Should I Buy A Used Prius

The Toyota Prius is past far the most common hybrid automobile on U.Southward. roads, which means in that location are a lot of them out there for sale as used cars.

A reader wrote to ask what she should keep in mind when starting to shop for a used Toyota Prius hybrid.

What follows are some quick notes from our editors, who've collectively owned or driven more than a dozen Priuses.

2009 Toyota Prius

Delight note this is not a comprehensive look at buying a used Prius, but more our superlative-line thoughts on what she should go along in mind.

In the terminate, we suggested she consider getting a used Prius with just 3-four years on it and the lowest total mileage she can find, which will give her several years of service with no worry about battery life.

(i) Brand sure you lot like the Prius driving experience before you sign on the line

Driving a Toyota Prius is a dissimilar experience than driving a conventional car, and if you lot've never been in a hybrid earlier, you lot should spend a minimum of thirty minutes backside the wheel.

Most people go used to the disconnect between the engine speed (and noise) and the road speed. That'south a result of the Hybrid Synergy Bulldoze system constantly adjusting the ability it draws from the engine and from the battery pack.

Information technology'southward all in the proper noun of efficiency--that EPA combined rating of fifty mpg for the 2010 and newer cars--but it's definitely different.

2010 Toyota Prius

(2) Decide which generation you want: second (2004-2009) or 3rd (2010-nowadays)

The third-generation cars (2010-nowadays) are most numerous, based on sales, and get somewhat higher gas mileage.

The classic Prius Liftback has been rated at l mpg combined (51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway) since its 2010 launch, and most owners written report achieving 45 mpg or so in real-globe apply.

The second generation cars (2004-2009) are still a good bet too, but there are a few things you should know nearly them.

MORE: 2010 Toyota Prius - full review

The earlier 2004-2009 models are rated (after a 2007 adjustment in EPA adding methods) at 46 mpg combined (48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway), and nearly owners get 40 mpg or more than.

Nosotros'd suggest avoiding the first-generation cars (2000-2003), equally they're slow, much smaller inside, and now probable quite loftier-mileage indeed.

(3) Be aware of 2004-2009 weak spots

From an editor who'south owned a 2004 Prius for ten years and 100,000 miles, we have kickoff-mitt experience of the 2nd generation'due south ownership problems--including six or seven recalls.

2009 Toyota Prius

The latest call up, which is adequately serious, is for potentially damaged or broken steering ties. Another, before on, was to trim the accelerator pedal so it couldn't catch on floor mats and produce unintended dispatch.

On the other paw, that automobile's interior trim quality is not swell, and the bumper shields are known to deform easily and pop off more than occasionally.

Finally, the 2004-2009 Prius models don't have either satellite radio or a USB port congenital in--and local stereo shops will tell yous that calculation information technology later is a challenging and pricey task.

(4) Know your battery warranty--which is based on your state

The Prius has a bombardment warranty of either viii yrs/100,000 miles or 10 yrs/150,000 miles in California and a dozen or so other states that have adopted its stricter emissions rules.

There'southward some correlation; Priuses are likely thicker on the ground in states that have adopted California rules--New York, say--than in those that haven't. North Dakota, for example.

2009 Toyota Prius

That warranty, by the way, protects you against complete failure of the battery pack, which costs $2,500 to $3,000 to replace.

Information technology doesn't protect confronting a slow decline in battery capacity, meaning over time any Prius may use slightly more than gasoline as its pack stores marginally less energy.

MORE: Toyota Hybrid Battery Replacement Price Guide

Just don't worry overly almost battery life; the nickel-metal-hydride bombardment pack in a Prius is i of the automobile'due south to the lowest degree-frequently replaced parts.

Our 2004 Prius owner has put 100,000 miles on the machine, and its gas mileage (41 to 42 mpg) has remained constant over 10 years.

2010 Toyota Prius

(five) Decide what options you desire, and which you need

Options are a matter of personal sense of taste, but for the current generation (2010-now), the Prius Three is the well-nigh mutual trim level.

The Prius Two is the base model, and the Four and Five are high-tech and loftier-luxe, respectively, and then they volition probably come with a premium.

Should you happen to discover any truly basic Prius 1 models sold used by fleets, avert them--they're missing a LOT of otherwise standard equipment, including cruise control, the EV electrical-just style, and a rear-window wiper.

Pearl Jam Syndrome?

Nosotros'll go out information technology to High Gear Media editorial director Marty Padgett to give us the last discussion on Prius ownership.

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - production model

"Collectively, new Prius owners may now feel similar Nineties alt-rock bands," he mused. "We had our 24-hour interval, but at that place's definitely cooler stuff out in that location now. It's Pearl Jam Syndrome."

Wait, cooler than a Prius? Whatever could he hateful?

HINT: Information technology comes with a plug.

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