Is Gen2 Prius still a reliable purchase in 2026?

For a mission like that, I'd be looking at a 2012+ Corolla or Elantra. I wish you luck, it's tough out there.

 

FYI nothing is risk free. New cars are even worse. Tranny's are becoming throw away. I've watched a lot of youtubes and newer cars are money pits.

I bought my 2007 two years ago ($2500) with 135,000 miles and the only thing I had to do was repair the combo meter. Daughter's 2007 has 320,000 miles on it and has only needed a handful of simple repairs over the 120,000 miles she's owned it. The last repair on it was a water pump after I drove it for a while and noticed no heat when winter started. It was low on coolant. She said oh ya it's been like that for a couple years. The damn thing has been running just fine "for a couple years" with coolant at the level it will be when you have a failed water pump.

I'd buy another one if I needed it.