They tend to be rare, at least those for sale. A gen 3 for sale is way too often being ditched, typically due to blown head gasket, with a stop-leak product added to the coolant to mask symptoms. You might get lucky, find a low-miles one, say from an estate sale, but it may have other issues, due protracted lack of use. I've got a 2010, with around 65k miles, DIY'd all the right stuff, definitely not for sale though. The miles accumulated at near-normal rate the first few years, then both my wife and I retired, dealing with fixed-income, COVID, lifestyle changes. It's a bird in the hand, so we hang onto it. Do need a car now and then. Whoa, that even less than us. I would seriously consider if you need to own a car.
I'll be driving more often now that I plan to visit my parents more often ( around 300 miles round trip. ) I also plan to look into as rental car. I have a dog though.
i think because you posted in the newbie forum, and didn't put 3rd gen in the title, they might have missed it. there are a number of people here with 3rd gen's and no problems, and defend them whenever they see this injustice being done by those of us who try to warn people off. i wouldn't want to be the person who said go for it, and then have the buyer wind up with a huge expense. if you want positive gen 3 comments, this is the gentleman for you: @ASRDogman
Bisco used to be a gen3 cheerleader until his engine failed before 100k. I would recommend a low mile gen2 or any gen4 long before a gen3. Gen3's on the used car market are only reasonable if someone has already installed a rebuilt engine with pistons and rings plus have installed a new oem back battery in the last 75k miles. But those cars are still being driven by the diehards that fixed them. But some have an idea gen3s are reliable just because conventional wisdom is Toyotas are reliable. Some are just looking for validation for something they are going to do anyway. Too many learn from the school of hard knocks rather than from the experience of those who have owned a gen3 hybrid. Anyone looking for low cost of ownership would be wise to stay away from a gen3 Prius or their Lexus cousins. I would certainly stay away from the buy here pay here car lots where a $5k car can cost $10k 52 months later.
Nope. Just being honest. Actually? I'd buy a 150k mile G3 in a heartbeat, preferably a 2015 if I knew that it wasn't "dealer maintained" and if I saw a maintenance log that indicated that the maintenance items were done properly and that the oil was replaced every 5k instead of 10k. You would be just about dead-bang guaranteed to get another 100-150k out of the car with not-much in the way of major repairs. Unfortunately most of the people with THOSE cars are not selling them.....
I am going to look at a 2015 with nearly 97k miles for $14,600. Crazy right ??? That's nearly what a semi-new car cost before Covid. Looking at the sevice history, the oil has been changed every 10k or so miles. So not the 5k that it should have. One owner. The car is at CarMax of Austin. That is one reason for the stupid high pricing. I like that you can trial the car after you buy it, but not sure if that is worth the extra money you pay when buying at CarMax. Its a level 3 car, but the only feature that is unique is a suntoof - ( not solar roof though ) Cloth seats. Grey . Dark blue exterior ( the color that peels and fades ) No stains or dents I see. 2 minor fender benders . Stock wheels with the plastic caps that people usually pop off ( are the wheels steel or aluminum ? ) I'd really like to find a car with a HUD, but this car lacks it. I am just going to look at the car. However, I wanted to ask what I should look at on it while I am there. Odometer of course. Pay attention at start up for rough idle, check under oil cap for foam ( head gasket ) check under car for damage / missing panels. Can I tell if the cat converter has been replaced with a cheapo knock off just by looking ? What other things would you look at ? See if all tires match and if they are energy savers or used junkers. I could buy a used Chevy Bolt EV for this much ( and I just might ! ) I would have to use public charging though. And then there is the fact that you must buy a new battery in just a few years. A Chevy VOLT ( VVVolt not Bolt )is no longer a car I'm interested in after reading about part availability issues and such. Why not a 2nd gen Prius instead ? I just really prefer the ergonomics and cockpit style of the dash. The body is also less boxy than the 2nd and has a style line or two. The only curve on the 2nd gen Prius is the roofline profile. So if I buy a 3rd gen Prius, I am planning to have to replace the head gasket and the other issue you mentioned later. I'd have it checked over well by a mechanic if I bought one. Regarding the battery health, I'd check it with an ODB reader, but don't have one on me at the moment. Can it be checked on the dash info display at all ? Thanks guys.
$14k into a car that has a demonstrated potential to eat another $10k within 10 years all while only driving it 700 miles a year? I mean... it's your money. If it were me I'd invest the $14k and take Uber rides everywhere I needed to go- this would save a heap of money even if you got lucky and the Prius never needed any expensive repairs.
Sorry; for that kinda money - It's a hard pass. You stated that your going to be doing 300 mile highway round trips, not where this car shines. IMHO; I'd be looking for something like this instead - in that price range. 40 mpg on the highway isn't bad and no surprises, less miles on her. NOT a 10 year old car w/97K miles on the clock!! 2024 Nissan Versa 1.6 S Sedan Available Near San Antonio | 16336863
Well, I just read this whole thread, and I'm starting to come to the conclusion that my ideal pick of a 2012-15 Plug-In for a first car wouldn't be prudent. I felt it would be a good option, having the EV range for around town and the ICE for longer drives, but after reading all this it seems there's almost no way to justify the purchase (especially considering I'm looking for sub $10k cars). I know the batteries don't suffer the issues their non-PHEV counterparts do, but all the engine problems are still a factor. Oh well, glad I read this.
Their batteries degrade as well losing half or more of the ev range which was already small. Plus individual cell failures can still take out the battery. Original owners get the value out of hybrids and evs and then have the equity and means to trade for new again.
There's a lot to love about a Prius... when it is new or close-to-new. And almost as much if you've had one for a long time. When you're looking at them as aged used cars they are less good, and it's hard not to get carried away by the as-new specs and stats and reputational perceptions that persist over time. So I say the best way to enjoy a Prius is to start with a new one. The best way to enjoy an old one is to... start with a young one and age into it. People trade in their fears and problems. Why compete to buy that?
there have been very few cases of pip batteries degrading more than 20%, and close to zero failures. more than half my 87,000 miles were electric only. it depends on your driving habits
