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I want buy a Prius but need some help/suggestions

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Freeze Time, May 15, 2018.

  1. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Oh, just ask if you don't understand, I was in your spot a year ago.

    Long version:
    CARB warranty is the warranty on your traction battery, aka hybrid battery. It's the expensive part which enables you to get great mpg. That battery can last 10 years or longer. A new battery out of warranty will cost around $2,500 dealer installed, although the prices seem to be dropping and there are some lower cost alternatives. Sometimes an owner will quickly put his Prius on the market when he feels the battery is weakening- so buyer beware.

    For most of the country, including where I live, we have traction battery warranties of 8 years/100k miles. California is considered a CARB state, which means you're lucky to have your traction battery warranty covered for 10 years/150k miles. If the car was imported from another non CARB state, you don't get the longer warranty- so the car's history is very important.

    Short version:
    If the car is a salvage, then Toyota will often void the entire traction battery warranty. And a California Prius c might have a warranty of 8 years/100k.
     
    Freeze Time likes this.
  2. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    Thanks for the info. I will check it out.

    EDIT- I just got off the phone with a Toyota dealership and the guy told me that used Prius have a 10/100k warranty while new ones carry the 10/150k and that's across all models. I am going to call another dealership and ask the question in a different way. I'll just straight up ask if the 10/150k warrant covers a new owner. I've read a lot about the batteries and the general consensus is they last way longer than 150k miles. The guy told me only the original owner gets the extended 150k warranty. I was under the impression that a warranty is a warranty so now I am all confused haha.

    Does anyone here have a Prius C? I know there are smaller and I'm 6'6 and the specs show it's like 1-3 inches shorter than the standard Prius models. I fit fine in the couple of Prius models I have been in but is it even worth checking out a Prius C?
     
    #22 Freeze Time, May 16, 2018
    Last edited: May 16, 2018
  3. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    1. Dealer is wrong. Try this number for customer service.

    2. 6'6"? The c will be too small for you. I'm surprised your not checking out the v, too.

    3. There are a lot of owners here that believe that the traction battery's lifespan is more related to years over miles. That's why you can have cabs getting 350k miles in a short period of time. Plan on 10 years as a conservative estimate with a lot of variables involved.
     
  4. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    I will call that number thanks.

    I figured it might be but I think I am gonna check out that salvaged one anyway because it's a great deal. I won't pay what he is asking though.
    I haven't seen any used V's online and they don't get as good gas mileage.

    Oh okay. Has your battery gone out on you? Like I've stated before, many articles state batteries going bad are rare and many are over 200k on original. I saw a 2005 Prius with 343400 miles on it!!! Not sure how many batteries it's gone through but that's proof these cars are made to last.
     
  5. Lightning Racer

    Lightning Racer Active Member

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    This isn't a sure thing, but just do some simple investigation. Pull the oil dipstick and check the level. If it's on the low side or below the minimum, you just found out it probably burns oil. If it's on the high line, it's most likely good. There's a small chance that its an oil burner, and the owner is keeping it topped off, but that would show more initiative that probably would have avoided a more serious found-out-it's-burning-oil-because-it-had-nothing-showing-on-the-dipstick-at-the-last-oil-change scenario (or oil pressure warning light came on). Also, ask the owner straight up if it burns oil, and watch how they answer. See if there are window stickers or paperwork showing the last oil change, so estimate how long it's been. Like any car, see how it's been taken care of.

    I bought my 2010 Prius IV with the solar roof with 150K miles on it two years ago. It uses barely any oil at 172K. Mine was a bit of a fixer upper, but with good service records. I thought it was a decent buy, and I expect it will last a very long time.

    I'm one of the people that buy high mileage vehicles for the better buy. To make that work, you have to be informed (thus on Priuschat), be willing to do work to bring all scheduled maintenance up to current, and do additional preventive work (mainly: oil catch can, entire EGR circuit cleaning).

    I am also aware that there might be large expenses like battery replacement if I keep it for 10+ years, but that would be a one time expense, not yearly, and really no big deal. It's easy to do, so I'd save on labor. I think of it this way: just the depreciation on my car for the original owner was close to $4K per year, so I can afford a $2K battery once in 10-15 years. The car is basically no longer depreciating for me if I keep it relatively long. He got to drive a new car, and I'm driving a used car, but it's basically the same experience once I cleaned it up.

    I wouldn't have been a good candidate for something like a Corolla that is often recommended because I was looking for a hatchback or wagon. No sedans for me ever. Plus Prius camping with full climate control is a thing for me and my dog.
     
    #25 Lightning Racer, May 17, 2018
    Last edited: May 17, 2018
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    well said.(y)
     
  7. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    I will look out for that Lightning Racer thanks. I have found a couple of Prius V but they are all higher mileage.
     
  8. MagnusAG99

    MagnusAG99 Senior Member

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    Ive never heard about that... We have had a 2010 since 2014 and my 2011 since 2015 and thats never been an issue... My prius has even gone over 200K miles with no issues like that. From what i know, abselutely nothing is different engine wise from the pre-face-lift and face-lift model that came in 2012 either. Ive never had any battery problems either, never been changed. Only cleaned the hybrid fan and done regular hybrid system checks.
     
  9. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    I called the 1800 toyota number and she told me all Prius models are covered for the 10/150k warranty on the battery. I forgot to ask if a Salvaged title Prius battery would be covered.
     
  10. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    I suspect that once a car is salvaged, the answer will be no. But ask.
     
  11. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    FT, read this thread, which discusses the Prius c warranty in California. I'm not sure if the thread discusses all Prius c cars or just the 2012 model year.
     
  12. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I'm 6'4" once I put shoes on, and I fit fine in our C. I don't need to have the seat all the way back. Height adjuster on the driver's seat cushion keeps the peace in our garage!
     
  13. Freeze Time

    Freeze Time Member

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    Good to know. I will have to check out the car in person.
     
  14. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    in the USA the 2004 to 2009 has a 1.5 liter motor and the 2010 and up has a 1.8 liter motor and if you google "oil burning prius" you see most of the complaints are for early gen 3's some burning a Qt every 600 miles... something to do with bad rings if I remember right, requiring the motor to be rebuilt. the same motor is used in other models and they have the same problems. again a simple google search for toyotas burning oil will show you everything you need to know.. just because you didnt hear of an issue doesnt mean its not a problem...
     
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  15. MagnusAG99

    MagnusAG99 Senior Member

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    I know that gen 2 got a 1.5L and gen 3 got a 1.8L, that was not what i was saying, what i was saying was that the 2010 and 2011 got the same engine as the 2012 to 2015, so its weird that 2010 and 2011 models got more of that oil burning problem then the face lift version. I havent seen it as a problem because its literally only one prius with an oil burning problem in our toyota dealership every 3rd year. That must be a bigger problem in the US it looks like. EU and US priuses got different results after test cycles in emissions to for example, so it must be something different between them thats not released to the public. Also depends on what kind of fuel u running, from what i know u in US got different petrol standard than EU also. Soo thats why i said it hasent been a problem here for what i know.
     
  16. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    Oil weight is what is causing the difference. USA is strictly 0W-20 while other parts of the world are using thicker oil.
     
  17. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    OP you need to call your insurance company and check on their policy for salvage vehicles. Many will only cover liability on a salvage vehicle.
     
  18. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    clearly toyota figured out what the problem was and corrected it during the 2012 model year... not hard to understand..
     
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  19. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    There are many who are seeing issues with oil consumption on 2012 plus....they just have less miles and are starting to show up now. Pretty easy to fix before you have issues, use thicker oil.
     
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  20. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    heres a video addressing the issue, of course some people will say it doesnt mention prius by name but all the parts are sourced by the same suppliers.. I dont know why this comment has taken on a life of it own but there will always be people who think the prius is magic and runs forever on unicorn farts and never ever dies... sorry its just a machine..