Hey y’all,
I’m thinking about getting a used Prius for work because I drive so much. Found a (I think) very good value on 2006 Prius (70k miles, $7k); no accident history.
However I’m a bit worried about future mechanical repair costs on the car going forward because it’s so old. I don’t know much about cars. What could I reasonably expect from this car if I purchased it in terms of how much life it has left? Does the age of the car matter more than the miles at this point? Also, I intend to have the car checked out by a mechanic before purchasing. Are there any specific questions I should ask the mechanic so I can assess whether the vehicle is a good purchase?
Ideally, I’d like to drive the car for 6 years and put another 120k miles on it at least. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated! I drive in California so not much winter weather if that matters at all.
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Biggest thing I’d worry about is the life/condition of the hybrid battery. Honestly I’m not sure how to check that, or if you can (Toyota tech may have an idea.)
From the few I’ve seen go out, it’s around 1500-2500 to replace/repair. So it’s not the end of the world, but something to think about.
This is really helpful thank you. I’ll talk to a Toyota tech to see if there’s a way to check battery health
This is really helpful thank you. I’ll talk to a Toyota tech to see if there’s a way to check battery health
That doesn’t sound bad at all, but be prepared to drop a few thousand on a new hybrid battery sooner or later. With a new battery, it’s a 300k mile vehicle.
That doesn’t sound bad at all, but be prepared to drop a few thousand on a new hybrid battery sooner or later. With a new battery, it’s a 300k mile vehicle.
My wife had an 06 we sold in 2016 that had 360k on it at the time. We were second owners. Sold it to a friend that drove it even longer. I put a hybrid battery in it about a year before we sold it. Only other issues was a wheel bearing and the hvac blower fan went out. Put brakes on it around 180k miles. Definitely check on the hybrid battery, prices are super reasonable these days, especially if you can swap it yourself. The abs module/pump can get a little spendy, as can ac compressor work. Otherwise just inspect it as any other used car and should be good.
These are great thoughts thank you. This is what I’ll specifically ask the mechanic about
These are great thoughts thank you. This is what I’ll specifically ask the mechanic about
Old + very low miles = junk
I’ve seen it alot where people think they got a good deal due to the mileage. It always ends up just being a headache as the car sat for a long time before they had it.
This was my wife’s concern as well. Basically a too-good-to-be-true worry. Is this something that a pre-buy mechanical inspection would catch or is the risk going to be there regardless?
This was my wife’s concern as well. Basically a too-good-to-be-true worry. Is this something that a pre-buy mechanical inspection would catch or is the risk going to be there regardless?
I bought my 2006 prius used from the original owner in 2017. It had 189K miles when I bought it. I have been commuting 150 miles a day round trip 4 days a week for my commute. I now have over 345K on the odometer. Original ICE. I run synthetic oil and change it religiously. Just changed out the spark plugs myself. Runs great with 45mpg average, mountain/hwy driving. I have replaced the inverter coolant pump myself last year. Just did the struts last month. Hybrid battery was replaced 2 years ago. The car is a runner and Toyota is very well built.
I am not a mechanic so I’m curious, all those changes you did, about what do you think it would cost me if I had to do the same?
Believe me, I am no mechanic. But I have had to learn by necessity and budgetary constraints how to do some maintenance myself. There are many videos available online for our make and model, covering a wide variety of procedures for the home mechanic/DIY’er. I do not have a covered garage to work in, and must do the work outdoors.
All that being said, the spark plugs (4) were $36, each oil change runs about $36, inverter pump and coolant replacement $125, all done at home. My local tire shop just replaced my struts for $1100 and a local hybrid battery recycling shop replaced the hybrid battery for $1200 2 years ago. 12v battery replacement was $185; the car needs lots of juice when shut off to keep systems running and is a huge draw on the 12v battery. So, if you’re running an old 12v you may have to replace it with a top-end AGM 12v battery. I was surprised how expensive they were.
Anyways, regular preventive maintenance and upkeep should be a regular budget item.
I bought my 2006 prius used from the original owner in 2017. It had 189K miles when I bought it. I have been commuting 150 miles a day round trip 4 days a week for my commute. I now have over 345K on the odometer. Original ICE. I run synthetic oil and change it religiously. Just changed out the spark plugs myself. Runs great with 45mpg average, mountain/hwy driving. I have replaced the inverter coolant pump myself last year. Just did the struts last month. Hybrid battery was replaced 2 years ago. The car is a runner and Toyota is very well built.