Considering my first hybrid - from 2008 on - any advice?

The Toyota Prius is one of the most reliable cars ever built and there are some North American Gen II taxies with over 400,000 miles and still going.

Batteries can fail from about 10 years, however, those in regular use can last well beyond this. But it's something to take into account. It's about 2,500 new from toyota. You can get reconditioned ones from the U.K much cheaper and have a competent DIY'er install it. The voltages are lethal so this person needs to be good with electrics. But you can have a lot of expensive issues with higher mileage older diesels also. The Battery usually has a few failed cells no more and is not that difficult to repair, just a pain in the ass to take it all apart.

I loved my Gen II and the Gen III from 2009 can be got at a good price, some Gen II can be found registered in 2009 so watch out for this. The Gen III has more power and is less noisy.

I'd have absolutely no hesitations recommending a high mileage (well maintained) Prius with a full Toyota Service record, this is important with this car, toyota servicing is reasonable too. I requires little maintenance, oil and filter every 15,000 kms and spark plugs ever 100 kms or so depending on what they fit.

You won't have any of the potential issues that plague diesels with a prius.

In the Gen II I could get 800-840 Kms form 42 litres of petrol. Maybe a bit less in winter. It takes time to get the best out of the hybrid system.

Tyres are important so you need low rolling resistance tyres. I had Dunlop Sport BluResponse tyres and they were excellent.

I have Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance on the leaf and they're also excellent. Expensive but I never skimped on Tyres. The Goodyear Efficient Grip are very quiet.

jackofalltrades wrote: »

Was about to start the exact same thread myself.
I'm looking at getting a hybrid and then possibly converting it to LPG.

Mad_Lad was there anything you didn't like about the Gen II?
Can you remember what the road noise/MPG was on motorways?


Reviews on the Honda hybrids don't seem that great, the engines seem a bit gutless.
I've driven the GEN III Toyota Prius.
It'll easily return 60+ MPG, it handles great, has good acceleration, is good for overtaking and is spec'd well.
I was really surprised by just how good it was.
You should be just about able to pick one up for around 10K.

With the current cost of petrol I don't think LPG conversion would be worth it. A lot of LPG stations have closed and it's a gamble getting a conversion, you don't know how long any place will continue to sell LPG. Also you don't know what impact it will have on any engine, not sure it works well on Japanese cars due to the valves melting but you can get an additive but this adds to the cost.

The Gen II engine was noisier because it was weaker and there was less noise insulation. It was noisier on hard acceleration but once up to speed it was fine. cars have a hard life on Irish roads and with the ever increasing amount of roads being covered in tar and chippings this will greatly add to the noise , tyre wear and fuel consumption, most car manufacturers would never believe their cars could be subject to such torture.

If there was something I didn't like about the Gen II was the seats weren't the most comfortable.

Having gone fully electric I'd never go back but if I had to then I'd definitely be in another Prius !