Is Buying a Gen 2 Still a Viable Option?

Having multiple computers keeps individual modules small enough to fit near their sensors reducing wiring. Some are built into their function like the skid ecu, combination meter and door switch ecus. It also means one ecu failure is easier to isolate and may not take down the whole car.

It is possible to make ecus reliable and able to handle gross errors like reverse polarity mistakes. The vast majority of the time Toyota ecus are not the problem. Sometimes their logic needs updating especially the engine ecm.

 

I bought a 2007 about a year and a half ago for $2500 with 135,000 miles on it (combo meter wasn't working) and it still runs like a champ.

I bought it because my daughter has a 2007 with 322,000 miles on it that still runs like a champ.

 

I bought a 2007 in April of this year for $1000 with 196,000 miles on it that had sat for 2 years with a bad battery, a dead 12V, a bad cat, all bad brakes and a break in the exhaust between the muffler joint and the muffler. I touched it a few ways (new battery, exhaust, brakes, oil, used Michelin Defenders and a three-day 15V overcharge on the 12V), then drove it 2400 miles without thinking.

It's a Gen2 Prius. It'll be *fine*.

Fucked up part, it didn't even throw any codes after being asked to drive 2400 miles in three days.