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buying new car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by keriazy4, Feb 12, 2020.

  1. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    hi ,

    I am new to hybrid car and I was looking for a 2nd generation prius 2008/2009
    I saw all your posts and advice for using a used old prius "checking the battery , the brake accumulator ...etc
    also I checked the long trip comfort post and it seems not comfort enough on long drive,
    so I am driving a 2002 Toyota echo now and I was thinking with all the problems you describe the cheapest one can cause a price of a hole echo
    also it won't be more comfort
    and I think I won't save that much in gas
    the only positive thing I see is that it will be quite cause I have a broken exhaust in my echo
    I was really looking into prius before I saw the comments in here
    now I can't find a reason to buy it
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The repairs to a used Gen2 Prius using used parts aren't much more expensive that a regular car. The reason the prices for Prius repair seem so high is that brand new parts cost way too much and dealership often try to make sure the cost of repairs is more expensive selling you a brand new car finance package that seem cheaper at first but is way more expensive later on...

    Many times I've helped people who were told their Prius repairs would be in the $5K range and it was very easy to get them back on the road for only a few hundred dollars.

    As for your echo, that was actually the original Gen1 Prius that was built in Japan in late 1990's. But back then they were uncertain about selling a Hybrid car in US markets, so they decided to wait a couple years and simply stripped the hybrid part of it out and sold it in the US as the Toyota Echo.

    In terms of deciding between fixing your Echo's exhaust vs. buying a Gen2 Prius, if I were you, I'd base that decision on how often and how far you drive. If you only drive a few times a week and not very far, stick with fixing the Echo's exhaust system. But if you are driving every day for hours and much if it is above 40mph, a Gen2 Prius is the way to go in terms of long terms cost and reliability.

    Catch is, you have to figure out if you or a friend or a local mechanic can help you source used parts and make repairs when the car needs 'em. But in general Toyota Prius are just as awesome as Toyota trucks in terms of reliability and longevity.
     
  3. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    I usually do fix the car myself unless its something that I can't do like engine or transmission work , all the rest I can do it my self
    I kind of replaced my exhaust but the manifold bolts are rusted , stuck and stripped , hard to reach but anyway that's not our subject
    I found a good deal on a 2009 prius with 115k miles and he is asking $3600 , it seems clean from the photos but I didn't see it or test it yet ,
    I think if I liked I will go to a pro mechanic to make sure everything is ok , but what I am afraid of is the future , like if I can use it for kind of 3 years without major repair ill be happy but who knows
    I also found 2 prius in the scrap yard witch I wasn't expected to see but of course they have no battery and I thing they were 1st gen
    I usually drive daily to work 50% city 50 % highway almost 30miles daily between 30 an 50 miles per hour
    and I am in Canada so we spin and slide a lot everyday :)
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I think your smart to stay away from an old prius
     
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Don't listen to Bisco... Because you know how to fix basic stuff and this website is a near unlimited resource for fixing the harder stuff and you're looking at a ridiculously great deal for 2009 Prius, it it checks out, If I were you I'd buy it before someone else does.
     
  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Hmm...
    When you say it's not comfortable?
    Well...how uncomfortable is it? Because once you buy it, it's not going to suddenly become more comfortable. Some people have been absolutely miserable and never been able to adjust or adapt to the ergonomics of the Prius seats. This leads to asking about pillows, cushions, and other ergonomic changing projects.

    But I would say, if you're NOT comfortable sitting in the vehicle, don't underestimate how big a problem that can become. You are NOT going to want to drive anything, you aren't comfortable sitting in.
     
  7. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    I didn't really test it I only found my information in here
    Is Prius comfortable for a long trip? | PriusChat
    usually when I have a long road trip I use my Sienna cause it is very comfort
    I know that the Echo will break my back for a trip of a 100 miles but its ok to use it going to work
    level of comfort is different for each one , I know I don't feel comfort in corollas or civic cause of the low seat position "close to the ground "
    it may seems weird but I felt more comfort in my Echo than a bmw i3
     
  8. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    i will go to see it today and test it , its the best deal i found until now on market even i had a feeling that there is something hidden behind it cause of the mileage the price and it has been couple weeks on market , i will go and test it anyway
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Common scenario: the HV battery or brake accumulator (or something else) have coded (and since been cleared) and the current owner decides to sell instead of fix. So many threads of new owners posting here who get trouble lights from either a few days to a month later after purchase.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Congratulations on some sound reasoning.

    A hybrid is not for everybody.
    And OLD hybrids are likely to cost more in repairs than you will ever save on gas.

    A small(ish) economy gas car is often a much better value overall.
     
  11. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Test It.
     
  12. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    so after testing the car I won't go with an old prius , I would rather wait and get a certified one maximum 4 years old with low mileage , as you guys said old one will cost more in parts and labor , thanks all
     
    bisco likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Oh dang, we lost another one :rolleyes:
     
    CanTG likes this.
  14. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    no I am still interested in the car I know its the best hybrid car in the market but I am just saying ill prefer to buy recent models
     
    bisco likes this.
  15. George W

    George W Active Member

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    I must have always owned terrible cars, because my 08 is without question, the best ride I have ever experienced, for everyday driving. Even my recent 1,000+ mile trip didn't cause undo strain.
     
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  16. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    It's absolutely subjective.
    The ergonomic interaction between whatever Prius seat and the user, differs from person to person,
    I also never had any problem with my Prius and the seat. It was comfortable enough. BUT...
    I have read enough threads and posts where it was a problem for some people to believe it can sometimes be a pretty serious problem.
     
  17. ski.dive

    ski.dive Active Member

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    buy an old Corolla-Not an old Prius
     
  18. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    the comparison can't be always fair for small cars like when finish a trip with our family car the Sienna and I go back to my echo I feel the difference right away , its not comfortable
    my mind knows that I can't compare between them but my back doesn't understand that :LOL:
     
  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    You're not really COMPARING anything.
    You're testing the compatibility of the seat in the vehicle you are thinking of buying, with you're own back.
    Sometimes in a test drive, or a short period of time, it's hard to determine how comfortable the seat may or may not be. BUT if you can determine whether it's going to be a problem, it's a good thing to know BEFORE purchasing.
     
  20. keriazy4

    keriazy4 New Member

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    yesterday i went to test a 2020 prius prime , i love it , its way different than the 2009 i drove before , more comfort, calm , it handle better on the road , also i like the idea that it goes the first 40km on battery after that it goes to hybrid mode , the interior looks very good specially the big control screen ,they have 8 years grantee on the charging system and a 10 years or 240k on the battery , the only downside for me that its around $45k , i wouldn't even think twice if it was in the $30k range i would sign immediately