After posting in the Gen3 section, I think I've decided to spend a bit more and get a Gen4 instead.... only to discover the whole heat exchange issue. From what I've read, it seems like it happens mostly with 2017s -- and surprise surprise, I'm seeing more 2017s listed for sale than any other year. So I have a few questions that will hopefully help me to narrow down my search: Does the 2016 also have this problem or was it just a 2017 quirk? What about 2018s? Are there any other known issues with specific years of Gen4s that I should be aware of? I know the 2022 is well regarded but they're also very expensive -- more than double the earlier years. I'm trying to stay in the $10k-$12k range. Somewhat unrelated: I'm also seeing a lot of cars with salvage titles, and claims from the seller that it was just the door, just the trunk etc. and is now repaired and like new. Is there any way to verify this? Or is it basically just never a good idea to buy salvage title car?
Both 2016-2017 had issues that seem to clear up on the 2018 model year. The good news is that it's covered by your states emission warranty, if it didn't exceed those parameters. Re: Salvage titles; Do you think an insurance company would cut their customer a $20K check; instead of replacing a door, trunk, hood, ect.???? All you need to know is that the repair cost exceeded the blue book value of the car - therefore junked. Someone could've made one good car from two junk cars; but how safe is it to operate and did they fool or bypassed any safety sensors and replaced all the air bags? It's your money. I know some people don't care, if they get hit and the safety devices don't work. They also claim that it's safer to get thrown from a car, so they don't wear seat belts either. Darwin will eventually take care of that.
The 3rd generation cars had a similar heat exchanger. It doesn't seem to have leaked as much as the one in 4th generation cars. Most of that hassle is just checking the coolant levels to make sure you still have enough. Many Prius owners like living in the belief-bubble that zero maintenance is required, so they never checked, and then something expensive happened. Again, used cars are expensive lately and good used cars are very expensive. Salvage title cars are best enjoyed by the mechanically inclined. I don't like admitting it/thinking about it but $10k just doesn't buy a very nice car these days. Expect drama.
Okay, I'll rule out salvage titles. That was my instinct but just thought I'd check. There's a 2017 Prius 4 with a clean title and 152k miles on it for $10,800 (negotiable) on Facebook marketplace. I ran the VIN through a few free sites (including Toyota's) and it came up okay, no salvage etc. Seems like a pretty good deal -- near the lower end of private sale on KBB. Thinking of going to test it tomorrow. Anything specific I should look for? And will a paid VIN check get me much more info than Toyota and the other free sites? I'm wary of FB marketplace, but dealers are so expensive. The local Toyota dealer has a 2012 for $15k, and a 2017 Prime for $23k (though very low milage). There are a couple of others at similar prices, with somewhat higher mileage. I guess one good thing about being in the SF Bay Area is that a lot of people have Prii.
Watch the odometer, make sure it moves. People roll-back a high mileage cars and that usually breaks the odometer, won't move. Better yet take a picture of it before the test drive, then compare it after. Report them, if that's the case. That has happened to a few people here and it was here in Ca. If your not that familiar with cars, Pay a certified mechanic for an inspection. Losing $100 is better than being out 10K for a problem child. Good Luck...
if the coolant leaked out, it overheated, and blew the head gasket, how will you determine whether or not the seller put stop leak in to disguise it?
It is difficult to tell if that stuff has been used without destroying the radiator in the process, even for a pro. All I can say is look for the sucker when you're considering these candidate cars. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
