"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
04/24/2018 at 18:33 • Filed to: None
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"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
04/24/2018 at 18:33 • Filed to: None | 1
| 27 |
What’s Oppos take on a 2013 Prius with 43k miles? My friend found this to replace his ‘01 Camry, so I went and looked at it with him and it seemed like it was clean and in good shape. Its being sold by a large, reputable GM dealer near my place.
He doesn’t care about performance, he just wants something “reliable, that gets good gas mileage, and won’t cost a lot to maintain”. He’s looking to spend around $15k, give or take, and doesn’t care if it’s used or new. Given those criteria, I suggested basically anything else. For about the same money he could buy a brand new Cruze (I’m biased, I know). It gets 29/40 EPA, so not quite Prius mileage but a huge step up from his Camry, and it comes with a full warranty. Im sure other marquees offer similar deals. Am I crazy? Wrong? What does Oppo think?
HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 18:51 |
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Beige and boring to replace another beige and boring car, and the requirements are for beige and boring? Go for it!
Chariotoflove
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 18:57 |
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My personal observation is that a Prius is as much a lifestyle choice as it is a practical transportation choice.
boredalways
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:09 |
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Prius would be fine. Also a newer Camry — because
Basically what I’m saying is help your friend get what he wants NOT what you want. Do your best not to get emotionally involved.
ToyotaFamily
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:12 |
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I’d tell him go for it. Some people literally just need an appliance.
bhtooefr
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:12 |
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What are his driving patterns?
40 MPG isn’t that far behind 46 MPG on the highway, but 29 MPG is a long way away from 49 MPG in the city.
The main reliability concerns with the Gen 3 Prius are, especially on earlier ones (this one being somewhat later), intake clogging from the EGR (which can lead to head gasket failure if it’s allowed to get bad enough), and inverter failure (there’s a software update recall to fix that, as well as I believe a 15 year extended warranty on the inverters themselves, though).
That said, I’d have more confidence in a massively understressed 1.8 liter with a power split device for a transmission, than a 1.4T with a multi-speed planetary torque converter automatic.
And, the Prius is going to be a lot more versatile on cargo.
And, we’re talking about someone who’s clearly a beige driver, a Gen 3 Prius will be fine for them.
TorqueToYield
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:16 |
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Prius’ are ridiculously reliable and have some of the lowest maintenance requirements of any modern car. No belts, regenerative brakes mean the pads last forever, change the oil and tires and that’s about it for a long long time. Can’t really go wrong if he likes it, but they tend to run expensive used and you could probably get a more comfortable/faster/arguably better car for the same money.
someassemblyrequired
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:17 |
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You’re in VA right? You can get newer Chevy Volts with fewer miles for 15K.
m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:18 |
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My grandmother currently drives what was my grandfather’s 2010 Prius that he won in a raffle. In the 9 years that it has been in the family, all it has required is a yearly oil change and a set of tires. When she eventually stops driving, it’s going to be passed down to me as a second car. For someone who doesn’t give a shit about their car and just wants to get where they’re going efficiently, it’s a damn good tool. I’m not going to say it’s fun or exciting, because it isn’t, but it does a good job of just being a car.
Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:20 |
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People go to car friends for confirmation of their choice; they don’t really want a suggestion. Priuses are reliable and get good gas mileage. Shrug.
That said. A brand new car at a steep discount could be pretty tempting and you’re right; there are cruzes as cheap as $14000 near me. Forward a link to a Cruze and leave it at that
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> TorqueToYield
04/24/2018 at 19:24 |
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That’s kind of what I’m looking for - I don’t know anything about Prius really, at least regarding their reliability. Thanks for the info.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> someassemblyrequired
04/24/2018 at 19:26 |
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I am, I’ll have to see if I can find him one.
To be clear I don’t have anything against the Prius, or hybrids in general, but my personal preference is, if I could get a brand new car with a warranty for only about $1000 more than a 5 year old used car with 43k miles, I’d probably go for new, even if it wasn’t a hybrid.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle
04/24/2018 at 19:29 |
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You’re absolutely right, as far as people wanting confirmation.
And I agree, for me the choice of really efficient 5 year old, 43k mile used car vs. still rather efficient brand new car with a warranty is a no brainer. But that’s just me I guess.
I sent him a Cruze link. I may also show him a used Volt. Otherwise I’m just trying to be supportive and share what I know.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
04/24/2018 at 19:30 |
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That’s good to know. To be honest I don’t have a good feel for the Prius reliability, so it’s good to hear stories like that and a few others on here. This is the kind of information I’m looking for. Thanks.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> bhtooefr
04/24/2018 at 19:36 |
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We both live around DC, he’s on the MD side, I’m on the VA side. In my 2012 Cruze (EPA 26/37) I am averaging 36 mpg even though I spend a decent chunk of my commute in traffic. Though to be fair my car is a manual - I know he can drive manual (he used to drive for UPS) but I don’t think he’s looking for that in a daily driver, which I can understand.
He’s a pretty cautious driver, but smooth, so I would see him pulling higher than average MPGs in the Cruze.
But those are all good points about the Prius. I’m sure it would be a great car for him, I’m just trying to give him some alternatives. My personal thought is, in his shoes, I’d pick the new car with warranty over the used Prius, even if it meant sacrificing a few MPGs. But that’s me, I guess.
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> boredalways
04/24/2018 at 19:38 |
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I’m trying my best to help him out and not insert my own biases. Though I didn’t know much about the Prius reliability, but it sounds like it’s better than what I thought it was. I’m just trying to give him some alternatives because my thought is why buy a used car when you can get a new car with a warranty for about the same money, even if it means sacrificing a few MPGs?
Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:45 |
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This should
not
be this funny.
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Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:46 |
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Prius is such a miserable car...
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someassemblyrequired
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 19:49 |
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There were a few in the DC burbs, so he would conceivably have a few to pick from.
I get/agree with your point about the warranty, though the Volt would likely have coverage left on the power train and battery. Veranos are super cheap used and have a 4yr bumper to bumper warranty, so an ex-rental might be a good option too (might even be able to get a Regal for 15K).
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Snuze: Needs another Swede
> someassemblyrequired
04/24/2018 at 19:51 |
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Those are all good ideas, Ill pass them along.
Censored
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 20:35 |
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My boss has an 07 prii, and it’s a tank. It has 260k on it and literally only had oil changes, tires and bulbs. Not mentioning that he treats it like a half ton with a camper shell. It has hauled job boxes, 1500lbs ish of sheet steel and Lord knows what else. I can also say that it will do 104 on the interstate with 4 guys in it late for a bid meeting, boss has a pink sheet of paper to prove it. I highly recommend the Prius as a tool, and honestly if I had an extra spot in the driveway I’d have one to soak up miles from my truck.
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boredalways
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 20:51 |
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I can’t blame you. At $15k, I would rather have a TL or RL, both with SH-AWD, Mazda 3 or 6, a Chevy Cruze hatchback, Hyundai Elantra. Might even be able to get a Sonata/Optima Hybrid at that price.
...I think I just took one for the team here by giving my “advice”...I’m not good at this.
Spanfeller is a twat
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 20:59 |
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DC has a lot of traffic, sure that Prius saw minimal use of the engine!
For 15K new I’m not sure you’ll get a car as large as a Prius or as comfortable, for 15K used few things will big bigger bang per buck! if your friend was an enthusiast I’d suggest
any other
car.... Anyways, I put a random DC Postal Code and asked the internet what it had to offer:
Under_Score
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 21:09 |
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https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/709915360/overview/
“Under_Score, no.” Warranty and well-equipped, though.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 21:36 |
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put him in a Focus ST or a WRX and let him see the fun side before locking into boredom. you never know what would happen...
Dusty Ventures
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/24/2018 at 21:53 |
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I’d tell him to get the Prius. They’re low maintenance, reliable, and spending less than $30 on gas every 400+ miles is nice
pip bip - choose Corrour
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/25/2018 at 05:38 |
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i’d rather a Prius than new Cruze.
CalzoneGolem
> Snuze: Needs another Swede
04/27/2018 at 07:57 |
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When anyone asks me what kind of car they should get I tell them to get a Prius. So I support this decision.