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Should I trade or Keep?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Priusgal85, Oct 11, 2018.

  1. Priusgal85

    Priusgal85 New Member

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    Hi guys,
    I need your advice: I currently drive a 2012 Prius-II Hatchback and love it (of course!!). My car has 120,000 miles on it. I use it mainly to commute to/from work, around 34 miles per day, plus some weekend driving. I have one year left on my auto loan (around $3700) and my car is currently worth around $5500 according to Edmunds.... I recently came into some money (sold our house), and I was wondering if I should trade it in for another used Prius with lower mileage?? I figured that this is probably one of the only times I would have a little extra income to put toward a new(used) car.. My biggest concern at this point is the hybrid battery life. I have noticed a steady decline in gas mileage. It started out at 47.5, and now reads 42.5.. is this an indication of a failing battery? I know that the warranty only covers it up to 100,000 miles. My thought was to trade it in before the battery dies, but I guess there's no way to know when that will happen!! I could take the risk and continue to drive my car until the battery dies, OR... trade it in while it's still worth something and get a car with less mileage. Your advice is appreciated!
     
  2. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    If you are ultimately looking to save money, keep your current Prius.

    A failed battery can be replaced or single cells can be swapped. Find a good/honest hybrid mechanic.

    MANY MANY people have taken their Prius' well over 300k, so 120k is not a big deal.

    Have you reset your computer ever?

    A 34 mile commuter isn't that long...seems your mileage isn't out of bounds crazy.

    Have you kept up on replacing air filters, engine/cabin?


    With all that said, you may *not* be looking to save money. If you are looking for more peace of mind, newer technology, better gas mileage, more comfort...a new(er) Prius will do that.
     
    davecook89t likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Trade, you need to go further in debt to keep that fantastic 850 FICO score so you can borrow even more money.
     
  4. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    Your car is too young to have a failing hybrid battery. The 12V battery, on the other hand, may be in need of replacement and that would affect your MPG negatively, since the ICE will have to run for longer periods of time trying to charge it up. If you determine the 12V it is OK (>12.5V after resting overnight), I would next look at your tire inflation, engine air filter and spark plugs, in that order, to explain the lower MPG.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    in massachusetts, we have 10 years or 150,000 miles.
     
    davecook89t likes this.
  6. Usle

    Usle Active Member

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    You're a perfect candidate for a prime, the gen4 is superior in safety and they drive or the drive is much nicer, shop around, lots of primes to choose nearby you.
     
  7. ETC(SS)

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

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    +1
    See also: CARB warranty.
    +1
    +1,000

    If you've had your car since new, then you KNOW whether or not it's been abused (unlikely) neglected (uncertain) or wrecked (unknown.)
    Plus....unless you buy and sell cars for a living, you're ALWAYS going to come out on the short end of a trade-buy deal, unless you sell the car privately and then do a LOT of leg work to buy privately.
    Otherwise you're paying at least one person at least three figures (probably 4) to trade out a known car for a maybe car.

    In my never-to-be-humbled opinion the only thing WORSE than that would be to trade your car in on a new one......financially speaking.

    Mileage:
    You need to investigate this immediately, and your car is closing in on some routine maintenance items IIRC (plugs come to mind.)

    1. Oil.
    The difference between abuse and neglect often as not involves a dipstick.
    You either regularly check your oil per the manual, or, at 120,000 miles you may be experiencing some lubrication "issues."
    Only you know how often the oil has been checked (NOT to be confused with changed!).
    Likewise.....only YOU can stop a relatively minor oil related issue from causing the "change-owner" light to come on.
    Read 10 posts in this forum about excessive oil use, and EGR cleaning and seriously consider finding an independent mechanic.
    Oh.....and go out and check your oil level right now and repeat every 2-3 fill-ups.
    You will read a lot of theories and observations.
    Here's mine:
    The company I work for bought a bunch of Priuses back in 2010 for use as "fleet" cars.
    They don't use much oil.
    All of them are high mileage vehicles and ALL of them have their oil changed every 5,000 miles, and most of them have their oil level checked at least monthly.

    2.
    12v Battery. (see above posts)

    3.
    If you've started using an independent mechanic, consider a transaxle fluid change and/or a proactive coolant pump replacement.
    Your 120,000 mile maintenance items, plus some EGR work and the transaxle fluid swap might be a little expensive at first, but not as expensive as replacing the head (or motor) and you can cash-flow maintenance work over time.
    Repairs have to be paid for before you drive the car again!

    Your call.

    Me?
    I'd keep the pony that I'VE BEEN riding for the last 6 years.

    Good Luck!
     
    #7 ETC(SS), Oct 17, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 17, 2018
    RMB and davecook89t like this.
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just my 2 cents: pay cash for your next car.
     
    frodoz737 and Threej like this.
  9. ETC(SS)

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

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    +1
     
  10. robert rosenblum

    robert rosenblum New Member

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    Life is short. Go and get what you want. I just traded my perfectly good 2013 II with 82k miles for a 2014 III with 20k miles. I wanted a sunroof and was too cheap 4 years ago...regretted not coughing up the extra bucks every sunny day and now I have one. The upgrade in the sound system was a surprise bonus.
     
  11. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well, if you love it, why give it up?

    I'm going to quote the song, and say, " Love the One You're With ", especially because you are contemplating trading older used for younger used.
    There's no guarantee there. A used vehicle comes with risk.
    This vehicle you own. You know it's history, you know it's condition.

    If you have a little expendable cash that you feel you want to invest into your transportation, I might spend some on upkeep and maintenance on the vehicle you already have. You might be able to bump that gas mileage back up.
    You might take the money you have to spend, and put it aside for a possible new Hybrid Battery in X number of years.

    But I wouldn't trade used for used.

    I actually might feel different if the plan was to trade used for upgraded new. As you would be resetting your new car warranty, and possibly upgrading features.
    But I'm voting no, for trading used for used, especially if you love the vehicle, and your only current concern is a slight drop in MPG. I really think I'd take far, far less money and find a good Hybrid shop, and get some restorative maintenance done. That might set you up for a far less expensive additional 120,000 miles.
     
    Mendel Leisk and Bay Stater like this.
  12. Southern Dad

    Southern Dad Active Member

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    My 2011 has 145k and the battery is still fine. The only thing that I’ve had to replace is the 12 volt battery. These are well built vehicles.


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