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What is your best Guess of how long a Prius Gen III will last?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by JMD, Feb 19, 2013.

?
  1. 100,000 - 150,000 Miles

    5.1%
  2. 150,000 - 200,000

    35.7%
  3. 250,000 - 300,000

    24.5%
  4. 300,000 +

    34.7%
  1. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
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    Yep, 'Dude' is FOS.

    In 2004 when I bought my Prius, Toyota said the battery is expected to last the life of the car, and that Prius is expected to last as long as other Toyota cars. I have always taken that to mean that the traction battery will have repair rates similar to other major car components like transmissions or engines.

    So far, Toyota has been remarkably on target. Since I do not consider 300k miles an unusual life for a Corolla or a Camry, I am not surprised that Prius achieves the same. Not all of these cars will reach 300k miles of course, and upkeep matters. Severe weather or mountain use will also affect car life, but then that is true for any car. I own both G2 and G3 Prius and drive both of them in the lower Rockies. Traction battery dips into the 'purple' range are fairly common in the G2, and pretty much non-existent in the G3. So while shelf longevity of the battery may be same, Toyota has taken advantage of the larger ICE in the G3 series to spoil the battery even more.

    'Dude': Try to get the battery chemistry right; it will add at least a veneer of legitimacy to your opinions.
     
  2. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    That is such an awful analogy, I'm sorry. You cannot view cars in the same manner that you view the stock market. I suppose if you bought a hybrid and kept it until just before the battery was likely to fail, you would come out ahead.
     
  3. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    The inverter fail rate is so low that a very inexpensive secondary market for lightly used inverters is readily available. They are also reasonably easy to install. Ebay auctions range for the most part from $300 - $500

    I consider the transaxle the only part that would lead me to junk the car if it fails, and even that is only true because I do not live in an area with excellent independent hybrid garages. That possibility does not keep me awake at night since I think my two thumbs pretty much cover all the failures so far in the G2 series outside of taxi use.
     
  4. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Funny you say the but I sold my last car with the thought that if I sold It now I can net 15K in cash however if I waited 2 years I would net 10 K and bear the cost of the tune up, tire replacement and brake replacement cost.

    Maybe I had a little market timer in me...
     
  5. Shane Scammell

    Shane Scammell New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
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    My Generation 3 prius is now at 289,000 miles and It finally had its first mechanical issue.. bad water pump for the engines cooling system... I replaced the pump and thermostat... now it's running like new again! So I know I'll make it past 300,000 miles with no problems
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  6. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Two

    Have you ever done any of the EGR cleaning, oil catch can installation that is so highly recommended here?
     
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  7. abdullah arslan

    Joined:
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    2010 Prius @ 255k with original traction battery, my goal is 500k. This summer moved to house with a garage so garage kept during the cold season.
    Changed: rear rotors, all brake pads, trans-axle fluid, coolant, 12V battery. And installed OCC, cleaned intake.
    will clean EGR system after the winter and replacing spark plugs and coils
     
  8. Rickt86

    Rickt86 Junior Member

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    Jinxed yourself, some idiot will rear end you at 299,900
     
  9. Paladain55

    Paladain55 Active Member

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    Judging by the amount EGR and head gasket failures and random shaking the large majority of cars owned by non enthusiast/ non car people will go to around 200k and give up.
    Some of us on here maybe a handful of percents will go further. I would say for some of us we might expect up to 300k if you keep ahead of egr and oil ring problems.
    They really kind of are high-maintenance cars compared to the toyotas from the 90s that ran forever and loved bdsm and getting beat and abused by their owners.