Hi All, I have had a 3rd gen Prius since 2011. In 2023 I spent 7K on new battery, head gasket and tires at 234K because I knew it would take me beyond 300k. Welp, Hurricane Helene had other plans. It's been 3 years, and I've had one lousy used car after another. I miss my Prius, but don't want the later gens as I like the feel, space and cargo of the 3 gen. I found a 2017 Prius V with 63,000. Garage kept, meticulous records and showroom condition. What should I expect mileage wise.? Am I safe from the dreaded 3 gen issues with a 2017? It's priced kinda high ($18,900), but it's a one owner, retired driver, who kept it pristine and no longer can drive. What say yee?? Thank you!
No, the same issues except the 2017 has the better piston rings, so there should be no issue with oil consumption.
What do you mean by "No". I was under the impression the head gasket/EGR issue (and maybe water pump) were fixed in the 2015 Prius. Can you clarify if you mean these issues are still a concern with the 2017 V. And if so, would I expect it closer to th 150K mark, or possibly earlier because it's already 9 years old. thanks!
No, you are not safe. The only thing that changed midway through the 2014 model year was that Toyota switched from the low friction piston ring to standard piston rings. The engine design, EGR design, water pump are all the same for the Gen 3 hatchback and the Prius V wagon. So the Prius V has the same issues.
If YOU are planning to do all of the maintenance and repair then it's only a hideously EXPENSIVE 10-year-old car that you can expect to get another 150,000 miles out of if you do "all the things." After all....we're talking about the station wagon which was probably adult driven. What kind of records? Even if it's "dealer maintained" (i.e. grossly neglected) you can do some corrective maintenance yourself and if the car wasn't 2x market price for a state where normies live, you can AVOID most of the pitfalls that G3 owners experience by having their cars "dealer maintained". THINGS like EGR maintenance, maybe an oil catch can, BRAKE FLUID replacements, transaxle and coolant changes, intake cleaning, oil changes at a NORMAL interval instead of every 10k, etc....etc. Toyota expects their owners (victims) to maintain a 'closed hood' maintenance philosophy - and their "lifetime fluids" (coolant, brake, transaxle) are ABSOLUTELY good for the lifetime of the car. Just remember......THEIR idea of "lifetime" is about 15y and 225,000 miles - which is why they do not have an extended warranty much beyond the industry standard of...what? 8 years and125,000 miles? Otherwise? Ashville is kinda 'trendy' and NC is filling up with "halfbacks" but you're STILL on free soil. You HAVE better options. ESPECIALLY for $19K!! MHO..... Good Luck!
I will not be doing any of my own maintainence, and I never go to the dealer. I find the local mechanic cheaper and better. This car was definitely elderly driven, and regularly serviced. I will have a look at all the records when I fly down there. The cars in Asheville are insanely expensive and really crappy. Most everything around here that is affordable was flooded out in Hurricane Helene. I don't trust any of the used car dealers. We are still very much a waste land on the outskirts. What can I get for 19K that is as solid as a Prius, has the cargo space and MPGs and is a hatchback? I don't like Camry or Corolla and Civics are too small. I also like camping in the Prius, so having climate control is nice! Open to suggestions.
