Prius advice needed!

Fantasy_Suicide

Hey all,

I saw some excellent threads in here and I reckon this is the place to ask.

I'm interested in buying a Prius but my budget is only about 4500 a 5k.

Spotted this on adverts http://adverts.ie/6200161

What does everyone think? A good deal? My knowledge is mostly in old Jap imports, nothing else.

Thanks!

Larbre34

Can I ask why a Prius in particular?

The older the car, the older the hybrid drive and the more expensive the potential faults with it. Mk II Prius arent even as economical as a decent diesel.

Fantasy_Suicide

Tbh, I'm not sure. I currently drive a semi auto 1.3 diesel corsa with an average mpg of about 60. I love it but the gearbox is on the way out at 130k miles

I can only drive automatics, so when this popped up I guessed I'd consider it as a potential purchase.

140,000 Kms on a Prius is hardly run in !

The prius with proper maintenance will last north of 400,000 (MILES) with only a gearbox oil change needed every 100,000 miles because the motor and generator are in the gearbox this oil needs to be changed, mine was manky and I'm glad it was done. It's not part of the toyota service scheduled but independent studies on the U.S prius forum suggested it wise to change the oil. It's pretty easy to diy. But always make sure you open the filler plug first because obviously if you drain it and you can't open the filler plug your in a spot of bother ! oh and don't make the mistake and open the coolant plug !

The coolant should be done too at about 100,000 miles, I have not done this yet. It's not diy ! you do not want air locks !

The gear box is pretty simple with a single fixed gear there is nothing much to go wrong despite having the traction motor and generator in there too.

If that prius has a full Toyota service history with all the recalls done after the usual checks it should be bullet proof.

Recalls include the water pumps, steering, and accelerator.

If the battery is low on a test drive it will have a notable reduction in power, don't worry because it will charge as you drive and slow down.

The idea is not to press ev mode and use up the battery, ev mode is for when you're stopped at lights and the engine decides it wants to stay on, ev mode will shut it off provided certain requirements are met such as a certain coolant temp, cat temp etc.

My 2007 MK II prius has almost 200,000 miles and apart from recalls I have had to do nothing other than oil and spark changes. It has not failed once.

Fantasy_Suicide

Thank you!

1.5 is the biggest I've ever driven so I'm a little worried. It's on the other side of the country so it's hard to know if it's worth the travel.

Is 4500 a good price?

Fantasy_Suicide

Fantasy_Suicide wrote: »

Thank you!

1.5 is the biggest I've ever driven so I'm a little worried. It's on the other side of the country so it's hard to know if it's worth the travel.

Is 4500 a good price?

4500-5000 would be what I'd expect to pay if buying private, dealers are selling them up to 8500.

The Prius is more like a 2.0l with the extra shove of the motor, provided your traction battery isn't run down.

Fantasy_Suicide

My insurance is 250e less if I go for it which is nuts. I've only ever driven small cars.

I don't want to be a bother but you clearly know what you're talking about. Is the 05 model a good one?

Could you possibly give me a list of things to check when I go to look at it?

Thank you!!

What I would check is the service book for a full service history, it needs an oil & filter change ever 10,000 miles or roughly every 16,000 Kms.

I'm sure one or two missing services are not going to be a huge issue. Provided the oil is changed at least diy.

Spark plugs around 100 Kms ( though that depends on the plugs used)

I would get the gearbox oil changed also by 160,000 Kms. This is not part of the service schedule.

Recalls include, water pumps, accelerator, steering and can't rem if that included the brakes.

If the information is not written in the service book there should at least be a computer print out of work carried out which I'm sure can be verified by Toyota. I don't think they ever stamped my book but I've the printouts.

It is possible if you give the reg to the local Toyota where the car was serviced that they can verify the work carried out.

Do the normal on a test run, turn off ac and radio and check for suspension knocks and squeaks, bushings have been known to go. Check for correct oil level, coolant , check the car is within service schedule and not well beyond the due service mileage or date.

The traction battery needs no maintenance and usually lasts the life of the car.

It might be handy if you can get the car on the diagnostics to check if there are fault codes. I'd call the local garage though, but because you're not the owner they might not be willing to give any info unless you get the owner to clear it.

Fantasy_Suicide

Here are the Qs I asked, seems like a genuine guy.

Could be genuine but you can't be too careful. If he has a receipt for the parts sometimes the reg is on the receipt or it will say prius for the parts.

If he's selling for his sister her signature will need to be on the cert when he hands over the car. I always get a receipt signed when I buy a car so if they report it stolen you have something. I don't trust anyone. You can print out a receipt before you look at the car.

But Personally I wouldn't buy a car unless it was directly from the person who owns it, so if she wants to sell it she'll be there. Me being awkward ? I'd ask to see the drivers license so it's not his girlfriend there.

I wouldn't buy a car in someone else's name at a different house unless it was from the owner .

Anyone else with advice or think I'm overly cautious ?

Fantasy_Suicide

I hadn't even thought of that! Thanks

Fantasy_Suicide

So it all checks out, the sister can be there when I purchase. Going tomorrow to see it.

When do I get my membership pack to the Prius Elite club? :P

Fantasy_Suicide

Fantasy_Suicide wrote: »

So it all checks out, the sister can be there when I purchase. Going tomorrow to see it.

When do I get my membership pack to the Prius Elite club? :P

Good stuff ! remember, trust your instincts, if it feels wrong walk away.

Take a test drive, like all cars they're not for everyone. But they're one of the best 2nd hand cars you can buy.

Fantasy_Suicide

I've watched a couple of vids now to help me adjust to driving the Prius.

Thankfully all I can drive is automatics so I'm comfortable with one foot driving.

I have a question. How does the handbrake work? Is it the same as other automatics as in it won't roll back if I'm on a hill?

Thanks!

Fantasy_Suicide

Fantasy_Suicide wrote: »

I've watched a couple of vids now to help me adjust to driving the Prius.

Thankfully all I can drive is automatics so I'm comfortable with one foot driving.

I have a question. How does the handbrake work? Is it the same as other automatics as in it won't roll back if I'm on a hill?

Thanks!

Some of the prius videos that show fuel saving tips may make it seem like you've to drive at 50 kph but they're just trying to demonstrate how the likes of pulse and glide works where it's safe and usually on empty roads.

The handbrake is a foot brake but I haven't had problems on hills, usually as you lift off the brake the motor has already engaged and you won't roll back, you can left foot brake the brake pedal also.

One thing about the brake, sometimes when you're stopped in traffic and your foot is on the brake sometimes the motor will still be consuming power so you'll need to push the brake pedal a bit harder, this can waste a lot of the battery if you don't notice it, the energy monitor will show if there is power going to the motor. You can just press p and let your foot off the brake.

Fantasy_Suicide

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Some of the prius videos that show fuel saving tips may make it seem like you've to drive at 50 kph but they're just trying to demonstrate how the likes of pulse and glide works where it's safe and usually on empty roads.

The handbrake is a foot brake but I haven't had problems on hills, usually as you lift off the brake the motor has already engaged and you won't roll back, you can left foot brake the brake pedal also.

One thing about the brake, sometimes when you're stopped in traffic and your foot is on the brake sometimes the motor will still be consuming power so you'll need to push the brake pedal a bit harder, this can waste a lot of the battery if you don't notice it, the energy monitor will show if there is power going to the motor. You can just press p and let your foot off the brake.

Thanks a million, you've been a massive help with this. No doubt I'll have more questions if it all goes through.

Fantasy_Suicide

So I brought her home today. Car is fantastic, spotless and drives with no issues at all.

200kms home averaging 5ltr/100kms. Not sure if this is good yet? Average speed would have been about 110kms.

Great car, a bit sluggish on hills I notice, but perfect. Over the moon lads.

Fair play well wear.

5.0l to me is about the worst I can get. It will take a bit of practice.

Fantasy_Suicide

Deleted User wrote: »

Fair play well wear.

5.0l to me is about the worst I can get. It will take a bit of practice.

Yeah I guessed as much! I'll work on it

One other thing, don't be resetting the trip computer after or before every trip as this will not give an accurate reading.

It's the per tank reading that matters.

Best to reset after every fill up.

Fantasy_Suicide

What size a tank does the Prius have? I'm guessing about 44ltrs? I usually fill my tank half way, so I guessed at 20ltrs.

Fantasy_Suicide

Fantasy_Suicide wrote: »

What size a tank does the Prius have? I'm guessing about 44ltrs? I usually fill my tank half way, so I guessed at 20ltrs.

I think it's roughly 45 litres.

What I would do is reset it after every 2 half fills then.

lord lucan

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I think it's roughly 45 litres.

What I would do is reset it after every 2 half fills then.

Mine's a 45 litre tank(gen 2) . I brimmed mine the first couple of times to get an accurate idea of the mpg and both times it was only 1mpg different to what the MFD said.

Fantasy_Suicide

Thanks lads. I've a gen 2 also.

One more question. The fuel gauge - how low can I go? I was on one bar before the R (assuming reserve tank).

Oh and also, on the gear stick, what's the B for?

I've brought it to flashing on the fuel gauge but when you need fuel you might as well get it.

B mode on the gear switch is "only" to be used coming down long step hills. It increases engine breaking, and reduces wear and tear on the friction brakes. Especially when the traction battery can't take more change then there is no more regen so you rely on traditional breaking.

If you drive in B it will be very inefficient.

Fantasy_Suicide

Okay cool, I never used the 1st or 2nd gear in any of my autos before, so I doubt I'll be needing it all that much.

Awesome.

Some humor for you: It took me a solid 15mins this morning to find where the lever for the petrol door is. On the plus, I found where the power outlet is. On all the pics, I saw it was on the passenger's side. On mine, it's in the arm rest.

Super cool.

Yeah took me a while to find the fuel flap release too.:D

Fantasy_Suicide

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yeah took me a while to find the fuel flap release too.:D

After my general work commute the average l/100km is 4.7.

Slowly getting better. Lads at work can't believe how quiet it is. Got her through the car wash and bought a tape aux adapter and a pretty flower for my dash that's vanilla scented.

Fantasy_Suicide

I've got a question about cruise control.

Mine does not seem to work. Does it only work when at a certain speed? I press the button in the light comes on but the car decelerates.

colm_mcm

You need to push the button on the end if the stalk to turn main cruise on/off.
push the stalk up/down to control the speed,
Tap it down to activate,
Pull it towards you to cancel
Tap it up to resume

Think you need to be doing 55kmph or so for it to work.

If you hit the brakes the cruise is cancelled.
If you're on a set speed and accelerate with the pedal, the car will go faster. Once you let your foot off the pedal it'll resume back to the speed you were at before accelleration.

Fantasy_Suicide

Thanks so much colm.

I'm full of questions, it's intriguing!

So yesterday I drove 200kms home with the car and got 4.9/100kms. Majority of the ride home I noticed the highest it would go is about 12ltrs while accelerating etc.

So today I did my normal commute and at one stage while accelerating it was saying current fuel consumption would go as high as 25.5/100kms and would slowly come down.

Is that normal?

colm_mcm

Instantaneous fuel consumption monitors are mainly nonsense tbh. You're looking at a snapshot of your fuel consumption that isn't really of any use.

Fantasy_Suicide

Thanks man. I just read that it takes about 5-10 mins for it to heat and that's when I'm seeing the crappy mpg. Good to know.

The car is full of surprises, I did not expect to love it as much as I do.

Fantasy_Suicide

Fantasy_Suicide wrote: »

So yesterday I drove 200kms home with the car and got 4.9/100kms. Majority of the ride home I noticed the highest it would go is about 12ltrs while accelerating etc.

So today I did my normal commute and at one stage while accelerating it was saying current fuel consumption would go as high as 25.5/100kms and would slowly come down.

Is that normal?

Yes it's perfectly normal, on most cars with a trip computer if you turn on the current consumption and accelerate it will show a much higher consumption than cruising speed because it takes more energy to accelerate than to cruise once you've built up speed.

Fantasy_Suicide

Thanks so so much everyone! I absolutely love my car. My best friend loved it and is thinking of coming to the dark side.

Thanks a mil!

colm_mcm

Make up a few mp3 discs for the cd changer too.

Fantasy_Suicide

I've just bought a little tape adapter for the iPhone, it's fantastic.

Also - Fuel consumption has reduced. I'm driving to and from work this week. So far i'm measuring 4.7ltr / 100kms.

Really happy!

The One Doctor

I got an 05 Prius Gen 2 about 6 weeks ago and it's great. My girlfriend drives it so she doesn't do the hypermiling stuff, but she still gets 58mpg. I've changed the oil and transmission fluid - both were black. I got a great bargain at but took a risk as the car doesn't have a Toyota service history, but I've confirmed that it has had the recalls done. I know that the battery is in good condition.

There are only a couple of niggles. The rear window is crap as the wipers don't clean nearly enough of the window and the visibility is poor anyway. The car is fairly long and a bit of a challenge to park well. The engine is surprisingly loud during acceleration, although apparently that's a drawback of the Atkinson cycle engines, they sound more like diesels.

Apart from those niggles it's smooth, comfortable, cheap to run and most importantly, automatic.

Fantasy_Suicide

Fantasy_Suicide wrote: »

I've just bought a little tape adapter for the iPhone, it's fantastic.

Also - Fuel consumption has reduced. I'm driving to and from work this week. So far i'm measuring 4.7ltr / 100kms.

Really happy!

So far this week I'm @ 4.3 L/100 kms. and that includes a trip through the Wicklow Mountains from Carlow-Tullow-Gorey-Arklow-Avoca-Rathdrum-Laragh-Wicklow Gap-Hollywood-Dunlavin back on the old N9 home. And then work driving yesterday.


Winter will reduce that a bit, depends on how hot you have the interior I rarely have it past 20 degrees because I really don't like anything hotter.

Press ev mode at lights and if the engine and if the coolant and cat are warm enough it will allow you press ev mode.

Don;t drive in e.v mode, just use it for lights when the engine won't switch off automatically. Don't have the A/C on when you don;t need it because it takes power from the traction battery.

It still impresses me that I can still achieve the same mpg at 200,000 kms as when we got it at 74,000 Kms. The battery still seems to be in good health.

The One Doctor

The One Doctor wrote: »

I got an 05 Prius Gen 2 about 6 weeks ago and it's great. My girlfriend drives it so she doesn't do the hypermiling stuff, but she still gets 58mpg. I've changed the oil and transmission fluid - both were black. I got a great bargain at but took a risk as the car doesn't have a Toyota service history, but I've confirmed that it has had the recalls done. I know that the battery is in good condition.

There are only a couple of niggles. The rear window is crap as the wipers don't clean nearly enough of the window and the visibility is poor anyway. The car is fairly long and a bit of a challenge to park well. The engine is surprisingly loud during acceleration, although apparently that's a drawback of the Atkinson cycle engines, they sound more like diesels.

Apart from those niggles it's smooth, comfortable, cheap to run and most importantly, automatic.

The engine is noisy under hard acceleration but that is because it's only 75 hp and about 85 lbs of torque.

The motor kicks in instantly when needed for an extra 300 lbs of torque. And you can feel when it kicks in when you hit the throttle and the torque kicks in without any increase of engine revs.

One good idea is not to let the main traction battery run too low because acceleration power comes from the engine generator, engine, and motor and power also comes from the battery and if the main battery is too low you will notice a loss of torque for acceleration.

I wouldn't call it diesel noisy, and 99% of the time it's a very smooth and quiet car far smoother than most diesels.

The MK III is a lot better though with more power, and a lot less engine noise. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Replacing the transmission oil was a very good idea and will no doubt help prolong the life of the motors, the gearbox or cvt is virtually indestructible and I have not heard of one failing yet. The box in the MK III is even simpler again as it does away with the chain.

Some people don't like the cvt but you can't beat it for smoothness. They are much better with higher powered engines.

The rear window isn't great for visibility but for someone who drove vans for years, it's something that doesn't bother me in the slightest.

It's a decent size car and one of the reasons I'm still amazed by it's fuel economy especially being a petrol automatic. A lot of manual diesel drivers of modern smaller cars struggle to get 55 mpg and the MK II prius can get 64 mpg using 10 year old hybrid tech.

BTW the Prius II has 110 total HP and 380 Lb torque, mainly the traction motor that provides the torque. Roughly 10-10.5 seconds 0-100 KPh

Prius III has 130 total HP, not so sure about torque. but about 9-9.5 seconds 0-100.

The One Doctor

The One Doctor wrote: »

I got an 05 Prius Gen 2 about 6 weeks ago and it's great. My girlfriend drives it so she doesn't do the hypermiling stuff, but she still gets 58mpg. I've changed the oil and transmission fluid - both were black. I got a great bargain at but took a risk as the car doesn't have a Toyota service history, but I've confirmed that it has had the recalls done. I know that the battery is in good condition.

There are only a couple of niggles. The rear window is crap as the wipers don't clean nearly enough of the window and the visibility is poor anyway. The car is fairly long and a bit of a challenge to park well. The engine is surprisingly loud during acceleration, although apparently that's a drawback of the Atkinson cycle engines, they sound more like diesels.

Apart from those niggles it's smooth, comfortable, cheap to run and most importantly, automatic.

Hah, wrote this 7 years ago. Only got rid of the Prius last July, bought an Aqua, smaller but a lot more modern, quieter and efficient. Mk2 engine, Mk3 hybrid system and battery.

Long live hybrids!

The One Doctor

The One Doctor wrote: »

Hah, wrote this 7 years ago. Only got rid of the Prius last July, bought an Aqua, smaller but a lot more modern, quieter and efficient. Mk2 engine, Mk3 hybrid system and battery.

Long live hybrids!

What's an Aqua ?

Did you check out EV before you got another hybrid ?

JohnC.

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What's an Aqua ?

Did you check out EV before you got another hybrid ?

Aqua is the Japanese name for what’s also known as Prius c in some other countries it was available in. It’s basically a Prius, but Yaris sized. I think it’s been discontinued outside Japan at this stage, replaced with an actual Yaris hybrid.

The One Doctor

JohnC. wrote: »

Aqua is the Japanese name for what’s also known as Prius c in some other countries it was available in. It’s basically a Prius, but Yaris sized. I think it’s been discontinued outside Japan at this stage, replaced with an actual Yaris hybrid.

Size is halfway between a Yaris and a Prius. I should know, I have a Yaris too. Yeah it's been discontinued but so has the Mk2 and 3. It was a bargain, it's a great car and it has all the normal Toyota parts. The Aqua is built from off the shelf components - the Mk2 engine, Mk3 hybrid system and infotainment with a few Yaris bits for good measure.

No I didn't consider an EV as the EV fanboy clique puts me off and I don't want to have to put my car on life support every fecking time I need to get somewhere. It's like buying an extra toddler for green enviro-penance. I need to refuel in 2 mins or less.

Plus these EV types seem to have infinite money, whereas mine is finite and I don't see to need to piss it away on envirocoolness. The world is going to get warmer and it'll be nice to have the warmer weather until a hypercane kills us all.

I'll buy one when I get a comb-over.

The One Doctor

The One Doctor wrote: »

Size is halfway between a Yaris and a Prius. I should know, I have a Yaris too. Yeah it's been discontinued but so has the Mk2 and 3. It was a bargain, it's a great car and it has all the normal Toyota parts. The Aqua is built from off the shelf components - the Mk2 engine, Mk3 hybrid system and infotainment with a few Yaris bits for good measure.

No I didn't consider an EV as the EV fanboy clique puts me off and I don't want to have to put my car on life support every fecking time I need to get somewhere. It's like buying an extra toddler for green enviro-penance. I need to refuel in 2 mins or less.

Plus these EV types seem to have infinite money, whereas mine is finite and I don't see to need to piss it away on envirocoolness. The world is going to get warmer and it'll be nice to have the warmer weather until a hypercane kills us all.

I'll buy one when I get a comb-over.

That was entertaining reading !

Ah us EV drivers aren't that bad, I'm in no clique either, hate cliques especially at work, I just drive EV because it suits me and having free work charging means I have around 200-220 a month more to put towards the car repayments which with the new id.3 will be 530 pm so if I had to pay the same for a diesel that would add another 200 odd to my monthly costs. I got mostly free work charging and with the new much larger battery car I can benefit even more from work charging as I have much more storage.

I don't drive EV because I think it's going to help reduce the effects of climate change, in fact I think anthropogenic climate change is a load of nonsense. Anything we do on this small Island will always have no effect, the real issues I see around me are pollution form plastics and rubbish tipping but I do favour the reduction of actual harmful emissions from car exhaust and an all out ban on smoky coal, this is real harmful, Co2 is a harmless gas essential for life.

There's no convincing the inconvincible either and I don't try, at least I don't any more, if someone asks me about how I find driving an ev I tell them it suits me fine. But when I have the range of the id.3 with much larger battery it will be a game changer, how I find it on trips to the South West, West and North West of the Island with a poor charging infrastructure is another matter because currently with the i3 if I need more range or there's a charging queue I just turn on the generator and drive off so how will I find having 140-170 kms with generator to having 400-500 Kms and no generator is anyone's guess.

There's no convincing you if you need to refuel in 2 mins or less then you need to refuel in 2 mins or less, then pay, another 5 mins at least, but I think I can stop for 20-30 mins for a rest and some food after 400-500 kms the question is how fast the infrastructure will get installed, I mean a network of proper high power charging hubs ?