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2015-18 Pruis v or ICE and wait for gen 4 hybrid?

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by wannabe300K, Jun 6, 2024.

  1. wannabe300K

    wannabe300K Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2019
    1
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    Location:
    toronto
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    From what I gather the 2015-2018 Prius V ownership experience is mostly based on if EGR issues occur. And these issues occur around 100k miles. Is it better to get a well maintained, single owner 2015 Prius V with 120k miles (cash car). Or finance a 2018 with 50k mile, one owner that's double the price?

    The other option I'm considering is a temporary car (2015 Prius V or ICE) to use until hybrid sienna comes down in price. The ICE car I picked is a 2011 4 runner 173k miles. It's a 7 seater that's priced in the middle with great resale. All cars are certified and in above average condition. The 4 runner is the better car for resale, but the 2015 Pruis V could be keeper and has low running cost -provided nothing bad happens.

    My driving considerations:
    My dad recently stopped driving. I mainly do city driving and it's not unusual for my car to sit for a week. But we do a lot of road trips. When full there will be 5 people, 2 dogs and 1 walker in the car. This would be max capacity for the Prius V. I had a 2005 Prius that I drove it until 360k when someone stole the cat off it. If the interior of the Pruis V is anything like the 2005 my kids/ dogs will ruin the car even with car seat covers. My current car gets about the same efficiency as the 4 runner. I need to get another car by July.

    No highlander hybrid/ ICE no ICE mini vans, no Rav 4. These cars have been eliminated due to size, reliability and or price point.

    Sorry for the long post, any feedback would be appreciated.
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,900
    4,671
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I would buy a low cost standard Corolla or Camry if all you are doing is waiting for a new Sienna. Certainly not an expensive to fix 4Runner. The Prius v is still a gen3 engine even though it has better pistons and rings than the 2010-14 gen3s.

    Egr issues are exactly the same as earlier models on all Prius v’s. Regardless of the rhetoric around here from a few, gen3 issues are wider and deeper.

    Gen4s have significant design changes in their internal cooling passages, a special cylinder insulator and different routing of external coolant hoses to the heater, exhaust heat recovery, egr cooler (dramatically redesigned) and egr valve (now with cooling). Plus an automated cooling selector valve for those accessories.

    The 2015 v will soon need a hybrid battery as well. The brake booster could fail. Gen3 is very likely to cost you reliability and money to the point you may not trust it for long trips.