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First time Prius buyer, what to look for?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by dorihachigo, Aug 14, 2018.

  1. dorihachigo

    dorihachigo Junior Member

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    Hello, I am looking to buy my first Prius (2nd gen). I would like to ask what generally what to look for when looking for a Prius.

    -Are there year models I would generally try to steer away from?

    -What things to look for when checking out a Prius in person?

    -Should I not be afraid to check out a low 200k mi Prius? (there is good difference in a 140-180k and 180-210k Prius, price-wise). There is a significant amount of 200+k Prius on the market that looks good on paper.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 dorihachigo, Aug 14, 2018
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Same thing applies with buying most other used cars. Find a car owned by an little old lady who drove it to church and the grocery store twice a week and not much further for 10 years. The one thing that's different is that hybrid battery pack doesn't stay super healthy if the car isn't driven at least every 4 or 5 days, so you don't want a car that's spent it's life being unused.

    As for high mileage... If you don't plan on putting much mileage on it a higher mileage car might be ok, but even if you buy a 2009 Gen 2 you're still talking about 10 years of age regardless of mileage, so I'd be more interested in maintenance record, original owner, always kept clean. Look in the hard to reach places to clean to see if it's lived a life being clean, or was just cleaned up to sell.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Aug 15, 2018
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    • Get one with side and side curtain airbags (standard on 2007-2009 models). It only gets 2 stars for side impact on models without it (4 stars with airbags)
    • Avoid Touring models or models with HIDs (Unfortunately, all Touring models had HIDs but otherwise they were nice cars). HID-equipped models have some issues with the HID capsules (mostly early failures). That being said, if you're ok with a slight increase in replacement frequency (or you get lucky and got one without issues), those headlights are much better than the stock halogens
    • Note that heated seats were not available on the Gen 2, even on models with leather seats (if that matters since most ppl associated leather and heated seats)
    • If you frequently leave the car out in the hot sun (say.. Arizona type sun and temperatures), consider a 2006-2009 model with the chrome taillights (instead of black plastic with clear covers). The black ones tended to melt under the intense heat (specifically AZ owners)
    • If you want a backup camera, you're looking at 2006+
    • If you want an AUX Input, you're looking at a 2006+
    • Note there's a difference in screen resolution between those with a backup camera vs. those without in the 2006-2009 models. Those without are using the older, coarser resolution from the 2004-2005 models. Those with a backup camera have a much higher resolution screen with sharper graphics (and look much more modern)
    • Scrutinize the 7" MFD. It is $4,000 new ($2,000 refurbished). Make sure all the functions work (since radio, climate and nav, if equipped, are tied to the screen) and there's no flickering or slow responses
    • Make sure the accessories are there (like a roller tonneau cover and underfloor plastic bins). If they're missing, work them into the pricing

    If you're looking at a 200k+ Prius, budget for a hybrid battery replacement. If it goes and you get a brand new one from Toyota (and assuming the rest of the car is in reasonable condition for its age), you're essentially getting a new-ish Prius for a fraction of the cost. (see uart's experience My HV battery replacement experience - Australia. | PriusChat)
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Aug 15, 2018
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    i would be afraid of a car with 200k on it, are you a diy'er? they are very expensive to have repaired.

    check in with luscious garage or art's automotive for friendly, expert advice.

    accident, ownership and maintenance history are very important.

    a new battery runs $2,500. - $3,000.

    learn how to reset the trip meter and take it for a long drive over varied conditions and see what she returns for mpg's.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 15, 2018
  5. dorihachigo

    dorihachigo Junior Member

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    Thank you for the replies. Tideland, thanks for the bullet points, that was very informative. Bisco, yes I am a diy'er. I've dropped a couple of engines, tranny, axles on different makes. Dive battery, axles, etc. looks easy to replace, but I'm getting tired dropping motors if need be. Those 1nz's are tanks, aren't they?
     
    #5 dorihachigo, Aug 15, 2018
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  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I guess? Most of the wear & tear items have been the batteries (since the Gen 2s are getting up there in age). I haven't seen much on PriusChat regarding the engine, motors or inverter.

    The 1NZ is used in a variety of cars. It seems like you would know but for others reading this in the future, the Gen 2 Prius' engine is also used in the Echo/Yaris sedan (Belta), Echo/Yaris Hatchback (Vitz), 1G Scion xB (bB), Scion xA (Ist), Prius c (Aqua), Yaris Hybrid and a whole bunch of Japan-only cars.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2018
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yes, but most cars have 2 expensive repairs, either engine or transmission... With Prius it's 5: engine, transmission, Hybrid Battery, Regenerative brake system, shorted-out electrical system due to technician errors.
     
    #7 PriusCamper, Aug 16, 2018
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  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    And right now, it's 1 - hybrid battery :)

    (regen brake system uses the electric motors... so you could've just said electric motors)
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Aug 16, 2018
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  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The braking system works with the electric motors, but the controller that shifts between mechanical brakes and regen breaks is a separate system that is way more than a thousand plus dollars to replace...

    There was once a post on here from a single mom raising three kids who spent her last $8K on a used Prius only for near every system to fail and she was looking at more than $10K in repairs. That hardly ever happens, but it does happen on rarest of occasions.

    Regular old cars don't have repair risks as bad as that, they just take $60 dollars from you everytime you fill up the tank that only costs Prius drivers a bit over $20. As in either way you may have to pay!

    On the bright side, the same legendary durability of a Toyota truck is built into a Toyota Prius and buying a used one with 100K miles on it well worth the risk: Did you buy a Prius with 100K+ miles? Share your story here! | PriusChat
     
    #9 PriusCamper, Aug 16, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2018
  10. The Other Guy

    The Other Guy New Member

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    If I were looking to buy a Gen 2 Prius especially a high mileage one I would look into if the ABS actuator was replaced. The warranty period for the ABS actuator was extended because of a high failure rate. Unfortunately, this period ended in December of 2017 so if it goes out now it is a $3000 repair.
     
    #10 The Other Guy, Aug 16, 2018
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  11. dorihachigo

    dorihachigo Junior Member

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    The hunt continues! I really liked this Blue '05 @ 170k mi. but was already sold.

    My wife made my search harder as she only wants a White Prius.

    Contacting a guy with a White '07 with 204k mi. Looks nice and maintained. Thanks to this forum, I bought a BlueTooth OBD II scanner and downloaded a battery checker on Andrioid.
     
    #11 dorihachigo, Aug 16, 2018
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mostly tanks. there have been horror stories, but that's why people come to priuschat. if you believe in the law of averages, you should be fine.
    one thing most agree on, time is harder on the battery than miles. a regularly operated gen 2 battery can go a long way in a cooler climate. in heat, not so much.

    agree with the other guy, brake actuator is huge money. but you can diy a salvage for peanuts. engine will probably be fine if it is good when you buy it. tranny's rarely go out, and they do the regen as well. inverters are cheap, so there's not much else to worry about.
     
    #12 bisco, Aug 16, 2018
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