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Everyone says don't buy an old Prius!?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by JamesAdams1, Sep 16, 2017.

  1. valsor

    valsor Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    19
    11
    0
    Location:
    Bellevue WA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Buying an old Prius is no longer an issue since there are so many newer Priuses now sold at almost the same price as the old ones.
     
    douglasjre likes this.
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,064
    14,970
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    The last time I bought a vehicle that wasn't an old Prius was in 1996.
     
    Moving Right Along likes this.
  3. Shelby profita

    Shelby profita Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2017
    37
    6
    0
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Found a 2010 with afresh water pump 8k miles ago and has 231k miles on it currently, but I know to stay away from 2010 as the piston rings wear prematurely....still concidering it but otherwise for the same price of 3500 going to get an 07 with 255k as 06-09 are very good years

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  4. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
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    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I would get the 2010. You can get a JDM engine for 1200 and put it in if you need it
     
  5. rondefly

    rondefly Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2008
    4
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    Location:
    South Lake Tahoe, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I have the same, My 2005 is still good at 250000, just taking the big battery out to replace some bad cells, I've done this once before. takes a few hours and is not that hard of a job. The hardest part for me at 83 is lifting the battery out of the car to a bench. Just bought an 83 with 108000 miles on it and am pleased with it also. Thanks Ron Triano
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Wow, all the more power to you. (y)
     
    Montgomery, C Wagner and George W like this.
  7. C Wagner

    C Wagner Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    179
    54
    0
    Location:
    Boston
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The hv battery can be rebuilt or you can switch in a rebuilt one for $600-2000
     
  8. C Wagner

    C Wagner Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    179
    54
    0
    Location:
    Boston
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thats not really that bad. Try owning a regular car 165k.
     
  9. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Rondefly is most definitely a seasoned stud!
     
  10. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
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    613
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    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    The antenna amp and the JBL system are the only things that I agree sometimes happen. The rest of those things on your list make no sense. Who's telling you you needed all that? Me and my friends have a total of 17 Priuses. None of them have ever needed wheel bearings and some of the cars get up to 270, 000mi. First brake job is usually needed around 200,000 mi. Traction battery: why did your traction battery go bad so early? Are you deep cycling it every morning or in the car wash? This is just the oddest list of repairs... Most of all 3 12V Optimas? Who's leaving all the lights on in the car overnight? This repair list makes no sense
     
  11. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
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    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I had to have front wheel bearings done on my 2009. Our roads in PA are terrible. As they say, YMMV (your mileage may vary, along with everything else).
     
    C Wagner likes this.
  12. C Wagner

    C Wagner Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    179
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    Location:
    Boston
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Bearings are little packs with metal balls and lubricant in them. They will certainly wear in a prius just like in other cars. I've had bearings go in cars at seemingly random intervals, even with no abuse, no sea salt in the air etc. 12v AGM batteries likewise have a lifetime, even if properly constantly lightly charged and maintained. Most older Prius owners are worried about or are getting to HV battery failure in the high 100Ks or low 200Ks, I'd bet. A car is a small metal home that is exposed to a huge amount of rolling, shaking, banging, torquing. Things wear out and are changed.

    What's great about the Gen 2 cars (that's what I took ownership of last November) is that everything is so well documented on PriusChat and other websites. A used engine, if your high mileage vehicle's oil consumption can't be solved on PChat) is as little as $1,000 installed -- the price I paid for the rear struts to be replaced. People warn you about most of the trouble areas. And the things your mechanic can't do, you can sometimes do with a bit of prep and work (the HV battery rebuilt, or sourcing).
     
  13. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2021
    307
    201
    8
    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    I agree...unless you're a good mechanic or an exceptional DIY'er, avoid Gen 1's and 2's. This is a generality, of course. Some Gen 1's and 2's are, still, out there and were well cared for and would be a good buy BUT, say, buying one off of Carmax without any history available? Not a smart move. I can't people actually buy a car on-line or via an app without actually looking at it and checking it out.
     
  14. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Those are the ones who buy a house unseen so the have a garage for their vehicle!
     
    C Wagner likes this.