Inspection of 2012

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mjschwar, Oct 5, 2025 at 2:43 PM.

  1. mjschwar

    mjschwar Junior Member

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    75K. Asking $9K. Original owner says he's never had any problems, but wants to buy an EV. My daughter is considering this car in Madison, WI. What should inspection include.
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Low mileage isn't usually a requirement for Toyotas, but with a Gen3 like this one, it's essential. It's hard to find one of these with such low mileage too! And because your daughter is in Madison, you're gonna want to call this guy right away and make friends: http://www.evpowers.com He's one of the best in business and almost always answers his phone on the first ring!
     
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Yeah you're going to need maximum support or the person with this car is if they can't do anything with it themselves they are going to need maximum support when time comes . Or their financially solving enough they can just walk away from it and do something else.
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    This is not a Toyota I would be hedging any bets on . Driving these cars for 47 years I mean Toyotas this would not be the one I would hedge any bets on at all. If this is for a child that's far away I wouldbeblooking Corolla . At least with that you probably will not be getting any calls
     
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    I used to be that way... But as Gen2 Prius become more and more rare I don't really have a choice to start wrenching Gen3 for people. I'm already lining up a couple engine swaps for Winter and Spring and am inevitably going to acquire more than one Gen3 in my life. So I'm all in on people who have them, especially when it comes to giving them essential info so they can be smart about when to sell versus when to keep.
     
  6. mjschwar

    mjschwar Junior Member

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    Thanks! EV Powers is longish walking distance for my daughter. I'm just hitting 200K on my 2006 and got about the same on my 2004. Are the Gen3s more problematic than the Gen2s? EGR? Head gasket? I was thinking mostly about the hybrid battery. I managed to get Toyota corporate to replace batteries on both of my Gen 2s, even though they were each just (barely) out of CA warranty. Living at the top of a hill (Altadena, CA), where the car always sits discharged, is probably especially hard on batteries. Someone on Prius chat suggested that I try asking Toyota corporate for mercy. Found a phone number. Talked to a nice lady. Paid $300 labor. This worked twice. I don't expect to swing this deal a third time.
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    It's all right here and pages and pages of text people at wits end on their 9 to 14K reliable Toyoda that needs to 5K engine swaps etc . I had one go to 400K but costly doing it . My rolla and Yaris not soo much
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gen 3 weaknesses

    1) head gasket $2,500. - $10,000.

    2) brake actuator $2,500. - $4,000.

    3) battery $3,000. - $5,000.

    4) do you know the seller? there are a lot of scammers out there, rolling back odometers, putting stop leak in the engine, putting in reconditioned batteries, the list is endless.

    does she have to have a hybrid? it's not going to save her money
     
  9. abdullah arslan

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    Most parts should still be original. Other than regular inspection points like oil burning, leaking, tires etc, cold start it, drive at least 20 min including highway speed to have it really warmed up. When you back, dont shut down and do the traction baterry life expectancy test using Dr Prius app

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.