Hey Prius owners!

[Anonymous]

what year and mileage would be the max you would consider when purchasing a used Toyota Prius?
Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Not sure I have an upper limit, although I would probably pass on the Gen 1 models (1997-03). No qualms about buying a Prius that still runs or has a problem that I can manage. I think they are about the most solid cars on the road.

I bought a 2005 Gen2 Prius in 2017 when it had 150k miles. It needed a couple of cells in the battery pack when I bought it (about $200) and it's still rolling today at 210k miles.

My second Prius is a 2009 Gen2 bought about a year ago when it had 100k miles. I had to replace the (recently stolen) catalytic converter when I bought it - $600 from Carquest. The battery pack and engine have been flawless. At about 108k miles now.

Would love to get a plug-in Prius next.

[Anonymous]

Thank you PP. We are spending a year overseas and I need to get a car. There is a dealer here that specializes on used Priuses, but they are all older models with high mileages. I was told to try and find a Gen3 model.

How do these cars do on highways? Some people told me they do great in-city, but not too strong on highways. Like, would you drive up to NYC or Philly in a Prius?

[Anonymous]

I'm not an owner but have driven them. I would drive to Philly in a Prius. I wouldn't get one if I didn't have a secure garage to park it in, though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you PP. We are spending a year overseas and I need to get a car. There is a dealer here that specializes on used Priuses, but they are all older models with high mileages. I was told to try and find a Gen3 model.

How do these cars do on highways? Some people told me they do great in-city, but not too strong on highways. Like, would you drive up to NYC or Philly in a Prius?

I drive my Prius anywhere I’d drive any other car. It’s done road trips to the Philly suburbs, Boston, upstate NY, NC, Florida. No issues on highways. I think what you’re hearing may be related to the improved mileage is greater in cities than on highways. But there’s no problem driving on highways.

[Anonymous]

Get a catalytic converter antitheft plate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a catalytic converter antitheft plate.

+1. My neighbors had theirs stolen.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thank you for your input! Got the car, picking it up next week.

[Anonymous]

Pre-2008 Toyota’s have MUCH better engines with regard to oil consumption (different piston ring design).

I’d look for a pre-2008 with reasonable mileage and then put a new battery pack in it for $1800.

Best solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pre-2008 Toyota’s have MUCH better engines with regard to oil consumption (different piston ring design).
I’d look for a pre-2008 with reasonable mileage and then put a new battery pack in it for $1800.

Best solution.

The 2010s went to a new, larger engine that has a reputation for burning oil. The reviews get better after 2011 on that front.

[Anonymous]

My 2010 prius is still going strong, still great mileage.

[Anonymous]

2009 Gen 2 Prius with 92K miles on it. Earlier in its life it went on trips to Boston and Cincinnati. The last few years, it's just a local second car (now with kids, we use the bigger Toyota Highlander Hybrid for road trips), but still in great shape and very few problems.

We also had our catalytic converter stolen. If we have to go back to parking it outdoors again, I'll look into that anti-theft plate. Thanks to the PPs who suggested that.

[Anonymous]

thanks guys - found a 2012 Prius - hope it will work well. We are spending a year in Europe and needed a car for the year.

[Anonymous]

We have a 2012 Prius. We didn’t drive it much in DC (we live in CA now) so it only has 60k miles. We’ve been happy with it. We plan a 5 hour road trip in it next week. We’ve driven on highways but not that far at once before.

[Anonymous]

Toyota is single handedly trying to deter the EV evolution with the Prius and its other Hybrid vehicles. It is all a guise for extending the life of internal combustion. Toyota does not build the Prius because great range is good for the driver, they build them because they assure the need for internal combustion.