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Used 08 or 12... First Prius Buy

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Chickenie, Jan 18, 2019.

  1. Chickenie

    Chickenie New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 18, 2019
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    Location:
    Hampton Roads, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey all, we are looking to buy into the Prius family, however, at the moment we do not have money to buy new so we are looking at some older used Prius' in the area... Going from a Ford F-150 too so huge change for us.

    We have found two in the area that we are pretty interested in. A 2008 Prius Touring with 74k miles on it. In the carfax it says it had a battery replace as a year ago. It had one owner and has pretty good service records.

    The other is a 2012 Prius 2 with 70k miles on it. Once again one owner and had a good record of regular service records.

    I have read a lot of information about both gens of vehicles from the forums but being so new to the hybrid community it is hard to fully digest it all.

    I would much rather get the 08 due to hearing about how they seem to be one of the better gens and that the 2012s have a few extra issues... but that isnt a major stopper for us as we have many hybrid autoshops in the area and my husband if given the chance would be under the hood in a heartbeat..

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Chickenie, Jan 18, 2019
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  2. Wish4Me

    Wish4Me New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2019
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    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I recently bought an 08 with 175k miles on it. The combination meter has already gone out and it is completely out of any warrrwar service. However, the price was decent for my area. I can't say enough good things about it. Very happy with my purchase.

    WhatWpackage is the 08? What the battery replacement OEM or was it a refurb? Did the 08 get all of the warranty services (e.g. Combination Meter, Hybrid Water Pump, etc) The 2012 may still be under warranty for the battery and may be the better option.
     
    #2 Wish4Me, Jan 19, 2019
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
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    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    They are both reliable if you do the necessary maintenance. Both have strong and weak points.

    Go with what you like best. Gen 3 will be more powerful
     
    #3 JC91006, Jan 19, 2019
    Data Daedalus and Raytheeagle like this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    agreed, both good cars. i prefer the gen 3 refinements, but would plan on egr cleaning
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 20, 2019
  5. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
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    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    The Gen-2 and Gen-3 are very different on the inside. You should drive both. Personally I love the Gen-2 (and have 1). Hate the Gen-3 because of the interior layout (i.e. flying bridge). Also bought a C because it was basically a smaller new Gen-2. If you drive both and honestly don't care either way, then narrow it down by package. A fully loaded 08 will be much nicer than the base 12.

    And while yes the Gen-3 is "less reliable" than the Gen-2, it's nit-picking for the most part. Coming from a Ford, you'll notice no difference.
     
    #5 2k1Toaster, Jan 20, 2019
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,801
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    '08 with low miles has a suspect battery, brake actuator and combo meter threaten
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 20, 2019
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