Just hit 100k. 2008 package 3 (leather, nav, HID). Purchased April of 2008, paid $25, 300. Only "problem" this car has ever had, is the AM radio reception is terrible, seems to cut in and out when going over bumps. Front factory tweeters and the center channel blew a long time ago, but the stereo STILL sounds good. A set of tires @ 37k, still have them on, Bridgestone Potenzas. Change oil every 10-17k always with synthetic, have Blackstone analyses for all of them. Tranny Fluid at 30k, then 70k. Coolant (inverter and ICE) at 77k. Gonna wait until the 5 year mark for the 12V battery. 3 marker/brake lights have blown, (2 rear, 1 front). Brakes seem fine. Lifetime average (hand calculated) 49 mpg. Hands down the smartest vehicle I've ever owned. Gotta figure out how to take the door panel off, drivers side armrest is cracked...maybe I can repair it without replacing. Also gonna get the pvc and plugs done, haven't looked into how hard it is, may just let a shop do it. Love this car, still looks like new, still drives like new save for the LOUD tires (time to replace, but being a cheap [censored])
100k Prius
- Thread starter montero1
- Start date
- Status
Define smart
what does a replacement battery cost?
I keep asking on the toyota forums and no one can answer.
they are a manufactured productand must fail at some time.
everyone says just get one from a junk yard but I doubt a dealer would install a junk yard one, and the junk yard condition is unknown.
I keep asking on the toyota forums and no one can answer.
they are a manufactured productand must fail at some time.
everyone says just get one from a junk yard but I doubt a dealer would install a junk yard one, and the junk yard condition is unknown.
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
Define smart
Curious why you keeping asking the definition of common English words in threads about the Prius. In another thread you wanted to know the definition of "practical"
Buy a dictionary.
Define smart
Curious why you keeping asking the definition of common English words in threads about the Prius. In another thread you wanted to know the definition of "practical"
Buy a dictionary.
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
Define smart
Curious why you keeping asking the definition of common English words in threads about the Prius. In another thread you wanted to know the definition of "practical"
Buy a dictionary.
That's unfortunately the issue.
I have one.
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
Define smart
Curious why you keeping asking the definition of common English words in threads about the Prius. In another thread you wanted to know the definition of "practical"
Buy a dictionary.
That's unfortunately the issue.
I have one.
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
Define smart
Curious why you keeping asking the definition of common English words in threads about the Prius. In another thread you wanted to know the definition of "practical"
Buy a dictionary.
That's unfortunately the issue.
I have one.
Open and use it?
Originally Posted By: simple_gifts
Originally Posted By: DemoFly
Define smart
Curious why you keeping asking the definition of common English words in threads about the Prius. In another thread you wanted to know the definition of "practical"
Buy a dictionary.
That's unfortunately the issue.
I have one.
Open and use it?
These cars are possibly one of the most reliable out there. For all the concerns about their sophisticated systems and battery packs, they are pretty much bullet proof. I'll probably be looking for a good low mileage Gen II model in a year or so when it's time to part with the Honda.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2025
For the longest time I was anti-hybrid, sure that the technology was bound for greatness, but not quite there. I've been casually reading a lot of posts like this over the years (about great gas mileage and relatively few problems - though I'm not sure I can trust YOUR review if you think your stereo STILL sound great with blown speakers! haha) and have come to realize that these cars seem to be just as good as people say they are.
My only problem is still the cost. If gas prices were $6-$7/gallon I'd be sold, but they're not quite there, and having to wait ~100k miles (rough calculation I did MONTHS ago) for it to pay for itself doesn't make much sense to me. Well, maybe it doesn't matter, since they seem to also hold their value well, so it doesn't really matter if one sells before the break-even point.
Anyway, I'm a big fan of hybrids, though I won't buy one for another decade or two, and I'm glad to hear that there are guys like you out there proving their efficacy. I'll end by saying that, the Prius at least, IS pretty practical, and if it does what you want at a good value (subjective,) then it's also a smart choice.
My only problem is still the cost. If gas prices were $6-$7/gallon I'd be sold, but they're not quite there, and having to wait ~100k miles (rough calculation I did MONTHS ago) for it to pay for itself doesn't make much sense to me. Well, maybe it doesn't matter, since they seem to also hold their value well, so it doesn't really matter if one sells before the break-even point.
Anyway, I'm a big fan of hybrids, though I won't buy one for another decade or two, and I'm glad to hear that there are guys like you out there proving their efficacy. I'll end by saying that, the Prius at least, IS pretty practical, and if it does what you want at a good value (subjective,) then it's also a smart choice.
Last edited:
I am curious about the hybrid battery pack itself - still holding up OK? No performance degradation in the battery?
The expense of that component is what concerns me about hybrid ownership...was quoted $6K + for a new one when I was considering a hybrid...yikes..replacing that more than wipes out all the fuel savings over the life of the car...
The expense of that component is what concerns me about hybrid ownership...was quoted $6K + for a new one when I was considering a hybrid...yikes..replacing that more than wipes out all the fuel savings over the life of the car...
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
what does a replacement battery cost?
I keep asking on the toyota forums and no one can answer.
they are a manufactured productand must fail at some time.
everyone says just get one from a junk yard but I doubt a dealer would install a junk yard one, and the junk yard condition is unknown.
This has been answered more than enough. I guess you didn't want to read it or maybe you did but still want to spread the fear and propaganda.
The battery is $2500 new, but almost never needs to be replaced, unless abused (>100 MPH driving will overheat the battery).
If one is smart, one can fix it DIY, by replacing individual bad cells at the cost <$100.
what does a replacement battery cost?
I keep asking on the toyota forums and no one can answer.
they are a manufactured productand must fail at some time.
everyone says just get one from a junk yard but I doubt a dealer would install a junk yard one, and the junk yard condition is unknown.
This has been answered more than enough. I guess you didn't want to read it or maybe you did but still want to spread the fear and propaganda.
The battery is $2500 new, but almost never needs to be replaced, unless abused (>100 MPH driving will overheat the battery).
If one is smart, one can fix it DIY, by replacing individual bad cells at the cost <$100.
Originally Posted By: Astro14
The expense of that component is what concerns me about hybrid ownership...was quoted $6K + for a new one when I was considering a hybrid...yikes..replacing that more than wipes out all the fuel savings over the life of the car...
I guess you were quoted from some other car makers, and not Toyota. Personally, I would not consider non-Toyota hybrid, as quality is all over the map, yet prius is one of the most reliable car on the planet.
The expense of that component is what concerns me about hybrid ownership...was quoted $6K + for a new one when I was considering a hybrid...yikes..replacing that more than wipes out all the fuel savings over the life of the car...
I guess you were quoted from some other car makers, and not Toyota. Personally, I would not consider non-Toyota hybrid, as quality is all over the map, yet prius is one of the most reliable car on the planet.
Your armrest cracked too, eh?
I cracked mine in my xB a few weeks ago... I am thinking of a way to fix it. I was thinking about removing the panel and using gorilla glue on the inside of the panel to fix it (or some product of the sort). I know gorilla glue is hella strong though... Or I thought about buying a new door panel (sucks because I have to buy the entire door panel, not a smaller part to replace). Ebay has backdoor panels for cheap but still yet to find a drivers side panel.
Than maybe I would put some type of armrest pad on top, or make my own. But I don't want it to look cheap either, so I am debating!
Glad to hear your car has been relatively trouble free! My dad has a 2008 and is reaching 70K now... No work at all done to it. He did blow some speaker though in the backseat I believe, not sure if he ever replaced it though. Been trouble free!
I cracked mine in my xB a few weeks ago... I am thinking of a way to fix it. I was thinking about removing the panel and using gorilla glue on the inside of the panel to fix it (or some product of the sort). I know gorilla glue is hella strong though... Or I thought about buying a new door panel (sucks because I have to buy the entire door panel, not a smaller part to replace). Ebay has backdoor panels for cheap but still yet to find a drivers side panel.
Than maybe I would put some type of armrest pad on top, or make my own. But I don't want it to look cheap either, so I am debating!
Glad to hear your car has been relatively trouble free! My dad has a 2008 and is reaching 70K now... No work at all done to it. He did blow some speaker though in the backseat I believe, not sure if he ever replaced it though. Been trouble free!
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
My only problem is still the cost. If gas prices were $6-$7/gallon I'd be sold, but they're not quite there, and having to wait ~100k miles (rough calculation I did MONTHS ago) for it to pay for itself doesn't make much sense to me. Well, maybe it doesn't matter, since they seem to also hold their value well, so it doesn't really matter if one sells before the break-even point.
I hear it a lot: has to pay for itself and break-even cost.
No, let me ask you a question: did your last car you bought paid for itself or broke even?
An average new car is sold in US for $30,000. How those are going to pay for themself or break even over some cheap old beater???
I would like to know the answer for that.
Anyone please?????????
My only problem is still the cost. If gas prices were $6-$7/gallon I'd be sold, but they're not quite there, and having to wait ~100k miles (rough calculation I did MONTHS ago) for it to pay for itself doesn't make much sense to me. Well, maybe it doesn't matter, since they seem to also hold their value well, so it doesn't really matter if one sells before the break-even point.
I hear it a lot: has to pay for itself and break-even cost.
No, let me ask you a question: did your last car you bought paid for itself or broke even?
An average new car is sold in US for $30,000. How those are going to pay for themself or break even over some cheap old beater???
I would like to know the answer for that.
Anyone please?????????
Define smart....... as in out of the 11 new cars I've owned, this is the ONLY one I've never had to take back to the dealer for anything. No warranty, no recall. I just put gas in, and it goes. No warning lights. I drive 100 miles per day, so moneywise, it was smart. My other vehicles at the time only got 22mpg at best, so I at least save 2.5 gallons per day. Even at $3 a gallon, over 51 months, thats around $11k. Not counting vacations, and any other driving I do. Gas has been up around 4k for much of the time I've owned it.
I jump in, knowing it's going to start, knowing I'll get 50 mpg unless it's the dead of winter. I don't worry about the price of gas. Let it go to $6, see if I care.
When it snows, I jump in....then I jump out and get in the Jeep
I know there is a lot of fear about the hybrid battery, it can be replaced for under 2k. There are many that have lasted over 300k. I don't drive mine like Denny Hamlin, nor do I run completely out of gas thinking the Battery will drive me all day either.
The tweeters and center channel don't even come on anymore, but yes, the stereo as whole still sounds good. For it's fifth birthday, I'll get a new system, by then, I figure the car will have a good 250k left in it......maybe more.
I'm sure someone will come along and say that I could have gotten some econobox for 8k less, and "thats a lot of gas". But this is no econobox, not by a long shot.
I jump in, knowing it's going to start, knowing I'll get 50 mpg unless it's the dead of winter. I don't worry about the price of gas. Let it go to $6, see if I care.
When it snows, I jump in....then I jump out and get in the Jeep
I know there is a lot of fear about the hybrid battery, it can be replaced for under 2k. There are many that have lasted over 300k. I don't drive mine like Denny Hamlin, nor do I run completely out of gas thinking the Battery will drive me all day either.
The tweeters and center channel don't even come on anymore, but yes, the stereo as whole still sounds good. For it's fifth birthday, I'll get a new system, by then, I figure the car will have a good 250k left in it......maybe more.
I'm sure someone will come along and say that I could have gotten some econobox for 8k less, and "thats a lot of gas". But this is no econobox, not by a long shot.
Last edited:
What really bothers me about Toyota and its Prius is that the highway MPG comes from the extremely aerodynamic shape.
So why is every other Toyota not as aerodynamic? I'd take a Prius body w/o any hybrid equipment and a 1.5L or smaller engine, 6 speed manual, and a corolla price.
Toyota won't do it. They won't sell a super basic non hybrid Prius because it would equal or best the highway MPG numbers of a hybrid Prius for way less $$$. The savings could pay for a decade of city driving at 30 mpg instead of 50 mpg.
If a 2012 Prius weighs 3042 lbs, how much lighter would it be without all the hybrid gear? 200-300 lbs lighter?
So why is every other Toyota not as aerodynamic? I'd take a Prius body w/o any hybrid equipment and a 1.5L or smaller engine, 6 speed manual, and a corolla price.
Toyota won't do it. They won't sell a super basic non hybrid Prius because it would equal or best the highway MPG numbers of a hybrid Prius for way less $$$. The savings could pay for a decade of city driving at 30 mpg instead of 50 mpg.
If a 2012 Prius weighs 3042 lbs, how much lighter would it be without all the hybrid gear? 200-300 lbs lighter?
Originally Posted By: dareo
What really bothers me about Toyota and its Prius is that the highway MPG comes from the extremely aerodynamic shape.
So why is every other Toyota not as aerodynamic? I'd take a Prius body w/o any hybrid equipment and a 1.5L or smaller engine, 6 speed manual, and a corolla price.
Toyota won't do it. They won't sell a super basic non hybrid Prius because it would equal or best the highway MPG numbers of a hybrid Prius for way less $$$. The savings could pay for a decade of city driving at 30 mpg instead of 50 mpg.
If a 2012 Prius weighs 3042 lbs, how much lighter would it be without all the hybrid gear? 200-300 lbs lighter?
because the acceleration would be super low, and there will not be regenerative braking, and the gear ratio will be much more limited, so you will still not get the same high way mpg and significantly lower city mpg and torque.
There is a reason things are tuned a certain way, and not everyone is commuting 50 miles with no traffic.
What really bothers me about Toyota and its Prius is that the highway MPG comes from the extremely aerodynamic shape.
So why is every other Toyota not as aerodynamic? I'd take a Prius body w/o any hybrid equipment and a 1.5L or smaller engine, 6 speed manual, and a corolla price.
Toyota won't do it. They won't sell a super basic non hybrid Prius because it would equal or best the highway MPG numbers of a hybrid Prius for way less $$$. The savings could pay for a decade of city driving at 30 mpg instead of 50 mpg.
If a 2012 Prius weighs 3042 lbs, how much lighter would it be without all the hybrid gear? 200-300 lbs lighter?
because the acceleration would be super low, and there will not be regenerative braking, and the gear ratio will be much more limited, so you will still not get the same high way mpg and significantly lower city mpg and torque.
There is a reason things are tuned a certain way, and not everyone is commuting 50 miles with no traffic.
gathermewool
Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
My only problem is still the cost. If gas prices were $6-$7/gallon I'd be sold, but they're not quite there, and having to wait ~100k miles (rough calculation I did MONTHS ago) for it to pay for itself doesn't make much sense to me. Well, maybe it doesn't matter, since they seem to also hold their value well, so it doesn't really matter if one sells before the break-even point.
I hear it a lot: has to pay for itself and break-even cost.
No, let me ask you a question: did your last car you bought paid for itself or broke even?
An average new car is sold in US for $30,000. How those are going to pay for themself or break even over some cheap old beater???
I would like to know the answer for that.
Anyone please?????????
Firstly, calm down.
This is the first real car I'll have the pleasure of owning long-term, and it's not even close to an economical car (practical yes, economical, no,) so there really is no comparison to something like a Prius.
My point of concern is that, if I'm going to switch from my sporty, SUPER-fun-to-drive car to something with a bland driving experience some day I'm going to need a little more value than what I perceive the Prius to be now. I'm not calling the Prius a bad car at all, and if I was in the market for something like this as a second vehicle, the Prius would initially be at the top of my list.
For me now, a lifetime average of 22.6 mpg is a great value for the amount of pleasure I derive from driving, not to mention the practicality of a hatch with AWD. I'm sure my tastes and priorities will change as I grow older and begin a family, but for now, FOR ME, and at the current gas prices, the Prius would have to offer something like 70-80 equivalent MPG to be considered as a replacement for my STI.
I look forward to progress, but unfortunately it takes many people buying today's tech to allow for R&D and production of tomorrow's tech that I'll be interested. So, every one, please buy as many Prius' as you can, help fund the R&D and I'll be sure to join you some day!
Originally Posted By: gathermewool
My only problem is still the cost. If gas prices were $6-$7/gallon I'd be sold, but they're not quite there, and having to wait ~100k miles (rough calculation I did MONTHS ago) for it to pay for itself doesn't make much sense to me. Well, maybe it doesn't matter, since they seem to also hold their value well, so it doesn't really matter if one sells before the break-even point.
I hear it a lot: has to pay for itself and break-even cost.
No, let me ask you a question: did your last car you bought paid for itself or broke even?
An average new car is sold in US for $30,000. How those are going to pay for themself or break even over some cheap old beater???
I would like to know the answer for that.
Anyone please?????????
Firstly, calm down.
This is the first real car I'll have the pleasure of owning long-term, and it's not even close to an economical car (practical yes, economical, no,) so there really is no comparison to something like a Prius.
My point of concern is that, if I'm going to switch from my sporty, SUPER-fun-to-drive car to something with a bland driving experience some day I'm going to need a little more value than what I perceive the Prius to be now. I'm not calling the Prius a bad car at all, and if I was in the market for something like this as a second vehicle, the Prius would initially be at the top of my list.
For me now, a lifetime average of 22.6 mpg is a great value for the amount of pleasure I derive from driving, not to mention the practicality of a hatch with AWD. I'm sure my tastes and priorities will change as I grow older and begin a family, but for now, FOR ME, and at the current gas prices, the Prius would have to offer something like 70-80 equivalent MPG to be considered as a replacement for my STI.
I look forward to progress, but unfortunately it takes many people buying today's tech to allow for R&D and production of tomorrow's tech that I'll be interested. So, every one, please buy as many Prius' as you can, help fund the R&D and I'll be sure to join you some day!
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
what does a replacement battery cost?
I keep asking on the toyota forums and no one can answer.
they are a manufactured productand must fail at some time.
everyone says just get one from a junk yard but I doubt a dealer would install a junk yard one, and the junk yard condition is unknown.
This has been answered more than enough. I guess you didn't want to read it or maybe you did but still want to spread the fear and propaganda.
The battery is $2500 new, but almost never needs to be replaced, unless abused (>100 MPH driving will overheat the battery).
If one is smart, one can fix it DIY, by replacing individual bad cells at the cost div>
Let's not get too overly optimistic about battery life either. The failures occur all the time on the Gen II, which is why my independent hybrid specialist (this shop probably sees more Prii than anyone in the US) keeps a number of used transaxles and batteries in stock for their taxi customers. Based on the info they have posted, it appears that 200-250k is when many failures occur. Also, a simgle module replacement is a poor fix since you are not rebalancing all modules.
Realistically as these cars continue to age, for most people, they will be stuck with a new dealer battery when it comes time for replacement. $2500 msrp plus 4 hr for install and 1-2 hr for diag, and you are in the 3-3.5k range. Also, the time factor has yet to be proven so it's possible that a good # of people will never see 200k.
Originally Posted By: edwardh1
what does a replacement battery cost?
I keep asking on the toyota forums and no one can answer.
they are a manufactured productand must fail at some time.
everyone says just get one from a junk yard but I doubt a dealer would install a junk yard one, and the junk yard condition is unknown.
This has been answered more than enough. I guess you didn't want to read it or maybe you did but still want to spread the fear and propaganda.
The battery is $2500 new, but almost never needs to be replaced, unless abused (>100 MPH driving will overheat the battery).
If one is smart, one can fix it DIY, by replacing individual bad cells at the cost div>
Let's not get too overly optimistic about battery life either. The failures occur all the time on the Gen II, which is why my independent hybrid specialist (this shop probably sees more Prii than anyone in the US) keeps a number of used transaxles and batteries in stock for their taxi customers. Based on the info they have posted, it appears that 200-250k is when many failures occur. Also, a simgle module replacement is a poor fix since you are not rebalancing all modules.
Realistically as these cars continue to age, for most people, they will be stuck with a new dealer battery when it comes time for replacement. $2500 msrp plus 4 hr for install and 1-2 hr for diag, and you are in the 3-3.5k range. Also, the time factor has yet to be proven so it's possible that a good # of people will never see 200k.
- Status
