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Bought a used 2013 Prius with 91K Miles

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Pijoto, Feb 9, 2018.

  1. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    My old Prius got totaled, so I bought a used 2013 Prius replacement with over 90K miles, at first I thought it may be a good purchase, since Carfax showed it was regularly maintained, and I figured it was mostly highway miles, but then I noticed the previous owner's trip history... On Trip A, it showed the MPG reading over the past 54K Miles at 45 MPG, which is probably around 42 MPGs when corrected for over-estimation of the calculator. Now I figure this car has probably been used by the previous owner as a HWY courier that had an extremely lead foot, and a fondness for using the A/C, in order to get those low MPG figures. So, what types of failures should I be anticipating, I'm thinking engine and A/C related, maybe, also I stupidly bought the $2400 extended warranty plan (didn't do adequate research, since car just got wrecked), that I'm now considering getting a refund; so I'm posting this on whether I should just keep the plan before the 30 days is up incase the Prius I just bought may need it.

    Thanks.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats!
    those mpg's aren't that low, so i wouldn't assume too much. how long is the warranty, and what does it cover?
    has it had all the services? should have just had the 90k. what tires and pressure?
     
  3. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    42 MPGs seem shockingly low when you normally get up to 53 MPGs :eek: Looks like it has had all it's services done up to 90K though, I wouldn't have bought it, if that wasn't the case. Still, worried about it's low MPG, 90K Miles is a lot to be driven that hard for over 4 years of it's life...... Warranty is the Toyota VSA Gold for 4 yrs/50K Miles, I'll probably blow through the miles in 2 and Half years though, so wondering if I should keep the Warranty....
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think you're reading too much into the trip meter, just see how it goes, get a tank or two and see what you can do. Get a refund ASAP on the extended warranty though, hopefully that's possible.

    Any car with that mileage, I'd look into cleaning the intake manifold, cleaning the EGR circuits and installing an Oil Catch Can. That's all DIY'able, and the only expense is a bit of shop supplies and the OCC/hoses/clamps.
     
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  5. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    Oh, right, I'm dumping a bottle of Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner in it tomorrow, at least. Right now, the engine sounds a bit louder under hard acceleration than I remember from my old Prius...most likely due to a lot of engine buildup. I would do those things you recommended, but live in an Apartment... How effective is the fuel cleaner for all that stuff? I figure I'll dump a bottle in the next 2-3 gas tank fillups...

    *sigh* I'll look into the refund, I should have 30 days to decide, though I guess it depends on how the engine sounds after a few bottles of cleaners.
     
  6. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Can you fix the car yourself if it breaks down? I don't like paying for a warranty but if I lived in an apartment and can't fix things I might just keep the warranty. Is it a bumper to bumper warranty that will replace the traction battery? Can you afford to go long periods of time without your car if it breaks down like do you have a spare car? Make sure that warranty protect you.
     
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  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    If I was playing the role of car buying psychologist I'd say you have a case of buyers fear and remorse.

    I wouldn't worry about what you see on the trip computer's history. Just reset and keep track of what MPG you get, with your driving style and application.
    Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    Speculation as to how the vehicle was used? Just becomes an exercise in guess work fiction. What you have is a 2013 Prius with 91K on it.
    That's NOT a bad thing.

    You can't change whatever it's past might of been. You can control it's future going forward. Do the maintenance you would for the vehicle in it's mileage range.
    I wouldn't worry about what failures to "expect". I'd only deal with them If and When they happen.

    Don't know how long you have owned this Prius, but I'd just reset and monitor the gas mileage you are getting now as owner operator. If it continues to disappoint? Then I might start investigating other possible reasons.
    But for now? My advice is try to enjoy your new Prius.
    Other than observing that it's history seems to suggest a lower gas mileage than you use to get, there are no real red flags being waved here.

    Was the Prius you use to own newer? I see your profile says..2015 Prius.
    If you have bought an older Prius, with higher miles than your previous? Maybe the engine is louder? But again that is not necessarily indicative of a problem.

    I'd run that fuel system cleaner through...wait a while, then do an oil/filter change see how the engine sounds to you then.

    Hope you adjust and learn to like your new Prius. And hope you have no real problems.
    There is nothing you are reporting at this point that would make me think you have a undeniable problem to address.
     
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  8. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Pijoto, I saw something similar on the tripometer on my gen 3 when I first purchased it. I believe it was around 44 mpg long term, which may have been closer to 42 mpg. My first tank was around 54 mpg (hand calculated) and I've averaged a bit over 53 mpg over my first year.

    Like you, I think the previous owner drove more spirited as I had to replace my front brake pads at under 50k miles. Just curious, how is the mpg on your first tank?
     
  9. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    Same questions I've been asking myself... Not quite bumper to bumper, but It covers a lot of pricey repairs, most Hybrid components, sadly no on full battery, which makes $2,400 a tougher pill to swallow... I think I'm looking for others to talk me into keeping it or not.

    Haha, isn't buyers remorse the first thing people fear upon buying a used car? My old 2015 Prius that got totaled was bought new, there's a sense of ease and peace of mind when you know how your car has been driven...

    On your last point, yeah, it's gone 91K miles with no issues so far, no use losing sleep over it... I'll do the cleaners for now, and make sure the 100K service is done right. All I really have control over...
     
  10. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    I've only had it for one day, think the MPG is off by 3 or 4 mpg.... Though it may be because the tires aren't LRR, come to think of it, that could be part of the reason why the cars old trip meter had such lousy Mileage...
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    see post #2.
     
  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Just try your swamp cooler trick like you did in your previous Prius ;).

    I bet you’ll get 1-2 degrees cooler leading to less AC usage (y).
     
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  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Instead what if the person lived in a hilly city and preferrably had power mode on most of the time therefore the MPG was low? Or previous owner might have not even cared or knew about p & g. Reset the trip and see how much your getting is the real test my friend. Failures to anticipate will be hybrid battery, inverter, clogged EGR, 12v battery & water pump.
     
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  14. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    Hmm? (n) Replied to your post, forgot to quote. Or do you mean the tires, yeah, gonna need to check the pressure tomorrow.

    Haha... You still remember that? :D Spring is just around the corner.....
     
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  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I remember, but I am sure @StarCaller won't admit to that:whistle:.
     
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  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    It doesn't cover wea/r and tea/r components like brakes, rotor wa/rps, any type of oil change, refill of any fluid that's low/used up, paint job and etc. And when you do file paper for reimburstment, they aint gonna be on top of it either. Expect to nag them on your work time and repair shops pretend to be calling them but foot you the bill. You can also buy any extended warranty with another company at anytime on any vehicle that you own.
     
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  17. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    Think all the repair work is done through Toyota Dealers, so paperwork should be simpler, at least...
     
  18. dhman2006

    dhman2006 Member

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    I wouldn't read too much into those MPG numbers. I have a 2011 which I take really good care of. I got very used to getting 49-51MPG on my 30miles round trip to work. But I just switched job where my trip to work only takes me 15mins. With that short trip along with the freezing NE weather this winter I have had a hard time getting over 45MPG since December.
     
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  19. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    For the money you're paying, you probably have the top of the line Platinum plan. That's what I had transferred to my when I purchased my Prius. I don't think I would have paid for it, though because it doesn't cover the traction battery and wear and tear items. How many miles and years will you be covered? That would help decide if the extended warranty is worth it.
     
  20. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

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    4 years and 50K Miles, which I'll probably hit in under 3yrs... I'm leaning towards keeping it anyway, I fear engine and transmission troubles more than the battery, due to how hard this Prius was driven; and obviously I'm a bit paranoid from posting this thread in the first place. If the engine last the full term of the Warranty, and the rest of the car gives me no troubles, then this Prius will most likely be a keeper in the long run.

    Anyway, thanks all for the replies.
     
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