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Upgrade question

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gkid, Feb 17, 2020.

  1. gkid

    gkid New Member

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    I have a 2009 Prius with 145,000 km with nothing wrong with it. I was thinking about upgrading to a newer Prius from 2010 to 2015. My question is, to spend the extra money to upgrade would I be gaining better mpg only or is there better options there. Just trying to keep up with the times
     
    #1 gkid, Feb 17, 2020
    ydpplqbd likes this.
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    There were a few upgrades.

    • Replaced coolant thermos with an engine exhaust heat recirculating system for faster warm ups (1 min at 0°C)
    • No fuel tank bladder
    • The engine can go into EV mode on the fly once warmed up without having to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and letting the engine shut off
    • Smoother engine shut down operation (over the Gen 2)
    • Better mpg (4.1-4.2L/100km in the summer in flat land... 5-6L/100km in -20°C to -35°C)
    • Eco Mode for climate control system
    • Slightly wider tyres for better grip and handling
    • If you run the factory Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 (420? I can’t remember), the rolling resistance is quite low
    • Wider cargo area
    • Taller cargo area under the tonneau cover
    • Slightly quieter interior
    • LED tail lights
    • Better projector halogen headlights or available LED low beam headlights
    • Available lumbar support if you get the Technology Package with the power driver’s seat

    Things you lose?
    • Hidden drawer
    • In-dash compartment
    • 7” MFD (unless you find a model with navigation)
    • Windshield washer jets are much weaker
    • Taller mounted rear spoiler means the auto-dimming mirror light sensor is still blocked from the headlights behind, making it difficult to dim


    Watch for 2010 and 2011 models with EGR issues. (Unless you’re mechanically inclined and can clean it and maintain it rigorously)
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Feb 18, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2020
    Mendel Leisk, fragglestickcar, Kaptainkid1 and 1 other person like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gen2 is a better engine, the upgrades aren't worth it. wait until you can afford gen4
     
    #3 bisco, Feb 18, 2020
    ydpplqbd and PriusCamper like this.
  4. gkid

    gkid New Member

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    Thanks for the good information, that is what I was looking for
     
    #4 gkid, Feb 19, 2020
  5. ETC(SS)

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

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    Hate to say it but @bisco is right...
    No...not the part about bisc being right, but the fact that I cannot recommend a G3 ...and....well the G4 (2016-) seems to be mechanically very reliable if you can get past the somewhat polarizing styling......

    They did some emergency cosmetic surgery in 2019, but quite frankly if you're going to go from a dependable 2009 to a dependable 2019 I'd consider a gently used off-lease Prime...which they started making in 2016.

    It's only a 4-seater and you'll have to figure out where to stow a proper spare tire, and it has a pitiful EV range, but they're not that much more expensive than the wireless 2016 Priuses (presumably.....I don't know BC pricing) and they might prove to be a little more useful where they dispense petrol in litres instead of by the gallon.

    Good Luck!
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Feb 19, 2020
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ah geez... Maybe just sleep on it, say till 2022.

    Wait a sec, the 12 through 15's are immune??

    I'm waiting, but with low expectations, for gen 5. I seriously doubt they're gonna reverse a lot of the "trendy" stuff (more'n likely just kick that can a little further down Edgy Street), and I don't need my head exploding.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Feb 20, 2020
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Gm makes some nice looking cars, too bad they don’t have much else going for them
     
    #7 bisco, Feb 20, 2020
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I don’t know but we haven’t seen enough of those owners complain about it. It could be that they’re not old enough.

    I agree with @bisco. If you can swing a 2016 Prius or newer, that was a significant upgrade in the hybrid system. Owners are beating the EPA numbers. (And it’s not just the Prius. Any of Toyota hybrids using the current HSD system such as the 2018+ Camry, 2019+ Avalon, 2019+ RAV4 Hybrid ans new Corolla Hybrid can achieve better than EPA numbers).
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Feb 20, 2020
    Raytheeagle and Mendel Leisk like this.
  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The wife is getting over 30 mpg in the RX450h on the highway (rated for 28):).

    And she doesn't drive it like I would:love:.

    So the newer the better(y).
     
    #9 Raytheeagle, Feb 20, 2020
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