- Buying different kind of gas for the Prius will it improve the car in anyway?
Only use 87 (or 85 at high altitudes). Do not run 89 or 93. Higher octane will not help and may cause trouble lights to come on. I'd dump the costco gas.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
- If I buy a salvage title prius with body damage can it effect the hybrid engine itself
The hybrid system is comprised of a gas engine, two electric motor/generators, a power split device, an inverter, a high voltage battery, and two cooling loops. There are 13 or 14 ECUs depending upon the options the Prius has (2004-2009 only). An accident could potentially damage one or more of these components. However, the Prius has diagnostics and will "throw codes" in the event any systems are compromised.
- Also I want to ask all Prius owner the pro and con own the car, any problem that I could face driving it around 80k, 100k, 120k
I have a 2001 with 90K and a 2004 with 125K. Both run like new. There are some services to be performed at the 100K mark: Coolant change, spark plugs, serpentine belt, and the transaxle fluids should be drained and filled (never flushed) at 40K mile intervals. However, none of these are particularly expensive--do use the Toyota fluids though. There is no special service required for the hybrid system.
- I haven't heard much about toyota prius having their battery change
That's because the 2004+ Prius battery really doesn't fail--you're more likely to have to replace a transmission in an old fashioned car than the battery in the Prius--and it's not that expensive anyway. There have been some failures with the 2001-2003 Prius which has the older battery design which typically get 200,000 miles before requiring replacement. It's only non-Prius owners that are concerned about the battery. For Prius owners, it's a non-issue.
Note that the traction battery does NOT cost $6000, actually it's under $2000 plus $500 for installation.
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...layCatalogid=0
And that's for new. The same battery is used in all 2004-2009 Prius so should you need a replacement, you can pick up a used battery from a 2009 for about $500. There are also reconditioned batteries from places like
http://re-involt.com/ If you think about it a bit, what happens in an old fashioned car if the transmission or engine requires replacement at high mileage? Do you go to the dealer and by new? Or do you get a rebuilt one or one from a wreck? The main difference is that it's way easier to replace a battery than an engine or transmission.
- I know their hybrid battery is good for 10 years/150k since I lived in California
No, that is the warranty, not the lifespan. Most cars have a 36K engine warranty, do you expect the engine to fail at, say, 37,000 miles? Note that a vehicle with a salvage title has no warranty of any kind.
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...shColumbiaHome
- Also I want to ask all Prius owner the pro and con own the car
Pros:
Low maintenance cost. My 2004 has cost 12 cents per mile for dealer maintenance, tires, and fuel combined.
Roomy. It's a mid-sized car and can hold four full-sized adults in comfort.
Fun to drive. The Prius is one of the most exciting and fun-to-drive cars I've ever had. I get a smile on my face every time I get in.
Reliable. They just keep running.
2004 Prius MPG from the logbook. (Complete years only):
2003-2004 -- 50.8 mpg 17,628 miles
2005 -- 52.6 mpg 14,688 miles
2006 -- 56.3 mpg 16174 miles
2007 -- 57.3 mpg 18384 miles
2008 -- 59.9 mpg 21755 miles
2009 -- 61.4 mpg 16177 miles
2010 -- 65.2 mpg 12134 miles
2011 -- coming soon
Cons:
1. If you have a significant other and only one Prius you might not get to drive it all that much.
2. At lunchtime your co-workers will automatically go to the Prius because no one has to yell "Shotgun".
3. After you have driven the Prius for awhile it will be very hard to go back to driving an old fashioned car. Every time I do, I feel like Mr. Scott when he tries to talk to the computer mouse in the Star Trek movie.
Should I get a Prius or no?
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