High mileage hybrid - am I mad?

[Silenoz]

Evening all.

Looking for a second car to do the urban and weekend duties, poss a couple of longer runs a month to take the pressure off the Mercedes. After really struggling to decide what to get, I've started looking at hybrids.

I don't want to spend any more than £5k, which seems to get anything from a 2006 Prius with c.70k on the clock to a newer model with c.130k or higher. I should say that I'm not just looking for a Prius (I'd actually prefer something else!), so all options would be considered.

I've seen on here some people referring to the ability of hybrids to cover galactic mileage, and wondered if anyone​ has any real world experience that they could share?

Thanks

[RammyMP]

I read an article about hybrid taxis with interstellar miles on them, theory was the electric motors sent them on their way so little stress on the drivetrain. Should be good for a lot of miles.

[saaby93]

Silenoz said:

I don't want to spend any more than £5k, which seems to get anything from a 2006 Prius with c.70k on the clock to a newer model with c.130k or higher. I should say that I'm not just looking for a Prius (I'd actually prefer something else!), so all options would be considered.

The Prius system is based on simplicity so take the mileage with a pinch of salt and look at the general condition of the car - how has it been treated, if it looks good those mileages are nothing
Try both.
The 2006 in some ways is a better design - neat touches like the instruction book has its own space in the glovebox, rear heating vents and uses parallel chains for the final drive.
The newer one instead has a final driver idler that can whine if you notice it, can suffer more from panel to plastic rattles but gives a few extra mpg
If you get it with satnav the screen is in a more useful place in the 2006 earlier one
Oh and the 2006 also has a gap between the front seats you can step through if you want to get from one side to the other while the latter like most other cars blocks it off

And the 2006 has two reversing lights and fog lights, the later one of each

The headlights
These are standard fare flattish glass on the 2006 and do what they say on the tin
The later one is styled and the angles dont do much for the projector beams, so while theyre reasonable straight ahead, you may get annoyed by unlit patches at the sides unless you turn on the fill in driving lights/fogs

The parcel shelf cover works better in the 2006 as the area is more square

Both are best on 16" wheels

Try both

Edited by saaby93 on Thursday 15th June 20:52

[raspy]

I'm only up to 8,500 in my 2016 model, but you might want to read Bob's story. Either he was lucky or they are genuinely fit for galactic mileages without big bills.

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/bob-old-and-his-435000-mi...

[clio007]

raspy said:

I'm only up to 8,500 in my 2016 model, but you might want to read Bob's story. Either he was lucky or they are genuinely fit for galactic mileages without big bills.

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/bob-old-and-his-435000-mi...

Last mot looks interesting

Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear tyre worn bold on edge and tread cut
Offside Front play in steering arm
front bumper holed & damaged
under trays damaged and some parts missing
Offside Front headlamp faded
Nearside Front headlamp faded
eml on
oil leak from engine
front driving lamps damaged glass
Centre fuel tank heat shield missing
Nearside Front shock absorber dust covers split
Offside Front shock absorber dust cover split
tailgate release control loose

[colin79666]

clio007 said:

Last mot looks interesting

Advisory notice item(s)
Nearside Rear tyre worn bold on edge and tread cut
Offside Front play in steering arm
front bumper holed & damaged
under trays damaged and some parts missing
Offside Front headlamp faded
Nearside Front headlamp faded
eml on
oil leak from engine
front driving lamps damaged glass
Centre fuel tank heat shield missing
Nearside Front shock absorber dust covers split
Offside Front shock absorber dust cover split
tailgate release control loose

I think we can also state the odometer fails at 299,999!

[Lynch91]

Last week I was in a Prius taxi, a 60 plate with 270k on the clock, the driver said that he'd had no problems with it what so ever!

[HSV_V8]

I paid under £4k for my 2009 58 Prius, 78k miles but cat D registered (rear quarter). Managed to get it through a friend of mine who was selling it as part of a deceased estate. Apart from having atrocious looks I have to say the car is absolutely brilliant. Mostly motorway trudging and occasional traffic gets me 58mpg avg and around 550-570 miles to a tank so far.

On one hand I am so upset with myself for buying one but on the other it makes so much sense and is so easy to just get in and go for the mundane duties I need it for during the week. I have to say it feels pretty bombproof mechanically/EV side.