New to forum, & wondering about keeping my old Prius...

welcome!
just a guess, but i think the cheapest route is to keep it going forever. especially if you can find low cost salvage parts and etc.
a newer, lower mile used prius won't necessarily be problem free.

 

You do drive a lot!! Up until recently, I would drive 35-40,000 miles/year. My philosophy is to avoid breakdowns because clients expect me to be there for their emergencies, so unless I have a second car (for which I haven't had the garage space, nor money), I need a bulletproof single car. This is why I turn cars over for new ones every 5 years or so. This has proven to be the best solution for my situation, providing me with a totally reliable, low-maintenance cost (tires and oil, that's all!) super economical, fun car. I see a dealer every 10,000 miles, while I go to my tire store every 5,000 miles for tire rotation and balancing.
I did this for 103,000 miles with my 2012 PIP, and previously had kept good cars for about 230,000 miles. Break downs and troubleshooting is reserved for fixing PC's in my life; my carefully selected cars leave me alone most of the time, and just perform!!
I like that I can count on something that is reliable considering my job dealing with totally unreliable computers/apps!!



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if you're throwing a new prius into the equation, i'm on board. it won't be cheaper, but definitely more reliable.

 

I'm just too damn old to deal with the hassle of fixing car problems. I'll spend the money on a GOOD car (finding one can be the problem!) to eliminate the hassle.

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ah, you and hp are kindred spirits. i play guitar, poorly.

 

Thank you for sharing this. Welcome!

 

There is one other factor to occasionally going new(er) is the incremental tech advances. Better anti-lock brakes, headlights, crash protection, better battery management software, interior cabin features, etc. You don't have to go to the newest version to increment up over time. Food for thought.

 

Don't give up; I teach guitar; the more you play, the less "poorly" you become!!. I'm currently working with a brand new guitar player; she's 78 years young!! I hope cynism dies an early death!!
it's wonderful to watch somebody's eyes light up, as step by step, they make progress in music! One of life's beautiful pleasures!
Mr. DrMarcweber, you have my sympathy, I've spent the last 55 years trying to prove to my (now deceased ) parents, and myself, that music "is a REAL job!" Still working on it!!
Agree, music as such, hasn't (Yet!?), been able to support my car-buying habit; I've had to resort to working in car/RV sales, and Information Technology to maintain my "habit", loathsome creature that I am!
Still waiting for my 10 published albums to pay out!!



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sometimes you can have all the talent in the world, but the breaks don't come. that happens in all walks of life, but for artists, it's more difficult because of the financial difficulties. sorry to derail your thread!

 

A few questions.
When you say motor, do you mean the engine(ICE), the gas burning part, or the electric traction motor?
Do you do the repair work yourself?
Do you have the space to store the old car for parts?

I'm guessing you don't live where snow and rust are an issue. With the current car, you are reaching the point wear things that aren't considered wear parts, could wear out. I don't think the Prii taxis see life much beyond what you've got out of yours.

Simply repairing will be cheaper, but that also has a time cost, with potential for stranding. Then, eventually, something will break that can't be fixed for some reason. Which means scrambling to get a replacement. So I say start shopping. You don't have to rush it now, and wait for a deal.

Stick with a gen3, and if you have the storage, you can hold onto the replacement engine and battery for the newer car, plus have spares for issue parts the new used car might have. Look into how to properly store them.

The end of the year is coming. You might also get lucky and find a new 2017 Prius a dealer needs to get rid of in Feb.

 

I have 2 words for drmarcweber: CERTIFIED USED.


iPhone ?

 

@drmarcweber, If you are planning to continue to drive 60K miles a year, then a late G3 (2014, 2015) with moderate mileage around 75K may be the best used Prius deal. The price will be lower and the traction battery is still quite young. My two cents.

 

My opinion is to buy a low mileage gen2 prius and prepare to buy a new hv battery. Total should be less than $7000

 

Is someone paying you to drive 60k a year, or is it a hobby?