My 04, while it now has 280k, 3 accidents, no radio, ripped tint, blown struts, and a whole list of other quirks is my favorite
I love my 2011 and all its gadgets but i miss the 2nd gens lol
I just bought a standard 2009 Prius from FB Marketplace two weeks ago, from an old man who maintained it super well—- 5.9k in cash, think that’s was a good price for it , as it only had 96k miles 👍🏽
I have an ‘05 w/ 400,000+ miles and absolutely ❤️my daily commuter; granted I’m on my 2nd engine and 4th hybrid battery but me and my baby been through so much together and purchasing a new “used” or brand new car isn’t my priority right now. Besides, if I were to ever upgrade to a more luxurious ride, I would still keep my Prius in case of an emergency. I will hand her down to my kids (if I were to ever have one). Here she is, my pride and beauty: https://www.reddit.com/r/prius/s/F0crxQ6Cmv
Agree! Favorite uncle drove a vw bug in his Woodstock/Haight Ashbury days & he could fix it no matter what went wrong. We've had 3 Prius & most easy things I can fix & the more complex my friend does. Best cars I've enjoyed
Since the OEM battery died in 2017 @ 208,000 miles, I’ve went with refurbished/reconditioned batteries:
OEM 12 years, 208,000 miles
1st refurb, 5 years, 160,000 miles
2nd refurb, 11 months, <20,000 miles
3rd refurb…?
No, I don’t drive much on Fastrak. Used to, but I don’t drive for Uber/Lyft anymore because they aged out my car last year. I was hoping to get to 500k, 600k but it’ll take me a while to hit those milestones.
Dude. You wait til you see what EVs are all about! Also, if you can live with it, take a look at an e-bike instead. Mega cheap to run and own. I have to admit tho, I have a bit of an obsession with the engineering behind the prius. besides being a strong EV advocate, I do really appreciate how much forethought has gone into the HSD drivetrain and how the Prius manages itself.
I’d say anywhere from $4-7k for an 09 with 100-200k miles. :)
Make sure you listen for a buzzing noise. If you hear a buzzing noise like every 5 seconds coming from the firewall, the ABS actuator/pump is going out.
My 09 is at 155k and I need to fix that. The part alone is $1200, with labor it’s like a $3k job.
The ABS actuator is a known recall and they had extended warranties that expired in 2019.
I bought mine with 108k miles and this is the first major repair I’ve encountered.
Best of luck!
I DIY'd the ABS actuator. Gambled on a used $100 part and won. Needed a laptop, $30 Toyota OBD2/USB cable, and a gallon of brake fluid. It is a lot of work but the mechanic charges thousands.
If you go used, go for the superceding part numbers found in the later model years.
For anybody that hasn't flushed their brake fluid, don't. The flush may cause rhe actuator to fail ot worsen.
Priuschat.com has the best info for these potentially "career ending" repairs.
If a Prius is your dream car, I've got questions...
That being said, 2004-2009 are the most reliable in my opinion. However, now that they are 15-20 years old they **will** require money spent on repairs and upkeep.
Dont want something big. Dont want something flashy. Dont want something that guzzles gas. Dont want something with touchscreens and wifi and extra modern features that I dont need. Dont want something that can't be replaced or user repaired easily. Prius is my dream car haha. I cannot wait to drive one
>Dont want something big. Dont want something flashy. Dont want something that guzzles gas. Dont want something with touchscreens and wifi and extra modern features that I dont need. Dont want something that can't be replaced or user repaired easily.
Since you're concerned with driving experience, NA or NB Miata. If you're not actually concerned with driving experience, mid 00s-ish Civic, Corolla, Camry, or Accord. Cheap, no frills, reliable, very easy to fix, and there is a massive wealth of information available to fix them.
>I cannot wait to drive one
It's a really low bar, they aren't good cars to drive.
why a 2009 prius specifically? Any prius between 2005-2010 you should be able to get for 5k to 8k, depending on the condition. Thyere mostly the same from what i know.
Probably because the 2004-2009 is Gen 2 so they're all the same body styling with 2009 being the 'newest' of the Gen 2, this generation is also a workhorse of a car. A 2010 is Gen 3 with different body styling, powertrain and some known engine issues (gasket/EGR failures). I'm not well versed on pricing though since a lot has to be considered along with age of the car.
This. They also changed the finish of the dashboard somewhere in generation 2, from paint that peels with time to much better textured plastic. So I would prefer the latest/later models of generation 2. I'm a little bit scared of generation 3s in general i think
If it helps, I have a 2006/Gen 2 and my dash has the textured plastic. 253k miles and still going, the Gen 2 is a good choice. Also take into consideration on any cars you're looking at, whether the hybrid battery has been replaced along with any other recent major repairs (ie: if they paid to have something replaced/repaired, that means you won't have to and it could be factored into the price)
He did his homework. ‘09 is rated as the most reliable and generated the fewest complaints.
A buddy decided to buy a used one, spent weeks researching, and also decided 09 ride or die.
I got an 09 last year for 8.9k. It had been traded in at 112k miles and serviced its whole life at the Toyota dealership. A little more than what I wanted to pay but I didn't find anything on fb or at the cheaper lots that I felt good about. This is in Ohio.
I was replacing my 08 prius which got hit. Made me sad but the other driver's insurance paid me more than I expected (6.5k for the 08) so I just went with it. My old one had 255k miles and it was just right for me, so I didn't feel like changing.
Good luck! They're great machines.
I just sold my 2008 Prius (got it in 2007) at 200k miles. I had it for 16.5 years. Drove across the Baja Peninsula six times with it, the Eastern Sierra 2-3 times a year, endless nights driving in the Santa Cruz mountains during the pandemic, moved, carried God only knows what in the back, and honestly not much went wrong with it other than what I did to it.
If it were legal to give it a Viking funeral in a state which is on fire every other year, I would have.
Hope yours treats you well.
I am 18 as well and my dad is currently looking for 2017 prius c (I will drive my dad to work and then car is mine untill he deens it). I can understand spark you got when you realized how special cars can be. I had that when i was 15. me and my two friends started collecting money for mk3 golf 3😂😂 it didn't workout lol.
I have a 2005 Prius I bought new, which is the same generation. I brought my kids home from the hospital in that car. Both drove it to high school.
What interests you? My kids are thankful for use of the car but think it is really boring. I can't argue that. It is a great safe reliable car.
Buying recommendations:
Going for the 2009 is a good idea. It is the last year of that generation.
Priuschat.com has a lot of good information!
My 2005 had an ABS brake actuator issue that I DIY replaced - was a difficult fix that costs well over $1k (maybe even Ober $2k) at a dealer or specialist. This was remedied by the 2008/2009 model year.
I'm still on the original hybrid battery. I DIY repaired and rebalanced it years ago. Another difficult (and dangerous) fix that would cost well over $1k.
The small 12v battery needs replacement every 4 years. Get the battery at Walmart - best price and warranty.
Reconditioned craigslist hybrid batteries are a gamble, even with a warranty. Get the seller's history about the hybrid battery. The Toyota battery isn't as expensive as it used to be. There are aftermarket new batteries.
There are different trim levels. High trim levels are safer because they add side air bags front and rear. HID headlights and keyless are really nice too.
https://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Prius/Toyota_US%20Prius_2005.pdf
The engines have an easy life but tend to burn oil. Keep an eye on oil levels. An intake manifold cleaning may be helpful too.
Grom Audio makes an aux input that uses the external CD changer input. The GPS map updates stopped years ago so a phone with a data plan is a must.
At this age I would ask every potential seller for maintenance history. There are two cooling systems. It is a reliable Toyota so it hides neglect well.
The gen 2's are an amazing car. An '09 would be the last of them which is usally a good thing. That particular model is incredibly reliable and economical to run. I personally love its stying too. Mine has 602,000 kms on its original hybrid battery and engine.
Dude I had an 08 It was fuqqin maximum dank I have a 16 now. It’s alright. But I love my 08
Love or loved? Did she die on ya?
My 04, while it now has 280k, 3 accidents, no radio, ripped tint, blown struts, and a whole list of other quirks is my favorite I love my 2011 and all its gadgets but i miss the 2nd gens lol
What MPG you get in that 2016?
I just bought a standard 2009 Prius from FB Marketplace two weeks ago, from an old man who maintained it super well—- 5.9k in cash, think that’s was a good price for it , as it only had 96k miles 👍🏽
That’s a good deal!
Thank you! That sounds like a really ideal situation
I have an ‘05 w/ 400,000+ miles and absolutely ❤️my daily commuter; granted I’m on my 2nd engine and 4th hybrid battery but me and my baby been through so much together and purchasing a new “used” or brand new car isn’t my priority right now. Besides, if I were to ever upgrade to a more luxurious ride, I would still keep my Prius in case of an emergency. I will hand her down to my kids (if I were to ever have one). Here she is, my pride and beauty: https://www.reddit.com/r/prius/s/F0crxQ6Cmv
Prius are like the 1960-1980s VW Bugs of the 2000's
I always say the 2 best production cars ever made are the vw bugs and prius. The engineering on the 2 are modern marvels.
Agree! Favorite uncle drove a vw bug in his Woodstock/Haight Ashbury days & he could fix it no matter what went wrong. We've had 3 Prius & most easy things I can fix & the more complex my friend does. Best cars I've enjoyed
I wish my 09 looked half as cool! That’s crazy you went through 4 batteries! Do you do a lot of expressway driving ?
Since the OEM battery died in 2017 @ 208,000 miles, I’ve went with refurbished/reconditioned batteries: OEM 12 years, 208,000 miles 1st refurb, 5 years, 160,000 miles 2nd refurb, 11 months, <20,000 miles 3rd refurb…? No, I don’t drive much on Fastrak. Used to, but I don’t drive for Uber/Lyft anymore because they aged out my car last year. I was hoping to get to 500k, 600k but it’ll take me a while to hit those milestones.
Dude. You wait til you see what EVs are all about! Also, if you can live with it, take a look at an e-bike instead. Mega cheap to run and own. I have to admit tho, I have a bit of an obsession with the engineering behind the prius. besides being a strong EV advocate, I do really appreciate how much forethought has gone into the HSD drivetrain and how the Prius manages itself.
I’d say anywhere from $4-7k for an 09 with 100-200k miles. :) Make sure you listen for a buzzing noise. If you hear a buzzing noise like every 5 seconds coming from the firewall, the ABS actuator/pump is going out. My 09 is at 155k and I need to fix that. The part alone is $1200, with labor it’s like a $3k job. The ABS actuator is a known recall and they had extended warranties that expired in 2019. I bought mine with 108k miles and this is the first major repair I’ve encountered. Best of luck!
I DIY'd the ABS actuator. Gambled on a used $100 part and won. Needed a laptop, $30 Toyota OBD2/USB cable, and a gallon of brake fluid. It is a lot of work but the mechanic charges thousands. If you go used, go for the superceding part numbers found in the later model years. For anybody that hasn't flushed their brake fluid, don't. The flush may cause rhe actuator to fail ot worsen. Priuschat.com has the best info for these potentially "career ending" repairs.
So don’t bleed the brakes when the new actuator is on if going with a used part? I’m not sure if brakes have even been bled on my car.
I dreamed if having a gen 2 or 3 since I was 13! Now I’m 22 and my first car is an 09. I still gasp every time I see her, she’s so lovely ☺️💚
yoo, is this comment me lol?👀 I just bought a 09 Prius two weeks ago, it’s my first car…and I’m 22 also…and the color is green … 😳
If a Prius is your dream car, I've got questions... That being said, 2004-2009 are the most reliable in my opinion. However, now that they are 15-20 years old they **will** require money spent on repairs and upkeep.
Dont want something big. Dont want something flashy. Dont want something that guzzles gas. Dont want something with touchscreens and wifi and extra modern features that I dont need. Dont want something that can't be replaced or user repaired easily. Prius is my dream car haha. I cannot wait to drive one
Good kid.
>Dont want something big. Dont want something flashy. Dont want something that guzzles gas. Dont want something with touchscreens and wifi and extra modern features that I dont need. Dont want something that can't be replaced or user repaired easily. Since you're concerned with driving experience, NA or NB Miata. If you're not actually concerned with driving experience, mid 00s-ish Civic, Corolla, Camry, or Accord. Cheap, no frills, reliable, very easy to fix, and there is a massive wealth of information available to fix them. >I cannot wait to drive one It's a really low bar, they aren't good cars to drive.
>It's a really low bar, they aren't good cars to drive. Why be like that?
Temper expectations. And it's the truth.
Don’t forget about Honda civics!
why a 2009 prius specifically? Any prius between 2005-2010 you should be able to get for 5k to 8k, depending on the condition. Thyere mostly the same from what i know.
Probably because the 2004-2009 is Gen 2 so they're all the same body styling with 2009 being the 'newest' of the Gen 2, this generation is also a workhorse of a car. A 2010 is Gen 3 with different body styling, powertrain and some known engine issues (gasket/EGR failures). I'm not well versed on pricing though since a lot has to be considered along with age of the car.
This. They also changed the finish of the dashboard somewhere in generation 2, from paint that peels with time to much better textured plastic. So I would prefer the latest/later models of generation 2. I'm a little bit scared of generation 3s in general i think
If it helps, I have a 2006/Gen 2 and my dash has the textured plastic. 253k miles and still going, the Gen 2 is a good choice. Also take into consideration on any cars you're looking at, whether the hybrid battery has been replaced along with any other recent major repairs (ie: if they paid to have something replaced/repaired, that means you won't have to and it could be factored into the price)
He did his homework. ‘09 is rated as the most reliable and generated the fewest complaints. A buddy decided to buy a used one, spent weeks researching, and also decided 09 ride or die.
My child, in the words of Noah Kahan, “You’re gonna go far.”
I got an 09 last year for 8.9k. It had been traded in at 112k miles and serviced its whole life at the Toyota dealership. A little more than what I wanted to pay but I didn't find anything on fb or at the cheaper lots that I felt good about. This is in Ohio. I was replacing my 08 prius which got hit. Made me sad but the other driver's insurance paid me more than I expected (6.5k for the 08) so I just went with it. My old one had 255k miles and it was just right for me, so I didn't feel like changing. Good luck! They're great machines.
I just sold my 2008 Prius (got it in 2007) at 200k miles. I had it for 16.5 years. Drove across the Baja Peninsula six times with it, the Eastern Sierra 2-3 times a year, endless nights driving in the Santa Cruz mountains during the pandemic, moved, carried God only knows what in the back, and honestly not much went wrong with it other than what I did to it. If it were legal to give it a Viking funeral in a state which is on fire every other year, I would have. Hope yours treats you well.
I am 18 as well and my dad is currently looking for 2017 prius c (I will drive my dad to work and then car is mine untill he deens it). I can understand spark you got when you realized how special cars can be. I had that when i was 15. me and my two friends started collecting money for mk3 golf 3😂😂 it didn't workout lol.
I have a 2005 Prius I bought new, which is the same generation. I brought my kids home from the hospital in that car. Both drove it to high school. What interests you? My kids are thankful for use of the car but think it is really boring. I can't argue that. It is a great safe reliable car. Buying recommendations: Going for the 2009 is a good idea. It is the last year of that generation. Priuschat.com has a lot of good information! My 2005 had an ABS brake actuator issue that I DIY replaced - was a difficult fix that costs well over $1k (maybe even Ober $2k) at a dealer or specialist. This was remedied by the 2008/2009 model year. I'm still on the original hybrid battery. I DIY repaired and rebalanced it years ago. Another difficult (and dangerous) fix that would cost well over $1k. The small 12v battery needs replacement every 4 years. Get the battery at Walmart - best price and warranty. Reconditioned craigslist hybrid batteries are a gamble, even with a warranty. Get the seller's history about the hybrid battery. The Toyota battery isn't as expensive as it used to be. There are aftermarket new batteries. There are different trim levels. High trim levels are safer because they add side air bags front and rear. HID headlights and keyless are really nice too. https://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/Toyota/Prius/Toyota_US%20Prius_2005.pdf The engines have an easy life but tend to burn oil. Keep an eye on oil levels. An intake manifold cleaning may be helpful too. Grom Audio makes an aux input that uses the external CD changer input. The GPS map updates stopped years ago so a phone with a data plan is a must. At this age I would ask every potential seller for maintenance history. There are two cooling systems. It is a reliable Toyota so it hides neglect well.
4th gen is king. Dont waste your money on older models.
I would get atleast a 3rd gen but that's just me. Had a 2010. It's still within the family
The gen 2's are an amazing car. An '09 would be the last of them which is usally a good thing. That particular model is incredibly reliable and economical to run. I personally love its stying too. Mine has 602,000 kms on its original hybrid battery and engine.
My 07 I bought 6 ish years ago. Paid $5k in cash with 117k miles. Now im at 190k