Is it okay to buy at used 2003 Prius from a dealership?

Hybrid battery lifespan is a combination of age, mileage, and operating conditions. It is not easy to predict when failure will occur, but, as with any car, it is important to keep in mind that the potential for a major $2000+ repair exists. The transaxle also has a small-moderate failure rate. If you are financing more than half the purchase price on this car, I would not recommend it.

If you do not do your own maintenance or repairs, it is important to have someone other than a Toyota dealer lined up to perform such work for you. Dealerships will eat you alive. Hybrid repair is a small niche, and dealerships will take advantage of this and tell you untruthfully that no one other than one of their "certified" techs is qualified to work on the car.

 

get a used corolla or camry. odds are better you won't have any major repairs.

 

Fuel Economy of the 2003 Toyota Prius

2003 Prius is rated 41mpg combined, not 50mpg.

The battery is within warranty, as long as the car has always been in CA. The rest of the hybrid system might be outside warranty.

What is your commute like?
What other miles do you do in your car? What are those trips like.
What's your current vehicle and what mileage do you get?
How much do you use the A/C?
Where do you have your cars serviced?
Are you willing to learn to improve the efficiency of your driving?

Those are important in order to know what your overall savings could be compared to a conventional subcompact.

Once you can get a better estimate of your savings, you'll know whether the price difference could even be worth it and then you just need to worry about repairs.

The Prius has proven reliable. Importantly, the issues that have arisen seem to be one-time fixes rather than persistent problems. However, it does have some big ticket items, so if you can't afford a $2,000 repair (afford including the ability to borrow) the Prius might not be for you. As noted above, it would help if you can find an independent Prius technician who would charge less than a dealership.

 

Hey csley:
A Prius is probably the most reliable car you can purchase, so if that is what you would like to own ,go for it! I don't feel you will ever regret your purchase, you will only save. Be a happy Prius owner!!! Hal

 

50 mpg is great. 40 is not too bad either. but you'll never make up the extra cost of the car with fuel savings unless prices spike drastically. how about a civic?

 

lol... I'd love my commute to be just 19 miles.

 

Gen1 Prius (2001-2003) have a much higher failure rate on their HV batteries and Transaxles (transmission) over Gen2 Prius (2004-2009). If you are buying a used Gen1 with 106k miles and the HV battery is original, it could die any minute. Warranty on Gen1 hybrid bits was NOT 150k miles, I believe it was 80 or 100k miles. You can replace the HV battery for around $2000 with a rebuilt pack...ask the dealer for a 1 year warranty if they are so sure the car is good.