I'm looking to replace my '05 Prius after the HV battery died recently. I'd like to find a used Gen 3 model, specifically the IV trim to get Lumbar support and sunroof. I found a 2010 with 66k miles for $10,500 that looks clean, but am a bit nervous about the hybrid battery failing again. I drive a solid 20k+ miles per year, so I'd be out of warranty pretty soon. Being that 2010 was the first year of the new generation, were there any major issues or reasons I should avoid it for a newer model? Prior to making a purchase, is there any way to check the health of the hybrid battery? My other option would be to spend more for a 2012 or 2013 model for around $16,000. I'd rather keep my costs down, and I don't see too many major differences between the 2010 and 2012/2013 model years. I just want a repeat of my '05 - super reliable, low maintenance. Any insight would be helpful.
On Car Complaints, the biggest complaint with the 2010 model is excessive oil consumption. There are a lot more complaints about the 2010 model on that particular site than any other Gen 3 model. However, there are no significant reliability differences between the 2010 and later models from the Long Term Quality Index, True Delta, or Consumer Reports. If you wanted to be much more likely to avoid the possibility of burning oil, then you'd want a 2012 or more recent model. You can tell if the traction battery is going bad by looking at the battery level. If the level goes from the bottom to the top and then back to the bottom in a few minutes, then the battery is going bad. The battery level shouldn't change by more than 2 bars when you're on a test drive. There have been very few traction battery failures thus far for Gen 3 models.
Have not heard of any excessive oil consumption problems with the 2011s. So you may want to look at that model year as well. The 2012 and newer G3s get the mid life upgrades like LED day time running lights and nicer exterior styling IMP.
Ours might be an anomaly, but anyway: 2010, manufactured August of 2009, 66,000 kilometers, using no oil between changes. So far.
We just traded a 2010 Prius for a 2015 Prius C because the 2010 was leaking a lot of oil and they wanted $1300.00 to repair it. Engine would shake occasionally also. Did I make a good decision or should I have let them repair it. The Prius C was 14,000.00
My inlaws own a 2010 with 80k miles. Doesn't burn a drop of oil. They have owned it since 19k miles and I change the oil every 5k. So not all 2010 are burning oil.
I'm changing oil and filter every 6 months: (bulk) Toyota 0W20. Kilometers so low, I better not mention...
Thanks for the feedback all, I was unaware of excess oil consumption issues in the 2010 model year. I'll keep this in mind when going to see potential cars for purchase. And Moving Right Along, thanks for the info on the traction battery. I never noticed the battery level jumping up and down in my own Prius before it died, but then again I probably wasn't paying attention. Good to know, I'll be on the look out. I should have a test drive scheduled later this week for a 2013. After doing an online search for a few days it seems the sunroof and lumbar combo is somewhat of a rarity.
New Prius owner and could not be happier with my purchase. I picked up a 2011 Prius with 91,000mi on the clock for $9,200. I did a bunch a research as well and the 2011 for the Gen3 seemed to be a better price then the 12 or 13. Can't say enough about how well this car runs. I was able to get a Car Fax on the are and it was always maintained at a Toyota dealership.
2010 was a long model year. A IV-Solar (2010) or a Four-Solar (2011+) will be relatively uncommon. Register the VIN at the cars you are interested in at http://www.toyota.com/owners to get the dealer service history and the in service date. You got 12 years out of the 2005's battery. If you get 12 years out of the 2010's battery that would be another 100000 miles, 166000 total. I would expect the battery to hold up. How many miles on your 2005 when the battery died? 240000?
They are harder to find.but with gas cheap they can be found. Was able to find a used 2013 model four with the sun roof solar panel package two years ago. Well worth the effort.
