Keep 06 one owner Prius Base 82k Miles or swap for Brother’s 12 Prius C with 130k mikes?

good question. i don't recall any, but c only goes back to 2012? so far, 2010's are the biggest problem, with 2011's starting.

 

People here tend to be hypersensitive with their cars. I cannot speak to the head gasket problem but it does not even have a blip on the radar on car gripes. That’s the site I look at when I think about a cars durability

2012 Toyota Prius c | CarComplaints.com

 

I wonder if there's a Japanese equivalent site? While the c isn't very popular in the USA, it's been at or near the top of the Japanese sales charts since launch. They've got a fair shot at selling the 2 millionth c before 2020.

If the 1NZ-FXE is still eating gaskets, we'll be in good company anyway.

 

I think I'd stick with the lower mileage Prius.

Even thought it's chronologically 6 years older, it sounds like it is in excellent shape.

PLUS...and most importantly....

I don't like making any type of buy, sell or trade automobile deals with family members.
It can just lead to awkward moments or hard feelings if things don't work out right.

 

I respect all the advice put forward by others in this thread.

I would like to approach the comparison from another aspect - living with the car.

I drive a 2008 (profile pic), and my mom's parents drive a 2012 C. I've spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel of both.

Although the 2012 is certainly newer in terms of tech, I found myself really disliking the interior. Hard plastic is everywhere, and the buttons, dials, and controls feel and look cheaper in my opinion.

The C's ride is rougher, and I noticed more engine and tire noise, especially around 45-50 mph.

If the two cars were identical in every other aspect, I would take the 2008 any day. Just something to consider.

 

Excellent points... And yes, the C does have a shorter wheelbase, which explains the bumpier ride aspect. Also in a Gen2 Prius if you take out the center console and replace it with a pillow it's way more spacious... You can't do that on a Gen3 or a Prius C... But you can on a Prius V or a Gen4

 

You can find a bench seat and make it a really roomy camper

 

Exactly!!!!
And if you remove the back seat entirely you can fit a full size futon mattress inside... Then just add some hand sculpted foam underneath to make sure it lies flat and boom, enough room for three to sleep comfortably... Of course not having a backseat and all those pieces of foam pieces is the opposite of practical.

 

If you keep your money and skip the Prius C purchase and instead spend a bit of that money on your Gen2 for a new stack of hybrid battery modules and a new set of low rolling resistance tires that you pump up into the 40PSI range you'll be able to get near that mileage with a smoother ride too.

 

Best of luck.

 

Just curious- were the rear row headrests installed? When we test drove a c, they were not. My wife liked it. When we took delivery of ours, they were installed, and she got nervous that we'd picked poorly. I pulled out the headrests and there hasn't been a complaint since.

I'd rather have them in there, but not at the cost of a vision problem. Rear seat passengers are a rarity in the car.