We are in need of a newer family car. I have my eye on a 2005 Prius with 128,000 miles ($9900) on it. I have access to the maintenance records from the dealership. From what I have seen in these forums, major malfunctions are very unusual (transaxle failure, main battery replacement, etc..). My wife drives 14,000 miles a year and I would like to get 200,000 miles out of this car without any major malfunctions. Does this sound reasonable?
I have 118,000 on my 2005 and have spent nothing on non-routine maintanence. A good friend has put in 105,000 on his 2008(believe it on not!), and he has spent nothing on non-routine,either. There is a fellow here in Texas who recently turned 200,000 on his 2005, and has spent almost nothing on non-routine. Good Luck
Consumer Reports say that the 2005 is WAYYY above average for repairs. The 2004 has significant problems that were solved in 2005. Follow this link to the consumer reports stats. I bought a 2005 Prius with 33K on it for $16,000 a few months ago. The only gripe I have that I'd want the 2006 is really stupid: The 2005 model does NOT have an AUX jack for my iPhone/iPod so I have to listen through a sound-degrading cassette adapter. *sigh*.
