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Advice Please (on best fit for me)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by markabele, Mar 9, 2013.

  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    This is cross listed from the newbie forum, but this area has so much more traffic than that forum. But anyway, I've actually owned a Prius for the last year but am now losing it for a reason I won't delve into here. It was a Gen3.

    So now I'm looking at getting something again from the Prius family. I'm open to a used or new Prius, but I'm guessing used might work better (see need 1). I will list my needs starting with the most important and will hopefully get a few opinions on what might work best for me.

    Needs:
    1. The cheaper the better
    2. Need it to haul stuff routinely (flat skinny things) up to 6 foot in length, sometimes a bit more.
    3. Would love to have automatic climate control
    4. Would love to have a smart key

    Again these are ranked so 3 and 4 obviously aren't as important as the top ones.

    Thanks for any and all opinions!

    And feel free to ask any questions.
     
    #1 markabele, Mar 9, 2013
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    A Gen 2 would seem to meet all those needs. It carries 8 foot lumber with the rear seats down, between the front seats. AC and SKS are very common in Gen 2. (you can get 1 ten foot 2 by 4 in, but it is awkward)

    If it was me I would get a 2006 or later, but there is not THAT much improvement over 2004-2005.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Mar 9, 2013
  3. ewxlt66

    ewxlt66 Active Member

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    Last November I had the exact needs.

    Dropped $10k on an 08 with 101k. Now I cart my surfboards with me to get waves every day and spend $500 less in fuel per month. (put on 7k since then)

    Cheap.
    Hauls stuff. (that's an 8'6 and a 6'8 in there FYI)
    A/C
    Smart Key

    CHECK
    [​IMG]
    Prius Surfboards by ewxlt, on Flickr
     
    #3 ewxlt66, Mar 9, 2013
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if money is a big issue, going to a gen II isn't much of a change, and a few things are better. my 08 pkg2 (now my daughters) has 3 door sks, auto climate and backup cam. with 45,000 miles, it is worth about 12k in these parts. solid car, no issues except recalls, and plenty of miles and years left on her.
     
    #4 bisco, Mar 9, 2013
  5. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    What is the cargo weight limit of a Gen II? A Gen III is around 850 if I'm not mistaken.
     
    #5 markabele, Mar 9, 2013
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    My recollection is that I got a sticker lowering mine to 815 lbs.
     
    #6 JimboPalmer, Mar 9, 2013
  7. Bob Hahn

    Bob Hahn Wingman08

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    You should consider Gen II. Make sure it had all maintainence services. Had recalls addressed. If it were me I'd buy one that was Toyota certified. A little more money but I think it is worth it.
     
    #7 Bob Hahn, Mar 9, 2013
  8. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Thanks for all the info guys. Just to clarify, you are all telling me the Gen2 basically has as big of cargo area as the Gen3?

    Also, what is the length between the where the hatchback closes and the back of the front seats with them in a fairly normal position? (gen2)

    Just curious, what year/mileage do you think I could get for around $6-7k?
     
    #8 markabele, Mar 20, 2013
  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    My MT-17 ladder is 56.5 inches tall compressed, this is with the front seat in a Gen 2 all the way back.

    [​IMG]
     
    #9 JimboPalmer, Mar 20, 2013
  10. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I definitely appreciate the visual. Very helpful!

    Think I could ship a heavy flat box that is about 70 x 14 x 8 ?
     
    #10 markabele, Mar 20, 2013
  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I know 2 by 6s when flat between the front seats, I am not sure an 8 inch box will. I no longer have the Gen 2.
     
    #11 JimboPalmer, Mar 20, 2013
  12. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Would it lay flat lengthwise if you push the passenger seat all the forward and lean it forward as far as it can go?
     
    #12 markabele, Mar 20, 2013
  13. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Mark, the GenII will haul the same as a GenII. In fact, because the GenII lacks the flying bridge, you can haul longer items like 8' fence posts if stacked between the front seats.

    Unfortunately, that price range puts you into a very used GenII. I'd be worried about expensive failures. Have you considered a used Corolla? They can get 32-38mpg pretty reliably and are cheaper to fix.
     
    #13 F8L, Mar 20, 2013
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