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looking at a 2021 prius eco

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by MikeV, Aug 13, 2023.

  1. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    i am looking at a 2021 to possibly buy. my concerns are reading that gen 4 continued to have the head gasket issues. thought that was corrected. in any case inventories are low and prices are high so i cant be super picky. what are the main concerns with this year\model and what generally for gen 4 as far as main issues to be concerned with. the dealer wants alot of $$$ so I dont want to make a big mistake. love to get a 2023 but no one has them and when the pop up they are $$$$$ also I understand the rear cargo area has shrunk alot and i plant to car camp
     
    #1 MikeV, Aug 13, 2023
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  2. redswissprius

    redswissprius New Member

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    The gen4 does not have the head gasket issue from gen3. However, it can develop a leak in the heat exchanger (EHR system) and while driving with low/no coolant, the motor may overheat and the head gasket (among other parts) may be damaged.
     
    #2 redswissprius, Aug 13, 2023
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    head gasket issue is just in the beginning stages.

    all we know is that there are a number of g4's with a leaky exhaust heat exchanger, that can cause coolant loss, overheating and blown head gasket.

    there have been a number of them here, but i would say most atren't having any trouble.

    other than that and a bunch of small issue,gen 4 has been pretty bullet proof.
    there is a tsb on the heat exchanger. if it has already been done, and the car runs great, you should be fine.
    if it has never been done, you might want to keep a close eye on the coolant, and have the exchanger inspected.
    idk exactly where the weak point is.
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 13, 2023
  4. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    i looked at a 2021 l eco under 30k mileage sm front fender repair cant tell. will look close at carfax when he sends it. hes asking 26. it does have extended warranty til 28. its more than msrp was new minus dealer fees etc...but close. I wanted something with more features but it drove fine and research says the eco has the better fuel economy so i can live with less bells. Anyone think thats a fair price in this market. seems. I see a ton of gen 3s that dealers and some pvt are asking 12-19k for and early gen 4's around 18-24 depending on miles
     
    #4 MikeV, Aug 13, 2023
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2023
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't buy a gen 3. can you expand your search for gen 5? some places sell at msrp.

    howdesperate are you, prices on cars are supposed to drop soon. i notice ev's are finally building up on lots so i ordered a bolt.
    looking for hybrid camry for mrs b, if we can accept colors and packages, there are a few floating around at msrp.
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 13, 2023
  6. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    i already agreed to buy it at 23 and my current prius i had the erg cleaned out so the p301 is gone but the 401 came back. in my area dealers dont have any priuses except occassional gen 3 for $$$ and locals are selling mamy gen 3's with 160K+ anywhere from 4500 to 13K. i looked at the gen5 that came into toyota dealership was already sold but salesman just let me look inside etc. its now a sports car. the large trunk space it pretty much shrunken down. looks nice but with the 17" tires etc it more of a sport car now
     
    #6 MikeV, Aug 17, 2023
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree on the gen 5
     
    #7 bisco, Aug 17, 2023
  8. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    im sure ill start seeing them left and right afterwards thats usually how it goes for me. A very few 21 or 22 show up with in 75 miles and they are listed in the 24-28k range with avg of 50-75k miles. i was told the 22 will be the rarest because of the aftermath of covid and production was shut down early to start on the 23. i did see the 21 has a anti cat theft from the factory which was a surprise
     
    #8 MikeV, Aug 17, 2023
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  9. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    is just keeping an eye on coolant level enough. will any engine lights appear before its too late?
     
    #9 MikeV, Aug 26, 2023
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Word on the street says that air gets into the line and the coolant temperature doesn’t rise enough to be detected by the sensor, then the head gasket blows.
     
    #10 bisco, Aug 26, 2023
  11. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    is it a certain gen 4 year or does it affect all of them
     
    #11 MikeV, Aug 26, 2023
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    The early ones for sure. I think I read they made a change in production, but idk the year.
     
    #12 bisco, Aug 26, 2023
  13. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    i know my 2021 has an inline radiator cap now. dont know if the early gen 4's did or if that is the fix
     
    #13 MikeV, Aug 26, 2023
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    The fix was a change in the heat exchanger design to prevent the leak.
    21’s are probably okay, have you read through all the threads?
     
    #14 bisco, Aug 26, 2023
  15. MikeV

    MikeV Junior Member

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    not thoroughly yet. when was the radiator caps added. thought i saw a 19 and it didnt have one
     
    #15 MikeV, Aug 26, 2023
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I don’t know anything about that, don’t recall reading about it, but I could have missed it.

    you might find it on “new car features “ at “Toyota.com/owners”
    Or “tech info. Toyota “
     
    #16 bisco, Aug 26, 2023
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