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Car Forum / Toyota / Prius / June 2008

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older priuses

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bob - 24 Apr 2008 03:17 GMT
i currently own a new prius and am relocating and going to get another car
at the new location: thinking older used prius.

when did they start?
how are the batteries holding up on the older ones?

bob
Bob & Holly Wilson - 24 Apr 2008 10:14 GMT
> i currently own a new prius and am relocating and going to get another car
> at the new location: thinking older used prius.
>
> when did they start?

1997-2000 -> Model NHW10 sold only in Japan but now being exported
2001-2003 -> Model NHW11 sold world wide and first in USA
2004->now-> Model NHW20 sold world wide

> how are the batteries holding up on the older ones?

The NHW10 owners are working on battery replacements and refurbishment
efforts. They are dealing with "D" sized battery strings.

The NHW11s introduced prismatic batteries to the Prius line and we are
seeing the a few cases of battery replacement. I'm working on battery
refurbishment.

The NHW20 has a much improved, redesigned battery with thicker pastic
and improved terminal seals.

IMHO, a 2003 Prius or 2005 and later would make sense for a used one.
This should give you the best reliability for a used hybrid. I would
avoid the 2001 and 2004 models since these were the first production
year units. Not every fix got into these models in the field.

Bob Wilson
xf - 28 Apr 2008 06:42 GMT
>> i currently own a new prius and am relocating and going to get another car
>> at the new location: thinking older used prius.
>>
>> when did they start?

I have a 2001 and 2008. The 2001 had its battery replaced by a dealer
who couldn't figure out the real problem (a documented accelerator
switch problem!) and so I got a new battery at about 5 years.
Otherwise no problem, though I would go for the 2004 and later just
because of their looks.

My college kid is getting my 2001.
bob - 29 Apr 2008 01:36 GMT
>> i currently own a new prius and am relocating and going to get another
>> car
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
>
> Bob Wilson

is the 2003 the one in the "echo" style body? i need a temporary car, maybe
6 months, and i was thinking about an echo or an "echo styled" older prius -
provided the batteries are reliable. (i currently have an 07 prius for my
permanent car).

bob
Bob & Holly Wilson - 29 Apr 2008 10:35 GMT
> is the 2003 the one in the "echo" style body? i need a temporary car, maybe
> 6 months, and i was thinking about an echo or an "echo styled" older prius -
> provided the batteries are reliable. (i currently have an 07 prius for my
> permanent car).

That is correct. As for the batteries, it is difficult to get them
evaulated unless you take it to a Toyota service department ... or live
near one of the Prius experts.

What you need is to have the battery internal resistance test. This
involves using a scanner to read the voltages of the weakest and
strongest battery module pairs. The limit is 0.3 V and this test,
somewhat time consuming and likely several hundred dollars, can answer
that question.

Bob Wilson
Earle Jones - 11 Jun 2008 01:12 GMT
> i currently own a new prius and am relocating and going to get another car
> at the new location: thinking older used prius.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> bob

*
The first Prius were sold in Japan in 1997 (eleven years ago!)

The first exported Prius was in 2000 -- this was what is called (in this
NewsGroup) Gen 1.  It was a conventional 4-door sedan style.

From 2004 on, it was Gen 2, which is most of what you see on the street
these days.  It is 5-door (hatchback) body style.

Mine ('05 with about 63,000 miles) has averaged long-term about 49.6
MPG.  I keep a spreadsheet that accounts for *every* gallon of gas and
*every* mile driven.

Far and away this is the best car I have ever owned.

Regarding batteries -- the only ones that have been replaced have been
due to accidents.  There are stories of Prius taxis in Europe with
200,000-plus miles and no battery problems.

earle
*
 
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