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Should I get a Prius?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Sloher, Mar 13, 2021.

  1. Sloher

    Sloher New Member

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    My current commuter is a 2015 Subaru Forester 6 speed. It has been great for 220k miles. Very little issues but I was hoping to have gotten 300k out of it since it is mostly highway miles. This was my first foreign vehicle and by far the most reliable. It now has 70 psi compression on cylinder 1 and the shop says that I need a new motor. So my options are get a used motor, short block, or something else. I drive 160- 220 miles each day for work. So I average about 1k miles weekly. It does snow in PA but not that many days per year. I am leaning towards getting a Toyota Prius and maybe a used truck or Subaru for snow only. I love the Forester in a manual transmission but not the CVT auto. This means I would be spending 17-18k for a used 2015-17 manual.


    A Prius or Camry is tempting as they can be had for close to 10-12k and get better fuel mileage. Are there any year motors to avoid? How often do you change the battery? Do you have to plug them in? I would really like a 2008 but am worried that I should go newer for crash safety reasons. These vehicles seem to be even more reliable than a Subaru and last even longer. Is AWD worth it in these? Or would I be better served at getting a regular truck with a posi rear and actual ground clearance for the few times I would even need it yearly?


    I am also very tempted by the Rav4. They seem to be very reasonably priced. My friend said that his AWD Rav4 isn't as good as the Subaru system in deep snow. If this is not true, I would likely jump at the Rav 4. But if it is, I would rather have a Camry/ Prius and a snow only vehicle like a 90's F150. Thank you!
     
    #1 Sloher, Mar 13, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2021
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    For the Prius, perhaps avoid 2010-2011 models unless you're handy.

    Like any car, the later into the generation, the better the vehicle. The Gen 2s (2004-2009) are generally regarded as the best built as they arrived when Toyota had to prove that hybrids were efficient and reliable (there are many taxi cabs that were using Gen 2s).

    The battery isn't changed often. Most high mileage (200,000+ miles) may have, at most, changed their hybrid battery once.

    Unless you buy a Prius Plug-In (2012-2015) or a Prius Prime (2017+), you do not need to plug any of them in.

    Yes, generally the newer the car, the better the crash safety (just more modern and improvements. That goes for almost any car).

    The Prius only arrived with AWD-e for the 2020 model year so they won't be in the $10-$12k range just yet.

    Subaru's AWD system is generally regarded as one of the top in the industry (along with Quattro from Audi) so it's hard to beat. I rarely drive in deep snow (mostly compact snow) so I'll let someone else chime in (better if the member actually has a RAV4 gasser or RAV4 Hybrid).
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Mar 13, 2021
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    doesn't sound like a prius is the right car for you. camry is a good one though
     
    #3 bisco, Mar 13, 2021
  4. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    I'd maybe get a hybrid Rav4 if I were you and just have the one car.
     
    #4 Husker4theSpurs, Mar 17, 2021
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