Understand. Be advised however, the Prius is still 100% made in Japan. It is my personal experience that Toyotas made elsewhere are where QC is showing most of it's azz. On my second GEN III now with no problems, but I maintain all my vehicles at severe duty cycle plus. Good luck to ya.
Yes that is the case be that as it may until that engine people start having some miles on it and they get to find out and have the fun I'll hold off I wouldn't plunk down 39,000 for a brand new generation 5 or whatever it is in America some of these things are going for 45 47k for that I can be in a Chevy bolt with bunches of money left over I'm just looking at tons of those things for $8,500 and beautiful shape granted that's not the discussion here $49,000 to ride around and go to work and goof off or whatever versus 8500 well the choice is pretty obvious at that point for me You know I'm getting on up there I'm not going to see the end of a generation 5 or I might and that might kill me so I'll wait and see what happens with him plus I like buying my cars old always I like paying $2,500 in driving that sucker for 7 years You know what I mean You just can't beat that kind of nonsense especially if it's all working air conditioning and all that sort of thing yeah nah that's laugh all the way to the bank type stuff I'm not looking to have a car note or have 20,000 even tied up in the car in this day and age not me personally
I have had some thinking and although I prefer the Gen3 in just about everything, I would probably be aswell going back to the 2 simply because of my driving and commute. I only do around 12-15 miles a day and it is all traffic therefore the egr in the 3 will soon clog up and I can't be bothered with the carry on of cleaning it (how often do they need cleaned ie every 5000 miles, 10000 I don't know). I do use the fancy fuel for the cleaning stuff it seemingly has and not E10. But even still won't stop it clogging up. I thought going back to petrol was the answer till I realised the 3 had the egr. So really as I said before I would be aswell sticking to the 2. Yes it is not as nice looking inside or out, doesn't drive as good etc etc. But there is no egr (mainly) to worry about.
Drives just as well if not better especially with decent struts and tires on the car if that's your thing I ride around on cheap $49 tires and I can drift the car with the best of them No problem not that that's what you want to be doing in a Prius but. Goes good at least the interior solid I can lean on the door panel armrest without worry that caving in but I have seen one that did cave in but that must have been a 400 pounder.
Yes the "2" is still a good car, mine has had welding at the back sill both sides but still drives good. It needs ball joints and a front shock. As I say though, I do prefer the 3 but the egr is bothering me as I thought it was only diesels that had them. I know it would probably only take a few hours of my time (or someone else if I didn't do it although they would replace not clean) cleaning. I know what you mean regarding the door armrest on the 3, mine is cloth and is worn, not that much considering the miles though. But the one in the 2 yes it is leather but virtually no wear despite it's 200000 miles.
My son has a 2nd gen with 100,000 fewer miles than my 3rd gen. I don't like the ergonomics - I want to be able to telescope the wheel and adjust the seat height. The 2nd gen has some unique interior touches, and I suppose I kind of dig it, what with the fold out cupholder. I'll even give it a pass on not having physical buttons for the HVAC. I had to replace the evaporator in his 2nd gen and I'm not sure that was any easier of a job than the feared 3rd gen head gasket. I think the 2nd gen styling is a lot cleaner than the 3rd gen.
The op would be smart to get something else rather than his new to him 260,000 mile gen3. Once you spend $2500 for one repair your sunk costs are hard to recover. All gen3s are not the same. Some came from Japan with no egrs. Some gen3 v's were made through 2022 and have solid gen3 engines with egrs. A 2015 US gen3 is better than a 2010-early 2014 Prius because of revised rings and pistons. However the vast majority of high mile US gen3s burn oil, which really clogs the egr cooler (not just a dusting) and clogged cats are also a result of oil burning. If you get a P0401 egr flow code, clean or replace the egr system. Otherwise 150k works for me. Later overseas gen3 years maybe never. Absolutely worthless for egrs. All fuels have enough additives for fuel injectors although the ends can get clogged by oil burning and the pcv system combined with the Atkinson cycle.
In the UK we have had E10 that causes damage to engines and fuel pipes etc during time. That is why most here use E5 which is seemingly what the old stuff is with a fancy name and price.
You are probably right plus the people here that buy and sell them are of Eastern origin and they want everything for next to nothing.
I have both. A 2008 Gen 2 that recently got to 300K miles and a 2015 with 155k miles. As much as I like the gen 2 and its rock solid reliability, overall, I like the Gen 3 better: it handles nicer, has more power and the seating position and ergonomics are better. I cleaned the EGR and installed a oil catch can at 91k miles and empty it every 10K. It only collects a watery brown liquid and is a like a quarter full. Very little. No oil consumption at all. But yes, this has the improved pistons and rings. I have a water pump ready to install and will do the transaxle fluid next. I've had the 2008 since 2016 and the 2015 since 2019. In all, these are excellent cars, very happy with them!
