Prius, Would you?
Discussion
Hmm, I'm not sure if I'll get flamed or not for this...
I've been thinking lately that a Toyota Prius may be the ideal car for the missus. She largely leaves car choices upto me but has commented that she does like the look of the Toyota. I've suggested a Honda Jazz as well.
No real 'Must haves' but Auto would be a benefit as would uber low running costs (Think 50+mpg). This will be a car to buy and keep for the entirety of it's life so at least 10-15 years. Budget 10-12K which should see us in a reasonably fresh one.
We have 2 kids and the Mrs does maybe only 50-100 miles per week, much of which is around town. I've largely dismissed most MPV's as they need to be diesel to retain any value and the usual injector/DPF woes scare me especially as the car will be doing loads of short journeys.
What else should I be thinking about?
I've been thinking lately that a Toyota Prius may be the ideal car for the missus. She largely leaves car choices upto me but has commented that she does like the look of the Toyota. I've suggested a Honda Jazz as well.
No real 'Must haves' but Auto would be a benefit as would uber low running costs (Think 50+mpg). This will be a car to buy and keep for the entirety of it's life so at least 10-15 years. Budget 10-12K which should see us in a reasonably fresh one.
We have 2 kids and the Mrs does maybe only 50-100 miles per week, much of which is around town. I've largely dismissed most MPV's as they need to be diesel to retain any value and the usual injector/DPF woes scare me especially as the car will be doing loads of short journeys.
What else should I be thinking about?
I got picked up by one as a taxi. The most interesting thing was the display showing where the power is coming from and when it is charging the battery. Other than that it was fairly average. The cabbie liked it, but didn't like me drunkenly telling him how to drive more economically.
Cheers
Tom
Cheers
Tom
Fattyfat said:
I've largely dismissed most MPV's as they need to be diesel to retain any value and the usual injector/DPF woes scare me especially as the car will be doing loads of short journeys.
If you plan to keep it for the lifetime of the car, does this really matter? Petrol one = no worries! richs2891 said:
To answer the question, would I have a Prius the answer is no.
Its a clever idea, the one I drove I could not fault as a white goods item, I would have concerns of how long thw batteries last and the cost of replacements.
I think the Honda Jazz is a better idea, less to go wrong
Dude, seriously. The batteries ARE NOT A PROBLEM. There are still thousands, if not most of the 1st generation Prius on their original batteries and that is 10+ years old. Its a clever idea, the one I drove I could not fault as a white goods item, I would have concerns of how long thw batteries last and the cost of replacements.
I think the Honda Jazz is a better idea, less to go wrong
We are now in 3rd generation hybrid technology and the batteries are smaller and even better.
Right onto the OP. Looking at your budget I would assume you're looking at a MK2 or and early MK3. If it's mostly town driving then there won't be any problems and the MPG should get into the 50+ range easily.
BorkFactor said:
If you plan to keep it for the lifetime of the car, does this really matter? Petrol one = no worries!
Psychological I guess, the aim would be to keep the car a long time but I'd sleep better knowing the car is still worth a few grand at 10 years old and not £500 like a petrol Zafira/Picasso etc would be.Fattyfat said:
BorkFactor said:
If you plan to keep it for the lifetime of the car, does this really matter? Petrol one = no worries!
Psychological I guess, the aim would be to keep the car a long time but I'd sleep better knowing the car is still worth a few grand at 10 years old and not £500 like a petrol Zafira/Picasso etc would be.
lexusboy said:
Dude, seriously. The batteries ARE NOT A PROBLEM. There are still thousands, if not most of the 1st generation Prius on their original batteries and that is 10+ years old.
We are now in 3rd generation hybrid technology and the batteries are smaller and even better.
Right onto the OP. Looking at your budget I would assume you're looking at a MK2 or and early MK3. If it's mostly town driving then there won't be any problems and the MPG should get into the 50+ range easily.
No idea, about 2009/10 1.8 model?? Mk3 at a guess?We are now in 3rd generation hybrid technology and the batteries are smaller and even better.
Right onto the OP. Looking at your budget I would assume you're looking at a MK2 or and early MK3. If it's mostly town driving then there won't be any problems and the MPG should get into the 50+ range easily.
Do they throw up any common mechanical issues?
Personally I would, the batteries wouldn't worry me all I have never ever owned a single electronic good with rechargeable batteries that has had to have them replaced, no mobile phone , laptop, drill etc.
I was reading a leaflet in a Toyota dealer the other day, I know it's hype but it had about 1st gen Prius having over 300k on them and going fine on original batts. I think the system is great and would rather have a hybrid over a derv. Think they are a great idea. I think the Prius is a okay looking car compared to the focus etc too. I think nearly every Toyota has a hybrid model too now.
I think hybrids are great, not for pure motoring pleasure but for day to day driving in traffic you don't want all that. Plus you can tell people it's got he same tech as that fancy mclaren.
I was reading a leaflet in a Toyota dealer the other day, I know it's hype but it had about 1st gen Prius having over 300k on them and going fine on original batts. I think the system is great and would rather have a hybrid over a derv. Think they are a great idea. I think the Prius is a okay looking car compared to the focus etc too. I think nearly every Toyota has a hybrid model too now.
I think hybrids are great, not for pure motoring pleasure but for day to day driving in traffic you don't want all that. Plus you can tell people it's got he same tech as that fancy mclaren.
Fattyfat said:
No idea, about 2009/10 1.8 model?? Mk3 at a guess?
Do they throw up any common mechanical issues?
Yeah that's the MK3 (3rd generation hybrid technology). They are pretty solid to be fair. Can't recall ever seeing one come in with any major faults. I only really ever see them come in for servicing and consumable replacements (tyres, brakes etc)Do they throw up any common mechanical issues?
Fattyfat said:
lexusboy said:
Dude, seriously. The batteries ARE NOT A PROBLEM. There are still thousands, if not most of the 1st generation Prius on their original batteries and that is 10+ years old.
We are now in 3rd generation hybrid technology and the batteries are smaller and even better.
Right onto the OP. Looking at your budget I would assume you're looking at a MK2 or and early MK3. If it's mostly town driving then there won't be any problems and the MPG should get into the 50+ range easily.
No idea, about 2009/10 1.8 model?? Mk3 at a guess?We are now in 3rd generation hybrid technology and the batteries are smaller and even better.
Right onto the OP. Looking at your budget I would assume you're looking at a MK2 or and early MK3. If it's mostly town driving then there won't be any problems and the MPG should get into the 50+ range easily.
Do they throw up any common mechanical issues?
Having spent a couple days driving one (albeit a Prius+), I figured I'd give my 2 cents..
1. With fairly spirited driving (if possible in a Prius) we'd hit mid 30s MPG - of course not what it's designed for, but still..
2. Really quite underpowered, pulling out in busy roundabouts can get frustrating
3. While in EV mode it was so quiet, i had at least 3 instances of people walking in front of me while driving through town.
4. Very easy to drive, the cvt gearbox really does make driving a stop or go process.
There are better cars out there to do the same job IMO.
1. With fairly spirited driving (if possible in a Prius) we'd hit mid 30s MPG - of course not what it's designed for, but still..
2. Really quite underpowered, pulling out in busy roundabouts can get frustrating
3. While in EV mode it was so quiet, i had at least 3 instances of people walking in front of me while driving through town.
4. Very easy to drive, the cvt gearbox really does make driving a stop or go process.
There are better cars out there to do the same job IMO.
Go look at a Nissan leaf if you have a driveway
Otherwise nothing wrong with the prius apart from petrolheads telling you an M3 is more economical as clarkson told them.
As to battery problems
there is a problem with the battery on a prius that crops up about 6 years onwards.
The lead acid 12v battery in the back gets a bit iffy and throws up errors but it is £50 for a new one
As to the main traction battery i cannot tell you as i don't hate the prius so therefore can't tell you the truth
However
Go hunt down a company that refurbishes all these broken main traction batteries
I haven't found one in the UK
Which might indicate how often the main battery fails
Otherwise nothing wrong with the prius apart from petrolheads telling you an M3 is more economical as clarkson told them.
As to battery problems
there is a problem with the battery on a prius that crops up about 6 years onwards.
The lead acid 12v battery in the back gets a bit iffy and throws up errors but it is £50 for a new one
As to the main traction battery i cannot tell you as i don't hate the prius so therefore can't tell you the truth
However
Go hunt down a company that refurbishes all these broken main traction batteries
I haven't found one in the UK
Which might indicate how often the main battery fails
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