I'm New To This Forum, So I'd Just Like To Say Hi! (And Pi

[Lillyi01]

I need your guidance, expertise and opinions please.

I'm thinking of buying a 58 plate 2009 prius, I believe it's a generation 2?

It's covered around 43000 miles with a full history and will come with 12 months warranty, and it's going to cost me and my wife around 9k from our local Toyota dealer.

We've test drive it and pretty much were both blown away with comfort, gadgets etc etc..

What are they like to own? what realistic mpg can we expect to achieve? Do we need to worry about the Battery breaking? And should we look to take a longer term warranty on the car?

Any advice, tips, opinion good or bad please.

[Ancient Nerd]

My last Prius was an 08 eg Gen II. It stayed within the family, and is still going strong. It is getting close to its 120,000 mile service.

I averaged 55mpg (tank to tank) over the first 40,000 miles. I don't have details for it now, but I think it is still around the same.

Tyre life is around 50-60,000 miles. We have had to buy a total of six tyres for it so far, leaving new tyres on the rear, and front ones with around 5mm tread. The car is not driven like the proverbial milk float!

No brake pads replaced, so far. On present performance, they will be needed somewhere around 200,000.

There is no sign of any reduction in traction Battery capacity.

The 12v Battery is original, but as it is four years old, it will probably need replacing soon.

One front wheel bearing is now noisy and will need replacing soon. That is the only non-service item to date.

The Gen II came with a proper hybrid warranty, so you have another four years/57,000 miles warranty left for the hybrid components and the traction Battery. (Unlike we early Gen III buyers who were thoroughly shafted by Toyota with their weasel warranty, and inferior hybrid/battery warranties.)

Go for it, it is a great car. It is just a great shame that Toyota GB are involved - Great car, rubbish Company.

[Lillyi01]

Thanks for that,

So the 12v Battery needs replacing every 4 years? At a cost of how much and what does that particular Battery power?

The Battery that you say should be covered for another 57000 miles I presume is the main battery that drives the electric part of the Prius? How will I know that battery still has warranty on it? Is it just something that will be toyotas database?

[ian rooke]

Hi all 08 Prius had a 7 year warrantie on the Hybrid side unlike the early Gen 3 where Toyota decided to short change its customers. A replacement 12v Battery can be got for £60 its fitting is not as straightforward as a normal Battery because it is in the boot the vent must exit the car to avoid the build up of explosive gasses. The 12v Battery drives all the computers (the Traction battery starts the car).

[Lillyi01]

Great, thanks Ian. So in a nutshell, I shouldn't have to worry about an expensive Battery replacement, until around 100k if at all?

[Jan&tone]

Welcome to TOC

[timberwolf]

Toyota's web site lists the cost of replacing the 12 V Battery as 90 quid under their Fix-Price Promise.

Brake discs may need replacing as the Prius doesn't need to use them much, although I am cynical that some may have been replaced unnecessarily.

A small minority of owners are uncomfortable with the switch from regenerative to friction braking when running over a man hole cover.

Traction control can be a bit of pain in the snow or loose surfaces e.g. gravel, but it is still the best car that I've ever driven in the snow!

The mpg is a difficult one, it is not uncommon for there to be a 15 mpg difference between the Summer and Winter.

[ph47mf]

the big Battery is covered by a 100k or 8 year warranty and you should replace the small Battery every 4 years or so. Mine I believe is still the original and it's 6 years old. The big one is known to last beyond 100k, so don't worry about it just yet.

the mpg for me is between 43 to 55mpg, unlike other cars, i find that you really have to try drive sensibly and slowly to get anywhere near the quoted combined figure of 65mpg. however you'll be happy to know during the winter months and lots of not-so-sensible driving in city, the mpg still wouldn't plummet past 43mpg. keep the tyres pumped (mine are kept at 42psi) to get good mpg.

having warranty is always a good thing, you should definitely look into it (from toyota only as they cover electric components) when the current 12 months one is up - something like £750 for 2 years.

reliability wise - it's a toyota - enough said. ;)

[johalareewi]

I need your guidance, expertise and opinions please.

I'm thinking of buying a 58 plate 2009 prius, I believe it's a generation 2?

58 plate would be gen2 but 2008 surely? 2009 would be either 09 plate (gen2 poss gen3) or 59 (gen3 poss gen2).

It's covered around 43000 miles with a full history and will come with 12 months warranty,

As mentioned, the hybrid system should have a fair bit of original warranty left.

So the 12v battery needs replacing every 4 years? At a cost of how much and what does that particular battery power?

It's just like a normal car's 12V Battery. All it does is power up the main computers when you start the car, and run the accessories (radio etc.) when on accessory power (like a normal car). They need changing when they need changing.

So in a nutshell, I shouldn't have to worry about an expensive battery replacement, until around 100k if at all?

That is correct.

[timberwolf]

I need your guidance, expertise and opinions please.

I'm thinking of buying a 58 plate 2009 prius, I believe it's a generation 2?

58 plate would be gen2 but 2008 surely? 2009 would be either 09 plate (gen2 poss gen3) or 59 (gen3 poss gen2).

It could be that it was first registered before March 2009 and then it would still get a 58 plate. Maybe Santa was late that year!;)

[johalareewi]

It could be that it was first registered before March 2009 and then it would still get a 58 plate. Maybe Santa was late that year! ;)

That's true. Could be Jan or Feb 2009.

[AGL]

Hello everyone!

I'm thinking of taking the plunge and gettting a Prius as my company car - mostly for the BIk benefits, but also because it appeals to my inner geek.

Trouble is, the interior is shocking, but i think the functionality of it would grow on me.

I've spent the last few weeks trying other cars that i'm able to have - alas, the 320 ED had to go back with a change of jobs! The policy at my new employers is pretty limited - Ford, Vauxhall, or Prius! The missus isn't a fan of the Mondeo or Insignia - they're comfortable enough, but far too big for our needs. The Astra is a shocking car and trying to get an extended test drive in a new Focus or C-Max is like pushing sand uphill!

The local Toyota dealer was kind enough to give me an extyended run of three days in a Prius - T-Spirit, leather, halogen lights etc... all nice enough but a way away from the T3 on the company car list!

With the facelift out next month, i can grab a 'used' 61 plate T4 or T Spirit for new T3 money, which is probably what i'll do unless the new welds, plastic tweaks etc blow me away. Plus, with a pre-face lift mode T4 or T Spirit, i'll get the touchscreen etc, but I could do with the Nav - though it seems awkwardto use compared to the Beamer.

So, aside from giving you all an insight of my new car choices, i guess i just want to know what the Prius is like day to day, and if you can learn to love the interior!

The test i had was for three days in January. My route to work is a mixture of 30mph and motorway, approx. 20 miles, and i averaged 54mpg - my pool Focus is doing 51 at the minute. i've been lurking and looking at the various threas on winter-time mpg, so will expect better in the longer term.

[Chris Dance]

I do not think the interior of the Prius is that bad. Our Prius is very quiet on normal roads no rattles or squeaky plastic etc. It is the best car I have ever owned and last summer I got high 60s in MPG. I am getting about 59 MPG at the moment. There is no road tax and London congestion charge is £10 a year. I have the T Spirit in leather upholstery. Let us know whatb you decide.

[johalareewi]

The local Toyota dealer was kind enough to give me an extyended run of three days in a Prius - T-Spirit, leather, halogen lights etc... all nice enough but a way away from the T3 on the company car list!

With the facelift out next month, i can grab a 'used' 61 plate T4 or T Spirit for new T3 money, which is probably what i'll do unless the new welds, plastic tweaks etc blow me away. Plus, with a pre-face lift mode T4 or T Spirit, i'll get the touchscreen etc, but I could do with the Nav - though it seems awkwardto use compared to the Beamer.

The facelifted T3 will have the touch screen, bluetooth, reverse camera, and USB connection missing from the current T3 spec. Looks like it is possible to upgrade the head unit from Touch, to Touch and Go to get the NAV added as an option. So you might want to wait for one of them.

See this link and click on Features...

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_editorial.jsp?navRoot=toyota_1024_root&fullwidth=true&noLeftMenu=true&forceText=%3Cnone%3E&edname=CC2-Touch-and-go-landing&id=CC2-Touch-and-go-landing&zone=Zone+NG+Yaris&sr=Mall

[AGL]

I had the Google send to car in the beamer and it's a nice feature. £850 is about the going ratefor Nav, i guess, but a bit of a kick in the teeth when the same system is £500 in the yaris and £650 in the Auris.

Thanks, chaps.

[AGL]

For all of you that have been on tenterhooks since February.....

A guy left my company so i ended up with his 2010 Tspirit rather than having a 2012 T3. All good, except the electric seat adjustment doesn't work. What does this do anyway, as i've not got a manual?

Loving it so far - 11,000 miles since May. Averaging 54.4mpg on Trip A that re-set after 10,000 miles. I do about 60% motorway miles at about 70-74mph so pretty happy, even though work pay for fuel.

Main drawback is the fuel tank size! Those couple of gallons less make visits to the forecourt far more frequent than i cna be bothered with!

[johalareewi]

... i've not got a manual?

Check this thread...

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=138501

Main drawback is the fuel tank size! Those couple of gallons less make visits to the forecourt far more frequent than i cna be bothered with!

The prius's tank is the same size as my old astra's tank but the astra could only do 350 to 400 miles on a tank.

In the prius I can get 500 to 600 miles. So I find the tank size OK.

When the last fuel gauge pip starts to flash, you still have a fair bit of fuel left in the tank.

How empty do you let the tank get before you fill up?

[AGL]

I'm normally down to about 20 miles on the range due to my quest for nectar points and therefore finding a BP. Most i've squeezed in is 38 litres. A focus i had could get a smidge over 50 in and a previous BMW 3 series efficient dynamics could get 60 litres and 800 miles to a tank.

The prius is doing me about 400ish so i'm filling up every 6 days.

[rob the bank]

Well the tank is 45ltrs, so from your numbers could drive an extra 50 to 75 miles.

Must admit this is one of my Prius worries as well, i have a Prius + on order for the end of October when my Audi goes back, thats got a 65ltr tank and can do 700 miles on a tank of "rep" driving.

But that will also go at least 50 miles after the range as hit zero.

For your manuals have a look here:

http://www.toyota.com/owners/web/pages/resources/owners-manuals?p_p_id=changemodelyear_WAR_toyotaownersonlineportlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_changemodelyear_WAR_toyotaownersonlineportlet_action=processRequest&_changemodelyear_WAR_toyotaownersonlineportlet_javax.portlet.action=processRequest

[Dave R.]

In my experience, when the car says it is down to 0 miles to empty, there's a gallon left in the tank (about 50 miles).

The electrical adjustment on the driver's seat is for the lumbar support - so you may not notice much happening.

[Opifex]

Usually fill up after about 400miles. Did once go to 498miles and found that it only took 36 ltr to fill up so there was still 9 ltr left in the tank - about 100 miles.

[Bibsy]

Most I ever ran mine to was 620, and still got 3 litres in the tank.Bit too close that one, but even so, it had a few more miles in it.