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2009 Gen 3 (UK T-Spirit)... Worth it or run away?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Otispunkmeyer, Jul 23, 2018.

  1. Otispunkmeyer

    Otispunkmeyer New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2018
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    Location:
    Loughborough UK
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Excel
    Hi All

    I realize this is probably a more US-centric forum but there is clearly a wealth of knowledge here.

    I am quite taken with having a Prius. In fact, just tonight I have sold off my Abarth 595 to swap over. The Abarth is a great, fun car, but it just isn't good at the daily grind. It's far too uncomfortable and I stopped enjoying it.

    I've driven a few Prius' and they are, in a word, relaxing steers. Fast enough, but they just put you in that go with the flow mood. In the Abarth you become irate the moment rapid progress is hindered in anyway...not a car that likes to dawdle and it lets you know by making you uncomfortable.

    So... Pretty much my only option at a price I can afford near me is a 2009 Prius T-Spirit (top of the range) for £8295, full service history, 67,000 miles.

    At this age (nearly 9 years) and that mileage (67,000), is this worth a squirt or should I be giving it a wide berth? ( I have seen it already and it is in decent nick).

    I do have the Dr Hybrid/Dr Prius app and a compatible dongle that I can use. Hopefully the dealer will let me perform the battery tests before I decide. I suppose I should be looking for a battery that is in fair condition? 50-60% health?

    The car will be used to commute to work...30 miles each way and around 14-15,000 miles a year all in. I expect to keep it for 2 - 3 years. I do not want to have a battery failure in that time and I don't want the thing to become totally worthless either!

    Note: At work I have access to tools and a workshop with lifts/ramps to do my own work.
    Note2: I guess driving wise in the UK it's less strenuous than many parts of the US. We do not get as hot and we do not get as cold. There are also very few significant hills that would work cars as hard.
     
    #1 Otispunkmeyer, Jul 23, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    to date, 2009 has proved to be the most reliable prius. i can't comment on the price, but if it is the best you can find, i would give it a go.

    all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 24, 2018
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
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    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    8200 pounds for a 9 year old car?

    We have a member Britprius that sold his for much less a few years ago, when it was more like 6 years old
     
    #3 JC91006, Jul 24, 2018
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
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    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
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    Have you checked autotrader, carwow or WhatCar? for prices? £8,000 seems a bit high but I don't know what the demand is like over there. We have UK members here so hopefully they can chime in and give a more local perspective.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jul 25, 2018
  5. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
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    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I bought my 2008 for £8,000 back in June 2013, fully loaded Tspirit (Leather, Navigation, Bluetooth phone connectivity, Voice commands, IPA, Climate Control, with 55,400 miles on the clock.

    However, that’s a bit steep for 2018.
    Mind you, they’re ultra reliable workhorses and crucially, annual road tax is still a measly £10 - where even the new Hybrids now command a flat rate minimum £135 road tax fee (a.k.a. Vehicle Excise Duty) . These will do 250,000 miles easily without complications, on their original drive trains! They’re trouble free and over engineered.

    Based on those positive attributes, this particular 2009 model would be highly prized for what it is, especially if it’s in almost mint condition.

    Those who swear by the Gen 2 will be happy to shell out that kind of money - even in the UK, knowing that they’ll be getting a very solid reliable workhorse that will be trouble free.

    I’d worry about catalytic converter thieves though....


    iPhone 6s +
     
    #5 Data Daedalus, May 12, 2019
  6. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    IMG_0094.jpg

    So, pulled into my local ESSO Fuel Station to refuel on Sunday afternoon with my fuel depletion warning light flashing.

    As you can see, managed 64.5mpg on the MFD while stretching the mileage to a rather pleasing 623 miles for 44 litres of fuel (tank takes 45 litres).

    This is of course, my 2008 Prius Tspirit with over 116,800 miles on the clock.

    It’s had a new non-OEM catalytic converter installed last December, compliments of the Grand Theft Cat epidemic in London over the last 12 months, otherwise, apart from a new water pump at 99k miles, “The Spaceship” is all original.

    The mpg readings are all entirely from my weekly London commute.

    Great performance from a genuinely over engineered vehicle

    p.s. You’d get even better performance out of a Prius 3rd Generation.


    iPad ? Pro
     
    #6 Data Daedalus, Aug 19, 2019
    RMB, Grit and Naurill like this.
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