Used Prius --- The Dirty Little Secret

chibougamoo · #1 03-06-2010, 10:16 PM

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/2010_Prius-III_Blue_with_17_Wheels_-_Headline.jpg

John Voelcker - ALLABOUTPRIUS - 9 Feb 09

Thinking of Buying a Used Prius? Which Year? --Ed.

It's been the dirty little secret of Prius owners for years. While their cars are extremely reliable, they end up paying more for repairs when they do have to be made. Now, a study confirms what had been rumored for some time: Repairs on the Prius cost more than for cars of a similar size. To be precise, 8.4% more.

There's good news, though, if you're considering buying a Prius. The difference was most pronounced for earlier cars (2001-2006) and seems to have vanished almost completely for the two most recent model years (2007 and 2008).

The study attributes the difference to the small number of Priuses sold in early years, compared to the hundreds of thousands of, say, Civics and Accords sold each year. Fewer Priuses on the road reduced the supply of repair parts available from "recyclers"--what we used to call junkyards--requiring more of them to be bought directly from Toyota. Manufacturer parts are almost always pricier than used parts, so the average repair cost crept up.
... [Read More]

WriConsult · #2 03-07-2010, 01:29 AM

What, 8.4% more for repairs?! BFD! I own two VWs. Try 100% more than the numerous Hondas and Subarus I've owned. I just calculated that after two years of ownership, each of my VWs is consistently costing me 18c per mile in maintenance. I don't think any previous cars cost memore than 8-10c per mile, even when they got past 150k on the clock.

8.4 percent. Waaah.

bestmapman · #3 03-07-2010, 06:13 AM

They compared the Prius to "Economy" Cars. The Prius is not an economy car and thus this is not a valid comparison. Try comparing it to like priced cars.

Butterfly Mage · #4 03-07-2010, 08:23 AM

I have to say that the Prius is probably neigh unto indestructible. There are two Priui in my neighborhood that look like 2001 or 2002 models and they keep on truckin'. In the past ten years, I think I've seen maybe two or three Priui broken down on the side of the road. I've seen a zillion Chrysler products dead on the side of the road in that same time.

The Prius is not the car for me (as explained in another thread), but I don't doubt it's an awesome car.

ItsNotAboutTheMoney · #5 03-07-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WriConsult

What, 8.4% more for repairs?! BFD! I own two VWs. Try 100% more than the numerous Hondas and Subarus I've owned. I just calculated that after two years of ownership, each of my VWs is consistently costing me 18c per mile in maintenance. I don't think any previous cars cost memore than 8-10c per mile, even when they got past 150k on the clock.

8.4 percent. Waaah.

Obviously, hybrid-specific problems can occur but the regular stuff shouldn't really cost much more.

Still, sucks on your VW. No wonder they offer free maintenance!

Butterfly Mage · #6 03-07-2010, 11:03 AM

The only thing that's more expensive in hybrid maintenance is the special grade of motor oil (0-W-20). Other than that, it's basically the same as a regular car.

ALS · #7 03-07-2010, 11:13 AM

Funny has anyone gone to AutoTrader and checked out the prices on a used Prius.

Before sales tax I paid less for my 2010 than what a used 2008 Prius was going for.

Also yes there are far fewer Prius in a junk yard than other car for the reason stated, they have imported far fewer than the other brands and models mentioned in the story.

Here is a salvage yard search engine I use. You will see Prius parts are few and far between as they say compared to other makes and models.

BTW it is one of those links you should save to your favorites because it does come in handy at times. car-part.com/

worthywads · #8 03-07-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bestmapman

They compared the Prius to "Economy" Cars. The Prius is not an economy car and thus this is not a valid comparison. Try comparing it to like priced cars.

Well they did compare it with a Honda Accord which is more of a luxury car than the Prius. But yes the Prius is an economy car with a hybrid system. Anyone of the compared models, excluding the Accord, would cost about the same as a Prius if they had a hybrid option.

xcel · #9 03-14-2010, 03:35 AM

Hi All:

___Given the robustness of Toyota’s HSD system, who cares if it costs more to fix. The chance that you will need a fix of that type are surely far less than the slightly extra cost by comparison to other sub and compacts. Of which a Prius is a mid-sized albeit only due to the hatch.

___Good Luck

___Wayne