Buying A Used Hybrid Car

[dilshandcs]

I am planning to buy an used hybrid car around 41laks or below. I have prius 2010 and insight 2011 in my mind. But some people said that i have to face lot of repairs if i buy a prius. So they said to me go for an insight 2011. Please help me to select the right car which will have less maintenance and maintenance cost. What are the things to check when i buy that car?

THANK YOU

[Nishan.dj]

I am planning to buy an used hybrid car around 41laks or below. I have prius 2010 and insight 2011 in my mind. But some people said that i have to face lot of repairs if i buy a prius. So they said to me go for an insight 2011. Please help me to select the right car which will have less maintenance and maintenance cost. What are the things to check when i buy that car?

THANK YOU

Well, I don't own either one but I can suggest you to go for the prius 2010. AFAIK the insight is discontinued vehicle but prius is not although there are different variations from year to year.

When hybrid cars come to Sri Lanka, people were so afraid that the battery will cost you a lot when it needs to be replaced and bla bla. But see what has happened now.

Better you inspect the car well ( May be you can bring it to Toyota Lanka with the current owner to obtain an inspection report . If the owner doesn't agree to that, then you may need to think about it)

Hope this helps

[Vengeance]

Honestly, who told you it was a smart idea to make multiple threads to ask the same question? Welcome to the forums btw.

This has been discussed in multiple threads, just use the search function and you'll find them. I've made it easier for you: http://bfy.tw/5rHo

[The Don]

Hybrids are used by people who want to reduce daily running costs. They are generally more efficient than pure internal combustion vehicles. But to get an advantage you need to do a lot of miles per day. Hybrids are not cheap to maintain as they need specialists with the correct know how and some parts are only available through dealerships. At over 5 years old the condition of the battery will be of concern but I have heard there are some cost effective solutions available now, though long term viability of these solutions is unknown.

[Quiet]

I guess if you are going for a vehicle with such vintage, better to go for a non Hybrid Gasoline vehicle. After all for we Sri Lankans selling the vehicle is also important when we buy the next one.

Also Insight is not advisable its a failed vehicle model.

Edited May 20, 2016 by Quiet

[dilshandcs]

Thank you all. What is the best looking non hybrid gasoline cars around or below 40 million like axio

[Nishan.dj]

By the way, I was bit concerned about what will happen if an EV gets flooded. Will it effect to the battery? Hope it's not water proof. And the motors? I know some people left their cars at home and now the water level is above the the roof of their houses.

[Vengeance]

By the way, I was bit concerned about what will happen if an EV gets flooded. Will it effect to the battery? Hope it's not water proof. And the motors? I know some people left their cars at home and now the water level is above the the roof of their houses.

The HV batteries are in a strong protective casing, may be not be completely waterproof if immersed in water, but water won't get in there any easy. They have a cricuit breaker to shut down and disconnect the HV system automatically in case of an emergency.

Since you're wondering what could happen, here's an example: http://forum.autolanka.com/topic/17773-helpprius-wont-start-after-recently-flooding/

EDIT: I won't be surprised if I see some mint condition / owner migrating cars for sale from the flooded regions within the next few months.

Edited May 20, 2016 by maxxarox

[Twin Turbo]

By the way, I was bit concerned about what will happen if an EV gets flooded. Will it effect to the battery? Hope it's not water proof. And the motors? I know some people left their cars at home and now the water level is above the the roof of their houses.

Yes, electricity and water make a bad mix.

Help!prius Won't Start After Recently Flooding

http://forum.autolanka.com/topic/17773-helpprius-wont-start-after-recently-flooding/page-2#entry292453

Edited May 22, 2016 by Twin Turbo

[Shack]

Go for prius 2010 and make sure you do a prior check with TL.It would only cost you around 7k but they do a detail scan of the car.Check all the service records and make sure the car is well maintained (Agent the better). People are worried about the battery failure of hybrids but to say there is a prius 2002 still running with the same engine.

Even if there is a fault you may not need to change the whole battery.There are separate cells inside and at a time it will be one or may be two cells that need attention.B/N cell would cost around 22k at the agents.(Now there are lots of spare parts shops that are dealing with hybrids and some are specialized on batteries).

If the car is good then go for it.Its better than Honda insight both in maintenance and after sale price.

Edited May 24, 2016 by Shack

[Killer-B]

First of all sorry to bring up an old thread and hope everyone is doing good. So I was looking around for a new-ish car for my mom to use and seems like the only option within budget is a 2013 honda fit hybrid gp1/4 (needs to be a hatchback). Problem is the car will be only used 3-4 times a week mostly and that too for short distance trips, so i was wondering if this is going to affect the already 3 year old hybrid battery capacity in any way? Only reason i want to go with a hybrid is because there are no other hatchbacks with a relatively new YOM in the market for that price.

Cheers!

[matroska]

First of all sorry to bring up an old thread and hope everyone is doing good. So I was looking around for a new-ish car for my mom to use and seems like the only option within budget is a 2013 honda fit hybrid gp1/4 (needs to be a hatchback). Problem is the car will be only used 3-4 times a week mostly and that too for short distance trips, so i was wondering if this is going to affect the already 3 year old hybrid battery capacity in any way? Only reason i want to go with a hybrid is because there are no other hatchbacks with a relatively new YOM in the market for that price.

Cheers!

I don't think that should be a problem. 3-4 times a week is fairly acceptable. By Short distance how short do you mean ?? 10Km??

[Killer-B]

I don't think that should be a problem. 3-4 times a week is fairly acceptable. By Short distance how short do you mean ?? 10Km??

Yes, probably around 10-30kms

[Dushyantha]

Why not buy a leaf ? since it rarely used and that also for short distances

[asrock]

Yes, probably around 10-30kms

I also travel 10kms a day and even that 2-3 days a week. But on some weekends I do long distance traveling.

[Killer-B]

Why not buy a leaf ? since it rarely used and that also for short distances

Thanks for the suggestion but the last thing I need is for her to be stranded because she forgot to charge the car! and the overall look of the thing doesn't help either.

I also travel 10kms a day and even that 2-3 days a week. But on some weekends I do long distance traveling.

I assume that you are using a fit hybrid as well? Is the battery assist constantly working? and I'm guessing the fit hybrid dosent have a full EV mode

Edited June 16, 2016 by Killer-B

[asrock]

I assume that you are using a fit hybrid as well? Is the battery assist constantly working? and I'm guessing the fit hybrid dosent have a full EV mode

Its an axio hybrid machan, its about 9 months old. EV mode comes up time to time, when I'm going below 60 and when I'm stopped at traffic. Battery condition is ok for now.

[Killer-B]

Its an axio hybrid machan, its about 9 months old. EV mode comes up time to time, when I'm going below 60 and when I'm stopped at traffic. Battery condition is ok for now.

Alright, thanks for the info

[gayanath]

First of all sorry to bring up an old thread and hope everyone is doing good. So I was looking around for a new-ish car for my mom to use and seems like the only option within budget is a 2013 honda fit hybrid gp1/4 (needs to be a hatchback). Problem is the car will be only used 3-4 times a week mostly and that too for short distance trips, so i was wondering if this is going to affect the already 3 year old hybrid battery capacity in any way? Only reason i want to go with a hybrid is because there are no other hatchbacks with a relatively new YOM in the market for that price.

Considering above highlighted items, why don't you go for B/N or 1-2 years used auto car like Peraduo Viva or Axia?

[matroska]

and I'm guessing the fit hybrid dosent have a full EV mode

Well it's a mild hybrid. So it doesn't have a full EV Mode like in HSD (Toyota) BUT there is an EV mode that gets activated when you are coasting/slowing down. (albeit for a very very short time) As far as I understand the ICE does not fully disengage in this situation.

[terrabytetango]

3-4 times a week and short distance, a hybrid will be pointless. Why not go for a brand new Korean hatch?

[gayanath]

37 minutes ago, shinninglikeme said:

A used hybrid car will be a good option instead of new car as you want to use 2-3 times a week . Also a hybrid car has engines that are designed for performance over a long period of time say for 8-10 years.

1. Hybrids for low usage**? First time heard.....

2. Do non hybrid engines designed for shorter period of time (lets say less than 8 years)?

** Assume 2-3 times a week means low usage like 40 - 50 km per week and not 200 km per single day. 

 

 

[Muditha420]

1 hour ago, shinninglikeme said:

A used hybrid car will be a good option instead of new car as you want to use 2-3 times a week . Also a hybrid car has engines that are designed for performance over a long period of time say for 8-10 years.

I am sorry what?? I dunno about you but dude seriously?? Guys who use these new cars have complained all sorta problems and not to mention the amount of threads open on AL recently. 78,000km ODO that damn Priuaass wont pull at all...several times went to get the engine and battery checked same damn scene yet again. Center arm rests and door card upholstering goes to sh*t.

We have a company maintained diesel Carina and that damn car still has its door cards in proper condition even though its used by many, not a rattle. The Prius however comes up with rattles n squeaks that reminds me of old TVs where u bang the side hard enough n it goes away for a tad second.

[MV-5]

I will not hesitate to buy a used dining table, but i will never by a used lap-top.

[matroska]

18 hours ago, shinninglikeme said:

A used hybrid car will be a good option instead of new car as you want to use 2-3 times a week . Also a hybrid car has engines that are designed for performance over a long period of time say for 8-10 years.

note that you can't abuse a hybrid like a Corolla 110 etc. 

16 hours ago, Muditha420 said:

I am sorry what?? I dunno about you but dude seriously?? Guys who use these new cars have complained all sorta problems and not to mention the amount of threads open on AL recently. 78,000km ODO that damn Priuaass wont pull at all...several times went to get the engine and battery checked same damn scene yet again. Center arm rests and door card upholstering goes to sh*t.

We have a company maintained diesel Carina and that damn car still has its door cards in proper condition even though its used by many, not a rattle. The Prius however comes up with rattles n squeaks that reminds me of old TVs where u bang the side hard enough n it goes away for a tad second.

hmmm 78,000 seems a low milage for a priass to be falling apart. Having had my ass hauled in taxis(prius) regularly that have done more kms  than that haven't looked that messed up. 

RE: the carina , those 90s to  2000's cars are just rock solid. A long time ago my dad had a 1986 Carina that went on and on and on for ages without giving significant trouble. sadly that longevity is no longer there in most new cars 

 

Edited August 30, 2016 by matroska

[Nishan.dj]

On 6/16/2016 at 1:48 PM, Killer-B said:

forgot to charge the car! 

Hope fueling a gasoline car also won't be forgotten. "Lady driven" is not an option.