My gen 2 is 20 years old and 140,000 miles driven. I bought it 10 years ago on 90,000 miles. Looking to do something similar again. What should I buy?
We don't know how thick your wallet is! You can buy a new 2025 Prius and drive it for another 20 years. You can buy a used 2016 and drive it for 10 years.
I guess I'm debating between a 2015 Gen 3, 2016 Gen 4 or a 2009 Gen 2. All with around 90,000 miles on the clock.
Tough choice. Gen2 is reliable as a tank, but old. It may not last another 20 years. Gen3 is good, but has its own problem areas (cylinder head gasket, water pump, EGR, Gen4 is possible, but it is too low for me. Maybe this is your option.
I understand the sweet spot is a 2019 L ECO...still comes with a spare tire and (normal sized flaccid) Screen. Some heater exchange bypass reports... I'd research that a bit.
2015 is the best gen 3. there are issues that might crop up: head gasket, brake actuator, hybrid battery. the egr circuit should be cleaned evry 50k or so, and an oil catch can added. 2016 had many improvements, egr being a major one. only defect is the exhaust gas heat exchanger which has leaked out the engine coolant and caused a blown head gasket. we don't know how many are bad, not everyone has had the problem, but toyota did update the exhaust in 2018 i believe, 2009 is a tank as mentioned above. if you can trust the mileage and it doesn't burn oil, it might be a good choice, but plan on a replacement hybrid battery and possibly the brake actuator. you did well with the 05, but don't count on that happening again. if it does, take it as a pleasant surprise. all the best!
