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.