Strange though it may seem, a straight up video like this, with honest and unbiased commentary, is a rare and welcome thing in this day and age. Fair play, Greg. I admire your neutrality, lack of agenda and commitment to just telling it like it actually is (not to be confused with the political 'like it is' nowadays which cannot be trusted. I have learned a lot from this, and I'm pleased to report that 16+ minutes is no burden when the content is good.
I want a Prius because of the climate control and because of the milage. The thing is... Is i have never owned anything except for a Honda. I have never had any trouble with any of them. I am so spoiled, I'm afraid they will break down. What should I do?????
@@shellyluthultz9793if you are going to buy hybrid you need to buy Toyota. Toyota has more experience building hybrids and have sold more of them. Regular cars , its either or Honda and Toyotas will last a long time if maintained properly
I have a 2004 , I bought it new in Florida , today , it has gone over a million miles , all original, original battery , Toyota Dealership in Miami wants to buy it fir display but I said na na , it’s for me for keeps .. way to go Toyota .. o what a feeling !!!
I was at a Dealership in Utah about 2 years ago where a guy had a 06-07 TE Model w/over 600,000 was Mint condition, but then as a Technician he may of been meticulous in caring for it! The 2nd Gen is far superior in comfort to the 3rd Gen for long distance driving! they need to put the 2nd Gen Seats in place of the chinsy seats of the 3rd Gen!! *** Almost as Important *** Who designed the confounded Reverse BEEP BEEP BEEPING SOUND, why did they not put a volume control on it! ?? GOD BLESS AMERICA- THANK A VETERAN
I work at a Toyota dealership. Any Prius that isn't a 1st Gen is worth your money. And I'll be honest with you; for most consumers, it isn't worth your money to solve the "timing cover" seepage issue. These issues, as well as any other gasket failure on Toyota motors, is simply because Toyota assembles their motors with RTV for most gasket applications. If you are experiencing oil consumption/loss in your Prius, I'd strongly suggest reducing your oil change interval mileage from 10k (Yes, you heard me right, that is Standard Mileage for an Oil Change at a Dealership for nearly ALL Toyota products since 2014) down to 5k. I advise against using Lucas Oil or other such additives that will "swell gaskets" and increase compression in these motors; the ECM is not only already used to the current operating conditions, but RTV is NOT meant to handle high levels of compression, especially beyond stock, due to the type of RTV they use during assembly. If you have a failing battery, don't buy a new one!! Go out and find a shop that can deplete, balance, and recharge light/medium duty application LiPo's or other commercial batteries. 99% of the time, this is going to save you 3-4k over a remove/replace job. Or, if you think you can figure it out, you can purchase some cheap Battery Management unit off Amazon and deplete/balance/recharge the cells yourself. As long as you have a 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm Socket on a ratchet and the same wrenches, you can do nearly anything on a Toyota.
@@InnocentFormalities Very strange. Are you the original owner? If not, how long did you own the car before problems noticed? Have a good PPI done before purchase?
wholeNwon prob a good year or two and no I just kept oil in my car for longest time until it started leaking coolant then had to get it fixed ASAP had it since 2014
After watching this video, we purchased a 2011 Prius with the upgraded package and have had the most amazing car for the last year! Your video made all the difference in our final decision. Thank you!!
Thank you for this video Greg. I just had to replace the multi function display screen. I have 146k on my Gen2 Prius and it when out. The dealer wanted $2500 for replacement. They don’t fix it. Just replaced it. I got a new screen from eBay for $200 and put in myself. I watched a video on TH-cam how to replace it. Now it works! I also just bought a 2019 Pruis prime. I’m excited for the new prime adventure. But I love my pruis 2009.
Ya but it's a shitty car with a zero to sixty time of 35 minutes, and they can't go up a hill if u stop in the middle of it so ya....... Good job by buying 3.....
For the 2nd gen prius this video didn't mention alot of common mechanical problems for the car including an inverter pump that goes bad(bricks the car till its replaced), an bad combination meter that goes bad, a 3 way coolant valve that typically goes bad. These issues I think should be looked at before purchasing a 2nd gen prius otherwise it will be alot of harsh learning moments. Good luck and get that prius!
Thanks for your expert advice on the Toyota Prius. I once questioned a uber driver about the 3rd generation he picked me up in and he was glad to share his experience. He had a 2nd generation with over 400,000 miles on it all original! In the New York tristate area. I assume Toyota made them look ugly by design, but I have never met a dissatisfied Prius owner after talking to over a dozen owners. Keep up the good work and happy New Year
I have owned all of these Prius models. I agree with many of the warnings on buying a used model. But once he got to the Prime, I was like WTF? I mean, it went from being a video about looking out for problems on used cars, to just trying to subjectively rip the car based on its appearance. I own one of these and happen to think it is attractive both inside and out. I agree about the touch-screen air conditioning controls, and that is something I have complained about on many different cars, including Tesla.
Totally. I agree with him on the touchscreen. Tactile buttons are essential when you're steering a 3k pound turtle. However, his transition from older Prius model reliability to "Prime's ugly" is hilarious. You might as well be comparing a blowfish to a Corvette.
Why was he ripping on the appearance of the new gen? Nobody buys a prius for looks. But if you ask me I actually think the Prius Prime looks way better than all the previous gen.
What year would you recommend? I had an '06 and have had a '10 now for ten years. If you've had all, which do you like best? I really don't care about "looks," either...you don't buy a Prius for looks.
Here's a summary: The Toyota Prius is one of the lowest cost cars to maintain. Battery packs last between 180-200K miles Gen 1: 2000-2003 (42 mpg city, 41 mpg highway) Gen 2: 2004-2009 (48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway) Minor but persistent issue with headlights Thin cloth interior that's not durable (leather recommended) 2006-2009 changed dashboard and interior door panels from painted surface to durable textured surface Gen 3: 2010-2015 (51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway) 1.8L engine upgraded from 1.5L Drum brakes upgraded to disc brakes 2010 model has piston rings problems -- stay away Gen 4: 2016-Present (54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway) Has some bad/weird design features Reliable and highly efficient
2005 with 664K miles. New 12V, everything else original. Other than standard maintenance. 2010 with 382K miles. New 12V battery, everything else original. Standard maintenance. 2017 Prime with 75K miles. Original everything. Standard maintenance. On my 24th tank of gas after 75K miles.
@@morrisl7 u can if u know about the battery, but it must be pain to drive the car in certain way, but u can get it to 300000 plus miles easily, if u r a little careful, and now a days they cost really low
240K miles on our 06 Prius, and it still runs great. Only problem is that it is losing about a quart of oil between oil changes every 5k. We also had a gen1 which was good and my daughter-in-law has a gen3, which is really nice. Her's has the solar panel roof that runs the air circulation fan when the car is off; one of the best ideas I've ever heard of.
Could be your piston rings. Piston rings is an issue on Toyota engines on general. Not a deal breaker, just something that needs to be done when you start having these issues.
This guy - the carAngel - is REALLY, REALLY good at what he does. His language is nothing short of IMPECABLE, exuding knowledge, directness, and impartiality. He gives a lot of credit to Toyota where credit is due; when analyzing the terrible design of the lights on the rear bumpers of the fourth gen., prone to getting destroyed on any minor accident… "if you get bumped here, it's a bodyshop’s wet dream come true... it looks like the designers went on an acid trip".
It annoys me to no end when people say "Oh, don't buy a Prius, it's too expensive to repair". They say it like it's guaranteed to have problems. Yet the Prius and other hybrids have been constantly proven to be more reliable than their gas-only counterparts.
@@Piwork69 Yeah, he says that about buying used hybrids. But with buying any used car, there's always a small risk that there will be expensive repairs.
I have a Prius and have to admit I pay much more on repairs than my previous Honda Civic since the parts are very pricey to replace. I have just left my combination meter not working since it cost $1K to replace. Totally insane, I would have preferred less screens so it wasn't so costly all the time.
I think the best tip for any hybrid owner is to get heat rejection window tint. They make clear window tint with TSER (Total Solar Energy Reflected) in the range of 50%+ while still having VLT (Visible Light Transmittance) of 70%. This is important because in California and other states, you can't have front window tint that reduces the VLT to less than 70%. Getting heat rejection tint on your car is the best way to prolong the life of these hybrid batteries. They're heat sensitive and will wear quickly if hot. Clear window tint that blocks heat is the best investment you can make, especially for anybody who has just recently replaced that hybrid battery pack.
I own a 2019 Corolla hatchback. I bought one in December of 2018. In February of 2019 I was rear-ended by a Dodge ram pick up truck doing around 60mph, I was at a complete stop.The car was totaled, obviously. But, the frame of the car held together so we'll all 4 of the passenger doors opened. Me and my wife walked away from the accident. I replaced the car with an identical model. I now have 6,200 miles on the car. No problems at all with it, obviously. I've taken a decent amount of road trips in it so far. I've been able to beat the EPA gas milage by 7mpg, getting 49mpg averaging between 75-80mph on a 100 mile trip. The car is very stable, comfortable and the adaptive cruise control and lane keep is very good..
@West Park well the most impressive part about my 2019 Corolla hatch so far is the ride quality, smooth transmission and gas milage. In stop and go traffic just this morning, I got 35.5 mpg on a short 6 mile trip. Keep in mind, I live in Arizona. It was 85 degrees and I was running the AC. I hit about 7 intersections in my trip and almost always hit at least 4 red lights.
@West Park Our 95 corolla we bought new, 180K miles later and 3 kids, people were fighting to buy it. lol. A few bulbs, a starter were the only fails outside of maintenance.
Just bought a 2011 Prius Two today.... Love the way it holds the road during curves. And seems like I made a great choice after listening to this video.
Jamescarey: I own a used 2008 Prius with 171,700 miles on it (I am 2nd owner) This summer repair shop replaced oxygen sensor ($500+) and this week air/fuel sensor ($980). I work from home and only logged 1100 miles this year. Everything else seems to be good. I'm afraid it might be turning into a money pit. Any advice??
@@kmason7204 first advice, find a new mechanic sounds like you might be going to the dealer that is a rip-off those sensors are not that difficult to replace should have been 200 Max If I were you I would get rid of or trade it in at 200,000 k
Toyota Dealer service employee here. Couple things to touch up on: - Second gen Prius models seem to have oil consumption issues like the Camry of the same model years. We see people point out to us that their oil pressure light comes on when taking turns, a sign of low oil. - On third gen Prius models they have a ton of lightbulbs in the headlight assemblies and they go out all the time. - Also on third gen Prius models, we’ve never recommended the timing cover seals just because they hit 75k miles. But we do see them seeping frequently. Toyota switched from a rubber gasket to a liquid gasket (similar to RTV) on a lot of their models and they seep often. - On fourth gen Prius models with radar cruise control, everything on the body is hideously expensive to fix. The Toyota badge on the front bumper cover, JUST the part cost, is $480. I am not making that up. A guy got backed into in a parking lot and we had to quote one. If you want a Toyota that rarely has issues according to what we see, get a Yaris. They have nothing to break in the first place so they last forever, super cheap to buy, and can hit similar fuel economy numbers if driven properly.
My 2014 Toyota Prius V had a bad head gasket and the dealership took five weeks to try to fix it ended up having to just go ahead and replace the motor. I actually got Toyota to pitch in half the cost which was about $4,500. What a fiasco. It was a used motor with about the same amount of Miles which was 72k
I had a 2008 that I sold in 2018 with 380,000 miles on it. It was an exceptionally reliable car, although I did end up replacing the headlight bulbs several times. I did all my own maintenance, so the only time it went to the dealer for service was for recalls, including the MFD screen replacement. The car was garaged, so the paint held up well, except for the plastic "spoiler", which began to fade at around 290K miles. The Hybrid battery started to die at about 300K miles, so I purchased a remanufactured battery and installed it myself (pretty easy job). I changed the front brakes for the first time at around 350K miles (mostly highway miles). The rear brakes still had life, when I sold it. At around 370K miles, the car started to have issues with overheating, which I attributed to a leaky head gasket. I poured a bottle of head gasket sealant, as a last resort and it held until I sold it with full disclosure of the issues for $4K. From what I understand, it's still running. I also owned a Gen 1 that I purchased in 2000 - one of the first Hybrids in my neck of the woods. I traded it in at around 130K miles for the Gen 2.
Wow that’s amazing! I’m about to get a 2009 Prius hybrid and need to fix a couple things but I’ve never done it. Want to do all the work I can myself. Could I ask you for some advice on that?
@@edwinvalencia3981 thank you so much! Do you have an email I can send you messages/questions about the vehicle? I actually just bought it so definitely need help with what work needs done.
I found this funny too, but I disagreed with your opinion. I think the 4th gen looks cool and like the interior. I don’t like the huge screen on the Prime or that you need to take your eyes off the road to use it, but the regular model solves both those issues and looks great.
It takes me about 25 hours of time to write, shoot, edit and publish a video. My intention is to make more videos but I’m still a family man with two kids who has to make a living.
I have a second gen Prius and this is spot on. Headlight ballast failed, paint peeling, replaced battery pack, and the cloth coming off. But I don't care because it paid for itself in gas savings 😂
I bought my Prius new in 2006, I had it for 13 years without anything whatsoever happening to it until it finally had hybrid battery problems, best car I ever owned.
thankfully the hybrid battery is super cheap to replace now with the rebuilt packs. even the original toyota pack is not that bad considering how much you have saved in gas
I had an 07 TE , was great until I took it to a Dealer for some sort of recall on resetting the computer. then it had the magical Dash light issue and vehicle would not shut off, I sold it a cpl years ago w/210k and was still on factory original brakes and suspension! I drove this thing like a V-8 , it liked oil, mpg was 36-46 depending on how hard I drove it! Toyota should send me a check for showing a few gas guzzlers that technology is going to surpass old school performance by storm and quite easily!
@@philhartman1258 Not that bad? Close to 10000$ is quiet bad. You will never save that much in gas in a life time compared to a standard civic or corolla.
I love my Prius V, but I’d like to add that the 3rd gen engines in 2010-15 Prius and 2012-17 have head gasket problems which may or may not be related to the EGR valve, cooler, and intake manifold becoming clogged up with carbon. Having said that, I’m still going to replace my head gasket because the car has 220k miles and has been flawless on all of my cross country road trips. It’s the perfect camping vehicle!
I was surprised these issues weren't mentioned in the video. This video is 5 years old, maybe that's why. Gen 3's seem to have more expensive related problems than gen 2. I own a gen 3 and think I'd rather have a Gen 2 if I could go back. However Gen 3 is still good. I'd like to add Gen 3s have a massive brake booster problem that causes the ABS to fail. The repair is costly. The part costs nearly $500 and the labor is close to $700 to fix it. Buy the part yourself to save the most money.
I’ve never been a small car guy but I had to save gas....my 2010 Prius goes through hell n keeps ticking. 220k miles and still runs like new Survived 2 deer hits
Just sold my 2010 with 348,000 miles on it. Bought it from auction with 33,000 miles on it. Sold it to a cab owner that is painting it up into a cab. Just bought a '19 Prius Prime new from the dealer with 25 miles on it. Unlike the author of the video, I love the looks of the new one. Continued good luck with your '10, mine was the best vehicle I have ever had.
Paul, great to hear that you're at 220k!!! I'm about 106k on my 2010 and was wondering what the remaining life "could" be. I did just have a wheel hub replacement done, though, but I don't blame the car, I blame the crap roads and the fact that I hit a huge pothole in the fast lane of a highway (Major Deegan Expressway) in NYC. When that happened, the two "luckily plastic, not metal" hubcaps flew off the car and I saw the front one flying over a fence into the oncoming northbound traffic lane.
@@kevinh995 I'm sorry to hear that Kevin. Keep and eye on the oil levels! The 2010 prius is one of the few with bad rings. The good news is, you can keep it alive. I have a 2010 and it burns 1 quart of oil every 600 miles. Im at 200,000 miles now. I have to take the intake manifold off every 10,000 miles to clean it to keep it running right. the Intake manifold gets clogged with oily guck. I installed an oil catch can to help reduce the clogging. I had to change the small 12 volt battery at 8 years old (thats great!). Replaced both front end wheel bearings at 180,000 and one at 200,000k, and about to change the front sway bar links. I don't mind the wheel bearings and the links, those are kinda easy to fix. The bad rings are the killer. I noticed my oil burning around your millage kevin. I've owned a 2011 and currently a 2013 and 2010. I was one of the very unlucky suckers to buy a 2010 prius from the dealer for $12,000 that burned oil out the door. No toyota dealer will tell you your car is burning oil. I had to run my Prius out of oil and have an oil pressure light turn on before I knew. I assumed it would hold enough oil in between dealership oil changes. WRONG.. Avoid the 2010 PRIUS!!! Trade it before it burns oil is my advice.
My 2017 4th generation PriusC is wonderful. Interior is very different, no weirdness. Turn knobs to adjust heat/cooling. I just drove across country and got an average of 47mpg at 75-80mph. I get much better gas mileage when I keep my speed down around 55-60.
I just wanted to mention I solely bought the 2021 prius prime in that blue magnetism (all black interior, no white) just because I 100% love the way it looks. Practicality I see why you hate it but as long as no fender benders I’d say your golden. I fell in love with Toyota with my first 2007 Prius and the 4th generation I am in absolute love with. I got it roughly 6 weeks ago and haven’t needed to fill up yet! Another 2 weeks and I will have to. Strongly recommend the Prius Prime plug in to anyone who does minimal commuting. From its handling, modern safety features, little gas guzzling to its snazzy looks this car is 4.5/5 stars for me!
2005 with 256k and still strong run without issues, just replaced the water pump. No engine light since bought it and replaced left headlight bulb 6 years ago. Recently bought 09 with 94k just less then $4k. I am happy with them. They are still original battery packs.
I just bought a second gen 2006 Prius and so far I love this little car. It's great on gas, has leather interior, in great condition (it's like new). I don't have a lot of experience with this car yet, but so far I am definitely impressed with how well it's made.
@@elainekoteles1948 if you can afford one of these new....you dont need to save money on gas that bad.....just get a Toyota Corolla for christ's sake 🤣🤣🤣
@@jimd2101 im inside of it. What the hell do i care about what other people are looking at? Find a prius owner that doesnt love the little car. Ive got 5 toyotas and 2 motorcycles and still choose to drive the prius to work most days
😂 Your description of the 4th gen. 👌🏽👹 I am SO happy with my 3rd gen. red hatchback - it’s got some sexy & slickness (just enough) with the moonroof fully open. I heard about “typical Prius drivers”, and I’m like, how not me is that? 😁 From Chicago (my hometown) to LA County…and driving across the country, I love my Prius, and wouldn’t trade it for some luxury/ slick sports car, as it perfectly fits me and my personality in at this point in my life (in my 40s and forever young). So reassuring to watch this video - did not realize how reliable these cars are. Thank you for this beautiful assessment. 🙏🏽
Yeah. I just bought a used 2013 Prius after 14 years of not owning a car (doing the environmental thing). When I sent a photo to my family, my nephew texted, "Nice car. I can totally see you driving that." And now, with this video, I'm reassured that I bought the right car for practical reasons as well. 😄 Single owner, 85,000 miles, no accidents, well maintained.
My 10-year old Prius 3rd generation runs like new with 110,000 km. Both the outside and inside look like new. It has not been expensive to fix and maintain. I was thinking of changing, but the automobile club told my wife that we would be stupid to change it, since it should be good for at least another 100,000 km. Winter is long and cold up here in Canada, but it has held up really well.
Regarding the Prime's front bumper... the nice thing is that it's multi-piece, so you can just replace a small portion of the bumper if that's all that was damaged.
Greg, I watched the whole video. I laughed several times! You did a really good job with a sense of humour. A really helpful video for us used car shoppers! Thank you!
My old Prius was a 2008 with hid lights and yes if using them during the day ballast becomes a blob of goo, but you don't need to change entire light only bulbs and ballast. Another problem on gen 2 is rear lights need smacked every so often to get it to work. My 08 had a problem with using oil and killed catalytic converters but never did display go out. I had about 400k when I sold it. Next owner totaled it at 550k with original battery pack. I've also had an 10,and 11 only problems were battery packs around 200k and steering wheel buttons on the 10 and hated the cup holders and sold them. I currently have a 2013 over 300k miles and have had head gasket and battery replaced around 200k no oil leaks or any problems oter Prius owners can't believe how well it rides and how well interior is . As you may have guessed I'm a taxi owner who averages around 125-135k per year.
That's about the amount of miles I drive a year also being a courier. My '10 had 348K when I sold it to a taxi owner who painted it up and put it right back on the road. That 550k really sounds encouraging. Hope I get that and more out of my '19 Prime.
You truly are an angel. I have a 2008 and she’s been giving me problems for a few years now. Got almost 230,000 though! I’m gonna ride her til she’s dead.
I have a 2016 eco, averaging about 63 MPG in mixed driving. The LED projector beam headlights give me perfect view of the road with really good peripheral lighting as well. All the controls I need while driving are on the steering wheel. and both the wife and I like the looks.
I have a 2017 Prius Prime plug-in car and love it. Driving on battery power is fantastic, with instant torque and acceleration. Sound system and ac are excellent. Only wish the electric driving range could be extended.
Man, you hit the nail on the head. As an owner of a Gen 2, I can say I would love a new one but they are indeed hideous. I still think the Gen 2’s are the best. I had to replace the HV battery at 135k miles but that is because it sat for 3 years while I had a Nissan LEAF. I think the Gen 2’s are sleek as well. Notice how other cars are starting to mimic the wedge shape? Best car made in my opinion for reliability.
2012 Gen3. Hands down the most reliable and economical car I've ever owned. Never get rid of this car and will drive it until the wheels fall off. 107+K and haven't even needed to replace the brake pads. AWD out for 2020!
By far the most accurate reviews of the Prius years I have seen. I notice you did not include the first generation except to mention it, so I will say it: Leave the first generation to enthusiasts. Lots of bugs, including steering shakes in reverse, intermittent throttle position sensors that made the early years inexplicably lose power, four times the heat problem in MG2 because it ran off undoubled hybrid system voltage..... My son has my 2002 that needed its first repair at 195K (inverter coolant pump) but still, leave it to devotees. I am disheartened to see the interior styling of the fourth generation. I could live with the bizarre external styling but not the control weirdness. We have a Package 5 2014 (bought it two years ago when my wife's 2010 became magnetized for six months, getting sideswiped on the right, hit by a deer in the driver's door, and finally falling prey to an epileptic who thought medication was optional. She wiped out both passenger side doors with her Xterra, going to full throttle on impact. Everything worked except the windows obviously could not be rolled down, but the repair cost was too much for an 8 year old Prius.
Great video. Second generations are durable in part, because they were made in Japan (at least mine was). Great car with two major issues. As noted in the video, the display unit went out. Dealer no longer sells repaired units and only offers $8,000 new units with one year warranty (Im not making this up). The other problem was the combo meter went out resulting in a disappearing dash board (and no speed read out). Toyota knew about this problem early on and instead of a recall which they should have done, offered a free fix for those experiencing the fail while in warranty. Once out of warranty, you are on your own (I contacted the head of Toyota USA to no avail). Once again, the dealer's cost to repair was so high, it was cheaper to have the car towed to one of the best Prius repair shops in the country, even though it was out of state. Finding a shop dedicated to Priuses that has first rate technicians can keep your Prius alive to the last possible mile. I highly recommend Autobeyours in Indiana.
@@robmalcolm8042yes. Mine is a 2014 plain with 186000 no issues. I changed PCV and Variable Valve I now get 62-68 mpg. That's the reason the dash screen is in the middle, they place the steering wheel on the right side for Japan drivers. LOVE MY CAR. The dealership keeps bothering me they want to buy it.
We had a 2010, around 220k it started burning oil and lasted until 276k when the head gaskets finally went out. We will purchase another one they are a great vehicle.
I'm on my 2nd Prius and just love them. I upgraded from a 2012 prius and put 230,000 mi on it. I never had a single issue with it. I now have a 2022 AWD XLE and love it! Let me tell you what I do hate about it... 1. If people are sitting on either side of the back seat the middle seat sensor goes off and it's loud. I have to try to keep the middle seat seat belt buckled. 2. The Entune interface. For some reason it doesn't show the album cover artwork until we're in park. How often does one sit in park just listening to music. The 2nd Gen always showed the album cover art. But the interface and aesthetic looks of the screen are incredibly bland. 3. My heated front seats are hard and uncomfortable to sit on for longer than 3 to 4 hours. I start to feel the seams in the seat. 4. I was so disappointed to find out that they have still not added a remote trunk popper either in the fob or a latch from the front seat. It's standard on most cars today. 5. I never use the cordless phone charger. It's incredibly slow and inefficient. I prefer to have it sitting in a phone holder so I still use a cord. I'd much rather have a decent sized tray so that I can keep my lip balms, hand lotion, and kleenex in there without have to find them on the floor all the time. 6. Don't waste your money on getting the all weather floor mats. Every time someone gets in and out of the car it gets pushed up and out of place. Instead get the more rigid ones like Weathertech or Husky. I threw my Toyota ones in the trash.
Keep up the good work Greg! About the Prius Prime front bumper, it's a 3-piece bumper. 1 in the middle and 2 for the corners. So if you damage one corner, you don't have to replace the whole bumper, just the corner that was damage. I guess the engineers knew that the designers were on acid when designing the car and figured it would be less expensive for repair if they split the bumper into 3 pieces, lol.
I have a 2012 plug in salvage with 120K mile. They only thing replaced was 12v battery. It's more reliable than any new zero mileage American car that I have owned like Cadillac or Corvette and better than GF's Mercedes E350.
ZZ How much did you pay for that battery? I am looking for an used Prius and am wondering about the battery problem as I have never driven a hybrid car before.
@@celetsehng4477 it was a regular 12v battery (prius has 2 batteries, regular battery and hybrid battery). I bought the Yellow top battery from pepboys for$159.
I wanted the prime more but ended up getting the normal 2016 version. The reason why is because the prime has a new huge battery that has not been tested. if i learned anything in life is never to get a first gen of anything b/c it always has problems. But then again, I trust Toyota a lot so....
i do too. Its beautiful too. Its the first time I hear of someone calling it hideous. Yeah the inside can be awkard but get it all black and its an awesome car.
dddaaz how many actual miles do you get from a full charge before going to gas power? and also is it true only 2 full size passengers could fit in the back?
@@harsep I get close to 35 miles (summer), 25 miles (winter) on only electric charge. Yes it's only 2 in the back seat. I am up to 24K not one problem. Got brand new 2017 in Dec 27 17.
Common 3rd gen issues not mentioned, ABS assembly failure which should become a recall. Head gasket failure usually on cylinder number 1. Other than that you pretty much covered it all.
Third gen Prius had serious problem with EGR/PCV valve going bad leading to engine knock which left alone leads to blown head gasket and then which leads to blown engine. This was a very common problem, so you have to really watch out and diligently maintain EGR/PCV valve on these priuses.
Surprised you were so down on gen 4 and didn't even mention the independent rear suspension. Reasonably good handling, great reliability and gas mileage make it a winner in my book. And the looks of the non-prime model have grown on me. The tail lights look quite nice at night - not that this is a big consideration for the driver.
The taillights are my biggest beef with the 4th gen Prius. They're a flashback to the neon squiggles that permeated pop culture in the 1980s (à la www.etsy.com/listing/95167299/vintage-1980s-red-squiggle-brooch ). The 4th gen's Super Bowl car chase ad was the moment I said, "Looks like I won't be buying a new Prius."
I have a 2005 and like it a lot. Only gripes were the lower headroom in back seat making it not that great for taller folks on longer trips. And the front seats (I don't sit in the rear... :) aren't all that comfortable. I know that in '06 they improved the seats. I was thrilled with the 3rd generation came out with taller back seat room, but absolutely HATED the huge console taking up space between front seats. (Personally, I'd like to see a bench seat option so you could set 3 up there). So when I first saw the 4th generation, I thought I was seeing the C model, it was so tiny. NOT. UGH. It's smaller than my '05, shorter legroom in back and lower headroom. What ARE/were they thinking????? Not buying one of those either. If necessary, will find an 06-09 with lower mileage and buy it vs. new. If they wanted a "sporty" version, fine, but keep the "sedan" hatchback type we all love for it's versatility. I've brought home a washing machine and a 6' tall bookcase in mine with back seats folded down. I'd also like to see them put the atkinson cycle engine/hybrid setup in the Sienna, or at least the Highlander to improve their mpg and yet have more space and higher driving position. RichE San Diego
you missed a couple of big fail items on the 2nd gen. Brake accumulator pump. Basically the ABS unit. Toyota actually put a 10-year warranty on them because they failed so often. Unfortunately they were very specific circumstances under which they would replace it, certain error codes etc. from Toyota you're looking at $1800 and about 4 hours of labor. You can find them in salvage yards for about $250. And it tooky 5 hrs to do myself. You then need to have the brakes bled.. and that is an ordeal if you don't have the Techstream software you will have to take it to a drealer. Toyota will tell you that you need a very specific part number for your car. I have found that to be incorrect. they apparently had multiple suppliers all with different part numbers but they all work in any of the cars. The other common fail is the inverter coolant pump which is an electric pump. It's only about $65 but it will put you on the side of the road. there is an electric pump on there that is extremely expensive is the one that circulates the coolant when the engine is not running that one is $300 but it doesn't fail that often. I have not found that the interior is not terrible. My car is 11 years old with 293 thousand miles on it and the center console and armrest are perfect.
I had the brake accumulator go bad on my 2005 with 175000 miles on it I figured at that point of time just to go ahead and get rid of the car and bought me a 3rd gen. A 2010 I hope I am okay though according to these guys I might have issues. I did install a oil catch can hopefully I'm okay it only has 50,000 miles.
@@longboardluv2 The 2010 is more common to have issues.. but I think it's still rare compared to most cars. Could ask Toyota if there is any recalls needed on your car. The accumulator job is a big one to do yourself if your not handy with tools. And I am.. and it was a bit of a pain. Just keep up on your regular maintenance.. and check the oil often.. until your satisfied it's not using and excessive amount.
As a mechanic shop owner and driver of a Prius I will say this video is spot on. Only thing missed is the head gasket failures on the 3rd generation but most of that was because of the water pump issues that were mentioned.
@@chakaoliver7835crazy id think the 3rd gen would be more reliable with less belts and things to go wrong. I have a 07 2nd gen 240,000 miles original engine, transmission, hybrid battery. Guy before me had it since 44,000 and only changed the 12v car battery. He never changed the tranny fluid it was black but I still did it to be safe and it was still fine as it isn’t the same as a regular automatic that would of destroyed it
I really like the styling of the new Prius Prime but he brings up fair points about vulnerability of the bumper lights. I own a 3rd gen 2013 and the cloth interior is wearing a bit at 90k miles. So far it’s been a great car. The oil is near full and quite clean looking after 5000 miles when I change it.
You don't have to change your oil that soon, you can take it up to 10,000 miles then change it. That's what my mechanic told me been doing that since about 75000 miles now I'm at 368,000 as of yesterday. I have a 2011. Just never forget to check your dip stick sometimes. With me I drive so much I can tell when it's time to check my oil levels.
rochelle alexander The oil looks nearly new at 5,000 miles so I believe you on that! If I get 350,000 miles it of this car it might be the last car I ever buy! Amazing to just imagine that. Really reliable car and I enjoy driving it.
Great information for the used car buyers. Big thank you. About the looks, some people may dis-agree. They like the look. However he made the point. Corners of the car are most vulnerable to brush or touch something while parking or maneuvering in tight spots. Lights on such corners is a bad idea. Thank you for putting this together and sharing.
On the Gen 3 model you should talk about the EGR issues. If you clean out the EGR before 100K miles, it causes a lot less issues with the head gasket later on it's life. Toyota does not recommend this service but if you do it, it will greatly lengthen the life of that engine.
I have a 2011 Prius that I use for work and of yesterday it just turned 368048 miles on it! So far same hybrid battery, engine and transmission. I change my oil every 9000 miles. In between oil changes I have to add about close to a quart or less.
@@joelo.4830 Yes 3 times now. The first time was at 150 , second was at 250, then 355,. Mechanic says it still looked clean. Only thing had to replace was the tail light unit on one side. And wiper motor with transmission assembly. Got that from a junk yard
I have the Gen 3-C, a 2013, and I love it. I took it across country and use it locally and on road trips. It has more pep than my lady's 2014 sedan that just seems to feel sluggish. You nailed it on the license plate bulbs burning out--happened on her car recently.
You saved me a bundle of money with your review of the 4th-gen Prius. I was considering "moving up" from my 2010 Prius (3rd-gen), but you showed me that I'm better off with the car I've got! (And as far as it goes with the 2010's piston-ring problems, I haven't experienced it and I'm just past 150,000 miles.) Granted, it's about as "exciting" as granola-and-soy-milk, but I'll testify with you that it GETS THE JOB DONE. And if I want an "exciting" rice, I'll take its "stablemate," my 2001 Corvette.
As a Prius C owner, I hate that you only spent a few seconds talking about the Prius C because it really is a quality car. I’ve had my Prius C for 6 years and other than a 12v battery replacement and new tires I’ve had ZERO problems with it. Its built like a tank. I’ve lived in 3 states, hauled furniture in it and lots of outdoor adventure gear and the interior and exterior still look brand new and I still get around 50 mpg. Its also very maneuverable in tight parking lots and spaces yet still holds a lot of stuff inside. People should drive the C and talk to real owners before making an assumption that it is made cheaply.
So glad you have brought that up dear Matt S. Have a 2014 model sans the sunroof. Been entirely trouble free, only required fuel and an annual engine oil change. It is supposed to be discontinued in 2020. The model has been the same since year one other than minor cosmetic changes and electronic gadgetry...just to tell you the motto--if it ain't broke don't fix it. If you happen to be suffering with high gas prices like me in Vancouver Canada, would highly recommended. It is a car probably not suited to a teenager but perfect for anyone older. Passing does take more time if you have more than 2 seated so you need to plan ahead. Pillars are unusually thick so do watch out for plenty of blind spots though.
I do have to admit that my 2014 Prius C does sometimes feel a bit cheaply made on the interior. That being said, it does exactly what I bought it for(Amazing city gas mileage for last-mile deliveries - I get around 55mpg most of the time) and hasn't ever broken down(Unlike the 2003 Passat that it replaced - good car, but it wasn't up to having that many miles put on it in such a short period).
You are so right. I have a 2012. C CR rated the c over 6 years as the most reliable Toyota your u can buy. The c or Aqua in Japan out sold every car for years. The c more reliable than the Prius I bought the c because it was more like a normal car with the gear shift on the floor. Every where I go people like the car. Very subjective opinions around.
I agree. My 2012 Prius c. Only battery 12v and tires. 50,000 miles Consumer Reports fewest problems over 7 years 1 Lexus GX 2 Prius c 3. Prius Any I don’t care if people like the looks. It’s modern that’s all I care about. Lexus and Toyota’s are modern looking cars Shame the discontinued the Prius C
I really appreciate this video. I happen to LOVE the look of the 4th gen., and that colour, and all the weird lights and angles ... but you make a good point that those four corners are what are going to get bumped. This car gets such hateful comments I think certain types will bump it on purpose. (And I wish people including you would cease the "angry insect" comments, as it makes the car a target.). And if you knew we were not going to be able to unsee the robot face, why would you call it to our attention? Maybe i just like uniqueness and the fact that Toyota led the world with this. Honda's newest response, the Clairty, is getting raves by people who like normal and loathe quirk, but to me this is when you want to go for the originator, reward the pioneer. Why jump to the standard-looking copycat when the originator did all the breaking-through? Your funny Orca Jackson comments taken into account, I even don't mind the white porcelain interior ... although the newer edition (2019) has gone for black, and it is better. Thanks for your knowledgeable comments on what to avoid, what to look for.
Thanks to these tips I felt confident searching through craigslist, and am now a proud 1st time Prius owner! Thanks for helping me avoid any pitfalls. Much appreciated!
I had a 2006 gen 2 Prius which was a super car overall. In terms of maintenance I only had to replace one noisy wheel bearing in 125k miles. There was one niggle that seems to have affected more than a few gen2's and that is water ingress into the boot compartment caused by non structural hairline cracks in the bodywork that overlaps the hatchback door. It can be sealed with a quality silicone or quality tape so finding is harder than fixing. I now have a gen3 plug-in and am very happy with it. Useful review.
Well styling of any car is a totally subjective thing, and I kind of like the super-futuristic looking 4th gen and think the interior is also sci-fi cool. (I also like the 2020 model and will probably be getting one) Putting that small disagreement aside, thank you very much for a very informative Prius video.
I'll vote with you on that- far as looks I think the 4th gen finally made these cars tolerable style wise. I cannot believe companies are allowed to have touch screens though, nonsensical and puts you and others at risk, period.
Interesting that you mention that oil seepage on the timing chain cover. Guy at my Lexus dealer told me that today after doing the oil change on my 2014 CT200h with 115k miles, and that it would cost me $2100 to fix. Oil levels looked fine though, and there are no oil stains on my driveway, so it can't be that bad. I'll keep a closer eye on my oil levels from now on.
Very helpful video, and gave the video a like. I bought a 2012/2013 basically a late 2012 Auris Hybrid with the 1.8 engine. It has just over 100,00 miles on it, but still very solid, well put together, and no loss of power. Most other cars would be falling apart at that mileage. I never get tired of the power mode, but I only do it when the car is up to temperature. I'm thrilled with the car and I average about 62 to 66 mpg so far.
I own a 2013 Prius V with the trim level 5. That's with leather interior and premium wheels. I bought it with 32K miles for $18K. currently at 130K miles and the only thing that has needed attention was replacement of the 12 volt battery. I get 44mpg driving a lot of highway miles. The interior looks way better than the new ones. I also think the new interior is hideous. It's got plenty of get up and go when you use the power button. I call it "Ferrarri Mode". It handles great. I've had it up to 100 mph and it did just fine but I'll admit I was scared of slinging a rod so that was very brief. It's a shame they had to stray from this design.
I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. I love my 2013 red Prius II. Only things I don't like: headlights don't give much light and not wide light like when taking a turn in the dark - hard to see unlike my BMW that had great headlights and lighted up the turns. Other thing and this has been the case with every Toyota I've ever had and I've had 3 different models: the back end seems to be loosey goosey when taking a turn even very slowly especially on a wet road. No traction back there. Other than that, my little Prius has been a great car and looks good when it's clean. I learned something from this video: thought I was getting close to end of life for my hybrid battery since I'm coming upon 98,000 miles but sounds like I can get another 8 yrs out of it!
Yes, My 2008 Gen 2 with 260,000 miles had all the failures mentioned in this video. I was able to fix it all myself. Dashboard came apart easily, thanks to watching a TH-cam video. Really, the car owes me nothing. My 2007 made it 355,000 before I hit a deer and totaled it.
Strange though it may seem, a straight up video like this, with honest and unbiased commentary, is a rare and welcome thing in this day and age. Fair play, Greg. I admire your neutrality, lack of agenda and commitment to just telling it like it actually is (not to be confused with the political 'like it is' nowadays which cannot be trusted. I have learned a lot from this, and I'm pleased to report that 16+ minutes is no burden when the content is good.
I want a Prius because of the climate control and because of the milage. The thing is... Is i have never owned anything except for a Honda. I have never had any trouble with any of them. I am so spoiled, I'm afraid they will break down. What should I do?????
😅
Totally agree
@@shellyluthultz9793if you are going to buy hybrid you need to buy Toyota. Toyota has more experience building hybrids and have sold more of them. Regular cars , its either or Honda and Toyotas will last a long time if maintained properly
Exactly right! It goes to show you how many reviewers want free stuff in return for ignoring obviously hideous products.
I have a 2004 , I bought it new in Florida , today , it has gone over a million miles , all original, original battery , Toyota Dealership in Miami wants to buy it fir display but I said na na , it’s for me for keeps .. way to go Toyota .. o what a feeling !!!
why you didn't say trade for new one
I was at a Dealership in Utah about 2 years ago where a guy had a 06-07 TE Model w/over 600,000 was Mint condition, but then as a Technician he may of been meticulous in caring for it! The 2nd Gen is far superior in comfort to the 3rd Gen for long distance driving! they need to put the 2nd Gen Seats in place of the chinsy seats of the 3rd Gen!!
*** Almost as Important *** Who designed the confounded Reverse BEEP BEEP BEEPING SOUND, why did they not put a volume control on it! ?? GOD BLESS AMERICA- THANK A VETERAN
Mitchel Crilly you can get the dealer to change it to only beeping once when you go in reverse.
Has the touch screen gone out?
How much did they offer you $$$?
I work at a Toyota dealership. Any Prius that isn't a 1st Gen is worth your money. And I'll be honest with you; for most consumers, it isn't worth your money to solve the "timing cover" seepage issue. These issues, as well as any other gasket failure on Toyota motors, is simply because Toyota assembles their motors with RTV for most gasket applications. If you are experiencing oil consumption/loss in your Prius, I'd strongly suggest reducing your oil change interval mileage from 10k (Yes, you heard me right, that is Standard Mileage for an Oil Change at a Dealership for nearly ALL Toyota products since 2014) down to 5k. I advise against using Lucas Oil or other such additives that will "swell gaskets" and increase compression in these motors; the ECM is not only already used to the current operating conditions, but RTV is NOT meant to handle high levels of compression, especially beyond stock, due to the type of RTV they use during assembly.
If you have a failing battery, don't buy a new one!! Go out and find a shop that can deplete, balance, and recharge light/medium duty application LiPo's or other commercial batteries. 99% of the time, this is going to save you 3-4k over a remove/replace job. Or, if you think you can figure it out, you can purchase some cheap Battery Management unit off Amazon and deplete/balance/recharge the cells yourself. As long as you have a 10mm, 12mm, and 14mm Socket on a ratchet and the same wrenches, you can do nearly anything on a Toyota.
I don't own a Prius but hope a lot of others who do read your post.
I was burning oil at 1qt per 1k then started leaking coolant in engine
Found a German and he replaced the blown head gasket now it’s 💯
@@InnocentFormalities Very strange. Are you the original owner? If not, how long did you own the car before problems noticed? Have a good PPI done before purchase?
wholeNwon prob a good year or two and no I just kept oil in my car for longest time until it started leaking coolant then had to get it fixed ASAP had it since 2014
wholeNwon 200k and going strong
Short Summary:
2nd gen: Buy the 06-09
3rd Gen: Buy the 11-15
4th Gen: This guy freaking HATES IT!
😂😂😂
Lol definitely thought his reaction to the 4th gen was hilarious
I love mine! Think it looks awesome!
I'm using 2010 my only problem is oil consumption. Other than that, I'm very happy with everything.
@@ignerevhak How much oil does it consume?
After watching this video, we purchased a 2011 Prius with the upgraded package and have had the most amazing car for the last year! Your video made all the difference in our final decision. Thank you!!
Totally agree, we have 2 Gen 3's and love them! He is spot on with all his comments on this video. The Gen 4 designers were indeed on some bad acid!
The description of the aesthetics of the fourth generation had me DYING 😂😂😂
Thank you for this video Greg. I just had to replace the multi function display screen. I have 146k on my Gen2 Prius and it when out.
The dealer wanted $2500 for replacement. They don’t fix it. Just replaced it. I got a new screen from eBay for $200 and put in myself. I watched a video on TH-cam how to replace it. Now it works!
I also just bought a 2019 Pruis prime. I’m excited for the new prime adventure. But I love my pruis 2009.
respect to you for fixing it yourself!! Woman get scammed alot at the dealership. Power to you!!
For people who have done electronic repairs, there is a video showing how to repair them: techno-fandom.org/~hobbit/cars/mfd/
What about the Gen3, did you have one? Was it good? I'm about to buy a 2015
$2500?!
I got one from a yard for $19 and slapped it in in about 20 minutes. I had no idea they were gouging that bad for it.
Wow, impressed! Thank you for sharing that information .
2004 with 350k
2013 210k
2018 prime 35k
Still own all of them and never had any issue
jazz devou original battery on all?
Ya but it's a shitty car with a zero to sixty time of 35 minutes, and they can't go up a hill if u stop in the middle of it so ya....... Good job by buying 3.....
Trade I got a sexy blue 2009 197k for that 2013 2010k?
George BUSH Right...because paying $80 a month for gas (SUV) vs $40 every two months (Hybrid) is such a fun experience...
George BUSH lol shut your pie hole... sounds like you’ve never driven one. Mine goes 0-60 in 27min
For the 2nd gen prius this video didn't mention alot of common mechanical problems for the car including an inverter pump that goes bad(bricks the car till its replaced), an bad combination meter that goes bad, a 3 way coolant valve that typically goes bad. These issues I think should be looked at before purchasing a 2nd gen prius otherwise it will be alot of harsh learning moments. Good luck and get that prius!
As previous gen 2 (2007) owner, all of these happened to me
Thanks for your expert advice on the Toyota Prius. I once questioned a uber driver about the 3rd generation he picked me up in and he was glad to share his experience. He had a 2nd generation with over 400,000 miles on it all original! In the New York tristate area. I assume Toyota made them look ugly by design, but I have never met a dissatisfied Prius owner after talking to over a dozen owners.
Keep up the good work and happy New Year
I have owned all of these Prius models. I agree with many of the warnings on buying a used model. But once he got to the Prime, I was like WTF? I mean, it went from being a video about looking out for problems on used cars, to just trying to subjectively rip the car based on its appearance. I own one of these and happen to think it is attractive both inside and out. I agree about the touch-screen air conditioning controls, and that is something I have complained about on many different cars, including Tesla.
I had the new orientation helper set it on 71 degrees and forget it.
I agree. When you buy a Prius aren't you looking for efficiency and reliability? I mean wouldn't that automatically make the 4th Gen the best option?
Totally. I agree with him on the touchscreen. Tactile buttons are essential when you're steering a 3k pound turtle. However, his transition from older Prius model reliability to "Prime's ugly" is hilarious. You might as well be comparing a blowfish to a Corvette.
Why was he ripping on the appearance of the new gen? Nobody buys a prius for looks. But if you ask me I actually think the Prius Prime looks way better than all the previous gen.
What year would you recommend? I had an '06 and have had a '10 now for ten years. If you've had all, which do you like best? I really don't care about "looks," either...you don't buy a Prius for looks.
Here's a summary:
The Toyota Prius is one of the lowest cost cars to maintain.
Battery packs last between 180-200K miles
Gen 1: 2000-2003 (42 mpg city, 41 mpg highway)
Gen 2: 2004-2009 (48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway)
Minor but persistent issue with headlights
Thin cloth interior that's not durable (leather recommended)
2006-2009 changed dashboard and interior door panels from painted surface to durable textured surface
Gen 3: 2010-2015 (51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway)
1.8L engine upgraded from 1.5L
Drum brakes upgraded to disc brakes
2010 model has piston rings problems -- stay away
Gen 4: 2016-Present (54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway)
Has some bad/weird design features
Reliable and highly efficient
Austin Wilhite 👏
My 2012 Prius C has a 1.5 L engine and is rated at 52 city, 46 hwy. (USA)
damn you're telling me after 20 years they only manage to improve 10 MPG? At this rate I think EV cars are the way to go in the future.
Whats the headlight issue with the gen 2?
300k?
2005 with 664K miles. New 12V, everything else original. Other than standard maintenance.
2010 with 382K miles. New 12V battery, everything else original. Standard maintenance.
2017 Prime with 75K miles. Original everything. Standard maintenance. On my 24th tank of gas after 75K miles.
I wont believe you made it 664k miles on original traction battery
@@morrisl7 that's fine. They never die. The cells do, but they don't. $25 for each replacement cell.
@@livingthedash6727 - Where can you buy the replacement cell.
@@slowgoat6089 I got mine in Baltimore, MD.
@@morrisl7 u can if u know about the battery, but it must be pain to drive the car in certain way, but u can get it to 300000 plus miles easily, if u r a little careful, and now a days they cost really low
240K miles on our 06 Prius, and it still runs great. Only problem is that it is losing about a quart of oil between oil changes every 5k. We also had a gen1 which was good and my daughter-in-law has a gen3, which is really nice. Her's has the solar panel roof that runs the air circulation fan when the car is off; one of the best ideas I've ever heard of.
Could be your piston rings. Piston rings is an issue on Toyota engines on general. Not a deal breaker, just something that needs to be done when you start having these issues.
You need a new short block installed
This guy - the carAngel - is REALLY, REALLY good at what he does. His language is nothing short of IMPECABLE, exuding knowledge, directness, and impartiality. He gives a lot of credit to Toyota where credit is due; when analyzing the terrible design of the lights on the rear bumpers of the fourth gen., prone to getting destroyed on any minor accident…
"if you get bumped here, it's a bodyshop’s wet dream come true... it looks like the designers went on an acid trip".
It annoys me to no end when people say "Oh, don't buy a Prius, it's too expensive to repair". They say it like it's guaranteed to have problems. Yet the Prius and other hybrids have been constantly proven to be more reliable than their gas-only counterparts.
Sean Place Scotty says that.
@@Piwork69 Yeah, he says that about buying used hybrids. But with buying any used car, there's always a small risk that there will be expensive repairs.
I have a Prius and have to admit I pay much more on repairs than my previous Honda Civic since the parts are very pricey to replace. I have just left my combination meter not working since it cost $1K to replace. Totally insane, I would have preferred less screens so it wasn't so costly all the time.
You have to figure in gas savings into repair. Then not so expensive.
I have a 2010, I drive it hard. Had about 4 years with less work than I’ve had on others, but I need to buy the new “big battery” now; $4,500.🤔
I think the best tip for any hybrid owner is to get heat rejection window tint. They make clear window tint with TSER (Total Solar Energy Reflected) in the range of 50%+ while still having VLT (Visible Light Transmittance) of 70%. This is important because in California and other states, you can't have front window tint that reduces the VLT to less than 70%.
Getting heat rejection tint on your car is the best way to prolong the life of these hybrid batteries. They're heat sensitive and will wear quickly if hot. Clear window tint that blocks heat is the best investment you can make, especially for anybody who has just recently replaced that hybrid battery pack.
It’s really hot in Southwestern Florida I don’t think my window tint is going to save my battery...but I hope it helps.
i ruined my battery in 2 weeks, i didnt know anything about hybrid then, i think they should warn first time buyers about a few things
Where does one purchase this? Specifically a clear one - I live in a state where it needs to be less than 70% for the front windows.
@@Speakofawe go to a tint shop, really hard to install yourself correctly
@@syedrabby1027 how did u ruin your battery in 2 weeks??? What can you pass on that you learned to help???
Prius, and all Toyota models, best made vehicles ever. Thank you Japan.👍
I own a 2019 Corolla hatchback. I bought one in December of 2018. In February of 2019 I was rear-ended by a Dodge ram pick up truck doing around 60mph, I was at a complete stop.The car was totaled, obviously. But, the frame of the car held together so we'll all 4 of the passenger doors opened. Me and my wife walked away from the accident. I replaced the car with an identical model. I now have 6,200 miles on the car. No problems at all with it, obviously. I've taken a decent amount of road trips in it so far. I've been able to beat the EPA gas milage by 7mpg, getting 49mpg averaging between 75-80mph on a 100 mile trip. The car is very stable, comfortable and the adaptive cruise control and lane keep is very good..
......with all the soul of a bin liner. I’ll stick to my ‘unreliable’ Range Rover I think.
@West Park well the most impressive part about my 2019 Corolla hatch so far is the ride quality, smooth transmission and gas milage. In stop and go traffic just this morning, I got 35.5 mpg on a short 6 mile trip. Keep in mind, I live in Arizona. It was 85 degrees and I was running the AC. I hit about 7 intersections in my trip and almost always hit at least 4 red lights.
@West Park Our 95 corolla we bought new, 180K miles later and 3 kids, people were fighting to buy it. lol. A few bulbs, a starter were the only fails outside of maintenance.
i get 65-70 MPG on the 2016 prius. Its AMAZING!
I have a 2010 3rd Generation with 230,000 miles
-So happy with it!
Just bought a 2011 Prius Two today.... Love the way it holds the road during curves. And seems like I made a great choice after listening to this video.
bought a used 2008 Prius off Craigslist for $2200, undoubtedly the best investment I ever made. I get about 41 mpg . No issues whatsoever -so far!
Nice
Looking at some high mileage $2-3k Prius right now. What was the mileage on the 2008 you bought?
it had roughly 137K on it when I bought it, about 150K now, no problems
Jamescarey: I own a used 2008 Prius with 171,700 miles on it (I am 2nd owner)
This summer repair shop replaced oxygen sensor ($500+) and this week air/fuel sensor ($980). I work from home and only logged 1100 miles this year. Everything else seems to be good. I'm afraid it might be turning into a money pit. Any advice??
@@kmason7204 first advice, find a new mechanic sounds like you might be going to the dealer that is a rip-off those sensors are not that difficult to replace should have been 200 Max
If I were you I would get rid of or trade it in at 200,000 k
"Body shops wet dream come true.". This hippy is my hero.
Toyota Dealer service employee here. Couple things to touch up on:
- Second gen Prius models seem to have oil consumption issues like the Camry of the same model years. We see people point out to us that their oil pressure light comes on when taking turns, a sign of low oil.
- On third gen Prius models they have a ton of lightbulbs in the headlight assemblies and they go out all the time.
- Also on third gen Prius models, we’ve never recommended the timing cover seals just because they hit 75k miles. But we do see them seeping frequently. Toyota switched from a rubber gasket to a liquid gasket (similar to RTV) on a lot of their models and they seep often.
- On fourth gen Prius models with radar cruise control, everything on the body is hideously expensive to fix. The Toyota badge on the front bumper cover, JUST the part cost, is $480. I am not making that up. A guy got backed into in a parking lot and we had to quote one.
If you want a Toyota that rarely has issues according to what we see, get a Yaris. They have nothing to break in the first place so they last forever, super cheap to buy, and can hit similar fuel economy numbers if driven properly.
My 2014 Toyota Prius V had a bad head gasket and the dealership took five weeks to try to fix it ended up having to just go ahead and replace the motor. I actually got Toyota to pitch in half the cost which was about $4,500. What a fiasco. It was a used motor with about the same amount of Miles which was 72k
I have an 08 Yaris with 280k+ miles on it and still running strong! I easily foresee getting it to 400k!
Thanks for this
I had a 2008 that I sold in 2018 with 380,000 miles on it. It was an exceptionally reliable car, although I did end up replacing the headlight bulbs several times. I did all my own maintenance, so the only time it went to the dealer for service was for recalls, including the MFD screen replacement. The car was garaged, so the paint held up well, except for the plastic "spoiler", which began to fade at around 290K miles. The Hybrid battery started to die at about 300K miles, so I purchased a remanufactured battery and installed it myself (pretty easy job). I changed the front brakes for the first time at around 350K miles (mostly highway miles). The rear brakes still had life, when I sold it. At around 370K miles, the car started to have issues with overheating, which I attributed to a leaky head gasket. I poured a bottle of head gasket sealant, as a last resort and it held until I sold it with full disclosure of the issues for $4K. From what I understand, it's still running. I also owned a Gen 1 that I purchased in 2000 - one of the first Hybrids in my neck of the woods. I traded it in at around 130K miles for the Gen 2.
Wow that’s amazing! I’m about to get a 2009 Prius hybrid and need to fix a couple things but I’ve never done it. Want to do all the work I can myself. Could I ask you for some advice on that?
@@CreativelyShannon I'd be happy to help.
@@edwinvalencia3981 thank you so much! Do you have an email I can send you messages/questions about the vehicle? I actually just bought it so definitely need help with what work needs done.
@@CreativelyShannonI agree some hybrid stuff can get expensive I rather do it myself too.
Your descriptions of the fourth generation Prius omg 😂😂😂
You own a Prius Karl ???
I found this funny too, but I disagreed with your opinion. I think the 4th gen looks cool and like the interior. I don’t like the huge screen on the Prime or that you need to take your eyes off the road to use it, but the regular model solves both those issues and looks great.
Lol ya it was funny
The robot face… “my grandma’s microwave oven” … acid trip… so funny
hi big fan
Greg, you don't nearly put out enough videos, your knowledge and advice are priceless.
I agree. Greg's an angel
Yes post more videos please
I agree you should put up more videos!
It takes me about 25 hours of time to write, shoot, edit and publish a video. My intention is to make more videos but I’m still a family man with two kids who has to make a living.
@@YourCarAngel
I would have guessed it takes you even longer than that to produce a video of this quality. I take my hat off to you Mr Angel
I have a second gen Prius and this is spot on. Headlight ballast failed, paint peeling, replaced battery pack, and the cloth coming off. But I don't care because it paid for itself in gas savings 😂
I bought my Prius new in 2006, I had it for 13 years without anything whatsoever happening to it until it finally had hybrid battery problems, best car I ever owned.
thankfully the hybrid battery is super cheap to replace now with the rebuilt packs. even the original toyota pack is not that bad considering how much you have saved in gas
How many miles before the batt issue?
I had an 07 TE , was great until I took it to a Dealer for some sort of recall on resetting the computer.
then it had the magical Dash light issue and vehicle would not shut off, I sold it a cpl years ago w/210k and was still on factory original brakes and suspension! I drove this thing like a V-8 , it liked oil, mpg was 36-46 depending on how hard I drove it! Toyota should send me a check for showing a few gas guzzlers that technology is going to surpass old school performance by storm and quite easily!
@@philhartman1258 Not that bad? Close to 10000$ is quiet bad. You will never save that much in gas in a life time compared to a standard civic or corolla.
@@mitchelcrilly5178 the problem with the dash display was a small capacitor on the speedometer board. there are videos to fix it cheap
I love my Prius V, but I’d like to add that the 3rd gen engines in 2010-15 Prius and 2012-17 have head gasket problems which may or may not be related to the EGR valve, cooler, and intake manifold becoming clogged up with carbon.
Having said that, I’m still going to replace my head gasket because the car has 220k miles and has been flawless on all of my cross country road trips. It’s the perfect camping vehicle!
I was surprised these issues weren't mentioned in the video. This video is 5 years old, maybe that's why. Gen 3's seem to have more expensive related problems than gen 2. I own a gen 3 and think I'd rather have a Gen 2 if I could go back. However Gen 3 is still good. I'd like to add Gen 3s have a massive brake booster problem that causes the ABS to fail. The repair is costly. The part costs nearly $500 and the labor is close to $700 to fix it. Buy the part yourself to save the most money.
Dude, your not only informative / intelligent but funny as hell. Thanks for the review ! Ima get a 4th gen.
Newly in the market for a used Prius, this was super informative. Thank you.
I’ve never been a small car guy but I had to save gas....my 2010 Prius goes through hell n keeps ticking. 220k miles and still runs like new
Survived 2 deer hits
Just sold my 2010 with 348,000 miles on it. Bought it from auction with 33,000 miles on it. Sold it to a cab owner that is painting it up into a cab. Just bought a '19 Prius Prime new from the dealer with 25 miles on it. Unlike the author of the video, I love the looks of the new one. Continued good luck with your '10, mine was the best vehicle I have ever had.
Paul, great to hear that you're at 220k!!! I'm about 106k on my 2010 and was wondering what the remaining life "could" be.
I did just have a wheel hub replacement done, though, but I don't blame the car, I blame the crap roads and the fact that I hit a huge pothole in the fast lane of a highway (Major Deegan Expressway) in NYC. When that happened, the two "luckily plastic, not metal" hubcaps flew off the car and I saw the front one flying over a fence into the oncoming northbound traffic lane.
kevinh995 NYC is a Third World country
@@kevinh995 I'm sorry to hear that Kevin. Keep and eye on the oil levels! The 2010 prius is one of the few with bad rings. The good news is, you can keep it alive. I have a 2010 and it burns 1 quart of oil every 600 miles. Im at 200,000 miles now. I have to take the intake manifold off every 10,000 miles to clean it to keep it running right. the Intake manifold gets clogged with oily guck. I installed an oil catch can to help reduce the clogging. I had to change the small 12 volt battery at 8 years old (thats great!). Replaced both front end wheel bearings at 180,000 and one at 200,000k, and about to change the front sway bar links. I don't mind the wheel bearings and the links, those are kinda easy to fix. The bad rings are the killer. I noticed my oil burning around your millage kevin. I've owned a 2011 and currently a 2013 and 2010. I was one of the very unlucky suckers to buy a 2010 prius from the dealer for $12,000 that burned oil out the door. No toyota dealer will tell you your car is burning oil. I had to run my Prius out of oil and have an oil pressure light turn on before I knew. I assumed it would hold enough oil in between dealership oil changes. WRONG.. Avoid the 2010 PRIUS!!! Trade it before it burns oil is my advice.
@@Hwy_Boy I have a 2017 drive 850 miles a week averaging 49 miles to the gallon and can only hope it lasts 300000 miles
My 2017 4th generation PriusC is wonderful. Interior is very different, no weirdness. Turn knobs to adjust heat/cooling. I just drove across country and got an average of 47mpg at 75-80mph. I get much better gas mileage when I keep my speed down around 55-60.
Yes, that's correct, you get better gas milages going under 50 and breaking and stopping, quite the opposite from any regular car.
I just wanted to mention I solely bought the 2021 prius prime in that blue magnetism (all black interior, no white) just because I 100% love the way it looks. Practicality I see why you hate it but as long as no fender benders I’d say your golden.
I fell in love with Toyota with my first 2007 Prius and the 4th generation I am in absolute love with. I got it roughly 6 weeks ago and haven’t needed to fill up yet! Another 2 weeks and I will have to. Strongly recommend the Prius Prime plug in to anyone who does minimal commuting. From its handling, modern safety features, little gas guzzling to its snazzy looks this car is 4.5/5 stars for me!
2007 prius at 315k miles worth buying?
2005 with 256k and still strong run without issues, just replaced the water pump. No engine light since bought it and replaced left headlight bulb 6 years ago. Recently bought 09 with 94k just less then $4k. I am happy with them. They are still original battery packs.
I think my generation 4 Prius 3 is good looking, with the 17 inch tires and black leather, but then again I popped acid a few times back in the 70s.
LOL, maybe that's my problem. I love the way my 2019 Prime looks.
Mark Whitton I agree I have. 2017 prime and love how it looks. I get people asking me about my car all the time they can’t believe it’s a Prius.
I like the way it looks too. It helps shake the geekiness of the prius looks.
Scotty would be so proud of this video.
rev up your prius!
actually Scotty has talked shit about the prius and hybrids in general.
@@limeyosu2000 lmfao!!! oh geeeeezzzzz🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
What happens when Because he doesn't know how to fix them.
BloodyPandaAE86
Hh
I just bought a second gen 2006 Prius and so far I love this little car. It's great on gas, has leather interior, in great condition (it's like new). I don't have a lot of experience with this car yet, but so far I am definitely impressed with how well it's made.
It's also the ugliest car on the road😆😆😆
@@jimd2101 is ok ugly on the road at list can save money on gas ✌️
@@elainekoteles1948 if you can afford one of these new....you dont need to save money on gas that bad.....just get a Toyota Corolla for christ's sake 🤣🤣🤣
@@jimd2101 im inside of it. What the hell do i care about what other people are looking at? Find a prius owner that doesnt love the little car. Ive got 5 toyotas and 2 motorcycles and still choose to drive the prius to work most days
@@blmartech it's just god awful ugly.....are you that cheap to pay for gas....? Even a Corolla looks better
This is the best consumer review of a car line ever!
😂 Your description of the 4th gen. 👌🏽👹 I am SO happy with my 3rd gen. red hatchback - it’s got some sexy & slickness (just enough) with the moonroof fully open. I heard about “typical Prius drivers”, and I’m like, how not me is that? 😁 From Chicago (my hometown) to LA County…and driving across the country, I love my Prius, and wouldn’t trade it for some luxury/ slick sports car, as it perfectly fits me and my personality in at this point in my life (in my 40s and forever young). So reassuring to watch this video - did not realize how reliable these cars are. Thank you for this beautiful assessment. 🙏🏽
Yeah. I just bought a used 2013 Prius after 14 years of not owning a car (doing the environmental thing). When I sent a photo to my family, my nephew texted, "Nice car. I can totally see you driving that." And now, with this video, I'm reassured that I bought the right car for practical reasons as well. 😄 Single owner, 85,000 miles, no accidents, well maintained.
2010 prius with 138,000, I have had NO problems, and get 46 to 50 miles to the gallon.
My 10-year old Prius 3rd generation runs like new with 110,000 km. Both the outside and inside look like new. It has not been expensive to fix and maintain. I was thinking of changing, but the automobile club told my wife that we would be stupid to change it, since it should be good for at least another 100,000 km. Winter is long and cold up here in Canada, but it has held up really well.
Regarding the Prime's front bumper... the nice thing is that it's multi-piece, so you can just replace a small portion of the bumper if that's all that was damaged.
Greg, I watched the whole video. I laughed several times! You did a really good job with a sense of humour. A really helpful video for us used car shoppers! Thank you!
My 08’ just hit 420,000 miles about a week ago. Original engine and battery.
Mpg?
I have to 08' Prius
My mpg max 42,5
Mean values 41
204 miles
Greggggggggggggg. The world needs more of you
My old Prius was a 2008 with hid lights and yes if using them during the day ballast becomes a blob of goo, but you don't need to change entire light only bulbs and ballast. Another problem on gen 2 is rear lights need smacked every so often to get it to work. My 08 had a problem with using oil and killed catalytic converters but never did display go out. I had about 400k when I sold it. Next owner totaled it at 550k with original battery pack. I've also had an 10,and 11 only problems were battery packs around 200k and steering wheel buttons on the 10 and hated the cup holders and sold them. I currently have a 2013 over 300k miles and have had head gasket and battery replaced around 200k no oil leaks or any problems oter Prius owners can't believe how well it rides and how well interior is . As you may have guessed I'm a taxi owner who averages around 125-135k per year.
That's about the amount of miles I drive a year also being a courier. My '10 had 348K when I sold it to a taxi owner who painted it up and put it right back on the road. That 550k really sounds encouraging. Hope I get that and more out of my '19 Prime.
The Prius C is a Gen II Prius in a smaller package, same drive train but in a Yaris body. Great car.
You truly are an angel. I have a 2008 and she’s been giving me problems for a few years now. Got almost 230,000 though! I’m gonna ride her til she’s dead.
You are 100% legit unbiased reviewer! I love my gen 2, 200K. Great video.
I have a 2016 eco, averaging about 63 MPG in mixed driving. The LED projector beam headlights give me perfect view of the road with really good peripheral lighting as well. All the controls I need while driving are on the steering wheel. and both the wife and I like the looks.
Eco what?
@@onelove1329 The Eco is a particular configuration. It has a larger traction battery and a few other changes for maximum mileage.
hola i have a prius with 412000 working on uber every day
What year is it? Whats your mpg?
Have you changed the battery
I worked at yellow cab in phoenix for a while. The average street cab has about 450,000 miles. That said, they do break down quite a bit.
junior ferrer lol what what is the limit on these?
T Ehmann what is the limit on these things?? How high have you seen their mileage be?
I have a 2017 Prius Prime plug-in car and love it. Driving on battery power is fantastic, with instant torque and acceleration. Sound system and ac are excellent. Only wish the electric driving range could be extended.
I'm looking at Prius Prime for that reason also but I would have to run a line underground from my house to my driveway
Just got a 2019 Prius Prime and I happen to live the look!
Two years after this video and this is still gold! thanks man!
I’ve had a 2011, 2015, and now own a 2017 and love it. No issues, drives great and get between 50 to 80 mpg in city driving. I think it’s a great car!
50-80 mpg's? Really?
Prime?? Lotta mpg’s
Man, you hit the nail on the head. As an owner of a Gen 2, I can say I would love a new one but they are indeed hideous. I still think the Gen 2’s are the best. I had to replace the HV battery at 135k miles but that is because it sat for 3 years while I had a Nissan LEAF. I think the Gen 2’s are sleek as well. Notice how other cars are starting to mimic the wedge shape? Best car made in my opinion for reliability.
My battery went out around the same mileage. 2k for a new oem one, and getting 55 mpg.
Love my Gen 3 (2015) Prius! Thank you for this excellent review.
2012 Gen3. Hands down the most reliable and economical car I've ever owned. Never get rid of this car and will drive it until the wheels fall off. 107+K and haven't even needed to replace the brake pads. AWD out for 2020!
By far the most accurate reviews of the Prius years I have seen. I notice you did not include the first generation except to mention it, so I will say it: Leave the first generation to enthusiasts. Lots of bugs, including steering shakes in reverse, intermittent throttle position sensors that made the early years inexplicably lose power, four times the heat problem in MG2 because it ran off undoubled hybrid system voltage..... My son has my 2002 that needed its first repair at 195K (inverter coolant pump) but still, leave it to devotees.
I am disheartened to see the interior styling of the fourth generation. I could live with the bizarre external styling but not the control weirdness. We have a Package 5 2014 (bought it two years ago when my wife's 2010 became magnetized for six months, getting sideswiped on the right, hit by a deer in the driver's door, and finally falling prey to an epileptic who thought medication was optional. She wiped out both passenger side doors with her Xterra, going to full throttle on impact. Everything worked except the windows obviously could not be rolled down, but the repair cost was too much for an 8 year old Prius.
Magnetized?
Like dragging spoons behind it, and stealing watches?
Great video. Second generations are durable in part, because they were made in Japan (at least mine was). Great car with two major issues. As noted in the video, the display unit went out. Dealer no longer sells repaired units and only offers $8,000 new units with one year warranty (Im not making this up). The other problem was the combo meter went out resulting in a disappearing dash board (and no speed read out). Toyota knew about this problem early on and instead of a recall which they should have done, offered a free fix for those experiencing the fail while in warranty. Once out of warranty, you are on your own (I contacted the head of Toyota USA to no avail). Once again, the dealer's cost to repair was so high, it was cheaper to have the car towed to one of the best Prius repair shops in the country, even though it was out of state. Finding a shop dedicated to Priuses that has first rate technicians can keep your Prius alive to the last possible mile. I highly recommend Autobeyours in Indiana.
Thank you for this info. I live in Indiana.
Priuses have always been made in japan that’s a Japanese Toyota model since it came out lol
@@robmalcolm8042yes. Mine is a 2014 plain with 186000 no issues. I changed PCV and Variable Valve I now get 62-68 mpg. That's the reason the dash screen is in the middle, they place the steering wheel on the right side for Japan drivers. LOVE MY CAR. The dealership keeps bothering me they want to buy it.
We had a 2010, around 220k it started burning oil and lasted until 276k when the head gaskets finally went out. We will purchase another one they are a great vehicle.
did you clean/change the egr system to prevent that head gasket failure?
You are most definitely the best car reviewer I've seen. And not to mention it's on the Prius models, you absolutely rock macke
This guy made me buy a Prius instead of a Corolla and I don't regret it!
One of the best car reviews I've seen. Well done
I'm on my 2nd Prius and just love them. I upgraded from a 2012 prius and put 230,000 mi on it. I never had a single issue with it. I now have a 2022 AWD XLE and love it!
Let me tell you what I do hate about it...
1. If people are sitting on either side of the back seat the middle seat sensor goes off and it's loud. I have to try to keep the middle seat seat belt buckled.
2. The Entune interface. For some reason it doesn't show the album cover artwork until we're in park. How often does one sit in park just listening to music. The 2nd Gen always showed the album cover art. But the interface and aesthetic looks of the screen are incredibly bland.
3. My heated front seats are hard and uncomfortable to sit on for longer than 3 to 4 hours. I start to feel the seams in the seat.
4. I was so disappointed to find out that they have still not added a remote trunk popper either in the fob or a latch from the front seat. It's standard on most cars today.
5. I never use the cordless phone charger. It's incredibly slow and inefficient. I prefer to have it sitting in a phone holder so I still use a cord. I'd much rather have a decent sized tray so that I can keep my lip balms, hand lotion, and kleenex in there without have to find them on the floor all the time.
6. Don't waste your money on getting the all weather floor mats. Every time someone gets in and out of the car it gets pushed up and out of place. Instead get the more rigid ones like Weathertech or Husky. I threw my Toyota ones in the trash.
Do you ever miss your 2012? We have extended cab and love it.
@@lizabennett7979 not really.
Keep up the good work Greg! About the Prius Prime front bumper, it's a 3-piece bumper. 1 in the middle and 2 for the corners. So if you damage one corner, you don't have to replace the whole bumper, just the corner that was damage. I guess the engineers knew that the designers were on acid when designing the car and figured it would be less expensive for repair if they split the bumper into 3 pieces, lol.
I have a 2012 plug in salvage with 120K mile. They only thing replaced was 12v battery. It's more reliable than any new zero mileage American car that I have owned like Cadillac or Corvette and better than GF's Mercedes E350.
ZZ How much did you pay for that battery? I am looking for an used Prius and am wondering about the battery problem as I have never driven a hybrid car before.
@@celetsehng4477 it was a regular 12v battery (prius has 2 batteries, regular battery and hybrid battery). I bought the Yellow top battery from pepboys for$159.
Celetse H'ng , you can change some elements in hybrid battery, not all battery.
I agree when America learns how to make better cars then I’ll try one. In the mean time I’ll keep my Prius prime handy
I LOVE my Prime, it’s beautiful, functional and cool.
I wanted the prime more but ended up getting the normal 2016 version. The reason why is because the prime has a new huge battery that has not been tested. if i learned anything in life is never to get a first gen of anything b/c it always has problems. But then again, I trust Toyota a lot so....
i do too. Its beautiful too. Its the first time I hear of someone calling it hideous. Yeah the inside can be awkard but get it all black and its an awesome car.
It's cool. I wish I could have that confidence in my prius
dddaaz how many actual miles do you get from a full charge before going to gas power? and also is it true only 2 full size passengers could fit in the back?
@@harsep I get close to 35 miles (summer), 25 miles (winter) on only electric charge. Yes it's only 2 in the back seat. I am up to 24K not one problem. Got brand new 2017 in Dec 27 17.
Common 3rd gen issues not mentioned, ABS assembly failure which should become a recall. Head gasket failure usually on cylinder number 1. Other than that you pretty much covered it all.
Agree. I have 2010 and the abs assembly BS is a huge problem and cost $$$$, there was an extended warranty but the it is over now.
Third gen Prius had serious problem with EGR/PCV valve going bad leading to engine knock which left alone leads to blown head gasket and then which leads to blown engine. This was a very common problem, so you have to really watch out and diligently maintain EGR/PCV valve on these priuses.
Greg, I always enjoy your videos. You are serious, knowledgeable and objective, and you dress well. Keep up the great work!
Surprised you were so down on gen 4 and didn't even mention the independent rear suspension. Reasonably good handling, great reliability and gas mileage make it a winner in my book. And the looks of the non-prime model have grown on me. The tail lights look quite nice at night - not that this is a big consideration for the driver.
The new model is Toyota's way of saying "stop buying this model we want to kill it!"
The taillights are my biggest beef with the 4th gen Prius. They're a flashback to the neon squiggles that permeated pop culture in the 1980s (à la www.etsy.com/listing/95167299/vintage-1980s-red-squiggle-brooch ). The 4th gen's Super Bowl car chase ad was the moment I said, "Looks like I won't be buying a new Prius."
I have a 2005 and like it a lot. Only gripes were the lower headroom in back seat making it not that great for taller folks on longer trips. And the front seats (I don't sit in the rear... :) aren't all that comfortable. I know that in '06 they improved the seats. I was thrilled with the 3rd generation came out with taller back seat room, but absolutely HATED the huge console taking up space between front seats. (Personally, I'd like to see a bench seat option so you could set 3 up there).
So when I first saw the 4th generation, I thought I was seeing the C model, it was so tiny. NOT. UGH. It's smaller than my '05, shorter legroom in back and lower headroom. What ARE/were they thinking????? Not buying one of those either. If necessary, will find an 06-09 with lower mileage and buy it vs. new. If they wanted a "sporty" version, fine, but keep the "sedan" hatchback type we all love for it's versatility. I've brought home a washing machine and a 6' tall bookcase in mine with back seats folded down.
I'd also like to see them put the atkinson cycle engine/hybrid setup in the Sienna, or at least the Highlander to improve their mpg and yet have more space and higher driving position.
RichE San Diego
the tail lights are what made me buy the 2016 prius. I love them.
@@iggy082 especially now that you can get a better looking Corolla hybrid with a Prius drivetrain.
you missed a couple of big fail items on the 2nd gen.
Brake accumulator pump. Basically the ABS unit. Toyota actually put a 10-year warranty on them because they failed so often. Unfortunately they were very specific circumstances under which they would replace it, certain error codes etc. from Toyota you're looking at $1800 and about 4 hours of labor.
You can find them in salvage yards for about $250. And it tooky 5 hrs to do myself. You then need to have the brakes bled.. and that is an ordeal if you don't have the Techstream software you will have to take it to a drealer. Toyota will tell you that you need a very specific part number for your car. I have found that to be incorrect. they apparently had multiple suppliers all with different part numbers but they all work in any of the cars.
The other common fail is the inverter coolant pump which is an electric pump. It's only about $65 but it will put you on the side of the road.
there is an electric pump on there that is extremely expensive is the one that circulates the coolant when the engine is not running that one is $300 but it doesn't fail that often.
I have not found that the interior is not terrible. My car is 11 years old with 293 thousand miles on it and the center console and armrest are perfect.
Brakes are far better comparing with 3rd gen
I had the brake accumulator go bad on my 2005 with 175000 miles on it I figured at that point of time just to go ahead and get rid of the car and bought me a 3rd gen. A 2010 I hope I am okay though according to these guys I might have issues. I did install a oil catch can hopefully I'm okay it only has 50,000 miles.
@@longboardluv2
The 2010 is more common to have issues.. but I think it's still rare compared to most cars.
Could ask Toyota if there is any recalls needed on your car.
The accumulator job is a big one to do yourself if your not handy with tools. And I am.. and it was a bit of a pain.
Just keep up on your regular maintenance.. and check the oil often.. until your satisfied it's not using and excessive amount.
Greg is wildly regarded as the most reliable car journalist in the world.
As a mechanic shop owner and driver of a Prius I will say this video is spot on. Only thing missed is the head gasket failures on the 3rd generation but most of that was because of the water pump issues that were mentioned.
I just found out about my 2011 prius head gasket problem.
@@chakaoliver7835crazy id think the 3rd gen would be more reliable with less belts and things to go wrong. I have a 07 2nd gen 240,000 miles original engine, transmission, hybrid battery. Guy before me had it since 44,000 and only changed the 12v car battery. He never changed the tranny fluid it was black but I still did it to be safe and it was still fine as it isn’t the same as a regular automatic that would of destroyed it
Have your pencil and paper ready! I took lots of notes. Thank you Greg!
I really like the styling of the new Prius Prime but he brings up fair points about vulnerability of the bumper lights. I own a 3rd gen 2013 and the cloth interior is wearing a bit at 90k miles. So far it’s been a great car. The oil is near full and quite clean looking after 5000 miles when I change it.
You don't have to change your oil that soon, you can take it up to 10,000 miles then change it. That's what my mechanic told me been doing that since about 75000 miles now I'm at 368,000 as of yesterday. I have a 2011. Just never forget to check your dip stick sometimes. With me I drive so much I can tell when it's time to check my oil levels.
rochelle alexander The oil looks nearly new at 5,000 miles so I believe you on that! If I get 350,000 miles it of this car it might be the last car I ever buy! Amazing to just imagine that. Really reliable car and I enjoy driving it.
Great information for the used car buyers. Big thank you. About the looks, some people may dis-agree. They like the look. However he made the point. Corners of the car are most vulnerable to brush or touch something while parking or maneuvering in tight spots. Lights on such corners is a bad idea. Thank you for putting this together and sharing.
I think the gen 4 prius looks amazing ngl , to each their own !
On the Gen 3 model you should talk about the EGR issues. If you clean out the EGR before 100K miles, it causes a lot less issues with the head gasket later on it's life. Toyota does not recommend this service but if you do it, it will greatly lengthen the life of that engine.
I have a 2011 Prius that I use for work and of yesterday it just turned 368048 miles on it! So far same hybrid battery, engine and transmission. I change my oil every 9000 miles. In between oil changes I have to add about close to a quart or less.
rochelle alexander have you changed the transmission fluid by any chance? Curious to know
@@joelo.4830 Yes 3 times now. The first time was at 150 , second was at 250, then 355,. Mechanic says it still looked clean. Only thing had to replace was the tail light unit on one side. And wiper motor with transmission assembly. Got that from a junk yard
Just got a 2019 prius. Just love it so far!
Greg damn you! your video just jack up the price of Prius about 10% nationwide.
Hi Neal.
You could also look at it the other way around. Your prius just went up 10% in value.
Thanks for watching and subscribing!
Gen 4 just dropped by 10%. He hates it
😆
I have the Gen 3-C, a 2013, and I love it. I took it across country and use it locally and on road trips. It has more pep than my lady's 2014 sedan that just seems to feel sluggish. You nailed it on the license plate bulbs burning out--happened on her car recently.
You saved me a bundle of money with your review of the 4th-gen Prius. I was considering "moving up" from my 2010 Prius (3rd-gen), but you showed me that I'm better off with the car I've got! (And as far as it goes with the 2010's piston-ring problems, I haven't experienced it and I'm just past 150,000 miles.)
Granted, it's about as "exciting" as granola-and-soy-milk, but I'll testify with you that it GETS THE JOB DONE. And if I want an "exciting" rice, I'll take its "stablemate," my 2001 Corvette.
As a Prius C owner, I hate that you only spent a few seconds talking about the Prius C because it really is a quality car. I’ve had my Prius C for 6 years and other than a 12v battery replacement and new tires I’ve had ZERO problems with it. Its built like a tank. I’ve lived in 3 states, hauled furniture in it and lots of outdoor adventure gear and the interior and exterior still look brand new and I still get around 50 mpg. Its also very maneuverable in tight parking lots and spaces yet still holds a lot of stuff inside. People should drive the C and talk to real owners before making an assumption that it is made cheaply.
So glad you have brought that up dear Matt S. Have a 2014 model sans the sunroof. Been entirely trouble free, only required fuel and an annual engine oil change. It is supposed to be discontinued in 2020. The model has been the same since year one other than minor cosmetic changes and electronic gadgetry...just to tell you the motto--if it ain't broke don't fix it. If you happen to be suffering with high gas prices like me in Vancouver Canada, would highly recommended. It is a car probably not suited to a teenager but perfect for anyone older. Passing does take more time if you have more than 2 seated so you need to plan ahead. Pillars are unusually thick so do watch out for plenty of blind spots though.
I do have to admit that my 2014 Prius C does sometimes feel a bit cheaply made on the interior. That being said, it does exactly what I bought it for(Amazing city gas mileage for last-mile deliveries - I get around 55mpg most of the time) and hasn't ever broken down(Unlike the 2003 Passat that it replaced - good car, but it wasn't up to having that many miles put on it in such a short period).
You are so right. I have a 2012. C
CR rated the c over 6 years as the most reliable Toyota your u can buy. The c or Aqua in Japan out sold every car for years. The c more reliable than the Prius
I bought the c because it was more like a normal car with the gear shift on the floor. Every where I go people like the car. Very subjective opinions around.
I agree. My 2012 Prius c. Only battery 12v and tires. 50,000 miles
Consumer Reports fewest problems over 7 years
1 Lexus GX
2 Prius c
3. Prius
Any I don’t care if people like the looks. It’s modern that’s all I care about. Lexus and Toyota’s are modern looking cars
Shame the discontinued the Prius C
Plus I think it's the least offensive looking of all other Prius.
I really appreciate this video. I happen to LOVE the look of the 4th gen., and that colour, and all the weird lights and angles ... but you make a good point that those four corners are what are going to get bumped. This car gets such hateful comments I think certain types will bump it on purpose. (And I wish people including you would cease the "angry insect" comments, as it makes the car a target.). And if you knew we were not going to be able to unsee the robot face, why would you call it to our attention? Maybe i just like uniqueness and the fact that Toyota led the world with this. Honda's newest response, the Clairty, is getting raves by people who like normal and loathe quirk, but to me this is when you want to go for the originator, reward the pioneer. Why jump to the standard-looking copycat when the originator did all the breaking-through? Your funny Orca Jackson comments taken into account, I even don't mind the white porcelain interior ... although the newer edition (2019) has gone for black, and it is better. Thanks for your knowledgeable comments on what to avoid, what to look for.
Thank you so much! My 2006 Prius just got rammed by a tractor trailer, and I'm contemplating getting another one used. This is really helpful.
I was just about to buy a 2010 model. This video was very helpful, thanks!
Thanks to these tips I felt confident searching through craigslist, and am now a proud 1st time Prius owner! Thanks for helping me avoid any pitfalls. Much appreciated!
how about the gas pedal recall ?
I had a 2006 gen 2 Prius which was a super car overall. In terms of maintenance I only had to replace one noisy wheel bearing in 125k miles. There was one niggle that seems to have affected more than a few gen2's and that is water ingress into the boot compartment caused by non structural hairline cracks in the bodywork that overlaps the hatchback door. It can be sealed with a quality silicone or quality tape so finding is harder than fixing. I now have a gen3 plug-in and am very happy with it. Useful review.
Hey, I don't appreciate you using the "N" word!
Well styling of any car is a totally subjective thing, and I kind of like the super-futuristic looking 4th gen and think the interior is also sci-fi cool. (I also like the 2020 model and will probably be getting one) Putting that small disagreement aside, thank you very much for a very informative Prius video.
I'll vote with you on that- far as looks I think the 4th gen finally made these cars tolerable style wise. I cannot believe companies are allowed to have touch screens though, nonsensical and puts you and others at risk, period.
Interesting that you mention that oil seepage on the timing chain cover. Guy at my Lexus dealer told me that today after doing the oil change on my 2014 CT200h with 115k miles, and that it would cost me $2100 to fix. Oil levels looked fine though, and there are no oil stains on my driveway, so it can't be that bad. I'll keep a closer eye on my oil levels from now on.
Not in warranty?
Very helpful video, and gave the video a like. I bought a 2012/2013 basically a late 2012 Auris Hybrid with the 1.8 engine. It has just over 100,00 miles on it, but still very solid, well put together, and no loss of power. Most other cars would be falling apart at that mileage. I never get tired of the power mode, but I only do it when the car is up to temperature. I'm thrilled with the car and I average about 62 to 66 mpg so far.
I have a Toyota Camry and we love it. Now, you have us looking for a used Prius.
Beauty is in eye of beholder. Interior on 4th generation is perfect for me.
The only issue I have is, its a temporary design. Not timeless, as is the exterior. Wich is too bad, imo.
I own a 2013 Prius V with the trim level 5. That's with leather interior and premium wheels.
I bought it with 32K miles for $18K. currently at 130K miles and the only thing that has
needed attention was replacement of the 12 volt battery. I get 44mpg driving a lot of highway miles.
The interior looks way better than the new ones. I also think the new interior is hideous.
It's got plenty of get up and go when you use the power button. I call it "Ferrarri Mode".
It handles great. I've had it up to 100 mph and it did just fine but I'll admit I was scared of
slinging a rod so that was very brief. It's a shame they had to stray from this design.
I guess beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. I love my 2013 red Prius II. Only things I don't like: headlights don't give much light and not wide light like when taking a turn in the dark - hard to see unlike my BMW that had great headlights and lighted up the turns. Other thing and this has been the case with every Toyota I've ever had and I've had 3 different models: the back end seems to be loosey goosey when taking a turn even very slowly especially on a wet road. No traction back there. Other than that, my little Prius has been a great car and looks good when it's clean. I learned something from this video: thought I was getting close to end of life for my hybrid battery since I'm coming upon 98,000 miles but sounds like I can get another 8 yrs out of it!
3rd generation has issues with coil pack issues and a lot of head gasket issues. Coil packs can only be replaced if you remove the wiper arm assembly.
Yes, My 2008 Gen 2 with 260,000 miles had all the failures mentioned in this video. I was able to fix it all myself. Dashboard came apart easily, thanks to watching a TH-cam video. Really, the car owes me nothing. My 2007 made it 355,000 before I hit a deer and totaled it.