View Poll Results: Would you buy a used/out-of-warranty Hybrid?
Yeah, I would totally buy one.
3
10.34%
Maybe, but I'd have to see the car.
14
48.28%
No, that's a disaster waiting to happen
12
41.38%
Goats are more efficient than hybrids...
0
0%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll
Would you buy a used/out-of-warranty hybrid?
#1
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Would you buy a used/out-of-warranty hybrid?
Well as some of you may know from my other thread, I'm looking for a car to buy as a gift for a young guy I know.
Well in my searches I've found some used 2005ish hybrids in my price range, but I want to know if any of you think it'd be a good idea to get an older out of warranty hybrid?
I'm seeing Honda Civic Hybrids for $~9K, and I even saw a Prius with over 100K miles on it, for under $10K. Should I bite or stay away? I'm not quite 100% sure about long term reliability and how long the batteries will hold up.
Well in my searches I've found some used 2005ish hybrids in my price range, but I want to know if any of you think it'd be a good idea to get an older out of warranty hybrid?
I'm seeing Honda Civic Hybrids for $~9K, and I even saw a Prius with over 100K miles on it, for under $10K. Should I bite or stay away? I'm not quite 100% sure about long term reliability and how long the batteries will hold up.
Last edited by (Cj); 05-30-10 at 03:55 PM.
#2
Don't get him a prius. A prius is not a "cool/hip" car to be in as a teenager, mostly based on exterior looks.
Civic hybrid is still fine because it looks just like a regular civic.
Civic hybrid is still fine because it looks just like a regular civic.
#3
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wait a second. I dont believe there are old enough hybrids out there (except for the 1st gen Prius) where the hybrid powertrain warranty is out yet. If your question is in regards to the normal warranty which is 4 years, then I have no problem buying a hybrid out of that kind of warranty. However, if your question is in regards to the hybrid powertrain and battery warranty, which is 8 or 10 years depending on state, then I would not buy one as the battery will cost like 2-3 thousand I think.
#4
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wait a second. I dont believe there are old enough hybrids out there (except for the 1st gen Prius) where the hybrid powertrain warranty is out yet. If your question is in regards to the normal warranty which is 4 years, then I have no problem buying a hybrid out of that kind of warranty. However, if your question is in regards to the hybrid powertrain and battery warranty, which is 8 or 10 years depending on state, then I would not buy one as the battery will cost like 2-3 thousand I think.
I'm guessing the battery warranty is regardless of the mileage on the car and that it is transferrable?
#5
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Well yeah, but at least he won't be able to do something stupid like try to race a GTR on the highway
#6
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wait a second. I dont believe there are old enough hybrids out there (except for the 1st gen Prius) where the hybrid powertrain warranty is out yet. If your question is in regards to the normal warranty which is 4 years, then I have no problem buying a hybrid out of that kind of warranty. However, if your question is in regards to the hybrid powertrain and battery warranty, which is 8 or 10 years depending on state, then I would not buy one as the battery will cost like 2-3 thousand I think.
#7
Lexus Fanatic
One of our senior mods, 1SICKLEX, and his new wife, just got a used Lexus RX hybrid.
(I'm not spilling any beans here....he himself did a thread on it).
(I'm not spilling any beans here....he himself did a thread on it).
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
As for the battery packs, they are generally under warranty for 8 to 10 years.
Here's a good website on the subject:
http://www.hybridcars.com/cars.html
#9
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Yes the mileage restriction slipped my mind and I didnt know you were looking at at 100,000 mile+ Prius. If you really want to go that route, I dont think it will be that hard to find a 50K miled 2006 prius or something.
#10
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I can't speak for Honda's IMA system which is more of an "assist' than a true hybrid but from reading it seems to be reliable and not problematic. The other problems are non-hybrid related.
As for the Prius it seems to be very dependable and I think the hybrid components are rock solid as Toyota had/has a lot riding on them. There have been multiple reports too of Toyota eating a lot of the replacement bill or people simply buying used batteries for $600 or so.
How much will your friend be driving a year (sorry if I missed that)?
One other thing is look at insurance rates. Some insurance companies rates are higher for hybrids for fear an accident will equate to higher repair costs.
#11
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Thanks Mike. As stated the Lexus hybrid components are covered for 7/100k. I've had no hybrid issues with the 450h.
So being a ricer is cool then?
I can't speak for Honda's IMA system which is more of an "assist' than a true hybrid but from reading it seems to be reliable and not problematic. The other problems are non-hybrid related.
As for the Prius it seems to be very dependable and I think the hybrid components are rock solid as Toyota had/has a lot riding on them. There have been multiple reports too of Toyota eating a lot of the replacement bill or people simply buying used batteries for $600 or so.
How much will your friend be driving a year (sorry if I missed that)?
One other thing is look at insurance rates. Some insurance companies rates are higher for hybrids for fear an accident will equate to higher repair costs.
So being a ricer is cool then?
I can't speak for Honda's IMA system which is more of an "assist' than a true hybrid but from reading it seems to be reliable and not problematic. The other problems are non-hybrid related.
As for the Prius it seems to be very dependable and I think the hybrid components are rock solid as Toyota had/has a lot riding on them. There have been multiple reports too of Toyota eating a lot of the replacement bill or people simply buying used batteries for $600 or so.
How much will your friend be driving a year (sorry if I missed that)?
One other thing is look at insurance rates. Some insurance companies rates are higher for hybrids for fear an accident will equate to higher repair costs.
I don't know exactly how far he'll be driving yearly. Since he'll be at a college campus, probably not much, but who knows if he ever decides to drive out on a roadtrip to Cali on a whim one day
I want him to have something reliable of course, and Honda's IMA cars depreciated really fast. They cost the same or less than regular Civics on the used market. The efficiency gains aren't huge but I'm still open to one if it'll last long with low maintenance cost...
@RXSF:
I'm not necessarily in the market for a 100K mile Prius specifically. I'm just trying to gauge other people's opinion on getting a used one. Even a model with 70-80K miles could be risky, but it looks like Toyota is doing a good job protecting customers.
#12
wait a second. I dont believe there are old enough hybrids out there (except for the 1st gen Prius) where the hybrid powertrain warranty is out yet. If your question is in regards to the normal warranty which is 4 years, then I have no problem buying a hybrid out of that kind of warranty. However, if your question is in regards to the hybrid powertrain and battery warranty, which is 8 or 10 years depending on state, then I would not buy one as the battery will cost like 2-3 thousand I think.
#13
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Thanks for the detailed info 1SICK.
I don't know exactly how far he'll be driving yearly. Since he'll be at a college campus, probably not much, but who knows if he ever decides to drive out on a roadtrip to Cali on a whim one day
I want him to have something reliable of course, and Honda's IMA cars depreciated really fast. They cost the same or less than regular Civics on the used market. The efficiency gains aren't huge but I'm still open to one if it'll last long with low maintenance cost...
@RXSF:
I'm not necessarily in the market for a 100K mile Prius specifically. I'm just trying to gauge other people's opinion on getting a used one. Even a model with 70-80K miles could be risky, but it looks like Toyota is doing a good job protecting customers.
I don't know exactly how far he'll be driving yearly. Since he'll be at a college campus, probably not much, but who knows if he ever decides to drive out on a roadtrip to Cali on a whim one day
I want him to have something reliable of course, and Honda's IMA cars depreciated really fast. They cost the same or less than regular Civics on the used market. The efficiency gains aren't huge but I'm still open to one if it'll last long with low maintenance cost...
@RXSF:
I'm not necessarily in the market for a 100K mile Prius specifically. I'm just trying to gauge other people's opinion on getting a used one. Even a model with 70-80K miles could be risky, but it looks like Toyota is doing a good job protecting customers.
Also hybrids don't like being outside in the cold much as it hurts MPG and they need to be driven. I know sometimes in college a car can stay parked for quite sometime for whatever reason(s).
#14
Lexus Champion
personally I'd stick to the Prius.....they're rock sold reliable.....get the lowest mileage car you can afford...there's a million used Prius' around....!!
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Plus 1. If the price works, a lower-mileage Prius would be a safe bet. Otherwise, maybe consider a fuel efficient Civic or Corolla. Both those can achieve high mileage and you'd not have to worry about battery issues later on. As many magazines have tested, hybrids only make sense if one drives a lot.