Please bear with me.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Stu9, Mar 4, 2025.

  1. Stu9

    Stu9 Junior Member

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    I am new here and don't have a Prius yet but was almost ready to get a T3 1.8 with over 200000 miles, now that alone didn't bother me to much, it was the head gasket issues I have reading about. What I would to know, am I as well maybe going for the T2 1.8 or is it much the same.

    Thanks for any advice and help.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    You don't want the generation 3 with the 1.8 2ZZ engine or at least I don't those aren't keepers interiors are kind of shoddy they look nice just don't touch them Don't let people get in and lean on the armrest in the doors and lean on the center console and flip the cup holders back and forth and generally do things that people do when they get in cars that aren't theirs even with all of that taken to heart is just not the car for us A lot of work a lot of maintenance and so on for us that's what we found We had a persona and a 2010 solar roof car and just didn't work out we went back to the generation twos have been just driving since for the most part no drama really.
     
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    T3 & T2? Are you talking about trim level 3 versus trim level 2?

    My advice is to stay away from purchasing a Gen 3, especially one that has 200k miles on it. It will be a big money pit to keep it running.
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    For what it's worth, gen 3 Prius uses the 2ZR engine, not 2ZZ.
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Don't buy a 200k Gen3 to save money. Don't buy it to drive EV.

    Either step up to a 2018 or newer Toyota hybrid or use your gen3 money on a conventional Camry, Corolla or Civic. Still spend $200 on a pre purchase inspection (PPI) on the conventional car.

    A PPI is inconclusive on a gen3 hybrid. First it's easy to hide a head gasket by scammers or car flippers. Gen3 has bad brake by wire systems that cost $2400 if you are lucky. Inverters fail and will strand you.
     
  6. Stu9

    Stu9 Junior Member

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    Ok well that is me told regarding the gen3, I knew about the hg issues but not the rest ie quite shoddy interiors etc. I actually ended up getting a gen2, it still has 200000 on it but so far seems ok apart from needing a new hv battery as the range is non existent ie around half a mile then the engine starts.

    It is the t spirit with leather etc you will know the model, one thing i didn't do was check the mot history fully before getting it and found just last year has had welding at the back on the sills both sides, and the front. it is more visible at the back. It needs a few suspension parts at the front but all in all, not a bad car.

    I was close to doing a p/x though just the other day when I got offered a gen3 for mine plus some money from me, but something said don't.

    So is the verdict keep and fix the gen2 then if I am staying with Prius if I can then the gen4.
     
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  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Yes, that's right.

    The T2 was the basic entry-level, the T3 was the mid-spec, and the T-Spirit was the top-spec. I think they only used those names on the Gen 2 and Gen 3. For the Gen 4 they changed things up and used different trim designators for the trim levels.
     
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