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Opinions Welcome: Gen 2 and 3 Buying Options

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Chodronish, Feb 26, 2017.

  1. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Hello all. Having to replace my wrecked 2007 Touring model, so wasn't expecting or wanting to go car shopping. After many, many hours (weeks) of research and preliminary shopping, I have it down to the following:

    2007 light blue Touring that is overpriced ($8,500), but expecting to get them down. 73,091 miles, one owner, good carfax with decent service history. My concern is that despite the low miles, still a 10 year old car and hybrid battery.

    2009 green Touring with 88,450 miles; one owner, good Carfax, asking $8,995. Sounds very promising, but haven't driven or seen yet. If checks out, the 2007 would have to come down to no more than $7,500 and still might prefer this, though not a fan of the green and prefer lower price.

    2010 silver Prius IV with moon roof at same dealership as 2007, with 92,461 miles for $10,490. Drove it, fine, would need to examine Carfax since I was looking more at 2007. Would try to get them down to $10K even. Concerned about tendency of 2010 to burn oil.

    2011 silver Prius III with 134,975 miles for $8,774. This would be a great deal I think, if my questions get good answers. Higher mileage than the rest, but it seems like higher mileage is better with regard to battery health than the other cars being older. Better than 2010, because cheaper and not the history with oil burning of 2010, though I've read the 2011 is less reliable than 2010. A 2012 would be awesome, but these ended up being the top contenders based on mileage, price, availability, etc. My questions are that there seems to still be an open recall on curtain air bags,though this car was serviced regularly at a Toyota dealership. I also noticed
    Engine/Power Train Computer/Module reprogammed at 60,003 miles on 4/25/2014. I'm hoping some veterans or experts here can tell me what that means? Otherwise, this high mileage one owner car was serviced regularly at dealership.

    My inclination if everything checks out would be to go for the 2011, with 2009/2007 tied after, then 2010 last. Thoughts?
     
    #1 Chodronish, Feb 26, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2017
  2. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Sorry, 2009 Touring asking price is $8,995.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    How many miles do you drive a year? What options do you absolutely need? Will the car be garaged? Do you use the dealer for service?
     
  4. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Probably average miles per year. Don't know that I NEED any options besides working car, though I like Bluetooth. For the older ones, prefer Touring, but both are. The car can be garaged and will take priority for that, so yes. I do not typically use dealer for service, but not totally out for that. I do like the service department at nearby dealership, but I have tended to get oil changes, routine stuff elsewhere.
     
  5. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    It's interesting to shop at dealerships that don't know hybrids (most), because they don't really understand the hybrid battery issues and how that makes buying a used Prius more complicated and different than non-hybrids. I've whittled my list down by considering heat and hills of climate, and I'm concerned about age of batteries. I know the Gen II can run out of gas and completely discharge the battery but not the Gen III, so that's a plus in the newer car column (since I have no way of knowing if someone ran out of gas and harmed the battery). I know age of battery is probably more important than mileage. I'm concerned about them sitting on car lots for too long, draining battery. So trying to keep all this in mind and not get scared away from buying Prius, because I loved and miss my 2007 Touring.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think your best options here are the 2007, followed by the 2010 with lower mileage. They are both super reliable. You would just have to put away some money for a new hybrid battery on the 2007 then you'll be good for another 10 years.

    For me, I like the 2007 for local driving but much prefer the bigger engine in the 2010 for highway driving. So you'll have to see which suits you best
     
  7. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    I prefer the interior design of the Gen II, but I appreciate that improvements were made to driving and handling in Gen III. I know I will not be able to put away around $3,000 for a new battery for the 2007, because we have two teenagers that are expensive. The one who totaled my Prius is going to college this Fall, and the nearly 16 y.o. is probably poised to total another one. ugh. So you think the mileage on the 2011 is a deal-breaker? How bout the 2009 near same price as 2007?
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The 2009 battery won't be that much better, it'll buy you some extra time though. But you don't seem to like the green.

    2011 mileage is too high, you'll end up spending a lot on maintenance and upkeep. 65k miles more and you'll be at 200k miles. 4 years of average driving

    I guess it'll come down to service history and what's been done on the cars
     
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  9. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Gotcha, and no, not a fan of the green, but might be able to put up with it if it's worth it to have two extra years. Trying to sort it all out. I appreciate your feedback! My 2007 was around 144,xxx miles, so I guess I was thinking of just trying to replace at that level. However, you have a point about the mileage. My key fob had pooped out.
     
  10. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    There's a guy in another threat that offers to buy people cars at auction, and apparently a warranty can be purchased to return, so I'm wondering about that as a possibility as well, though probably don't have the time and shouldn't take the risk. He recommends newer ones of course, but there are some major savings for what seems like a little over $1,000 in shipping car to you and buying fees.
     
  11. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Always try to buy the newest vehicle you can afford, especially with a hybrid. I'm surprised that the 2011 is priced at nearly $9K with that many miles on it. You really should be considering a newer non-hybrid. They get fairly decent highway fuel economy now. And for $10K, there are many with very low odometer readings to choose from. I know because I car shopped for about six months before I bought something. Just my 2 cents.
     
  12. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    The 2011 is $8,774 and would probably go lower. Yes, the thought of changing types of cars has crossed my mind, but I really liked my Prius and loved the gas mileage. I averaged 46 mpg. I have had and liked Mazdas and Nissans, but again, I REALLY liked my Prius. What did you end up buying?
     
  13. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Just searched my area for Mazdas, Nissans, and Toyotas in same price range and nothing to write home about. I'm in the Chicago suburbs. Maybe District 6 has better deals? :)
     
  14. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    A 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage for my 17 year old daughter. It was a Hertz rental. Paid $6700 + MI sales tax. Had 27K miles on it. We've had it for almost 3 months now and have had no issues with it My daughter likes it because it's smaller than the Prius. I drive it every now and then to keep the 12V battery charged since she lives on campus and drives it only once every two weeks when she comes home on weekends. She will be using it much more often from mid May to late August though.

    As I said, I looked at a lot of different vehicles and the Mirage was the best value and great for a teen driver because it is REALLY slow with only 74 HP.

    I drive a 2014 Nissan Altima 2.5S which I really like.
     
  15. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    I have always liked Altimas. What kind of gas mileage? I tend to really like a hatchback though. Love getting the slow car for a teen!
     
  16. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    33 mpg winter 37 mpg summer - mostly highway 85/15 (SE Michigan).
     
  17. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    JC91006, what do you like about the 2007 for local driving?
     
  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The gen2 cars have a smaller engine, I feel that is better for around town driving.

    Gen3 cars seem heavier and more powerful on the highway. The feel that gen2 cars lacked.
     
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  19. Moving Right Along

    Moving Right Along Senior Member

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    For hybrid battery issues, the current cutoff is between the 2007 & 2008 model years. 2007s and earlier have 3% or higher battery replacement rates while 2008s and more recent are all under 1% replacement rates.

    I didn't like the color of my car either - I'd have preferred a more muted color. But it turned out to be the best deal.

    It's good to know how much you're willing to pay for a car. I wouldn't even look at anything over 10% of your target price for the vehicle, as it's unlikely you're going to negotiate the price down by more that 10%.

    I believe Gen 2 Touring models come with the high intensity discharge lights that so many people have had problems with. I'd stay away from those type of headlights if I were you.

    When deciding between Gen 3 models, while the battery may be primarily affected by age, the mechanical parts are still primarily affected by miles driven. There's 2-3 years worth of average driving miles between the 2010 and 2011 you're looking at. That could be significant.

    The ECM is a computer component that sometimes needs repairs or replacing. Seems like it was fixed on the 2011. No reason in particular why that would be a cause for concern unless it was acting up again. If there are open recalls for the 2011 and that's the one you choose, I'd insist on all recall repairs being done before you buy the car.
     
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  20. Chodronish

    Chodronish Member

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    Thanks for your input! I may well roll the dice and go for the 2007 or 2009.