Huntsville MacResource Forum

Thanks to our local troll, I found out about a recent thread asking about buying a used Prius. Happily, I was able to add this note:

• * *

Like most things: good, fast, cheap ... pick two of three. We have two, a 2003 Prius (NHW11) bought used in 2005 with 49,000 miles and a

2010 Prius (ZVW30) bought new in 2009. You haven't mentioned budget but let's go over the models and characteristics:

NHW11 (2001-03) - 1.5L sedan styled like a Ford Focus

With just under 90,000 miles added, we are getting a life-time average of 52 MPG:

However, as the first Prius in North America, there were a lot of lessons learned. Still there are good buys available IF you are willing to turn a wrench and it so happens, I live in Huntsville and do 'house calls' with scanners, maintenance manuals, and spare parts. Recently, I helped Stephen B. get his 2002 Prius bought for $4,000 at auction back on the road again. He had two problems, inverter and transaxle problems, but for only for $800 and some 'sweat equity,' he is on the road and happens to have a spare, working traction battery.

NHW20 (2004-09) - 1.5L, hatchback

The 2004-05 had a latent weakness in some solder joints but there are fixes available. The 2006-09 have no know weaknesses but I don't follow them closely.

ZVW30 (2010-current) - larger, 1.8L Prius hatchback

Larger than the NHW20 with a more powerful transaxle, this is depending upon how you count them, at least the 3d or 4th generation Prius. It has a substantial number of improvements. I also used an accelerometer to map the brake-pause problem and confirm it is fixed.

Used Prius Market

There is an NHW11 Prius in Birmingham with ~160,000 miles and a problem that sounds like "safe home mode" for sale for $1,500 including a free tow to Huntsville. It is on Craig's list and if you decide to investigate, contact me and I can loan you a scanner to check out the codes. Once we know what is broke, we can fix it. Stephen had tested the car and did not detect the failed transaxle problem.

Another friend is going back to school and selling his Prius. So back in April, I mapped the completed sale prices of different Prius:

If you'd like more information, I'd recommend:

YahooGroup - "Prius_Technical_Stuff" that started in November 2000, 30 days after the first Prius in the USA. Check out the photos and files areas.

YahooGroup - "Prius_Owners" a little less technical and more user oriented.

- my niche in the net. - great place for a mileage database and aplace I help moderate ... very anti-SPAM - for those who have a wider view of fuelefficiency and 'do the experiment.' One of the places I happily donateto support ... donations are optional and access if free. - another source, a place to search and/orask questions. USENET alt.autos.toyota.prius - unmoderated so some SPAM and trolls.

Bob Wilson Huntsville, AL

• * *

It is too early to tell if anything will come but at least the original poster has the facts and data to make an informed decision.

Bob Wilson