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2nd or 3rd gen for delivery car

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by horn12007, Jan 15, 2021.

  1. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    Currently in the food delivery industry and might be looking at an older prius to replace my insight. I drive about 120 miles if I work a full day and the individual trips are about 4 miles.

    1. In terms of ride (suspension), do the 2nd and 3rd gens ride the same? If not, which one is smoother over bumps?

    2. Are the seats much different?

    3. Which gen/years would be the most fuel efficient for more of the short trips?

    I'm looking at a few. Probably won't buy for a while. Appreciate any info.
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    1. Well both of them have MacPhersons struts up front and a torsion beam out back so neither will ride that well. They have long wheelbases for their length but they can get a bit unsettled over rougher roads (gravel or washboard). The Gen 3 is a touch heavier and I guess suspensions on Gen 3s will be less worn than Gen 2s.

    2. Yes. The Gen 2 front seats are narrow and most are cloth/fabric covered (except 2006-2009 models where leather was available but no heated seats). The Gen 3 seats are wider and a touch taller for the seatback. Available in cloth, leather (2010-2011) or SofTex synthetic leather (2012-2015). It was also available with more adjustments - manual height at the very least for 2010-2011 and optional power height/power tilt seat bottom (along with power slide and recline) on higher trims for 2012-2015. Power lumbar support was optional on all years. The steering wheel also adjusts for reach (telescoping) for Gen 3.

    3. Well, I'd imagine the Gen 3 since it has all the improvements (exhaust heat recirculation system for quicker engine warm up) and also the car doesn't require to come to a complete stop before the engine shuts off after the warm-up cycle is complete for the Gen 3. (The Gen 2 annoyingly requires a full stop for a couple of seconds so that the engine can shut off and then you'll be in regular hybrid mode with the engine cycling on and off as needed). I second @JimboPalmer's response in your other thread - if you're going with Gen 2, go with 2008-2009. If you're going with Gen 3, skip 2010-2011 years. Gen 2s are pretty damn reliable (plenty of taxis were Gen 2s and I still see the occasional one) but they are getting up their in age. The Gen 3s had better mpg from the improvements in hybrid and engine technology but the first two years had problematic head gasket issues.


    Either one won't get you good mileage if you're constantly starting and stopping but I suppose it's still better than a regular gas car - just don't expect 50 or 60mpg. Short trips kill mileage in any car (but it's more noticeable in full hybrids where their main advantage is for the engine to shut off and drive short EV distances). I suppose if the engine is warm between your house and the first restaurant you stop, it could help (if the outside temperature isn't so cold that the engine cools down between deliveries).


    Weirdly enough, a PHEV or EREV might be better - use hybrid mode for longer trips (e.g. home to restaurant or anything during the day where you're on the highway) and save the EV charge for the short delivery runs and I guess if the charge runs out, no biggie, you can still run in hybrid mode. (I'm thinking Chevrolet Volt actually. I don't think a PiP would be a good one for your case unless it ends up being cheaper than a Gen 3 of similar vintage. It does have a shorter recharge time and you can use the battery to run the A/C in the summer while waiting more than using it for EV driving. But hey, it could help with mpg because of the larger battery but I'd get one only if it was cheaper than the equivalent Gen 3.
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Wait a sec...:cautious:
     
  4. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    Thanks tideland. Idk what you mean by my other post. I haven't posted here in years iirc. (Edit: I see what you are talking about now)

    PHEV and EREV are pretty much out of the equation for me. Live in apartment currently and I don't live in an area where there is charging that's convenient. I did think about the volt, but that may be for another time.

    Thanks for the info on the Gen 2s and 3s. I was looking at a 2010. Good to know about the head gasket problem. I work on all my cars so I don't mind replacing head gasket, but I honestly don't know how hard these cars are to work on.

    In terms of the transmissions, these are pretty stout...correct?
     
    #4 horn12007, Jan 15, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2021
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I think the 2009 Prius was as close to perfect as the iterations ever got... But as you probably know, hybrid cars are only affordable repair-wise if you or a friend have DIYskills and know how to use this website to learn how to fix problems because the repair costs from a dealerships or a shop that charges at a high hourly rate will be too expensive to keep the car going.

    Also curious to know what year Honda Insight you have? My friends and I love working on the Gen1 insights. An amazing antique hybrid that will never rust!
     
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  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If money is an issue, stay away from 2010-2014 Prii that have head gasket and other major maintenance issues. If you can find a GREAT low mile 2008-2009 Prius that already had a new hv battery installed, go for it. Otherwise change gears (literally) in a nice Civic or Corolla. You will thank me later.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The only diff for 2015 model year is the pistons and rings, making it (hopefully) less prone to oil consumption. And the oil consumption issues may due as much as anything to the10k mile oil change interval. I don’t see 2015 being exempt from Exhaust Gas Recirculation clogging and head gasket failure. Or brake actuator failure, inverter failure, and so on.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    :LOL:

    That said, I had no engine issues with my Gen 3 at 161,000km (100,600 miles).
     
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  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    If you're pretty handy, then this thread is for you

    Nutz About Bolts Prius Maintenance Videos | PriusChat


    Yes, the "Power Split Device" (PSD) or in layman brochures "eCVT" is robust. Some have done oil analysis and recommend a regular fluid change even though it's not part of Toyota's maintenance schedule but other than that, I don't recall it coming up as potential issues.
     
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  11. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    I have a 2001!!!! Yeah, they are awesome for what they are, but they aren't comfortable getting in and out of several times a day. Sure do love that lean burn. I'm on the opposite side of the country though.
     
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  12. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    My big problem is that the years I'm looking at, there are no corolla/civic hatchbacks (I think). DIdn't think corolla had a hybrid. A regular 4 door non hybrid doesn't really do too much for me.
     
  13. ETC(SS)

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

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    Budget?

    I'd look for a G1 Pip, or Plug-In-Prius....which is basically a G3 with a bigger battery and a smaller gas tank.
    I don't remember the model years but I'm thinking 2012-2015.

    They're up-opptioned, mostly adult driven, and with the @NutzAboutBolts mentioned above you can keep it on the road for WELL past 200,000 miles.
    AND....they will be more fuel efficient than a G2 or G3 if you make any passing attempt to charge them, and their larger battery will make for a bigger 'spit can' to put some amps into while you're learning the finer points of hypermiling.

    The videos mentioned above will be critical if you get ANY used Prius.

    Good Luck!
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    except save you money/headaches. but hey, reliability/ease of repair isn't everything
     
  15. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    In terms of the 2010/2011. Once you change the head gasket, everything else is good? I've changed quite a few head gaskets in my day so I'm not scared to do it. Obviously if someone ran it a while with a bad head gasket, that's a different story.

    Seems like the 2008/2009 is the way to go for me. Everything that I've been interested ran from 2005-2011.

    Thanks everyone.
     
  16. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    What is this in regards to?
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    corolla v prius

    but if you can do your own headgasket/engine/brake actuator/hybrid battery, you'll be fine
     
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  18. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    I'm only going to spend somewhere around $2000. So anything newer is out of the question. G1 PIP? Im not big into the G1s due to being a sedan. I do a good bit of mechanic work on the side and the hatchback is pretty useful for me.

    EDIT - Just googled and realized you were talking about PIP prius from the early teens. Not the original first gens. I have lots to learn on the prius
     
    #18 horn12007, Jan 15, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2021
  19. horn12007

    horn12007 Junior Member

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    Yeah, I think I'll be fine on the mechanic work. If not, I'd just go with a d15 honda or older geo!
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Do clean the Exhaust Gas Recirculation while everything’s open, and intake manifold (which has Exhaust Gas Recirculation passages, in particular the small ones at each port). If left as-is you’ll likely have another head gasket failure, 10~20k miles.

    Exhaust Gas Recirculation cleaning info:

    Bad Flywheel | PriusChat
     
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