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What Prius should I sell? 2010 IV or 2006 Package 8?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by uclabruins, Nov 2, 2020.

  1. uclabruins

    uclabruins Member

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    Hello Prius Chat!

    It's been a while since I used to visit the site everyday. I hope you all have been well and safe from Covid-19. I have a question for all you Prius gurus.

    My mom has a 2010 Prius IV with 56,000 miles and I have a 2006 Prius Package 8 with 134,000 miles. My mom has two cars and decided to sell her Prius, however, my question is should I sell hers or sell mine?

    Some things to consider:
    1) Both cars are in good shape with no major dents/dings. Just some normal scrapes and door dings
    2) Last year, I had to replace the hybrid battery in my 2006 which cost me $2,430.00 and I've only driven 5,000 miles with the new hybrid battery
    3) I've heard from my mechanic that the Gen 3 engines may have issues around 130k to 150k miles and the engine may hav to be replaced, which could cost $3,000.00 to 4,000.00

    Any questions, please ask. Otherwise, what would you recommend?
     
  2. jerrydelrey

    jerrydelrey Member

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    I'd sell the older higher mileage one. (2006 w/ 134K)
     
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  3. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    The biggest risk in the gen 3 is a blown head gasket at 130,000+ miles. Many forum members have fount the EGR circuit, especially the EGR cooler, to get clogged which may contribute to the head gasket problem.

    So, you are probably OK for another 50,000 miles but then, if you can do it yourself, cleaning the EGR circuit would most likely keep you going after that.

    It is also common for gen 3 to start using some oil eventually but that is not a problem if you check it regularly.

    then there is the risk of hybrid battery failure eventually from age, not miles.
     
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Take the modules out of the new pack and swap them into the g3 before selling the g2.

    Actually, this is what I would do since I, too, drive low miles per year (about 8k): I'd sell both and get a plug-in with the cash.
     
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  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    160k on mine, 66.0 mpg for the last 5,120 miles. My engine is over 150k so I’m in big trouble :cry:
     
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  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Easy, Sell hers because you won’t have anything to drive if you sell yours.
     
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  7. uclabruins

    uclabruins Member

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    Thanks for the input guys. I'd like to add that whatever car I sell, I'll be driving the other one.
     
  8. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Assuming both cars are in comparable shape and have been maintained properly, my biggest concern with the older car would have been the battery since it's now 15 years old. But you've addressed that, so I'd keep the '06 and sell the '10.

    The Gen-3s seem to have more trouble spots: head gasket, oil burning, brake booster, inverter (the last two are covered under extended warrantee until next year, but after that I think you're on your own)
    I'm not aware of any problems like that with the Gen-2.

    I'll put it this way: My daughter will graduate from college in about a year. Now she has a perfectly fine "college car": inexpensive, mechanically sound, a little rough around the edges, but reliable. When she gets her first job, I presume she'll be ready to upgrade. She really likes my wife's '13 Prius V Wagon and liked our '08 Prius hatchback when we had it. When she asks my advice, I will HIGHLY recommend that she not get a Gen-3 Prius. If she were considering the two vehicles you are, I'd recommend the '06.
     
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  9. uclabruins

    uclabruins Member

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    Thanks for the excellent input!
     
  10. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    I'm always worried about the expense of putting in a factory hybrid battery. The '06 should be good for another 10 years- based on the cost, I'm assuming it was dealer installed. If I'm mistaken then disregard this post.

    The '10 just had its traction battery's warranty expire. If the '06 is running very well then I'd keep that. Based on the posts here, the '10 seems to be the gen3's worst year for engine issues.
     
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  11. uclabruins

    uclabruins Member

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    Just an update: I decided to sell the 2010 because the of potential engine issues and since my 2006 has been running well and I replaced the hybrid battery a year ago (only 5000 miles on it).

    With Covid-19, I didn't want to be showing the car to a lot of people, so I sold it through Carvana. It was a seamless process. You put in the VIN and details/mileage about the car and they give you an offer. At the time, the offer was on the higher end of the KBB "private party" value, so I accepted the offer. You set how you want to get paid and what time/date you can meet the representative to look at the car. The rep calls/emails to confirm the appointment and they come out to do a test drive of the car, check the mileage that you entered, and make sure the car is in the shape that you say it is. You sign a few documents and they pay you the agreed upon value. That's it.

    Thanks PriusChat for the input.

    Cheers!
     
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  12. Ultimate_Combination

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    Edit after seeing the last post:
    Good job on the decision to keep the 06 and sell the 10!
    Since you've already took care of the battery on the 06, this car will no doubt be more reliable than that 10.

    This is taken from my experience with my mom's 08 I've maintained for the past 7 years in comparison to my 10 that I've owned for the past 2+ years and the amount of times I've spent fixing my 10 vs working on the 08..AND the upcoming engine swap I have to do on the 10....yeah keep your Gen2 if you want a more stress free ownership experience for the next 5-10 years or so
     
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  13. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The '06 has a new battery? Sell the 2010!

    Always dump the one with the oldest battery.