2006 Prius not sure how much longer I can’t wait

[Anonymous]

I know now is a terrible time to buy a car, but with Russia is it going to get worse? I have 180k on my 2006 Prius and I’m not sure how much longer she will last me. Do I buy now and if so, new or one year old? I’m outside San Francisco in case that matters! I’m worried I’ll wait and then cars will be even more expensive. Also not sure if it makes sense to buy old or new? I saw a 2021 with 10k miles for 30k and that doesn’t seem much less than new.

[Anonymous]

I just bought new for the same reason. Two year old cars only saved me 3-4k and it wasn’t worth losing a few years of warranty.

[Anonymous]

Just buy it. If you drive it for another 15 years, you will be fine and come out ahead. It's not worth making expensive repairs to your current Prius, IMHO.

[Anonymous]

I’d drop a new battery in the Prius (Prius batteries are CHEAP compared to other hybrids!) and keep running it. Assuming the CVT transmission is still working ok and the engine isn’t using too much oil (a 2006 shouldn’t be since their engine uses 3 rings per piston) I’d kept it.

Only dumbasses are buying new cars these days. It’s a total sellers market right now. You buy new these days and you’re getting screwed, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d drop a new battery in the Prius (Prius batteries are CHEAP compared to other hybrids!) and keep running it. Assuming the CVT transmission is still working ok and the engine isn’t using too much oil (a 2006 shouldn’t be since their engine uses 3 rings per piston) I’d kept it.

Only dumbasses are buying new cars these days. It’s a total sellers market right now. You buy new these days and you’re getting screwed, period.

I agree, I have WAY more miles than you on my car (not a prius) and I'm waiting as long as I can to buy-it's crazy out there in car world.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2002 Toyota and am repairing and waiting as long a I can to buy.

[Anonymous]

I agree with no buying a new car unless you HAVE to. However, you could spend some useful time on a couple of research projects:
1. Figure out the battery replacement options. There are many options for replacement batteries in that vintage of Prius, including a range of warranties. Be ready for that day when the big red triangle appears on your dashboard. (I will be personally sad if you go to a Toyota dealer and hand over thousands of dollars)
2. Research your next car. What do you really need? Another hybrid, plug in hybrid or straight electric? How hard to add a charger to your home? New or used? So many options, including Bay area folks who are "tired" of their "old" Tesla.

[Anonymous]

The world is crazy but I think it’s highly unlikely you’re going to lose money by waiting to buy a car, if that’s what you’re worried about.

[Anonymous]

If your Prius is working I would just keep it till it needs a large repair.

My mom had a 2008 or so Prius battery and it died and was going to cost 2000 to replace. Not worth it, we decided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with no buying a new car unless you HAVE to. However, you could spend some useful time on a couple of research projects:
1. Figure out the battery replacement options. There are many options for replacement batteries in that vintage of Prius, including a range of warranties. Be ready for that day when the big red triangle appears on your dashboard. (I will be personally sad if you go to a Toyota dealer and hand over thousands of dollars)
2. Research your next car. What do you really need? Another hybrid, plug in hybrid or straight electric? How hard to add a charger to your home? New or used? So many options, including Bay area folks who are "tired" of their "old" Tesla.

Where does op say it needs a new battery? As I read the post, the Prius is still running fine.

[Anonymous]

I have 180k on my 2006 Prius and I’m not sure how much longer she will last me. Do I buy now and if so, new or one year old? I’m outside San Francisco

A Toyota and no winter salt on the roads: that thing will outlast you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have 180k on my 2006 Prius and I’m not sure how much longer she will last me. Do I buy now and if so, new or one year old? I’m outside San Francisco

A Toyota and no winter salt on the roads: that thing will outlast you.

A pre-2008 Toyota might. One made after that, or any that use 0W-20 oil will not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with no buying a new car unless you HAVE to. However, you could spend some useful time on a couple of research projects:
1. Figure out the battery replacement options. There are many options for replacement batteries in that vintage of Prius, including a range of warranties. Be ready for that day when the big red triangle appears on your dashboard. (I will be personally sad if you go to a Toyota dealer and hand over thousands of dollars)
2. Research your next car. What do you really need? Another hybrid, plug in hybrid or straight electric? How hard to add a charger to your home? New or used? So many options, including Bay area folks who are "tired" of their "old" Tesla.

Where does op say it needs a new battery? As I read the post, the Prius is still running fine.

This era of the Prius is great. About the only big repair that I would worry about is the battery. It is a very well built car and the other big dollar items (gasoline engine and inverter) are unlikely to be a problem. The battery often gives no warning signs, it just goes bad (usually one or two bad cells in the battery pack).

I'm just saying that it would be good to research what are your options when that happens because the Prius literally can't run in gasoline-only mode.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d drop a new battery in the Prius (Prius batteries are CHEAP compared to other hybrids!) and keep running it. Assuming the CVT transmission is still working ok and the engine isn’t using too much oil (a 2006 shouldn’t be since their engine uses 3 rings per piston) I’d kept it.

Only dumbasses are buying new cars these days. It’s a total sellers market right now. You buy new these days and you’re getting screwed, period.

I actually got a new battery for free from the warranty right before my car turned 10, and saved thousands! I appreciate the advice because I want a new car but feel. Ike I would in fact be a dumbass to buy a new car now. It just feels like my car is so old and I didn’t know if it would get worse or better to buy a car because of Russia.

[Anonymous]

my 2011 prius has 215k miles on it and keeps on going. I'm researching newer cars now.