1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Gen 3 owners, how do you justify your gen 4 purchase?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by jac45, Feb 22, 2020.

  1. jac45

    jac45 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2011
    8
    1
    0
    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    200k Gen 3 owner, just put $3k into suspension and brakes to avoid new car purchase but psychologically feel deprived from the modern conveniences, styling, increased mpg, ride quality of the gen 4. Current owners, is there a way to justify a jump from a perfectly good gen 3 to a 4? If so, what is your story?
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,768
    16,017
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    For me, I traded my 2010 Prius for a 2018 Prime (bought in early 2019 so it was on clearance) instead of a Gen 4. That was my justification - to add more EV range.Upgrading to a Gen 4 probably wouldn't have pushed me over (I mean, I waited 3 more years after the launch of the Gen 4 to make a move!) especially since my Gen 3 was long paid off, low mileage and clean.

    My 2010 was low mileage (100k miles) even after annual road trips as I have a short commute. The interior was very clean, looking several years younger than it is (steering wheel isn't completely smooth and shiny, for example. You could still see the original leather grain). For me, the improved ride/handling of the TNGA platform, the cooler design (quad LED headlight, carbon fibre rear hatch with a dual-wave rear window) and the thought of driving in EV mode for 90% of my uses was enough for me to upgrade.

    We also have a 2016 Gen 4 (traded a much more used 153k mile/245k km 2005 Prius for that).
     
    jerrymildred and alanclarkeau like this.
  3. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2009
    1,389
    947
    4
    Location:
    Foot of Pikes Peak
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    If you are just considering dollars, it is always much cheaper to keep a well running old car than buy a new one. But life is not just about dollars.

    On the other hand, gen 4 is getting "old". Gen 5 should be introduced for the 2022 model year. So, probably, a year from now rumors will be flying and the unveiling will be imminent. I'm waiting for the Gen 5 or an alternative depending on what the gen 5 has to offer and what else is available at that time. Lots of change going on in the auto industry in the next few years.
     
  4. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    886
    493
    0
    Location:
    Cow-lee-fornia
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I came over from a Gen2 and everything is worlds better. Why don't you go take a test drive in a Gen4 to see how you feel about it?

    As for Gen 5. I've seen pictures of the prototype and its even more weirder looking than the PPA. The front is is a nice and different look, but the back end ... leaves you wondering who designed it.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I think I know what you mean; was it linked here before? Any links? (Maybe I don't wanna look... :()

    What is that acronym?

    Have you tried a test drive? If not, good first step. Have a goodly drive, play around with the controls, try a few things. Whether it increases your interest or deflates it, good to test the waters.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Feb 22, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2020
  6. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 2, 2009
    532
    225
    2
    Location:
    Connecticut
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Here, we passed along our 2010 to our son, and bought a 2019. Comparatively, the 2019 rides like a luxury car.

    Have you kept your Gen-3's EGR system clean? That's just a knock on the older design, but a time bomb if not addressed. Otherwise, the Gen-3 is very reliable.

    I'd advise not to buy any new car until you can pay for it without financing. Collision insurance is also much less on an older car.
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,038
    10,012
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Do you really need to justify it?

    It is often cheaper to keep and repair the old car. But if you can reasonably afford the new one, especially without needing to finance it, ...
     
  8. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2015
    886
    493
    0
    Location:
    Cow-lee-fornia
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Prius Prime Advanced. I shortened it, not sure what others are calling it.



    My bad, it was a concept based on the Prius and not actual Gen5 prototype.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I had just clicked 200k miles on our 2010. Then a friend of a friend was looking for a car as he was down in his luck a bit;).

    I was thinking of a Prime for awhile, then this opportunity to upgrade presented itself, so I parted ways with our gen3:).

    I had maintained it well, so I could have run it for much longer (and that was the plan), but helping others is something I do (y).
     
    Ty D, Triparadox, SFO and 3 others like this.
  10. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I would buy one if the head gasket problem has been resolved
     
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,038
    10,012
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Based on descriptions from other PC readers, it seems that the EGR --> head gasket problem may not be completely cured in the Gen4, but it should be pushed out to several times the mileage that Gen3s suffer it. I.e. most Gen4s should be in the scrapyard long before running into this particular problem.

    Though it is still too early for that expectation to be verified with real world experience ...
     
    #11 fuzzy1, Feb 22, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2020
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,474
    38,105
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I suspect it's resolvable, with periodic EGR cleanings. And an oil catch can doesn't hurt. Maybe a 5k oil change interval for insurance.

    Or it may all be rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, who knows.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Feb 23, 2020
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2020
    Raytheeagle and fuzzy1 like this.
  13. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I never bought a Gen 3 - tried it, but couldn't live with one. When Gen 4 came out, I tried it - it was a world better, so I bought one.
     
    Aaron Vitolins and jerrymildred like this.
  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I went from a PiP to a Prime. No way to justify it financially. It'll take YEARS for the gas savings to cover the price difference.

    But there's also value to putting in several 700-mile days in a row without your tailbone catching fire. And the better ride and handling. And the quieter cabin. And the occasional "Nice car!" comment including one such remark from a new 'Vette owner. It's hard to put a price on those intangibles, but they do have value.
     
    Tande and alanclarkeau like this.
  15. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2008
    1,263
    858
    0
    Location:
    Monument, CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    If you believe a 200K Gen 3 is "perfectly good" then we probably won't change your mind. From my sig you'll see we've owned 3 generations beginning with Gen 2. The Gen 2 was okay, reliable, but not a particularly good ride quality. The Gen 3 was no better. In fact, the Persona was so bad I could not take it anymore and test drove the Gen 4 as soon as they came out. World of difference and switched immediately. Don't regret the switch. Finally traded the other Gen 3 for an all wheel drive Mercedes.
     
    Raytheeagle and alanclarkeau like this.
  16. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    Kinda goes with buying anything new, unless you really need it, you just want it. ;)
     
    Tande, Mendel Leisk and alanclarkeau like this.
  17. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,041
    7,580
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    A lot of truth in that. When funds forced it (like when putting children through University etc) - I had some older cars, with high kilometres.

    Last 20 years, I've replaced cars which were perfectly good while they were "perfectly good" - knowing that they probably would still be working fine in 10 years. But, I'm now at the age where I don't really want to have grease under my finger-nails every Saturday. My Gen4 will be someone else's in the next 6 months probably.
     
  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Remember my pics of the engine bay:whistle:?

    An egr cleanse won't be as easy on the gen4 / Prime due to the 12 volt battery moving up which pushed the inverter right next to the egr cooler:(.

    An oil catch can will be challenging as well given if you want to mount it low, the front cross member is now 2 feet further back:cool:.

    When I popped the throttle body off around 6k miles, there was very little spooge underneath :).

    But I'm getting 140 mpg, so the engine isn't running as often as a gen3;).

    Probably a factor as well(y).
     
    jerrymildred and Mendel Leisk like this.
  19. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    My Gen III had 115,000 miles on it (and was running just fine) when my wife (who handles the books) said that since I am the primary breadwinner I should get a new car. I don't argue with my wife. :D
     
  20. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,596
    3,770
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Currently have both a Gen 2 and 4 but had a new 2010 Gen 3 back in the day. Honestly it's been so long now I can't really make a good comparo' between the 3 and the 4 but stepping out of the 2 and into the 4 is a huge eye opener. The 4 is soooo improved in almost very measurable parameter.
     
    Tande likes this.