New Guy! Need buying advice!

Welcome!

IIRC there was a major design refresh for the 2012 model year.
I generally recommend that US users at least identify their state in their profile since what is a "good price" in California would not be a good deal in Florida.

 

Doesn't look major from what I saw. Others will know better, so wait for that.

I liked getting my 2013 (though 2012 would have been a refresh as well) because the (potentially) murderous floor mat issue was fixed, and, IIRC, an engine part or system was updated to minimize the risk of some repair that I just can't remember the name of! (Someone please chime in!).

If you're happy with a car/your deal, often that trumps looking some more. That said, a 4 year old car (2012) and a 5 year old car (2011) have the same yearly cost of ownership. (i.e. [Total cost of the vehicle] divided by [the number of years of life] yields the same number or very very very close). So, the 2012 is not considered more expensive as a long term plan, but it may minimize other risks.

I tell you what....the two BIGGEST predictors of longevity seem to be:

1. Did the previous owner drive a lot of highway miles. Those are MUCH EASIER on an engine.
2. Did the PO change the oil. !!

 

welcome!

accident and service history would be helpful. early gen 3's can be oil burners around 100k, more 10's than 11's, but that may just be mileage idk.

learn how to reset one of the trip meters and take it for a good long drive under varied conditions to see what it returns for mpg's.

all the best!

 

E0E is the reflash of the IPM: https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2017/02/119644_E0E.pdf

G0U is the airbag retention bracket. If buying from a Toyota dealer both should have been addressed before the car was offered for sale.

If not buying from a Toyota dealer it is up to you whether or not you take it in.

Since I don't trust Toyota & the dealer I would not buy the car until after another test drive to see if the E0E reflash hasn't borked the fuel economy.

Make sure you get two working fobs and the retractable cover for the deck. Mats were an accessory so they may or may not be present.

If the car has wheel locks make sure you get the key (looks like a socket). It could be stored under the deck.

A thought about oil changes: Just because the oil was changed on schedule doesn't mean anyone ever checked the level.

 

The new 18 Camry Hybrid gets very close to Prius mileage, starts at 27k and would make a comfortable commuter. I wonder if Prius sales will take a hit?

 

Probably. I have not looked too closely but I may have chosen the 2018 Hybrid Camry LE had it been offered last year when I purchased my Prius.

 

Tesla 3 is $27k after tax breaks.

 

The Model 3 will be unavailable for new purchase for many years and the tax rebate will be exhausted by them.
Tesla is not known for reliability. My brother in law is still trying to kill my 1996 Camry!

 

Model 3 deliveries start at the end of the month. Time will start running out on Tesla's Federal tax credit (probably) in 2018.

 

Only for those who reserved one
Everyone else is out of luck for a few years.

 

Yeah but a Tesla has limited range, it's a city car, if that's all you need......

 

back on topic....

OP...have you considered a used Leaf? Would probably save you a little money upfront plus a lot over the life of the vehicle in fuel. Although if your route is all high speed you may be cutting it close as far as range (unless you can charge at work). But I totally understand if you were dead set on Prius.

 

o/p last sighted 10 days ago, hopefully on a nice vacation.

 

I suggest buying a nice humble little Corolla! People won't Tailgate you, and they won't throw eggs at your car, and you don't have a $4,000 battery under the backseat to replace when it dies. :-(

 

Saw a friend of mine today with a 07 Prius, 288,000 miles, original battery and he has only replaced the 12 volt once. other than that it's good to go, my guess when things start to go bad, he will dump the car, but as he says now, I'm driving a free car because I've gotten my money's worth and more. Battery worries are just that.....

 

I kinda think that example is the exception rather than the general rule of Prius longevity.

 

I would rather be on that side of the exception than the other side.

 

If so, not by much. We hear tons of stories of Prii making it 300k+ but very few of them making it less than 200k.