insulated?

    And what of the seemingly discussed-to-death topic of seat comfort? Again, there are various opinions on the forum, but the majority, if I'm not mistaken, seem to fall on the side of "dis"comfort! Would a newer v address that at all, or are they basically the same seats?

    Any other issues to consider, regarding a used vs new Prius v, or specifically regarding a 2012? Sounds like it may have been driven by a little old lady in Pembroke (Ontario) :) so it might be a great opportunity.

    Many thanks from a newbie poster.
     
  2. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    I'm going through the same. Currently owning a 2013 Outback, I find the steering a bit heavy, and the road noise a bit loud, I recommend test driving as long as you can, through various road conditions. I found test driving a 2013 better for me, and considering an "extended test dive" to firm up my decision. Many dealers will let you do that. The newer Prius has a Traction control override switch, which would be useful when going up a slippery driveway, the older ones do not.
     
  3. Debdavid

    Debdavid New Member

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    Thanks for that bat4255. An extended test drive would be a good way to go. Highway, city and, in our case, snowy vs less snowy conditions - which will be possible due to our yo-yo-ing weather this winter. Good way to test noise level, seat comfort and....whatever else can be revealed during test drive.
    Interesting about the traction control override switch. I'll check into that.
    Thanks again.
     
  4. vegan

    vegan Junior Member

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    I bought my 2015 v through Hertz car sales.
    There was a rent to try option. We rented the car for 3 days to try it out.
    This let us drive the car in the day, the night, on various roadways, and have our mechanic inspect it.
    We love the car and the deal we got.
    I'd see what safety equipment is standard on the 2017 v. Safety equipment is the only reason I'd spend the extra for a new car.
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    The 2012 v will be the best value. Not sure the road noise or seat issues would be different. I put a lumbar pad on mine to improve things significantly. I wanted it on a previous Honda, I think it depends on your size and spine. The recalls are all handled well, most even out of warranty. The key difference is a marginal crash test result on the 12 which was improved on the newer model.
     
  6. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    Unsubstantiated rumor of 200,000 mile head gasket failures on early 2012 v's VRS problem free 2013 +
     
  7. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Sample size of 200,000 mile / 50,000 mile per year vehicles? Usage pattern?
     
  8. CLUBGUY

    CLUBGUY Member

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    2012 models had poor front crash test results...Toyota modified the front structure of later models to pass these tests....
     
  9. Offline

    Offline Active Member

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    The traction control off switch that was added to U.S. models for the 2015 model year is a big deal. Our 2012 Prius is horrible in deep snow while our Toyota/Lexus vehicles with trac-off switches do just fine. (We always use Winter tires with the mountain/snowflake certification symbol - Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 on our Prius v.)

    There is supposedly a method of turning traction control off on the 2012-2014 Prius v which involves pressing the brake or accelerator pedal, rubbing your stomach while patting the top of your head, etc., but I never got the procedure to work - maybe because ours has the Technology Package with the "Hill Control" brake feature.

    According to the specs, the Prius v has 5.7 inches (145 mm) of ground clearance which is quite a lot and more than most of the passenger cars we've had that have done well in deep snow.

    Road noise is high but I found that much of the noise was from the original 17" Toyo tires. Replacing the Toyos reduced the noise and improved the ride dramatically. I downsized to 16" wheels for Winter use. The engine noise going up hills is more bothersome than the road noise. The transmission is CVT but the engine still revs up significantly on hills.

    If you want a Prius v, I suggest you get a new or newer one that has the Technology Package and Automatic High Beam. IIRC, the Prius v with LED headlights and AHB is the only vehicle model that gets the U.S. IIHS highest rating for headlights. And of course, the Prius v with the Technology Package is the only version that has an emergency automatic braking system (PCS) and adaptive radar cruise control. I'm surprised that headlight washers were discontinued on the 2015-up Prius v but maybe the redesigned headlight shape doesn't collect muck as badly. The headlight washers on our 2012 Prius v are very effective.

    Finally, be aware that power adjustable front seats were not available for the first several model years. Some people including me find the driver seat uncomfortable but I'm pretty sure I could increase the comfort level if I could tilt the seat cushion like I can in our vehicles that have power seats.
     
    bat4255 likes this.
  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Advantage: Somebody else pays depreciation.
    Disadvantage: Sometimes "Low Miles" aren't. There is also the possibility of purchasing a car used for chemistry and physics experimentation.

    Examples include:
    "How much can I tow?"
    "Can I use E85?"
    "If the car will go 10,000 miles between oil changes, why not 20,000?"

    Your call.
    Caveat Emptor
     
  11. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I have a '12 with twice your proposed car's miles. It is a great utility vehicle. Not an SUV, not a mini-van, not a plush-mobile.

    Performed Santa's sleigh duties admirably and will dispose of the 6' tree when she says it should.

    I prefer driving it to my wife's same era Avalon. Wife doesn't.

    Gets the mileage expected with no special tricks (I do use ECO and Auto both on 100% of the time). No problems, one recall.

    The offset frontal crash test the '12-'14 models didn't do so well on was a new test introduced after the '12 was designed. Lots of cars of the same era had trouble with the test. Make sure you hit whatever dead center and it isn't an issue.

    I just ran the costs for owning my v and depreciation was the big factor compared to gas, maintenance , no repairs, insurance, taxes, etc combined. I replaced the wipers, paid for an extra oil change. Period.

    Daughter in law just bought one. Don't know of any one around my community who has sold theirs.

    Over 65 likes and dislikes accumulated from many folks on the forum can be found here.
     
    Sooner Al likes this.
  12. Debdavid

    Debdavid New Member

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    Thanks to all of you for your input... which propelled me to do some more digging.
    Yes, the 2015+ vs addressed the IIHS' "poor" small overlap front crash results. Many cars had that issue when the new test began and manufacturers scrambled to correct it - apparently successfully.

    I agree with (fellow!!) vegan re; safety features, and with Offline regarding the Technology package. I guess it's in for a penny in for a pound. That package is $4000 and change (CAD) higher than the "Luxury" pkg, which would have been just right for us. All we really wanted was a power-adjustable driver's seat - (maybe it can help mitigate any seat issues) - and the SofTex upholstery). The additional safety features, though it's true we lived fine without them for the 15-yr life of our reliable little Civic, are very compelling. I just wish we didn't have to pay for a moonroof that doesn't interest us at all. Seems in Canada we have only three packages; the U.S. seems to offer four, so maybe Americans don't end up, as often, buying "options" they don't need.

    And thanks as well Offline, for the tire suggestions. One of the first things we'll have to do at this time of year is buy and install snow tires. The possible reduction of road noise will be one of our guiding forces, after traction.

    After wandering hither and yon in my research (the newly redesigned 2017 Honda CRV is promising quite impressive fuel consumption numbers...as yet unproven), and reading up on "turbo-charged" engines - which many manufacturers are using as a quick-fix for the fuel-efficiency/power balance - I keep coming back to the tried and true Toyota hybrid technology. I guess ground clearance isn't really the worst issue to contend with. Aerodynamics and extreme winter conditions will just never be ideal bedfellows.
    In the end, fuel consumption, safety and...I'll admit it.... comfort... are really what we're looking for.
     
  13. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    If ground clearance and snow traction are big concerns, there is also the 4WD Hybrid RAV4 at 34MPG to the v's 42. Endless tradeoffs you have to make.
     
  14. Debdavid

    Debdavid New Member

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    Exactly. It's about which trade-offs one can live with. Never been a fan of SUVs but they do, undisputedly, clear the ground and therefore the snow with ease.
     
  15. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    We've never had an issue with snow or winter ground clearance with the 2012 v Five running Dunlop M3 Wintersport tires, nor with the Honda CR-V, also running M3s, albeit that one has far greater ground clearance.
     
  16. Debdavid

    Debdavid New Member

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    A special thank you to mikefocke: I've read through your exhaustive list of likes & dislikes and it really creates a good picture of the v. Sometimes the "little" things are the ones that make (or break) the enjoyment of a vehicle. I appreciate you putting that together and drawing my attention to it.
     
  17. Debdavid

    Debdavid New Member

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    The new design of the CR-V is longer, wider and higher, I believe. It now has quite significantly increased ground clearance of just under (or just over) 8" - depending on whether it's AWD. That's 2-2.5" more than the v. But while they claim it will get "best in class" mileage (pretty comparable to the Rav4 Hybrid!) we don't feel completely comfortable with the special care required by turbo-charged engines. And, of course, nothing beats the v for fuel efficiency.

    Ground clearance is rarely an issue but we had one really bad experience last winter, trying to get out - in a hurry - of our street that had not yet been plowed during the "storm of the century." Poor little Civic was stuck on its belly, flailing its arms helplessly, until we could dig our way back into our driveway....and call for cabs...that were also getting stuck on the street. Of course, storms of the century only happen....once a century. Maybe a v will be fine. Or we'll try to not have to go out in blizzards.

    Thanks for the tire tip though.
     
  18. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Our CR-V is a 2005. Not sure how ground clearance or R/T 4WD aspects differ to the current version.
     
  19. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    The ground clearance of the RAV4 hybrid at 7" is even more then the ICE RAV4 at 6.1". The v is 5.7".
     
  20. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    Just picked up a new 2016-2 and love it

    We test drove both, a 13 w/44k and the 16 new. We choose the new for 8K more because is was more comfortable and quieter. It may have been the age or the slight design change, the seats were better, or maybe just not as fagged out, but there was a difference.