1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Maintenance costs

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Considering, Jun 1, 2005.

  1. Considering

    Considering Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    2
    0
    0
    I'm considering buying a Prius, but because of the new technology, I was wondering if it costs appreciably more to maintain than a non-hybrid car. What has been your experience with this?
     
    #1 Considering, Jun 1, 2005
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,192
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Same or less than any other car. every 5k mile oil changes, usual tire/wheel rotation, usual parts inspections. One coolant exchange every 50k miles. Regular oil and air filter changes. No special costs at all.
     
    #2 efusco, Jun 1, 2005
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,930
    16,147
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Is it 50k miles? I thought 100k. Under my hood, there's a sticker that says 160,000 km for the first coolant change (Toyota Super Long Life Coolant). It's next to (or on) the sticker that shows a diagram of the cooling system.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Jun 2, 2005
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
    4,096
    81
    13
    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    [font=Comic Sans MS:e1746784c3]I think the engine/drive train costs should be the same or lower than most cars. Toyotas have excellent quality, as a rule, and don't fall apart much.

    On the other hand, you may wind up paying a lot more for car washing and waxing supplies since you'll fall in love with your car and want to keep it looking perfect.[/font:e1746784c3]
     
    #4 Bill Merchant, Jun 2, 2005
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,192
    9
    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    maybe it is 100k...heck, I'm not even thinking about it yet....in any case, it's a long time and certainly not a major maintenance cost concern.
     
    #5 efusco, Jun 2, 2005
  6. Dan Gross

    Dan Gross New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2005
    38
    1
    0
    Location:
    Western New York
    Many cars have the new Anti-Freeze that pushes flush and fills out to 100K miles...sounds like the Prius is the same.

    Also:
    Brakes will tend to last longer, thanks to regenerative braking. (I thought I read someone here say 100K miles???)
    Isn't the first "tune up" @ 150K miles, thanks in part to the iridium spark plugs? (I know platinum is 100K...).

    Like efusco, all that stuff is way too far out for me to know by heart.
     
    #6 Dan Gross, Jun 3, 2005
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
    4,096
    81
    13
    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    [font=Comic Sans MS:1d44ad1384]And while not exactly "maintenance costs", you will be spending a little on mods, like getting better/quieter tires, mud flaps, maybe brighter back-up lightbulbs, how about clear paint-protector film... in addition to all that washing and waxing I mentioned earlier.

    I suppose it's possible for someone to treat their Prius as simply a means of getting from point A to point B, albeit very economically, I haven't met or chatted with a Prius owner yet who doesn't LOVE their car.[/font:1d44ad1384]
     
    #7 Bill Merchant, Jun 3, 2005
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,930
    16,147
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey Bill, you've made a good point haha. Next time someone asks if there's extra cost associated with the Prius, I'll tell them "Yeah! The extra cost of soap and chamois" hehe
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Jun 3, 2005
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)