Are older Prius okay to buy?

Have you posted your question in the Generation 3 forums? I would imagine you'll get the best advice possible.

 

Hi.

Good research. . Follow that.

I own a Gen 3. I can't recommended this car to anyone unless it's a 2014-2015 Gen 3.

 

Why is that? I recently bought a 2010. What's different about the 2014-2015?

 

2015+ is Lord of the Piston Rings.



2014 has updated pistons.

 

I'm kinda interested in this so I did a bit of looking but can't find much other than this post:

In the market for a used Toyota Prius, need assistance | PriusChat

So the 2015+ is less prone to oil burning. Is that it?

 

What makes you think 2014 or 15 is a better year then the past?

 

Myth about new Prius not having oil consumption issues. They are just newer with less miles.

There are plenty of 2010 without any oil issues. It all depends on how one have driven them and cared for them over the years.

 

The 2010 is less appealing seeing that the HV batteries start to fail after 8 years.

 

As much as I like the Prius hybrid, I don't think they age well. If you can't afford to get one while it's young, get a regular car instead. Fuel prices are low enough now that a Prius can't save you very much anyway.

 

absolutely not. get yourself a newer corolla or civic, etc., with well known mechanical systems that can be repaired competitively for reasonable prices.

finding a hybrid mechanic outside of a dealership is like looking for a needle in a haystack. and far worse when you're on a road trip and something goes wrong.

 

This. Save yourself some money in the long run and get a Corolla. A 9 year old Prius is more than halfway to a battery replacement.

 

In Carb States the battery is warranted for 10 years or 150k miles.

 

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For me, the big issue is the cost of a replacement hybrid battery. The engine- even with the problems associated with the earlier gen 3's, has rated as way above average on Consumer Reports rankings in used vehicles. Outside of the inevitable hybrid battery replacement, it's a very reliable car.

The OP is lucky to live in a CARB state, where she'll receive a 10 year/150k mile warranty (assuming the car is local to California). Based on that, I'd focus on getting a model that allows a few years before the warranty is up. With the 2010 model, the warranty will be over in around a year, depending on the exact date of sale.