Secondhand Prius

[baggiebird]

Hi
I thought I would post about my change of car. I like to think that I have had an interesting selection of cars since I started driving in 1974. It has ranged from a Hillman Husky (Imp estate) through the Mk1 Fiesta, Rover Montego, Several VAG Golfs (mostly diesel), a couple of diesel A4s, Land Rover Defender, Volvo S40 diesel and latterly a Mk 5 Golf diesel. Along the way were 2 Caterham Sevens and a TVR S3. So I reckon that I am reasonably qualified to offer an opinion on the Prius which is a 2008, so 1500cc, T4

Likes

Toyota engineering and QA
Innovation/technology, the hybrid system in particular is very clever, and cleverly packaged
So quiet
Very good economy (in town and rural motoring)
Very smooth CVT box
Great in traffic
Roomy
Well equipped
Brakes (has regen' plus conventional all disc system)
Warranty (3 year/60 000 miles plus 8 years/100 000 miles on all the hybrid components, including the battery
Low insurance and very low (£10 next year) road tax
Reasonable servicing costs
Competitive price
Arguably almost a classic in its own right

Dislikes

A good diesel (but it would have to be a bigger vehicle than a Golf, Focus or 1 Series BMW to be a fair comparison) might be better in terms of economy for a lot of motorway work
Steering is on the light side
Handling OK, but it is not a Golf Mk5 clearly
The front styling could be better!
Interior trim is fine but again not quite to VAG standards, though they are not what they were

For the sceptics who are at least interested, have a look at

http://www.myprius.co.za/prius_blog.htm

http://priuschat.com/

There have also been interesting reviews elsewhere. Opinions welcome!!!!

[sparkyhx]

is that 8 years on hydrid bits or 3+8?

Personally I find them hateful, but thats my prejudice and belief that as an ecocar they don't stack up - however as a running cost thing then they do sort of begin to make sense.

However a good diesel will get close to it especially if you are doing motorway milage when the prius's small engine is a liabilityand really doesn't make sense. Also consider LPG conversion to a petrol car - instant 1/2 price motoring.

I have a Lexus LS430 on LPG that does 60mpg equivalent £ for £ on motorways - cost wise better than the Prius but environmentally worse (although LPG is better than petrol environmentally)

You have to ask yourself are you an environmentalist or are you looking to reduce the cost of motoring.

Another factor to consider is resale the longer you keep it and the more milage you do will have a part to play. Until hybrid technology is proven to last 10+ years they could become unsellable as they get older.

p.s. I think the insight is better

Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 20th October 12:13

[Monki]

Remember the cost of replacing the batteries too

[Save Ferris]

Ive been with Toyota for 5 years now and sold numerous Prius new and used.
Most people looking at Prius have already done a fair bit of research beforehand, so often know far too much before they even visit a showroom!

The one big thing to point out is that they won't do the 63mpg combined that is claimed, however most owners tend to get around 55mpg in real world driving. You will need to adapt your driving style to get the best from the car.

The warranty is the usual 3yrs/60,000 miles, and the Hybrid parts have an 8yr/100,000 mile warranty. The Prius has the lowest warranty claims of any Toyota - fact.

If you can find (or stretch the budget a little more) I'd go for a T-Spirit model, they have all of the T4 spec plus Sat-Nav, parking camera/assist and Bluetooth.

[sparkyhx]

Monki said:

Remember the cost of replacing the batteries too

Another factor to consider is resale, the longer you keep it and the more milage you do will have a part to play. Until hybrid technology is proven to last 10+ years they could become unsellable as they get older.

exactly what I was alluding to -


I don't know the price of the Prius in comparison with other cars in its class, but I expect they carry a hafty premium. That premium could be used to LPG another car.

Like I said if you are going for ECO Warrior status then the verdict is out on the benefitsgiven whole of life, whereas from an economy and costs point of view you may never see the benefits over an equivalent Diesel/lpg car.

p.s. Save Ferris - whats the MPG on motorway - is it equivalent to normal 1.5 petrol cos of the extra weight and the fact its running pretty much on petrol?

Edited by sparkyhx on Friday 23 October 23:11

[Save Ferris]

sparkyhx said:

p.s. Save Ferris - whats the LPG on motorway - is it equivalent to normal 1.5 petrol cos of the extra weight and the fact its running pretty much on petrol?

The batteries and motor are designed to last the life of the car, Toyota get very few problems with them, and look 'favourably' on any claims out of warranty time/mileage. A new battery pack is around £800 I believe, but Ive not seen a Prius need them yet.

Ive only ever seen one Prius where it need a new hybrid system. It was a first generation X-reg model, that had done about 95K, the owner never had it serviced with Toyota, so when it went wrong his local garage fixed it at a cost of £2500. (I reckon Toyota would have subsidised part of that if he'd have asked!)
The guy is actually PX'ing it for a 2008 model on Friday!

The MPG is generally mid 50's for most types of driving, They can run in electric at any speed if you are gentle with the throttle. Realistically though it stays in electric only up to 30mph. Whereas the Honda IMA and the newer Insight struggle to run in electric only at any speed.

There will always be the argument that a diesel will be more economical, but for me the Prius isn't just about fuel economy, it's comfortable, smooth drive, good spec. If better MPG is your number 1 priority then it's probably not the right car for you.

and also...........you'd also be amazed at the number of people who are happy to spend £20K on a Prius just to get the £15 road tax! (or £0 on a brand new model)

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, I'm just trying to put another side of the whole 'prius are rubbish' comments that always come up on here!

[sparkyhx]

Save Ferris said:

sparkyhx said:

p.s. Save Ferris - whats the LPG on motorway - is it equivalent to normal 1.5 petrol cos of the extra weight and the fact its running pretty much on petrol?

The batteries and motor are designed to last the life of the car, Toyota get very few problems with them, and look 'favourably' on any claims out of warranty time/mileage. A new battery pack is around £800 I believe, but Ive not seen a Prius need them yet.

Ive only ever seen one Prius where it need a new hybrid system. It was a first generation X-reg model, that had done about 95K, the owner never had it serviced with Toyota, so when it went wrong his local garage fixed it at a cost of £2500. (I reckon Toyota would have subsidised part of that if he'd have asked!)
The guy is actually PX'ing it for a 2008 model on Friday!

The MPG is generally mid 50's for most types of driving, They can run in electric at any speed if you are gentle with the throttle. Realistically though it stays in electric only up to 30mph. Whereas the Honda IMA and the newer Insight struggle to run in electric only at any speed.

There will always be the argument that a diesel will be more economical, but for me the Prius isn't just about fuel economy, it's comfortable, smooth drive, good spec. If better MPG is your number 1 priority then it's probably not the right car for you.

and also...........you'd also be amazed at the number of people who are happy to spend £20K on a Prius just to get the £15 road tax! (or £0 on a brand new model)

Hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, I'm just trying to put another side of the whole 'prius are rubbish' comments that always come up on here!

not come across wrong way at all -

I personaly hate them for the 'eco' badge marketing cos its ultimately at best debatable at worst a complete con - just be honest and say its cheap to run. But there are others that may also be cheap like the latest diesels and LPG.

[baggiebird]

Really interesting contributions so far, which was what I hoped for when I posted initially.