Hello - we have a 2004 Prius, original owners, with about 89K miles. We're considering selling to our daughter (at a big discount of course!) and are just wondering if there's any maintenance items that we may not have thought of to watch out for at this age/mileage? It's been maintained at the dealer. Oil changes every 3-4K miles. Just passed state inspection (PA), new tires last October. Had a couple of bigger problems over the years that were under warranty - one something to do with the ignition module. Since that time, knock on wood, it's been good. Is there anything that based on your experiences may need to be fixed/replaced soon, anything big? How about the big battery under the back seat? Any comments/suggestions based on your experience would be appreciated a lot! Thanks.
Honestly, this has got to be the most dependable and reliable vehicle I've ever owned. I think with standard / regular maintenance you should be all good. And you have new tires on it now, so I can't think of anything better. Your daughter's a lucky girl.
Thanks all. Nope we haven't replaced the regular 12v battery, doesn't seem like it needs it yet, but I will definitely check it out anyway - thanks again!
If you want to give your daughter a break, then you may decide to perform a few maintenance items now, before transferring the car to her: 1. Replace engine and inverter coolant 2. Replace iridium spark plugs 3. Replace struts/shocks 4. Replace serpentine drive belt 5. Replace transaxle fluid 6. Replace inverter coolant pump as a preventive move, since that is a known failure area that manifests itself especially in hot summer weather, and there's no way to predict the failure in advance. 7. Look at engine coolant pump and replace if shaft seal is weeping coolant 8. Inspect tires and replace them if tread depth less than 4/32" 9. Replace 12V battery, as previously suggested
The 12v battery usually won't give a lot of warning that it needs replacement. Yours is now 6 years old. It's 1 to 2 years beyond its expected life. Definitely replace it soon.
I keep reading about the 12volt battery and I have looked at mine and it looks in good condition (since it is not under the hood getting dirty, I realize looks may be deceiving). Since I was not the original owner and have no idea if the battery has been replaced, is there a DATE STAMP anywhere on the battery that will tell me WHEN it was installed? You know, like the battery in a regular car where you scrape out the year and month purchased? Anyone?
The original equipment battery should have a date code on top that shows day/month/year format. For example, see the first attached photo and look at the battery on the bottom. That was the original equipment battery from my 2004, manufactured Dec. 17, 2003. Also see the battery on top from my 2001, manufactured Dec. 6, 2000. The second photo shows the side of the battery from my 2004, you can see it is manufactured by GS Nippon Denchi. Do you NEED to have a car that is reliable? If yes, then you may want to replace the 12V battery as a preventive move since you live in an area with very cold winters.
A dissenting viewpoint - I wouldn't go overboard replacing things unnecessarily. If the car has been regularly maintained, just keep that up. Unless she is going to be in the middle of nowhere in foul weather, I'd just take care of any repairs as they come up.
trade it in for a corolla/camry with lower mileage. she'll have a great car with good mpg's and a much lower chance of any problems for a good long time until she can afford a prius with low miles.
Yeah I'm stickin' with Plan A. I've taken excellent care of my '04, and will be happy to sell it to my daughter at a price only a Daddy could offer We're looking to get a '10 Prius III -- waiting until next month, see if there's any new incentives, since the ones they're offering for all the other models (like 0% financing) expire on 3/31.
