Rafael After months of looking for a Prius, I just purchased one this week from a private owner - 2005 Prius with 160,000 miles - $4,500.00. First time Prius owner and love'n it.. 👍👍
I just bought for my daughter a 2006 prius with 182k on it from the original owner. He kept it in a garage and changed the oil every 3k with proof. Before he sold it, he had 4 new tires put on and replaced all the coils and springs. There isn't a scratch on it. As soon as I test drove it, I said I will take it. He met my daughter who just got her license. I paid 5k for it. The next day I called him to set up a time to pick it up and he asked for 1 more day, to clean it out. When I picked it up, he confessed he was worried about my daughter getting stuck and paid for a new battery pack to be installed out of his own pocket. So the new battery comes with a warranty.
I bought a 2005 Prius off of eBay in 2006 with salvage title due to “water damage” with 3,000 miles on it. I now have 250K on it and aside from replacing the primary battery and usual maintenance, it has been a joy to drive, still getting 45 MPG!
Awesome review and I completely agree with your praise of the 2nd gen Prius. It’s a legendary car and will be written down at the top of automotive history books.
I had a girl friend who owned a 2009 Toyota Prius. It had 160k miles. She would make me turn off the AC on steep highway grades because the engine was “working too hard”. She did not understand the concept of a CVT transmission and electric powered AC. She always took it to the dealership for every oil change. I left her as she was too cautious and had a very controlling mother. I now own a 2021 Toyota Prius. I drive it quite normally and what she taught me is if you maintain it, you’ll have a really good car for a long time.
I got my 2004 Prius as a former rental car with about 800 miles on it. In the 19 years I've owned it I have put 215,000 miles on it and during that time, other than tires, oil changes and routine maintenance, I have only needed to replace the wheel bearings on one front side and some other wheel issue in the same location and replaced the auxiliary battery two times. Even now I can get 50 mpg on the highway going 55-60 mph. In it's heyday it would get over 60 mpg on long trips keeping the speed the same. It's such a joy to have such an economical, reliable car. It kills me how certain people make nasty political comments about me and my car. What's political about driving a super reliable, inexpensive to own car?
I absolutely love my 2005 Toyota Prius . I remember seeing the the car in 8th grade and it was my dream car and I swore I was going to own It one day… fast forward 15 years later , I finally was able to get one in 2021 in rebuilt condition for only $800!! I thought for sure I was gonna have to salvage the car cause it was in horrible condition, but come to find out, it just needed a new Hybrid battery and vuela! The car was fixed and ran like new! Sadly it had a modified exhaust (no cat installed) but the modifications available today are very easy to bypass that! And other then that, I have had absolutely no issues with it at all! Drove it twice, to and from San Francisco to Los Angeles without a problem! I’m slowly still investing in needed upgrades and modifications such as the stereo, the sound system and tale lights but after all that, it runs like a brand new car! Looking forward to hopefully a few more years with my Prius! And after that one’s done, I’ll probably buy another same one! 😅
Good Vid, I have a 06 and his facts are right on. I had an issue with the headlights ($50) , I fixed them, I had an issue with the battery, I fixed it ($1K, 170K miles). I had an issue with the AC ($300). It goes thru snow like 4 w/d. All along I was really impressed w the engineering. I am not a mechanic, I just watch UTube. .. P.S. 52 MPH if you baby it.
Got my 09 with 160,000 and now has 220,000 and like to do my own maintenance if i can. I was and still am amazed how they designed such an advanced car that is so easy to work on. Thanks to UA-cam Ive been able to do everything myself, clean the battery vent system, replace the transmission fluid, changed the center information screen in 15 minutes, crazy.
As a 30 yr auto body tech I can tell you Toyota has always been my favorite vehicle to work on by far! They're well built, easy, straight forward and just make sense without complex over engineering (European 🤬)
Awesome video... speaking as an owner of an 11 year old gen 3 Prius with 160K miles, I love it as much as the day I bought it, and I have ran it HARD... camping trips, towing trailers, hauling gear to Burning Man every year, you name it. It's remarkable how much stuff I can haul in it with the seats folded down. And I like the styling of the gen 3 to this day, it still feels fresh (definitely better than the weird looking gen 4). HOWEVER... any discussion of the Prius these days should touch on the MAJOR issue of catalytic converter thefts, especially in states like CA, NY, CO with higher emission standards. The gen 2 and gen 3 Prius are the #1 target of catalytic converter thieves in CA, and it has become an epidemic. I'm currently dealing with trying to get mine replaced through an insurance claim after it was stolen... it's been a nightmare because only OEM cats are legal in CA, and they are being stolen faster than Toyota can make them, so there's currently a 6-8 month backorder on OEM cats for gen 3 Prius in CA. I highly recommend all gen 2 and gen 3 Prius owners (especially in CA) add some anti-theft devices around their cat (cage / shield, etc) and make sure you have comprehensive insurance. Prius cat thefts have gone up like 2500% percent since the Rhodium mines in S. Africa closed during the pandemic 3 years ago. Check out PriusCats.com for info on this problem
@americanchallenger just purchased a 08 in lil ol' Boise and previous owner had his stolen in front of his house! Had the shield installed, my question is, why in the hell does a Prius need one to begin with??
Great video, I've had a 2005 Gen 2 for 9 years, it has 185K miles. It is amazing, it is so reliable and practical. I have had the hybrid battery die on me a few times but there were extended periods where I wasn't driving. Each time I paid ~500 for a mobile repair service to install a refurbished battery, the latest of which is going strong now for 2 years. I'm am constantly trying to restore and upgrade it, I recently installed sound deadening foam in the doors, trunk, and floor, and replaced a few faulty JBL speakers as well as the head unit with a Kenwood with wireless apple carplay. I also love how serviceable it is, many easy to medium maintenance tasks are accomplishable by watching a UA-cam video. To potential buyers, just remember: Make sure you install a "cat-guard" or get some metal welded under your catalytic converter, Toyota used very expensive metal for this generation, making them a target for thiefs with electric saws - 1 minute is all they need and you are out at least $700 for a refurbished one. I woke up one morning and my little old prius without its cat sounded like a monster truck.
Like most rechargeable batteries, they definitely like being used. Toyota still offers the brand new battery and I have seen it for as little as $1700 plus tax and core. Though it's usually closer to $2500. The gen 2 is a surprisingly serviceable car, with a few exceptions. But the exceptions are unavoidable given all the wholesome goodness Toyota stuffed into it.
@seb clot - $1700 for a new, genuine Toyota battery plus tax & core is less than what I’ve seen. Who is the seller that has the price you mentioned? Thanks.
@@LoneTinaja I don't recall offhand. I ran into it last August. I don't know what the pricing looks like right now. Especially after all the inflationary issues.
@@LoneTinaja Plus unless you were close enough to drive there, you would have to have it shipped, and that would negate the cost savings from the lower price. Where I live, the battery price was around $2000 dollars at the time. so only about $300 less. Transport costs would have eaten most of the difference.
@@LoneTinaja Also note that battery prices vary from generation to generation. I was looking at Gen 2 batteries. I looked at Gen 3 and 4 batteries for comparison. They were more expensive than their older siblings.
My family has 3 of these, 330k, 215k, and 206k respectively. Only had to replace one HV battery at 315k last year. Thank you for putting all the thoughts we've had about these cars for the past decade into video! You've done the car justice with this!
My Prius is 2007, I just came from Toyota Dealership, and they told me my Prius is worth a penny, and they tried to sell me a Corolla 2017 130K monthly payment of $750.00; they were crazy. Meanwhile, my Prius did not make any noise, and Corolla made a weird noise. So I prefer to buy a convertible Audi, which will cost me 800 dollars monthly; I will keep my Prius 2007 no matter what.
Only issue with Prius 2 is their catalytic converter that is stolen a lot. I installed an anti-theft plate after mine was stolen. And my odometer will probably stop counting soon when it has reached 299.999km. This was solved with the facelift models after 2006.
Yes, this one was stolen while my brother parked it in Brooklyn. My other brother owns an '09 which was stolen while parked in Tucson. We too added plates under ours, but it's funny how no one does that before the cats are stolen!!
I just added a cat cover last week to my beloved 06 Prius at the behest of my mechanic. I wasn’t aware about car theft until he told me about it. He told me it’s illegal to buy a used one and to replace it could be $2000 or something. I was quoted $1400 cash to buy my Prius a few weeks ago, so would be worth more than the car itself?!
@@americanchallenger I was not aware of it until it happened. I live in Europe and we have cat criminals here roaming the streets looking for these parts to steal
Awesome review and very show like presentation. Keep up the good work and gotta say that Rode wireless go does the job done too. Just picked up an 08 and will see how it goes
in my personal experience in owning a car..prius came out the best its a car which can be trusted as good long term friend after owning many products of japaness automotive brands prius is the best car as a family car and run arround cant do the drag race nor compete with a hobda civic but they also cant compete with prius in its own class.thanks for good review.
You make a lot of sense. I've just bought my 2nd 2 nd gen 2 years after I've sold my last one... And I'm going to keep this one for another 10 years. Boring yes but so what. Boring or exciting don't go hand in hand with cars. Boring and reliable is great on my pocket Thanks Toyota 😊 My friends with fancy German cars are so frustrated with expensive maintenance bills and unreliability issues. Sensible cars better value than fashion ones.
Gas prices in my area are $5/gal now. With my 2021 I'll probably pay $35 dollars for a fill up. I drove from Columbus Ohio to the Tennessee state line on 7 gallons. I averaged 52 mpg on the freeway. I thought the Prius was ugly when they first came out too. Not anymore.
@@DragonsREpicbro you’re just mad because your dodge challenger doesn’t use the same PE-35 technology that the Prius uses. Stay mad fueling your car bozo 😡 😡 😜
@@EyehatePersona5 honestly, I couldn’t give a flying crap for how a super expensive car that I have to spend my life savings on looks, If it doesn’t perform as good; it’s not like you can see the car you’re driving from the outside anyways as far as the interior and as far as everything, the Prius absolutely dominates everything and cannot be compared to any other car. It is the single greatest technological innovation in human history. It’s a car that came out almost 20 years ago. That is the most technologically advanced car in the world. I love the way the Prius looks because it lets me know that the shape was created to make my life better create more interior room and have a better drag coefficient so for me, that is the look of a good car a car is not supposed to be a fashion statement it’s supposed to be something that is the number one tool in your life … most cars are a complete joke
@@ZxAMobile also the drag coefficient is 0.26 for 2005-2009 Prius and the Tesla Model 3 it is 0.24, so for being as old as it is, it was way ahead of the aerodynamics game. 2010-2015 Prius drag coefficient at 0.25. 2015-2022 at 0.24. Super-car territory even @ 0.26, so, this is very impressive!
New subscriber because of the 2nd gen prius. Just picked one of these up. It has 230 on the clock and the previous owner dealt with the display and inverter pump. Don’t think they used the best oil for changes but I feel I can bring it back from that. We currently own a third gen and your probably right about the engineering. Being a Toyota owner since 1986, they don’t make them like they use to. I see great things in the future for your channel young man. Good quality video. Keep up the good work.
I bought a 2005 last year with 164,000 miles. It came with new but inexpensive tires. My question: I feel every single bump in the road, and is that the age of the car? Or is that something that can be fixed in older cars?
Have an 07 it’s my daily driver. Changed the hybrid battery out at 220k miles. $1500 with lifetime warranty transferable to next owner. Have about 290k and still going strong. Zero issues.
In love with my reliable Generation 2, 2008 Prius, with 170,000 miles. Bought new 25K 10/2007. Excellent shape, since its garage kept. Original Battery perhaps due to less corrosion on the hybrid battery connections? Has additional front and rear running lights. The HID headlights failed but replaced them myself by feeling my way with my hand and did not have to take the bumper off. They are much brighter than the originals. Replace the 12V battery twice. New water pump. New left front bearing. 2 New PVC valve replacement. Fix a leak in the air-conditioning system. Cleaned hybrid battery fan with an added cleanable filter screen at the air intake. Sometimes the dash lights go out when the weather gets cold then will go back on within 50 miles of driving. Heard it’s cold solder joints on the electronics? Went 90K 10yr. with the energy saver Defender Michelin tires and replaced them with the regular Defender Michelin tires. Loss a few miles per gallon but handles better and a softer ride maybe due to new thread. The Prius is used for long trips only with an average mileage of 50+ MPG. Short trips are by bike, feet and public transit all year. It’s a beautiful sports car Barcelona RED and a sleeping camping car with a 6’ bed with great cargo capacity. Adding a portable inverter makes a 115 Volt generator for back up efficient home power with the on and off cycle of the engine. The Princess Prius is a tough survivor like the princess cat in the movie “The Incredible Journey”. The beautiful large dash display is ahead of its time with sharp graphics like a space ship. Ran out of gas, and a whole dashboard lit up including the triangle of death (indicates serious malfunction - do something now!). Fortunately filled up 1/2 mile away before the battery became too low. Never again!! It’s an adventure reliable stealth vehicle that slips through the air quietly! The best smooth styling of all the model years. Definitely a incognito James Bond vehicle with secret abilities never to be underestimated. So watch out!!! Soon it will become a classic antique with appreciating value.
Bought my UK 2008 Tspirit in June 2013 with 55k on the clock. Fast forward to 2022 and it's now got 144k on the clock, original HV traction battery and propulsion system, water pump changed at 99k. Achieved my best ever mpg this summer with 69.4 mpg during the London heatwave. Managed 653 miles out of the 45 litre fuel tank at the same time. Presently commuting daily in -5c early morning starts. Just keeps going. Beautifully over-engineered workhorse. Love it to bits! p.s. The 4th Gen Prius looks like it was designed by the Vulcans from Star Trek!
All true. First owner of an '08: the only repair it has required so far is replacing a HID ballast module and two 12V batteries. Even the OEM brakes are still good, though I watch them like a hawk now at 180k miles. We rented a Ford Escape once on a trip and discovered the floor space is about identical. The lifetime average mileage is about 45 mpg all driving, all seasons averaged. Also, no one mentions the snow driving! I moved to Idaho for a job which required driving on packed snow and ice roads an hour each way. Putting a set of Blizzaks on one of these makes it superhuman: you will leave SUVs in your proverbial dust in snow and ice with competent snow tires. It has a nearly perfect 50/50 mass distrubtion front to rear. I haven taken to blasting "Two Steps from Hell" themes on the radio while blasting through snow drifts in town. It will never let you down (with good snow tires). I even drove it in dry snow so deep in the Rockies that it was snowplowing up over the hood onto the windshield. (Don't try this in wet midwest/east coast snow. I did not intend to try it in the mountains, either.) Also, the active braking system senses a panic brake and automatically applies maximum brake force. It has saved us from two accidents which would have totaled the car. We had the bruises from our seatbelts to prove our tale the next day.
Yeah, I didn't mention the snow driving. But growing up in NJ, my dad always took us in the Prius over our Honda pilot because it was better in the snow
@@whatsit2ya247 I looked into that. Converting looks fairly complex, but doable. Not quite a simple bypassing. Either way, only the one ballast has gone bad in 15 years of ownership, and replacing it was time consuming but inexpensive parts-wise. Requires removal of the entire headlight and disassembly of the power cable. All doable with standard tools, but takes hours. Part was $50 on Amazon, compared to over $500 in labor quoted by the dealer.
Wife had an 07 Prius she ended up giving to me in 2010 - I have to admit, I didn't appreciate the engineering in it, to me it was just ugly, but got good gas mileage, stupidly, I traded it in about 6 years ago, Just a few weeks ago I decided I needed a Gas Sipper instead of a Gas Hog, found a dealer willing to give me a Great trade-in on a car I didn't drive much, made $2k and drove out with an 08 Prius with 133K -- I plan to keep this one until it rusts or I go first.
I purchased my 2004 Prius in August, 2021. I've put about 11,000 miles on it and my only expense has been 2 oil changes. According to "americanchallenger", I'm hoping to get a few years of relatively trouble free driving ahead. I really like "amercanchallenger's" presentation, his very positive belief in and experience with the 2nd Generation Prius.
@@americanchallenger the fact that you called the second generation Prius “the greatest automotive feat in car history”, shows your passion and understanding for cars above almost anybody on earth.
Man, you would make a good car salesman! I have a 2009 Prius and I can say it was a good car when I bought it new but now I don't feel comfortable driving it long distances like I used to! It has over 137,000 miles and I too had to get the Hybrid Water Pump replaced which cost me over $700 at Toyota! I now work on my own car since Toyota charged me so much money! Tomorrow I'm receiving a ABS Actuator that is a used remanufactured part from eBay. It too costs a lot of money! I could not get the new remanufactured part because right now you just can't get them! I did not want to buy another Toyota Actuator because I wanted one that was upgraded and better than the OEM one! Sounds to me like the 2004 models were better than the 2009 ones.
I was confused when everyone was complaining paying $100 for full tank of gas during the price hike. I was paying $20 for full tank on my Prius 😆 I had it good and I knew it
@@RennieAsh still going strong. i did have a issue with the 12volt battery. the harness came lose and one day after my husband got off work it would not start because the wire got stretched out. A $15 part from Amazon had it back on the road the next day.
Great video dude! From all my research the Gen 2 Prius is not only the king of Hybrids, but the king of durability and maintenance costs as well……I have a 2008 with 175,000 miles and it runs like a top as my daily driver……Have you seen the Gen 5 for 2023?! Very impressive and sharp looking car!! But my Gen 2 I am keeping regardless as it will probably outlast me!!😁
In 2008. I bought a 1996 geo metro for $700. Lasted me till 2021 . . Picked up an 07 prius with 200k miles on it just the other day. Hopefully it lasts
Got 325000 on my 2010 Prius Runs great. Got it with 260 just did battery for 1k and abs for around the same also my fuel pump and MAF plus upstream O2. Just cheap basic maintenance. I get 38 doing Uber running the car nonstop 8 hours a day with ac on all the time.
Thank you for your review, I fully agree with your output/ knowledge regarding the 2nd generation Prius. I recently purchased a 2005 package 3 Prius with 160,000 miles @ $4,500..from a private owner, if this same Prius was purchased from a dealership the asking price would have been $6,000 +. Simply take your time in shopping for a used Prius the deals are out there. I'm love'n my Prius.👍👍👍
Funny enough my father did a down payment on a Honda Accord 2017. Going admit love the look of the car nice horsepower about 185 or 180 not bad for first car. But rather get a Toyota Prius can't beat the mpg of that car about 45 to 55 mpg when talk to people in parking lot about their Prius. Thanks for the video and hope Prius serve you well
Can the Gen 2 Prius ever actually die? My 06 “Prius Never Dies” is still going tho I did just a couple weeks ago have the coolant pump changed at 140k miles. The combo meter you mentioned, I think you explained the mystery of why last weekend the dash shut off and had to use Waze to know my speed as I was going from Los Angeles to Idyllwild and back in one trip (picking up my kid at camp). But I wonder if this is related: at the same time the dash wasn’t working, I wasn’t able to turn the car off. So I drove us immediately back home so if I was stuck I’d at least be in my driveway. I kept pressuring the power button, holding it down like you would hard restart a computer, etc. but the engine would not turn off. Then finally I gave up and as I was about to drive it to the mechanic to help me pull a plug or something to shut it off, I hit the power button again and it shut off. Then when I turned it on again to see if it was working, the dash turned back on too. My boyfriend postulated that maybe it had something to do with the temperature since it was a very hot day and we’d been driving for 5 hours straight, so it wouldn’t turn off until the engine was cooled down enough? I don’t know but I can say I’ve driven this baby on very long trips in her youth, but had never experienced this. Anyway just wondering if you or any other Gen 2 Prius owners might have experienced this. I wonder how soon it will happen again. It’s been a week and so far so good, even driving from LA to OC a couple days ago (but that was at night so it wasn’t hot.). I drive back to LA today in the middle of the day so I’m crossing fingers I make it back to my driveway! I’ve had a lot of issues in the last three months when my car shut down on the freeway but I didn’t know it was the coolant pump needing replacement or whatever he did to it finally. I thought it was just dying for the last time hundreds of times before it’s final breath. Ok sorry for the novel, I enjoyed your video bc I love my Prius!
Oh one more thing, when the dash was shut off the odometer didn’t record the 200 miles we drove and the gas indicator level didn’t drop, so I was really not knowing how much gas was left in the tank. When I filled it up again it was almost a full tank empty but only showed like 4 bars down. Very mysterious! But as you can tell I’m not a car person, which is why this low maintenance reliable gem is has been the car love of my life and I’ll hopefully never have to drive anything else.
@@drchen6424 yea i had the same issue and reset the battery and all worked again even the back up camera worked again also when i pushed the low setting on heat my doors would unlock
This happened to a family members prius. There are some bandaid fixes that will work in a pinch but it'll eventually get worse and happen regularly. The instrument panel needs to be pulled and one of the electronic components needs to be replaced. There are videos on UA-cam that will explain it. I did the fix myself and its still working great about a year later. But I have a decent amount of mechanic/handyman experience.
the Regeneration computer is known to fail. when it does you can expect about 5mpg less another common problem is the ABS brake pump fails. you can notice it getting worse by the rumbling of the pump running under the good every 10-20 seconds. i love my prius and they are great cars!
As we know, the brake actuator assembly includes a control module, ABS pump, & accumulator. When you said “Regeneration computer” do you mean the control module in the brake actuator assembly, or are you referring to another computer somewhere else? Thanks.
@@historychannel2317 - thanks. Do you know how to find Toyota Prius for sale by owner classifieds that are cars actually being sold by individual owners? Every time I search online almost all the listings that pop up are dealer ads. Thanks.
@@LoneTinaja , I was lucky to find my 2011 Prius at a dealership. One owner, 92,000 original miles. On a recent 200 mile trip, we got over 61 MPG. I never drove a hybrid before. I am amazed by the engineering, design detail and construction of Prius. I see more of them on the roads every day. ✌
Watch the hatch cracking causing water leaks and takes out your battery. Just replaced my battery straps and working again at 285k had since 220k did my own brakes only.
I like the new model. Gas mileage is the biggest benefit as well as a more refined overall experience. Some of the downsides is that it loses some of the simplicity of earlier models. Even a minor fender bender can result in thousands of dollars due to sensors, low lights, etc. Reliability is also unknown since it's relatively new, but chances are the added complexity will result in more things breaking over time.
I have a gen 2 (although technically it's a gen 3). It's probably the 7th or 8th Prius in our family. They are undeniably great cars. Well engineered and made to be great cars. They are not supermodels or spaceships, but what they do is exactly what you really need and that is keep going and going. This one I have now is even worse that yours. It's had some rear damage and until recently and probably for a long time been leaking rain into the boot right where the battery is and into the spare wheel well. I got it when it had a bad HV battery. Luckly I know how to fix that up really cheaply (with a few replacement packs). It's still a great car: easy to drive, cheap to run, comfortable, smooth. At the time of writing 19 years old. It'll quite probably last another 19 years.
Perhaps a bit oversold in this video, the Prius is however a very good car. Don't expect no problems and if you buy one used you will almost certainly have some. We have a 2006 Prius with 130K miles. It's not the most comfortable car for long trips so we use it for city driving and short trips where it excels. Still we just now had to replace the hybrid battery ($1500) although after watching a few videos I might have been able to do it better and cheaper. Despite cases of 200K miles or more, I think the average is probably 100K-150K. We also had a problem with the combination meter (a circuit board). The fix, if you are handy, is to change out a $5 capacitor which fixes the problem. While at it I also changed out the touch screen display which had gone bad a few years earlier. The dealer wanted something like $4K but you can get a refurbished one for $250 or so on Ebay. Still to fix both the combination meter and display you have to tear out entire front dashboard. I've also had to replace the water pump and the rear hatch handle. Also had to replace the keyless FOB and reprogram which you also do relatively cheaply with help from the Internet. All in all not bad for almost 16 years old. When we got the car new, it was getting about 50 mpg but before the battery was replaced it had dropped to 43mpg. I'm very curious about what the mpg will be with the new refurbished battery. Because some of the technology was new at the time it is now outdated. The backup camera doesn't display very well. The dash touchscreen display is also clunky. Didn't go for the navigation but with your mobile phones now you don't really need it. Like many cars, it will be the exterior and interior that goes well before the car stops running. Our clear coat looks horrible after being parked outside most of the time. The interior is plastic and cloth and shows the wear and dirt. Finally the visibility in the front is not good because of the left and right supports but is manageable. I'm very glad to have the Prius and will continue to keep it as long as I can. Just keep in mind your mileage may truly vary!
I was told by a specialist that mileage is no indication of the battery's life. Rather, the only true metric is time. These batteries seem to be lasting between 16-18 years, regardless of mileage ('04 and '05 batteries are said to last the longest). In fact, driving the car frequently is beneficial to the battery's life span. If you watch the video, you will notice that I had the same issue with the combination meter, and I also mention that the prius is far from perfect. The fact is that no car is perfect, but this one comes close. Affordable, reliable, durable, good gas mileage, practical, etc. It's really hard to beat if you're not concerned about driving a 'cool' car.
@@madmedix2 curious to know if your MPG increased after you got the new battery pack... ? I have a gen 3 (and love it) but like you, was getting close to 50mpg when new, but only around 40mpg 11 years later. Would like to replace the nimh battery with lithium but not sure if that mod is worth $2K
I don’t think you can oversell this car enough. It is the single greatest car that has ever been made, in human history. In fact, I would say it is basically perfect. I can’t find any flaw with this car… It is a car that was made almost 20 years ago, but can keep up with cars and actually dominate cars that are made brand new in 2023. Sure there might be new 2023 cars that have specific features that are better but overall the second generation Prius is still the greatest car in the world even to this day. You also have to factor in that new cars while having slightly better technology are also offgassing, horrible chemicals that will take a decade to go away, so essentially every time you step in your car, you are inhaling insane amounts of plasticizers and polyester fabric binding. Therefore, a car for me that is not at least 10 years old is unacceptable from a health perspective, regardless.
I just got my 2007 gen II running two days ago (196,043 miles). The Hybrid battery was not up to snuff, I fixed it, wasn't too bad to do. Works pretty good I must say but. I hate the "self closing doors". I thought something was/is worn out. BTW, my other car is a Mercedes Benz.
Have a Prius C with 225k, replaced main traction battery at 180k with a Nex Power lithium ion battery. Out of any car I've owned, this Prius hasn't had any breakdowns. This is impressive and won me over to be my favorite car I have ever owned. I also have a 2007 Prius with 128k. Main traction battery failed and also replaced it with a lithium ion Nex Power battery today! The only downsides I have experienced is the catalytic converter being stolen twice. I installed a plate now so hopefully it won't get stolen again. I mirror many of the sentiments you made and I will always be a Prius fan. The 2023 sure looking great while having much more power and keeping efficiency. I thought they would eventually drop the Prius as you can get Prius tech in the other models of Toyota, but glad they are redefining the image. Hopefully, the market agrees and they sell.
I have a 2002 Prius, the first US generation. The car was launched in the US in 2000. The "eCVT" is two electric motors and a planetary gear set. The electric motors aren't separate, they ARE the transmission. This layout is super-simple compared to a manual or automatic transmission that has gears to shift, cables to stretch, hydraulic passages to clog, and clutches to wear. The first-gen didn't look like an egg, it looked like a Toyota Echo compact sedan. Visibility is fantastic (unlike the newer generations) and the turning circle is crazy tight. As for performance, my 2002 has 258 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm, the 2nd-gen has 295. Not fast to 60 mph, but surprisingly quick and torquey up to about 30.
I think the Transaxle has the electric motor and the generator, all in one tidy package. Pricey to replace when the time comes(about 5k for parts and labor for a brand new unit), but it pretty much lasts forever.
@@sebclot9478 brushless motors are insanely reliable. The first-gens tend to eat up MG2s if you don't change the transmission fluid and clean the transmission pan at about 100K miles, but they otherwise are maintenance-free.
Hey you could fix up the appearance of your car significantly for under $100. Buy a headlight restoration kit from an auto parts store to polish the lights, which will look better but will perform much better too. Also, you can now buy matching touch up spray paint and redo both bumpers. With some decent prep and careful masking you could get great results for little spent.
I remember seeing my first Prius at a car show somewhere around 98 or 99, I thought it was ridiculous at the time. Having grown up in a Toyota family (My father being a Toyota service manager) I was more into my 87 MR2 and Celica's, dreaming of owning a Supra some day. Fast forward 18 years later and my old Chevy pickup was starting to have problems and I didn't want to put anymore money into it, thought maybe it was time for another Toyota. Started researching "most reliable Toyota's" and kept coming across Prius... Upon further research my interest was piqued and I was fascinated by the engineering. I ended up buying a 2013 Gen 3. I found the car strange, but it began to grow on me. I used it for my side hustle delivering food and it was the perfect vehicle. I really, really liked the car but then about a year later I came across a Subaru WRX I had to have and traded it in. The WRX (my second one) was tons of fun till the novelty wore off and I grew pretty bored with it, all the while my thoughts going back to that Prius and how I should have never traded it in, it had it's hooks in me still! The WRX got terrible gas mileage, needed premium, and I had just bought a house that set me up for an 80 mile commute, I needed a change but found a great deal on a Corolla and went with it. Still the Prius was whispering in my conscience... Drove the Corolla for 2 more years and I could no longer ignore the Prius voices in my head. I recently traded it for a 2017 Prius 4 Touring model. I feel at peace, i'm back to getting 60 mpg and good timing with the current fuel prices. I will likely run this car into the ground (Which could take a while) or perhaps at some point trade it for another Prius when it starts to get tired, I can't see myself driving any other vehicle ever again.
Exactly anybody who doesn’t drive one of these is an absolute idiot I was just cringing so hard listening to you driving all these other inferior, ridiculous cars and I’m so happy that you came to your senses, especially since you said you will never let go of this car I will tell you this And never forget these words that I tell you there will never be another car in history with a greater sense of driver enjoyment and attention to detail. 20 years from now, this car will become a classic, and it will never be forgotten. It will become an iconic piece of history as the greatest engineered vehicle.
I have a 2008 and my transmission and inverter get hot when I get up to speed quickly, looks like it could be a transmission or a million other things. I already changed my coolant pump about a month before this issue started… any ideas?
I think the 2nd gen Prius will become a collector car at some point, especially in mint condition. It's pretty rare to see based on how hard people drive them and buy them up for work use.
I am a huge fan (like this fan) too. 10:20 I've owned my 05 Prius for 13 years. I'm keeping it til who knows when. It has new batteries, new ac system and new brake module. I figure with these new parts. Who knows it may surpass 700k. We'll see. Any suggestions for better gas mileage is appreciated. I'm getting 38 mpg now.
You have to drive it like there's an egg under the gas pedal. The most helpful thing I've found is getting up to speed quickly, and then completely easing off the gas, and maintaining speed with as much battery power as possible
Excelent presentation! I'm subscribing and can't wait for your next one. I have 2nd gen with almost 200k also. Love it. Maybe you could get a Lexus hybrid. Good luck 😁👍
@pices229 ok. I was told recently my a Toyota mechanic that 260k is about all they're getting before the expensive parts give-out like the engine and transmission and the generators. I hope they last a lot longer. I really actually do want one.
I have a 2007 that is currently at 245,000 miles. I've had to replace the circuit board with the speedometer and other guages on it and the water pump. Other than that I haven't had anything other than regular maintenance. I am currently about to replace the HV battery, but only because I had knee replacement surgery and couldn't drive it for 3 months. The battery sat discharged for too long.
Prius cult group: NEED YOUR HELP!! Interested in a 2017 Prius due to space and for camping. Best model for space & Reliability? Thoughts? Best Prius forum? Thx Prius family!!!
I agree the Prius is pretty snappy and more than adequate for city and hwy driving. Also the cvt tranny is so smooth it’s just so nice to drive in traffic. However the handling is trash imo, it is fixed with a rear sway bar, even better with 17s and lowering springs
As a prius owner I can attest to all he says. Mine is a 05 bought it with 274k miles and so far over 400k with no issues, so yes an excellent car
Rafael
After months of looking for a Prius, I just purchased one this week from a private owner - 2005 Prius with 160,000 miles - $4,500.00.
First time Prius owner and love'n it.. 👍👍
I have a 04 with about 210k. Dose your engine sound like a diesel engine mine dose with the ticking I'm hearing from the valve cover area.
@@austincravens9887only on cold mornings, but gets quiet after 10 mins or so
@@americanchallenger mine sounds like this
ua-cam.com/video/FVX_-dC0I3Q/v-deo.html
09 here with 219k runs smooth last year of the gen2 😁✌️
Buying an 07 with 98k miles tomorrow! So excited!!!
I just bought for my daughter a 2006 prius with 182k on it from the original owner. He kept it in a garage and changed the oil every 3k with proof. Before he sold it, he had 4 new tires put on and replaced all the coils and springs. There isn't a scratch on it. As soon as I test drove it, I said I will take it. He met my daughter who just got her license. I paid 5k for it. The next day I called him to set up a time to pick it up and he asked for 1 more day, to clean it out. When I picked it up, he confessed he was worried about my daughter getting stuck and paid for a new battery pack to be installed out of his own pocket. So the new battery comes with a warranty.
Holy hell, that's a good guy.
@@OhPhuckYou yes he is.
You lucked out
@@genxchas lucked in
nice :)
I bought a 2005 Prius off of eBay in 2006 with salvage title due to “water damage” with 3,000 miles on it. I now have 250K on it and aside from replacing the primary battery and usual maintenance, it has been a joy to drive, still getting 45 MPG!
I get 61mpg
Awesome review and I completely agree with your praise of the 2nd gen Prius. It’s a legendary car and will be written down at the top of automotive history books.
Indeed.
I had a girl friend who owned a 2009 Toyota Prius. It had 160k miles. She would make me turn off the AC on steep highway grades because the engine was “working too hard”. She did not understand the concept of a CVT transmission and electric powered AC. She always took it to the dealership for every oil change. I left her as she was too cautious and had a very controlling mother. I now own a 2021 Toyota Prius. I drive it quite normally and what she taught me is if you maintain it, you’ll have a really good car for a long time.
Take it to the dealership for a oil change?!! 🤦🤣 How much do they charge for the ten minute job?
Yeah I got stung £135, doing it myself next year.
@@whatsit2ya247170 here in a California dealership 😂
I got my 2004 Prius as a former rental car with about 800 miles on it. In the 19 years I've owned it I have put 215,000 miles on it and during that time, other than tires, oil changes and routine maintenance, I have only needed to replace the wheel bearings on one front side and some other wheel issue in the same location and replaced the auxiliary battery two times. Even now I can get 50 mpg on the highway going 55-60 mph. In it's heyday it would get over 60 mpg on long trips keeping the speed the same. It's such a joy to have such an economical, reliable car. It kills me how certain people make nasty political comments about me and my car. What's political about driving a super reliable, inexpensive to own car?
Getting some body rust from upstate NY and am thinking of getting body work to get it fixed.
Just remember most of the time they are jealous of the mpg you are getting
Does yours burn any oil?
It's amazing that your HV batter and ABS pump survived.
I bought my 2008 Gen 2 Prius three years ago and, I have to say, everything you say is true...great car!! And I love driving it.
Does it burn any oil?
Brilliant video! I recently own a 08 Prius with just 92k km from a good guy and I love it!
I absolutely love my 2005 Toyota Prius . I remember seeing the the car in 8th grade and it was my dream car and I swore I was going to own It one day… fast forward 15 years later , I finally was able to get one in 2021 in rebuilt condition for only $800!! I thought for sure I was gonna have to salvage the car cause it was in horrible condition, but come to find out, it just needed a new Hybrid battery and vuela! The car was fixed and ran like new! Sadly it had a modified exhaust (no cat installed) but the modifications available today are very easy to bypass that! And other then that, I have had absolutely no issues with it at all! Drove it twice, to and from San Francisco to Los Angeles without a problem! I’m slowly still investing in needed upgrades and modifications such as the stereo, the sound system and tale lights but after all that, it runs like a brand new car! Looking forward to hopefully a few more years with my Prius! And after that one’s done, I’ll probably buy another same one! 😅
Good Vid, I have a 06 and his facts are right on. I had an issue with the headlights ($50) , I fixed them, I had an issue with the battery, I fixed it ($1K, 170K miles). I had an issue with the AC ($300). It goes thru snow like 4 w/d. All along I was really impressed w the engineering. I am not a mechanic, I just watch UTube. .. P.S. 52 MPH if you baby it.
I'm getting 52.4 now for several months 09 with 260k .great car
Got my 09 with 160,000 and now has 220,000 and like to do my own maintenance if i can. I was and still am amazed how they designed such an advanced car that is so easy to work on. Thanks to UA-cam Ive been able to do everything myself, clean the battery vent system, replace the transmission fluid, changed the center information screen in 15 minutes, crazy.
As a 30 yr auto body tech I can tell you Toyota has always been my favorite vehicle to work on by far!
They're well built, easy, straight forward and just make sense without complex over engineering (European 🤬)
Greetings from Greece! Well said! I have owned a Gen2 since 2009!
1:00 ...2004 PRIUS was ahead of its time...
--Features/Performance=2024 CAR
Awesome video... speaking as an owner of an 11 year old gen 3 Prius with 160K miles, I love it as much as the day I bought it, and I have ran it HARD... camping trips, towing trailers, hauling gear to Burning Man every year, you name it. It's remarkable how much stuff I can haul in it with the seats folded down. And I like the styling of the gen 3 to this day, it still feels fresh (definitely better than the weird looking gen 4). HOWEVER... any discussion of the Prius these days should touch on the MAJOR issue of catalytic converter thefts, especially in states like CA, NY, CO with higher emission standards. The gen 2 and gen 3 Prius are the #1 target of catalytic converter thieves in CA, and it has become an epidemic. I'm currently dealing with trying to get mine replaced through an insurance claim after it was stolen... it's been a nightmare because only OEM cats are legal in CA, and they are being stolen faster than Toyota can make them, so there's currently a 6-8 month backorder on OEM cats for gen 3 Prius in CA. I highly recommend all gen 2 and gen 3 Prius owners (especially in CA) add some anti-theft devices around their cat (cage / shield, etc) and make sure you have comprehensive insurance. Prius cat thefts have gone up like 2500% percent since the Rhodium mines in S. Africa closed during the pandemic 3 years ago. Check out PriusCats.com for info on this problem
Good point. The cat got stolen off ours, and we installed the shield after replacing it.
@americanchallenger just purchased a 08 in lil ol' Boise and previous owner had his stolen in front of his house! Had the shield installed, my question is, why in the hell does a Prius need one to begin with??
Great video, I've had a 2005 Gen 2 for 9 years, it has 185K miles. It is amazing, it is so reliable and practical. I have had the hybrid battery die on me a few times but there were extended periods where I wasn't driving. Each time I paid ~500 for a mobile repair service to install a refurbished battery, the latest of which is going strong now for 2 years. I'm am constantly trying to restore and upgrade it, I recently installed sound deadening foam in the doors, trunk, and floor, and replaced a few faulty JBL speakers as well as the head unit with a Kenwood with wireless apple carplay. I also love how serviceable it is, many easy to medium maintenance tasks are accomplishable by watching a UA-cam video. To potential buyers, just remember: Make sure you install a "cat-guard" or get some metal welded under your catalytic converter, Toyota used very expensive metal for this generation, making them a target for thiefs with electric saws - 1 minute is all they need and you are out at least $700 for a refurbished one. I woke up one morning and my little old prius without its cat sounded like a monster truck.
Like most rechargeable batteries, they definitely like being used. Toyota still offers the brand new battery and I have seen it for as little as $1700 plus tax and core. Though it's usually closer to $2500. The gen 2 is a surprisingly serviceable car, with a few exceptions. But the exceptions are unavoidable given all the wholesome goodness Toyota stuffed into it.
@seb clot - $1700 for a new, genuine Toyota battery plus tax & core is less than what I’ve seen. Who is the seller that has the price you mentioned? Thanks.
@@LoneTinaja I don't recall offhand. I ran into it last August. I don't know what the pricing looks like right now. Especially after all the inflationary issues.
@@LoneTinaja Plus unless you were close enough to drive there, you would have to have it shipped, and that would negate the cost savings from the lower price. Where I live, the battery price was around $2000 dollars at the time. so only about $300 less. Transport costs would have eaten most of the difference.
@@LoneTinaja Also note that battery prices vary from generation to generation. I was looking at Gen 2 batteries. I looked at Gen 3 and 4 batteries for comparison. They were more expensive than their older siblings.
My family has 3 of these, 330k, 215k, and 206k respectively. Only had to replace one HV battery at 315k last year.
Thank you for putting all the thoughts we've had about these cars for the past decade into video! You've done the car justice with this!
Thank You for this interview. I’m getting one this week.
underrated upload, car, and effort. he drove that car 2800 miles to arizona to film.
Picked up an 07 with 200k miles on it. 1 owner. Mint condition. As far as I know it's the original hybrid battery. Wish me luck
All you have to worry about is the inverter coolant pump and a hybrid battery, you'll be fun
My Prius is 2007, I just came from Toyota Dealership, and they told me my Prius is worth a penny, and they tried to sell me a Corolla 2017 130K monthly payment of $750.00; they were crazy. Meanwhile, my Prius did not make any noise, and Corolla made a weird noise. So I prefer to buy a convertible Audi, which will cost me 800 dollars monthly; I will keep my Prius 2007 no matter what.
Only issue with Prius 2 is their catalytic converter that is stolen a lot. I installed an anti-theft plate after mine was stolen. And my odometer will probably stop counting soon when it has reached 299.999km. This was solved with the facelift models after 2006.
Yes, this one was stolen while my brother parked it in Brooklyn. My other brother owns an '09 which was stolen while parked in Tucson. We too added plates under ours, but it's funny how no one does that before the cats are stolen!!
I just added a cat cover last week to my beloved 06 Prius at the behest of my mechanic. I wasn’t aware about car theft until he told me about it. He told me it’s illegal to buy a used one and to replace it could be $2000 or something. I was quoted $1400 cash to buy my Prius a few weeks ago, so would be worth more than the car itself?!
@@americanchallenger I was not aware of it until it happened. I live in Europe and we have cat criminals here roaming the streets looking for these parts to steal
@@drchen6424 2000 dollar is for replacement with an original Toyota catalytic converter. A new aftermarket cat costs half the price or less.
@@Halfom oh that is good to know! Thank you!
I have an 08 with 310k. I love it
Awesome review and very show like presentation. Keep up the good work and gotta say that Rode wireless go does the job done too. Just picked up an 08 and will see how it goes
in my personal experience in owning a car..prius came out the best its a car which can be trusted as good long term friend after owning many products of japaness automotive brands prius is the best car as a family car and run arround cant do the drag race nor compete with a hobda civic but they also cant compete with prius in its own class.thanks for good review.
You make a lot of sense. I've just bought my 2nd 2 nd gen 2 years after I've sold my last one...
And I'm going to keep this one for another 10 years. Boring yes but so what. Boring or exciting don't go hand in hand with cars. Boring and reliable is great on my pocket Thanks Toyota 😊
My friends with fancy German cars are so frustrated with expensive maintenance bills and unreliability issues. Sensible cars better value than fashion ones.
I drove a 1991 Corolla for 12 Years and I was satisfied with the quality. My current Gen II Prius is superior.
I still see those Corollas on the road frequently. They are definitely well built.
Great video, only one correction to make. The 1st gen Honda insight has a CD of .025, so just slightly more aerodynamic. Once again great video!
Gas prices in my area are $5/gal now. With my 2021 I'll probably pay $35 dollars for a fill up. I drove from Columbus Ohio to the Tennessee state line on 7 gallons. I averaged 52 mpg on the freeway. I thought the Prius was ugly when they first came out too. Not anymore.
LOL... eatin them wors are we?
@@DragonsREpicbro you’re just mad because your dodge challenger doesn’t use the same PE-35 technology that the Prius uses. Stay mad fueling your car bozo 😡 😡 😜
@@EyehatePersona5 honestly, I couldn’t give a flying crap for how a super expensive car that I have to spend my life savings on looks, If it doesn’t perform as good; it’s not like you can see the car you’re driving from the outside anyways as far as the interior and as far as everything, the Prius absolutely dominates everything and cannot be compared to any other car. It is the single greatest technological innovation in human history. It’s a car that came out almost 20 years ago. That is the most technologically advanced car in the world.
I love the way the Prius looks because it lets me know that the shape was created to make my life better create more interior room and have a better drag coefficient so for me, that is the look of a good car a car is not supposed to be a fashion statement it’s supposed to be something that is the number one tool in your life … most cars are a complete joke
@@ZxAMobile also the drag coefficient is 0.26 for 2005-2009 Prius and the Tesla Model 3 it is 0.24, so for being as old as it is, it was way ahead of the aerodynamics game. 2010-2015 Prius drag coefficient at 0.25. 2015-2022 at 0.24. Super-car territory even @ 0.26, so, this is very impressive!
One of the most simple yet information packed videos on the Prius. done very well. Amazing car in my opinion
New subscriber because of the 2nd gen prius. Just picked one of these up. It has 230 on the clock and the previous owner dealt with the display and inverter pump. Don’t think they used the best oil for changes but I feel I can bring it back from that. We currently own a third gen and your probably right about the engineering. Being a Toyota owner since 1986, they don’t make them like they use to. I see great things in the future for your channel young man. Good quality video. Keep up the good work.
I bought a 2005 last year with 164,000 miles. It came with new but inexpensive tires. My question: I feel every single bump in the road, and is that the age of the car? Or is that something that can be fixed in older cars?
I just picked up a silver 2008 Prius and I love it!!!!!
Nice vid. I agree Matt at Texas Hybrid Batteries knows his stuff with regards to Prius. Great guy.
Interesting! Thanks for the information. I really want a Prius!
Go for it!
Have an 07 it’s my daily driver. Changed the hybrid battery out at 220k miles. $1500 with lifetime warranty transferable to next owner. Have about 290k and still going strong. Zero issues.
In love with my reliable Generation 2, 2008 Prius, with 170,000 miles. Bought new 25K 10/2007. Excellent shape, since its garage kept. Original Battery perhaps due to less corrosion on the hybrid battery connections? Has additional front and rear running lights. The HID headlights failed but replaced them myself by feeling my way with my hand and did not have to take the bumper off. They are much brighter than the originals. Replace the 12V battery twice. New water pump. New left front bearing. 2 New PVC valve replacement. Fix a leak in the air-conditioning system. Cleaned hybrid battery fan with an added cleanable filter screen at the air intake. Sometimes the dash lights go out when the weather gets cold then will go back on within 50 miles of driving. Heard it’s cold solder joints on the electronics? Went 90K 10yr. with the energy saver Defender Michelin tires and replaced them with the regular Defender Michelin tires. Loss a few miles per gallon but handles better and a softer ride maybe due to new thread. The Prius is used for long trips only with an average mileage of 50+ MPG. Short trips are by bike, feet and public transit all year. It’s a beautiful sports car Barcelona RED and a sleeping camping car with a 6’ bed with great cargo capacity. Adding a portable inverter makes a 115 Volt generator for back up efficient home power with the on and off cycle of the engine. The Princess Prius is a tough survivor like the princess cat in the movie “The Incredible Journey”. The beautiful large dash display is ahead of its time with sharp graphics like a space ship. Ran out of gas, and a whole dashboard lit up including the triangle of death (indicates serious malfunction - do something now!). Fortunately filled up 1/2 mile away before the battery became too low. Never again!!
It’s an adventure reliable stealth vehicle that slips through the air quietly! The best smooth styling of all the model years. Definitely a incognito James Bond vehicle with secret abilities never to be underestimated. So watch out!!! Soon it will become a classic antique with appreciating value.
Great video man! Not only very informative but very entertaining . Keep it up!
Thanks for this report about the second Gen. Excellent!!!
Bought my UK 2008 Tspirit in June 2013 with 55k on the clock. Fast forward to 2022 and it's now got 144k on the clock, original HV traction battery and propulsion system, water pump changed at 99k. Achieved my best ever mpg this summer with 69.4 mpg during the London heatwave. Managed 653 miles out of the 45 litre fuel tank at the same time. Presently commuting daily in -5c early morning starts. Just keeps going. Beautifully over-engineered workhorse. Love it to bits!
p.s. The 4th Gen Prius looks like it was designed by the Vulcans from Star Trek!
All true. First owner of an '08: the only repair it has required so far is replacing a HID ballast module and two 12V batteries. Even the OEM brakes are still good, though I watch them like a hawk now at 180k miles. We rented a Ford Escape once on a trip and discovered the floor space is about identical. The lifetime average mileage is about 45 mpg all driving, all seasons averaged. Also, no one mentions the snow driving! I moved to Idaho for a job which required driving on packed snow and ice roads an hour each way. Putting a set of Blizzaks on one of these makes it superhuman: you will leave SUVs in your proverbial dust in snow and ice with competent snow tires. It has a nearly perfect 50/50 mass distrubtion front to rear. I haven taken to blasting "Two Steps from Hell" themes on the radio while blasting through snow drifts in town. It will never let you down (with good snow tires). I even drove it in dry snow so deep in the Rockies that it was snowplowing up over the hood onto the windshield. (Don't try this in wet midwest/east coast snow. I did not intend to try it in the mountains, either.) Also, the active braking system senses a panic brake and automatically applies maximum brake force. It has saved us from two accidents which would have totaled the car. We had the bruises from our seatbelts to prove our tale the next day.
Yeah, I didn't mention the snow driving. But growing up in NJ, my dad always took us in the Prius over our Honda pilot because it was better in the snow
Hey, just purchased a 08 also from Idaho 🙋
A little tip on those hid ballasts, bypass them and install LED's, you'll thank me later!
@@whatsit2ya247 I looked into that. Converting looks fairly complex, but doable. Not quite a simple bypassing. Either way, only the one ballast has gone bad in 15 years of ownership, and replacing it was time consuming but inexpensive parts-wise. Requires removal of the entire headlight and disassembly of the power cable. All doable with standard tools, but takes hours. Part was $50 on Amazon, compared to over $500 in labor quoted by the dealer.
Wife had an 07 Prius she ended up giving to me in 2010 - I have to admit, I didn't appreciate the engineering in it, to me it was just ugly, but got good gas mileage, stupidly, I traded it in about 6 years ago, Just a few weeks ago I decided I needed a Gas Sipper instead of a Gas Hog, found a dealer willing to give me a Great trade-in on a car I didn't drive much, made $2k and drove out with an 08 Prius with 133K -- I plan to keep this one until it rusts or I go first.
Luckily they don't rust very bad. 18 years in the northeast and mine looks practically new underneath.
I have a 2005 generation 2 Prius. Great car, just keeps on going with over 200,000 miles! Love it!
I purchased my 2004 Prius in August, 2021. I've put about 11,000 miles on it and my only expense has been 2 oil changes. According to "americanchallenger", I'm hoping to get a few years of relatively trouble free driving ahead. I really like "amercanchallenger's" presentation, his very positive belief in and experience with the 2nd Generation Prius.
Thanks Doug, I hope to have another video out shortly.
@@americanchallenger the fact that you called the second generation Prius “the greatest automotive feat in car history”, shows your passion and understanding for cars above almost anybody on earth.
@@ZxAMobile haha, thanks!
Man, you would make a good car salesman! I have a 2009 Prius and I can say it was a good car when I bought it new but now I don't feel comfortable driving it long distances like I used to! It has over 137,000 miles and I too had to get the Hybrid Water Pump replaced which cost me over $700 at Toyota! I now work on my own car since Toyota charged me so much money! Tomorrow I'm receiving a ABS Actuator that is a used remanufactured part from eBay. It too costs a lot of money! I could not get the new remanufactured part because right now you just can't get them! I did not want to buy another Toyota Actuator because I wanted one that was upgraded and better than the OEM one! Sounds to me like the 2004 models were better than the 2009 ones.
I was confused when everyone was complaining paying $100 for full tank of gas during the price hike. I was paying $20 for full tank on my Prius 😆
I had it good and I knew it
Lots of folks with large SUVs and pickups. lol
Honda Insight gen 1 sold from 2000 to 2006 had a drag coefficient of 0.25 (compare against claim found at 1:44).
I've got over 400k on mine and I'm incredibly happy with it. Great video bud!
Edit: it's STILL going strong!
Nice! If you take care of them, they will run forever.
You edited after only 4 months? Too early dude of course it's going to be still going xD
@@RennieAsh still going strong. i did have a issue with the 12volt battery. the harness came lose and one day after my husband got off work it would not start because the wire got stretched out. A $15 part from Amazon had it back on the road the next day.
@@RennieAsh There is nothing to stop him from updating again at a later date.
@@MissingPersonsMysteries What year is your Prius? Were you the original owner?
Great video dude! From all my research the Gen 2 Prius is not only the king of Hybrids, but the king of durability and maintenance costs as well……I have a 2008 with 175,000 miles and it runs like a top as my daily driver……Have you seen the Gen 5 for 2023?! Very impressive and sharp looking car!! But my Gen 2 I am keeping regardless as it will probably outlast me!!😁
In 2008. I bought a 1996 geo metro for $700. Lasted me till 2021 . . Picked up an 07 prius with 200k miles on it just the other day. Hopefully it lasts
Those Geos are built to last as well. If the Prius was maintained well by the previous owner, it should serve you well!
Definitely made me hate Prius’s a whole lot less. With the trunk space and all sounds like it would be a great runaround/parts getter. Awesome video
Especially when you can get these for around $5k they're hard to beat
I love mine. It's got almost 200k and still strong. She'll grow on you like VW beetle. I call mine a Japanese beetle 😁
You had me at Volvo 240. I'm paying attention now! 😄
Got 325000 on my 2010 Prius Runs great. Got it with 260 just did battery for 1k and abs for around the same also my fuel pump and MAF plus upstream O2. Just cheap basic maintenance. I get 38 doing Uber running the car nonstop 8 hours a day with ac on all the time.
Thank you for your review, I fully agree with your output/ knowledge regarding the 2nd generation Prius.
I recently purchased a 2005 package 3 Prius with 160,000 miles @ $4,500..from a private owner, if this same Prius was purchased from a dealership the asking price would have been $6,000 +. Simply take your time in shopping for a used Prius the deals are out there. I'm love'n my Prius.👍👍👍
Funny enough my father did a down payment on a Honda Accord 2017. Going admit love the look of the car nice horsepower about 185 or 180 not bad for first car. But rather get a Toyota Prius can't beat the mpg of that car about 45 to 55 mpg when talk to people in parking lot about their Prius. Thanks for the video and hope Prius serve you well
Good Job! I have two 06 & 08
Can the Gen 2 Prius ever actually die? My 06 “Prius Never Dies” is still going tho I did just a couple weeks ago have the coolant pump changed at 140k miles. The combo meter you mentioned, I think you explained the mystery of why last weekend the dash shut off and had to use Waze to know my speed as I was going from Los Angeles to Idyllwild and back in one trip (picking up my kid at camp). But I wonder if this is related: at the same time the dash wasn’t working, I wasn’t able to turn the car off. So I drove us immediately back home so if I was stuck I’d at least be in my driveway. I kept pressuring the power button, holding it down like you would hard restart a computer, etc. but the engine would not turn off. Then finally I gave up and as I was about to drive it to the mechanic to help me pull a plug or something to shut it off, I hit the power button again and it shut off. Then when I turned it on again to see if it was working, the dash turned back on too. My boyfriend postulated that maybe it had something to do with the temperature since it was a very hot day and we’d been driving for 5 hours straight, so it wouldn’t turn off until the engine was cooled down enough? I don’t know but I can say I’ve driven this baby on very long trips in her youth, but had never experienced this. Anyway just wondering if you or any other Gen 2 Prius owners might have experienced this. I wonder how soon it will happen again. It’s been a week and so far so good, even driving from LA to OC a couple days ago (but that was at night so it wasn’t hot.). I drive back to LA today in the middle of the day so I’m crossing fingers I make it back to my driveway! I’ve had a lot of issues in the last three months when my car shut down on the freeway but I didn’t know it was the coolant pump needing replacement or whatever he did to it finally. I thought it was just dying for the last time hundreds of times before it’s final breath. Ok sorry for the novel, I enjoyed your video bc I love my Prius!
Oh one more thing, when the dash was shut off the odometer didn’t record the 200 miles we drove and the gas indicator level didn’t drop, so I was really not knowing how much gas was left in the tank. When I filled it up again it was almost a full tank empty but only showed like 4 bars down. Very mysterious! But as you can tell I’m not a car person, which is why this low maintenance reliable gem is has been the car love of my life and I’ll hopefully never have to drive anything else.
@@drchen6424 yea i had the same issue and reset the battery and all worked again even the back up camera worked again also when i pushed the low setting on heat my doors would unlock
This happened to a family members prius. There are some bandaid fixes that will work in a pinch but it'll eventually get worse and happen regularly. The instrument panel needs to be pulled and one of the electronic components needs to be replaced. There are videos on UA-cam that will explain it. I did the fix myself and its still working great about a year later. But I have a decent amount of mechanic/handyman experience.
the Regeneration computer is known to fail. when it does you can expect about 5mpg less
another common problem is the ABS brake pump fails. you can notice it getting worse by the rumbling of the pump running under the good every 10-20 seconds.
i love my prius and they are great cars!
As we know, the brake actuator assembly includes a control module, ABS pump, & accumulator. When you said “Regeneration computer” do you mean the control module in the brake actuator assembly, or are you referring to another computer somewhere else? Thanks.
@@LoneTinaja the regeneration computer is mounted under the dash on the driver's side, it is separate from the abs system
@@historychannel2317 - thanks. Do you know how to find Toyota Prius for sale by owner classifieds that are cars actually being sold by individual owners? Every time I search online almost all the listings that pop up are dealer ads. Thanks.
@@LoneTinaja , I was lucky to find my 2011 Prius at a dealership. One owner, 92,000 original miles. On a recent 200 mile trip, we got over 61 MPG. I never drove a hybrid before. I am amazed by the engineering, design detail and construction of Prius. I see more of them on the roads every day. ✌
I would recommend an alarm system since component thefts are very high!?? I missed tires, suspension components, gas cap, etc??
Watch the hatch cracking causing water leaks and takes out your battery. Just replaced my battery straps and working again at 285k had since 220k did my own brakes only.
Excellent video bro.. subbed... hope u do more prius stuff!
Its March 2024 and I just got a New to Me Second Gen Toyota Prius and I'm loving it❤
Great review ! What do you think about the latest model that came out ? I drive this ...
I like the new model. Gas mileage is the biggest benefit as well as a more refined overall experience. Some of the downsides is that it loses some of the simplicity of earlier models. Even a minor fender bender can result in thousands of dollars due to sensors, low lights, etc. Reliability is also unknown since it's relatively new, but chances are the added complexity will result in more things breaking over time.
The Prius gen 1 was even more over engineered to avoid market failure and take up.
I have on 04 with 262k on it. I wouldn’t trade it for a new one. I love this car, it is dependability plus
Impressive presentation skills there. Good work.
I have a 2008 and mine does not have self closing doors as you stated the gen2 did.
I have a tj and a gen2 Prius too I see u have elite taste as well
Can you give us some more information on Texas hybrid battery in Arizona, not sure why they call it Texas instead of Arizona
It's not in Arizona. It's in Texas. I drove from NJ to AZ and passed right through Dallas where they are located and had my car worked on there.
I’ve enjoyed watching this video so much. Good job🎉🎉
I have a gen 2 (although technically it's a gen 3). It's probably the 7th or 8th Prius in our family. They are undeniably great cars. Well engineered and made to be great cars. They are not supermodels or spaceships, but what they do is exactly what you really need and that is keep going and going. This one I have now is even worse that yours. It's had some rear damage and until recently and probably for a long time been leaking rain into the boot right where the battery is and into the spare wheel well. I got it when it had a bad HV battery. Luckly I know how to fix that up really cheaply (with a few replacement packs). It's still a great car: easy to drive, cheap to run, comfortable, smooth. At the time of writing 19 years old. It'll quite probably last another 19 years.
Perhaps a bit oversold in this video, the Prius is however a very good car. Don't expect no problems and if you buy one used you will almost certainly have some. We have a 2006 Prius with 130K miles. It's not the most comfortable car for long trips so we use it for city driving and short trips where it excels.
Still we just now had to replace the hybrid battery ($1500) although after watching a few videos I might have been able to do it better and cheaper. Despite cases of 200K miles or more, I think the average is probably 100K-150K. We also had a problem with the combination meter (a circuit board). The fix, if you are handy, is to change out a $5 capacitor which fixes the problem. While at it I also changed out the touch screen display which had gone bad a few years earlier. The dealer wanted something like $4K but you can get a refurbished one for $250 or so on Ebay. Still to fix both the combination meter and display you have to tear out entire front dashboard. I've also had to replace the water pump and the rear hatch handle. Also had to replace the keyless FOB and reprogram which you also do relatively cheaply with help from the Internet. All in all not bad for almost 16 years old.
When we got the car new, it was getting about 50 mpg but before the battery was replaced it had dropped to 43mpg. I'm very curious about what the mpg will be with the new refurbished battery. Because some of the technology was new at the time it is now outdated. The backup camera doesn't display very well. The dash touchscreen display is also clunky. Didn't go for the navigation but with your mobile phones now you don't really need it. Like many cars, it will be the exterior and interior that goes well before the car stops running. Our clear coat looks horrible after being parked outside most of the time. The interior is plastic and cloth and shows the wear and dirt. Finally the visibility in the front is not good because of the left and right supports but is manageable.
I'm very glad to have the Prius and will continue to keep it as long as I can. Just keep in mind your mileage may truly vary!
I was told by a specialist that mileage is no indication of the battery's life. Rather, the only true metric is time. These batteries seem to be lasting between 16-18 years, regardless of mileage ('04 and '05 batteries are said to last the longest). In fact, driving the car frequently is beneficial to the battery's life span. If you watch the video, you will notice that I had the same issue with the combination meter, and I also mention that the prius is far from perfect. The fact is that no car is perfect, but this one comes close. Affordable, reliable, durable, good gas mileage, practical, etc. It's really hard to beat if you're not concerned about driving a 'cool' car.
@@americanchallenger That is true - mine is 15 years old, retains 86% capacity @ 250K
@@madmedix2 curious to know if your MPG increased after you got the new battery pack... ? I have a gen 3 (and love it) but like you, was getting close to 50mpg when new, but only around 40mpg 11 years later. Would like to replace the nimh battery with lithium but not sure if that mod is worth $2K
I don’t think you can oversell this car enough. It is the single greatest car that has ever been made, in human history. In fact, I would say it is basically perfect. I can’t find any flaw with this car…
It is a car that was made almost 20 years ago, but can keep up with cars and actually dominate cars that are made brand new in 2023. Sure there might be new 2023 cars that have specific features that are better but overall the second generation Prius is still the greatest car in the world even to this day.
You also have to factor in that new cars while having slightly better technology are also offgassing, horrible chemicals that will take a decade to go away, so essentially every time you step in your car, you are inhaling insane amounts of plasticizers and polyester fabric binding. Therefore, a car for me that is not at least 10 years old is unacceptable from a health perspective, regardless.
I just got my 2007 gen II running two days ago (196,043 miles). The Hybrid battery was not up to snuff, I fixed it, wasn't too bad to do. Works pretty good I must say but. I hate the "self closing doors". I thought something was/is worn out. BTW, my other car is a Mercedes Benz.
Self-Closing Doors is huge!!
I have an 06 with the same battery. A great car.
Have a Prius C with 225k, replaced main traction battery at 180k with a Nex Power lithium ion battery. Out of any car I've owned, this Prius hasn't had any breakdowns. This is impressive and won me over to be my favorite car I have ever owned. I also have a 2007 Prius with 128k. Main traction battery failed and also replaced it with a lithium ion Nex Power battery today! The only downsides I have experienced is the catalytic converter being stolen twice. I installed a plate now so hopefully it won't get stolen again. I mirror many of the sentiments you made and I will always be a Prius fan. The 2023 sure looking great while having much more power and keeping efficiency. I thought they would eventually drop the Prius as you can get Prius tech in the other models of Toyota, but glad they are redefining the image. Hopefully, the market agrees and they sell.
Battery just went out.. thank you bro for the info.. going tomorrow
I have a 2002 Prius, the first US generation. The car was launched in the US in 2000. The "eCVT" is two electric motors and a planetary gear set. The electric motors aren't separate, they ARE the transmission. This layout is super-simple compared to a manual or automatic transmission that has gears to shift, cables to stretch, hydraulic passages to clog, and clutches to wear.
The first-gen didn't look like an egg, it looked like a Toyota Echo compact sedan. Visibility is fantastic (unlike the newer generations) and the turning circle is crazy tight.
As for performance, my 2002 has 258 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm, the 2nd-gen has 295. Not fast to 60 mph, but surprisingly quick and torquey up to about 30.
I think the Transaxle has the electric motor and the generator, all in one tidy package. Pricey to replace when the time comes(about 5k for parts and labor for a brand new unit), but it pretty much lasts forever.
@@sebclot9478 brushless motors are insanely reliable. The first-gens tend to eat up MG2s if you don't change the transmission fluid and clean the transmission pan at about 100K miles, but they otherwise are maintenance-free.
And it is very rare/almost collectible now. A UC creation, I heard.
Hey you could fix up the appearance of your car significantly for under $100. Buy a headlight restoration kit from an auto parts store to polish the lights, which will look better but will perform much better too. Also, you can now buy matching touch up spray paint and redo both bumpers. With some decent prep and careful masking you could get great results for little spent.
I remember seeing my first Prius at a car show somewhere around 98 or 99, I thought it was ridiculous at the time. Having grown up in a Toyota family (My father being a Toyota service manager) I was more into my 87 MR2 and Celica's, dreaming of owning a Supra some day. Fast forward 18 years later and my old Chevy pickup was starting to have problems and I didn't want to put anymore money into it, thought maybe it was time for another Toyota. Started researching "most reliable Toyota's" and kept coming across Prius... Upon further research my interest was piqued and I was fascinated by the engineering.
I ended up buying a 2013 Gen 3. I found the car strange, but it began to grow on me. I used it for my side hustle delivering food and it was the perfect vehicle. I really, really liked the car but then about a year later I came across a Subaru WRX I had to have and traded it in. The WRX (my second one) was tons of fun till the novelty wore off and I grew pretty bored with it, all the while my thoughts going back to that Prius and how I should have never traded it in, it had it's hooks in me still! The WRX got terrible gas mileage, needed premium, and I had just bought a house that set me up for an 80 mile commute, I needed a change but found a great deal on a Corolla and went with it. Still the Prius was whispering in my conscience... Drove the Corolla for 2 more years and I could no longer ignore the Prius voices in my head. I recently traded it for a 2017 Prius 4 Touring model. I feel at peace, i'm back to getting 60 mpg and good timing with the current fuel prices. I will likely run this car into the ground (Which could take a while) or perhaps at some point trade it for another Prius when it starts to get tired, I can't see myself driving any other vehicle ever again.
Thanks for telling this story
I bought a first-gen in 2020.
Exactly anybody who doesn’t drive one of these is an absolute idiot I was just cringing so hard listening to you driving all these other inferior, ridiculous cars and I’m so happy that you came to your senses, especially since you said you will never let go of this car I will tell you this And never forget these words that I tell you there will never be another car in history with a greater sense of driver enjoyment and attention to detail. 20 years from now, this car will become a classic, and it will never be forgotten. It will become an iconic piece of history as the greatest engineered vehicle.
I have a 2008 and my transmission and inverter get hot when I get up to speed quickly, looks like it could be a transmission or a million other things. I already changed my coolant pump about a month before this issue started… any ideas?
I think the 2nd gen Prius will become a collector car at some point, especially in mint condition. It's pretty rare to see based on how hard people drive them and buy them up for work use.
I am a huge fan (like this fan) too. 10:20 I've owned my 05 Prius for 13 years. I'm keeping it til who knows when. It has new batteries, new ac system and new brake module. I figure with these new parts. Who knows it may surpass 700k. We'll see. Any suggestions for better gas mileage is appreciated. I'm getting 38 mpg now.
You have to drive it like there's an egg under the gas pedal. The most helpful thing I've found is getting up to speed quickly, and then completely easing off the gas, and maintaining speed with as much battery power as possible
@@americanchallenger Thank you so much for this. I'm going to try this.
over 430,000 on my 2005 prius amd still going!!!!!
I have two a 04 and 05, I would buy another if I found one cheap.
Excelent presentation! I'm subscribing and can't wait for your next one. I have 2nd gen with almost 200k also. Love it. Maybe you could get a Lexus hybrid. Good luck 😁👍
I bet it won't make ot to 260k
@@rusted5408 Mine just passed 260,000 mi with original battery and I still Uber people as my main job. 🙂
@pices229 ok. I was told recently my a Toyota mechanic that 260k is about all they're getting before the expensive parts give-out like the engine and transmission and the generators. I hope they last a lot longer. I really actually do want one.
I have a 2007 that is currently at 245,000 miles. I've had to replace the circuit board with the speedometer and other guages on it and the water pump. Other than that I haven't had anything other than regular maintenance. I am currently about to replace the HV battery, but only because I had knee replacement surgery and couldn't drive it for 3 months. The battery sat discharged for too long.
Could you recommend a mechanic in Arizona that specializes in Priuses? The dealership ALWAYS takes advantage of me..
I don't live there, but my brother lives in Tucson and takes it to a specialist. I will find out for you
tucsonprecisionservice.com/
This is the service my brother used in tucson
Good job on the video!
crazy! I have a 2007 prius and I no clue that it had self closing doors lol
How about the CVT transmission fluid change? I heard guys doing that at 100k mile intervals
Yep these transmissions are pretty robust, still 100k intervals are a good idea
Toyota hybrids do not use a CVT, they use an e - CVT which is a planetary gear set.
Pain to work on unless you have twiggy arms and hands but that is a problem for all subcompacts
good video. matt at tx hybrid battery is awesome
Excellent video. Thanks kid
it drives so comfortable too for a compact car. I've driven corollas, civics, etc and they all feel like sardine cans with skateboard wheels
Prius cult group: NEED YOUR HELP!! Interested in a 2017 Prius due to space and for camping. Best model for space & Reliability? Thoughts? Best Prius forum? Thx Prius family!!!
" I am a car enthusiast..." I would have never guessed ;-D
I agree the Prius is pretty snappy and more than adequate for city and hwy driving. Also the cvt tranny is so smooth it’s just so nice to drive in traffic. However the handling is trash imo, it is fixed with a rear sway bar, even better with 17s and lowering springs
I bought my 2008 Toyota Prius with 189,000 mi for $900 about 8 months ago a comparable selling Toyota Prius with more miles are selling for 8k to 9k 😳
Oh the doors get every time, was tempted to upgrade it with a door stay! 😂
We got one. It's been great