I bought a 2010 Prius for $3000

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Nice looking car. I can't believe I've never seen anything about the paint issue. That's news to me.
I'm curious, did you have to remove the front bumper cover to install the new headlight assemblies?

Yes, I had to remove the front bumper cover. There is a third bolt for the headlights that is under the bumper cover. Not really a bad job, I watched a how-to on Youtube, and I guess I spent an hour or two on the job. AND I finally splurged on a set of specialty pliers for popping out those plastic push pins - should have done that a LONG time ago.

This generation seems to be RARE in our local self-serve junkyards. But a Prius "IV" with the sunroof and leather just showed up at the LKQ self-serve. I am thinking I want that leather-wrapped steering wheel!

 

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Just got back from the repaint!

They only painted metal, so it's not perfect, but it looks pretty good now.

 

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Have put almost 20,000 miles on it since we got it in October.

 

[TheLastWord]

Have put almost 20,000 miles on it since we got it in October.

Nice touch when an OP follows up and shows pics of the results..

 

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In that time, I replaced the sway bar links and replaced another wheel bearing. My son drove it on a flat tire, so I replaced all four tires and got it aligned.

 

[fantastic]

They did a good job based on your photos.

 

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They were booked for months - I took it to the dealer in October and got a date to repaint in March. I think it was March 25. I just got the car back today, so I guess that's about three and a half weeks. During this time, I was given a new Corolla SE for a loaner car. I liked the Corolla a lot and was afraid it would be a letdown to get the Prius back. But I actually enjoyed getting to drive the old Prius again.

 

[We're Metals]

Looks great!

 

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Update: we have hit 30,000 miles on the Prius in eleven months since I got it. At nearly 238,000 miles now. By my calculations, it has saved about $3000 in gas money vs. the minivan.

Gas mileage dipped in the winter and also takes a hit in the summer when the A/C is running more. We are averaging around 45-46 with all seasons taken together, I think. I cleaned out the EGR system and put in a new water pump, hopefully the head gasket problems stay away for a few more thousand miles. Didn't notice a change in fuel economy or driveablity with the EGR system cleaned.

Our driving is mixed - I think it can get really good mpg cruising down a 40 mph arterial, but we end up doing a lot of 70 mph highway driving where the hybrid system doesn't help as much.

5000 mile OCI using Kirkland 0w20 and genuine Toyota filters.

 

[addyguy]

Well done, keep on trucking’!

 

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Almost to 40,000 miles on it. Did the world's cheapest brake job last July.

Fixed some vibrations on braking. Rotors were corroded, making a "donut" wear pattern on the inboard side.

Car is getting a little less use lately, since we picked up a Honda Accord Hybrid.

 

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The Prius has met its end. Last Saturday night, its driver rear-ended a car that was stopped for a traffic light. The front air bags were set off and the car suffered substantial damage to the front end. Thankfully, neither car's occupants suffered any injury. The car suited its purpose well to the end - racking up about 50,000 miles of safe and reliable transportation over two plus years with minimal cost of fuel and maintenance.

I think it's going to be hard to replace this car for $3000. I also wonder if a more modern car would have collision-detection systems that could have prevented the accident.

 

[Dutchy491]

Dang….That’s too bad. Was following your thread with interest. Glad everyone was ok!!

 

[The Critic]

I think it's going to be hard to replace this car for $3000.

Find one with a blown head gasket - they're out there.

 

[bdc101]

Find one with a blown head gasket - they're out there.

I was just going to say that! They get bought up pretty quick though. I bought a 2010 with a blown head gasket and 260k miles in 2023 for $2,000 and fixed it up and drove it for a couple of years. Got all my money back out of it when I sold it. But I had to buy it within a couple of days of when it popped up on craigslist. It was a great car and still got me somewhere between 45 and 50 mpg no matter how I drove it. I hope to get another someday.

 

[GrumpyCat]

Is there no way to "Disable" the battery pack or is everything too far integrated? I'd say that if you're able to repair & maintain it for reasonable costs then it could pay for itself with the fuel savings.

Prius doesn't have a starter. The smaller motor/generator is used to spin the ICE up to 1200 RPM then fuel and ignition are turned on, engine instantly and smoothly running. So in short, the traction battery is mandatory. The 12V battery primarily serves to boot the computers and act as a reserve for accessories such as radio and headlights.

 

[bdc101]

Prius doesn't have a starter. The smaller motor/generator is used to spin the ICE up to 1200 RPM then fuel and ignition are turned on, engine instantly and smoothly running. So in short, the traction battery is mandatory. The 12V battery primarily serves to boot the computers and act as a reserve for accessories such as radio and headlights.

Additionally, the transmission can't function without both motor-generator units due to the fact that it's just a planetary gearset. The MG unit has to spin at a particular speed in order to obtain the correct gear ratio. It's a bummer but it's part of the reason that Priuses are so affordable. Calling the e-CVT a "transmission" is really kind of a misnomer. It's just a planetary gear between the gas engine, one of the motor generators, and the drive wheels. Uniquely simple and never breaks, even if you never change the fluid.

 

[GrumpyCat]

Additionally, the transmission can't function without both motor-generator units due to the fact that it's just a planetary gearset. The MG unit has to spin at a particular speed in order to obtain the correct gear ratio. It's a bummer but it's part of the reason that Priuses are so affordable. Calling the e-CVT a "transmission" is really kind of a misnomer. It's just a planetary gear between the gas engine, one of the motor generators, and the drive wheels. Uniquely simple and never breaks, even if you never change the fluid.

The Toyota Synergy System consists of a 3 input/output planetary gear system consisting of a relatively small MG1, the larger traction motor-generator MG2 connected to the drive wheels, and finally the engine labeled ICE. When one input/output slows others have to go faster. Controlling MG1 and ICE allows control of MG2 and therefore vehicle speed. It is a brilliantly simple yet complex solution.

 

[bdc101]

It really is - it's really something to nerd out on. Here is a great simulator site I found https://eahart.com/prius/psd/

 

[panthermike]

I was just going to say that! They get bought up pretty quick though. I bought a 2010 with a blown head gasket and 260k miles in 2023 for $2,000 and fixed it up and drove it for a couple of years. Got all my money back out of it when I sold it. But I had to buy it within a couple of days of when it popped up on craigslist. It was a great car and still got me somewhere between 45 and 50 mpg no matter how I drove it. I hope to get another someday.

Are the head gaskets fairly straightforward on these? Usually buying something for me is a no with a blown head gasket but don't know much about these cars. Several for sale around me for 3 to 4,000 that don't claim to have any issues. Also any easy way to check on a test drive the battery health?