Hybrid-vehicle electronic failures....
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California
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My neighbor got on the waiting list and bought one of the first Priuses to arrive in the US. The early, smaller model. She said it had major expensive work done at year two done free under warranty - I think all the electronics. Then flawless operation for the next 300,000 miles and still runs nice today.
After puzzling over what could replace my Outback but with better mileage, I have come around to considering a used Prius V at $12~15k. Toyota is the only make likely to be reliable several more years after buying used. I'm thinking of something to get by with until Teslas are available at ordinary prices, maybe 5 years out.
I thought about a used Volt but plugging it in after every time it had run errands seems like too much nuisance. And I'm still a little gun-shy of GM. The last 'new, innovative' one I bought new (80 Citation) was 100% worn out and near undrivable ($600 tradein) at 45k miles, a real lemon. Camshaft, clutch, ate tires, broke the clutch cable 50 miles from home at 20 k miles, lots more. At the time I swore never another GM vehicle.
What can people tell me about the Prius V? The first issue I see is poor visiblity to the right-rear, does the rear view camera solve that? Do all trim levels come with the camera? What other options are important?
After puzzling over what could replace my Outback but with better mileage, I have come around to considering a used Prius V at $12~15k. Toyota is the only make likely to be reliable several more years after buying used. I'm thinking of something to get by with until Teslas are available at ordinary prices, maybe 5 years out.
I thought about a used Volt but plugging it in after every time it had run errands seems like too much nuisance. And I'm still a little gun-shy of GM. The last 'new, innovative' one I bought new (80 Citation) was 100% worn out and near undrivable ($600 tradein) at 45k miles, a real lemon. Camshaft, clutch, ate tires, broke the clutch cable 50 miles from home at 20 k miles, lots more. At the time I swore never another GM vehicle.
What can people tell me about the Prius V? The first issue I see is poor visiblity to the right-rear, does the rear view camera solve that? Do all trim levels come with the camera? What other options are important?
milkman
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California
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Thanks! I just spent an hour there.
Summary of that thread: Prius v (wagon), 350,000 miles in a couple of years (messenger) with just maintenance, then a leaking head gasket took down that engine. Similar miles on its replacement, and 400k on another messenger's Prius v, without anything unexpected. A different thread indicated 38~40 mpg is a reasonable expectation for mostly 70+ mph driving profile.
Applying that: It seems reasonable to buy this Toyota used with price (inversely) proportional to miles. Another 100k miles for me would be 10 years and there would still be some resale value.
The only real cheap Prius v on Craigslist presently looks like new, low miles, but is salvage title at $8,500. Salvage title sounds scary but will have been DMV-inspected before they re issued plates. That lessens the gamble a little, and even if problems appear then taking a loss on resale couldn't hurt too much. I doubt I'll buy this $8,500 Prius but its tempting.
Travelover
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I had a 2007 Escape hybrid for 10 years and 90,000 miles. Front suspension was crap, but hybrid system was trouble free. There was a recall on the cooling pump for the electronics. Mine had not failed, but it was replaced for free. Since these were widely used as taxis in NYC and other locations, there is a ton of high mileage data on them. Here is a sample: Ford Hybrids Prove Durability By Racking Up Most Taxi Miles
IslandTractor
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I have a 2013 Ford CMax Energi with 49,000 miles. A few minor warranty issues but nothing serious. Other than starting battery replacement, only oil changes and wipers for maintenance so far. This is a combined hybrid and plug in.
California
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I considered a Ford CMax Hybrid (not the plugin Energi) when they were new.
Now that they are cheaper coming off lease, maybe one would be a reasonable choice. I see cargo space with the rear seat down is considerably less than Prius v but that's the only comparison I know. Are they priced similar used? And are they likely to stand up to another several years use without high maintenance/repair expense?
Now that they are cheaper coming off lease, maybe one would be a reasonable choice. I see cargo space with the rear seat down is considerably less than Prius v but that's the only comparison I know. Are they priced similar used? And are they likely to stand up to another several years use without high maintenance/repair expense?
