Is the 2007 Toyota Prius worth buying?

Hikeandbikeare4me_

I'm a beginner, and I'm learning off of my dad's Chevy SUV, and one day, I want to buy a car for myself. Gas prices are way too high, so I want to buy a Hybrid or EV. Is this car a good choice, or do you have a better car choice for me?

girlcarbuilder

Ah, I recall my Chevy days. Dad being a former Ford executive. You are in the right direction, Toyota seems to be the most trouble free out there in general. I would suggest that you google anything you get interested in and add the word problems to it. Now when it comes to problems reported, many are caused by the owner themselves. using incorrect fluids, fuels or whatever. Now a days the wrong antifreeze will even get you into a head job. When you get really interested in a model, buy the repair manual and study it. It will give you an idea of what you are up against come maintenance time.

When you look at these reported problems over time you will know more about what you can deal with or not. Money for replacement parts is always an issue. For hybrids, they better be damn trouble free! Because some of those replacement parts will make your head spin! Check rockauto.com and see. Off the top of my head the Prius has some kind of inverter problems. Don't recall the years.

Toyota now owns a controllable part of Subaru, you might want to look there as well. Worked on a few of those while still very much Subaru. Subaru can be a headache around 170K miles. Pulling motors or transmissions is a no go in my book at that mileage. The only time I have had to do that on a toy, is when I am rebuilding it. That was last on an '86 model in 05. Personally, we currently own several Toyota Yaris hatchbacks. Just put a new post on that up. Too many times on a old Subie.

Every brand has its dogs out there, Toyota has fewer dogs in the pound. Dad use to say, if it is for sale you had better know why! Years ago when he was still with Ford, back in the 60's, he bought a '57 olds something. I was so young back then. Bad engine. He took it to an excellent engine re builder, took a day off, watched them rebuild it. That car served well into the 70's when it was sold.

To date, I have recommended the Yaris to several people. A couple of brothers as well. One a former Subie owner, the other a Dodge owner. Neither are going back. They are staying with Toyota. The younger of the two does not maintain his car well. It is still running at 200K. Waiting for him to destroy it. The older one went with a 2013 Prius C. The Prius C is 200K+ miles and still holding about 52 mpg. The Yaris auto trans runs about 30/36 with an auto. With a manual you can figure another +2 mpg.

You are wise to begin research first. I tell people when they are car buying; like getting married. Divorce is very expensive. It will take me an average of 3 years of what others have seen, did or heard before I buy new. If it is a new model, that is a guaranteed 3 year wait and see. It takes most manufactures that long to get the bugs out. Be careful, many times when you see a lot of certain cars for sale. That means they have issues! The good ones are NOT FOR SALE! Sometimes a well maintained 89 Mazda 323 with 348K miles is a better deal than a Nissan Pathfinder! Good luck. oh, last piece of advice, avoid Detroit products. Sadly, may have to go there to get a 3/4 ton truck. Japan does not make one!