Buying a used 150k mile Gen3 Prius in 2026

I had a gen1 HCH. Didn't care for the CVT, much improved on the gen2. Got the traction battery replaced around 70K miles under warranty, sold it and switched to Toyota.
Honda knows how to make engines, but their HCH was a fiasco. They finally got it dialed in, moving the electric motor out of the torque converter position and into the transmission like Toyota. IMHO...

 

Do you know if they used Toyota patents for MG1/2 or they have their own separate tech?

 

I have a 2002 1zz Corolla w 535zk miles in great shape I'm are doing engine now rings rods mains etc new head . Original transmission and alternator still working perfect.. 3 row desert cooler aluminum radiator . All this stuff is from 2002 and I'm near perfect shape a lil dirty .

 

Matrix kinda lotta gas do not know why maybe body style ..and the big engine XR thingy oh my lotta gas.

 

The 2nd gen Prius will not be as refined as a 3rd Gen. But they both have their expensive brake actuator and hv battery issues. But the good thing is the 2nd gen is so old, you can find cars with both those items replaced (new toyota part only).

on the 2nd gen you'll be faced with burning oil, bad combination meter, inverter pump failures, water leaks, etc

I have both generations and the 3rd gen is miles better with the 1.8L engine vs the 2nd gen 1.5L. Also you'll have a tough time finding a good 2nd Gen, the good ones are not being sold, they go on the market when they start to developing issues.

 

don't rule out the Pontiac Vibe if your considering a matrix - they're usually $1K+ cheaper, rolling off the same assembly line. They did that with the Corolla and Geo too.
Yes, it will burn more gas when compared to a Prius, but those old CIVIC HX was doing 40+ mpg with a stick shift and hand crank windows in the late 80's early 90's. They had more Getty-up than a gen1 Prius. IMHO

 

At least one Matrix/Vibe generation is a veritable cargo van: with the backseat backs flipped down you’ve got a totally flat, easy-sliding, durable plastic deck.

 

At that low annual mileage; I would stick to a gasser.
IMHO; the worst thing you can do to a Prius is idle it somewhere - the batteries needs to be exercised. The ICE need a long run 60 miles at least once a month to keep fuel and H2O contamination out of your oil - It gets burned out on a long run (evaporates).

 

Sound.

But, if you can get a plug-in (*35) that the owner actually charged ~daily, that engine run time might be much much lower.

Clean engine with excessive oil changes on any old Prius bought now.

Life’s a gamble. G4 is not a good visual design in my mind. But will likely try one soon….

 

I feel the same way about G4 design, though it's slightly growing on me these days. To me, gen 2 and 3 have the best visual design, especially gen 3. Gen 5 may look futuristic, but it gives up too much space and utility in order to achieve that streamlined look. A Prius will never be a sports car, so why bother making it look like one?

 

Agreed, this design was far out 2015, but now cars look like… that.

(I find it funny Tesla model 3 looks very much like G3 chassi. Maybe just me…)

 

I looked at the largest Toyota dealer in Colorado for used and they only have 3 Toyota's for around $8K....2008 Camry, 2008 Corolla, and 2013 Prius V2.....if it were me, I'd go with the Camry.

 

Because I like challenges, If I were me, I would go for that G3. (V2 - I assume are piston ring upgraded?).

 

Not sure what @ColoradoBoo means, maybe a “Prius v” (North American name for the roomier Gen 3 modification that debuted for model year 2012). A 2013 will have the “low-tension” piston rings, the ones prone to oil consumption.

 

Yep, not sure why it's listed as a Prius V 2.....doesn't look too bad but those Gen 3 EGR issues are scary to me.

Used 2013 Toyota Prius v For Sale at AutoNation Toyota Arapahoe | VIN: JTDZN3EU1D3286371

 

Those EGR issues are fairly banal - compared to many others issues with many other cars in my mind. It’s the lacquered head gasket seal that is the main issue with G3.

 

There were trims 2, 3 and 5 on the v wagon. v5 had all the advanced tech while 2 and 3 were almost the same except the mfd features on v3 had voice commands.

5710 instead of v3s 57011

Any 2013 will have low tension rings with significant oil burning and resulting carbon buildup issues unless low mile oil changes occurred from day one. Brake booster and hybrid battery replacements are also very likely in short order for a used car buyer.