Hi there,
I'm in the market for my first Prius. I'm looking at the following models:
2004, 83,000 miles, $9,200
2006, 50,000 miles, $13,200 (so $4,000 more than the '04)
(prices are compatible with Kelley Blue Book values for private party sale for cars in "good" condition in Boston MA).

I'm planning to drive it at least 5 years to put on about 10.000 miles per year, so want to take the '04 to 130,000 miles or the '06 to 100.000 miles.

I'm thinking about getting the '04 which means I have some cash ($4000) for any unexpected major repairs. If it turns out that I will be spending $2,500, or so, soon on the '04, I think I should have bought the '06, but if I buy the '06 AND am also confronted with $2,500 in repairs, the total costs (13,200+2,500=15,500) seem to go over my budget.

Can anybody, who has experience with the mileage range between 50.000 and 130,000, comment what might be the better choice?

The bottom line is: can I expect significantly more repair costs for the 04 than for the 06, or is it a toss up?

(I know there is not a definitive answer, but let's imagine that I took them both to a Toyota Dealer who did an assessment on both and found wear and tear that is normal for the year and mileage, so no major mechanical or electrical failures).

Thanks for any comments!
Mike

 

The 04 is the first year of the series, which tends to be more problematic. The 04 is also out of warranty for the hybrid system - unless you live in CA or some of the other states that have the mandatory longer warranties. Between the two, I'd strongly consider the newer vehicle - and try to get the price down a bit.

 

Good point. I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

 

Frodo (and others):

You seem to imply that within a certain model (in this case the second generation that was sold from 2004-2009) there might be changes on a year-to-year basis (justifying the claim that a "first year of a new series, ... tends to be more problematic").

I generally understand the point but now wonder: Can anybody tell me what those year-to-year modifications, if any, were from 2004 until 2009?

Thanks,
Mike

 

My '04 is now at 168k miles with no problems. There were a few manufacturing changes to fix early failures in the '04 and '05:

• The MFD (MultiFunction Display) has a tendency to exhibit fatigue cracks at connector solder joints. A new replacement is expensive, but a salvaged unit is less costly and there are repair instructions available on-line that an electronic tech can follow for about $25 in labor. My original one still works. Note: the '06 MFD is a different design.
• There were some Tranny failures in the classic Prii so some of us have been changing ATF at 60k mile intervals (the indicated interval by lab tests on used '04 Type WS ATF).
• Some cooling system components have improved designs and will need replacement by about 150k miles.
• Inverter water pump (the electric one) - I've replaced mine (and the mechanical engine water pump) to avoid the problem when one fails.
• Coolant recover tank valve and coolant recovery tank pump.

JeffD

 

that's very useful and valuable info, thanks Jeff!

The things you list, don't sound like anything I cannot handle, nevertheless they do give me more reasons to go for an '06, with about 50.000 miles.

 

Some of these changes aren't even published - as they're components tweaks that come with both assembly and customer use experience. Toyota's has had the 'continuous improvement' philosophy - which leads to those sorts of tweaks. Silly things like brake pads that squeal (not typically a concern with a high-mile car) and interior trim and clips are frequent 'early tweaks.

CU did a one of their surveys, and they found that the 1st model year after a FMC, especially one as extensive as G2 Prius, tends to have anywhere from 20 to 200 % more issues than the outgoing model - with most Toyota models being on the lower side of the range. Honestly, I'd consider the production position more important than model year - early production run vehicles bear the brunt of the 'learning curve' for assembly and materials issues.

The biggest factor to consider in a used car is the vehicle condition and its maintenance history - more so than the model year. But, all other things being roughly equal, the production run position is a reasonable tie-breaker.

 

I agree that condition and maintenance history are the biggest factors. At the same time: knowing about "production run position" is very useful.

Cheers

 

Just to state the obvious - the door plate with production date and the VIN "serial number" are the quick-and-easy ways to tell.

 

I have a 2009 prius. I see the VIN on the door plate but I don't see a production date. Any help?