The Prius is on Consumer Affairs' Top Ten worst used cars list for 2007
While new Prius hybrid vehicles are selling well, Consumer Affairs (not Consumer Reports) has released a list of the ten worst used cars and, while not at number one, the Pruis does make an appearance. Here are the guilty parties in order, as identified by CA:- Ford Expedition
- Ford F-150
- Auto-trans BMW
- Toyota Prius
- Ford Focus
- Dodge Durango
- Ford Taurus
- Mercury Sable
- Older Toyotas
- GM Dex-Cool
I'd think that with Toyota upping the number of Priuses it's making, the parts issue might be under control soon, and Edmunds says that, "Toyota's original hybrid car is a strong candidate for a shopper interested in a used hybrid vehicle. So far, it seems Toyota's reputation for reliability and durability is holding true for the Prius. Early concerns about long-term durability have turned out to be mostly unfounded."
Seven of CA' top ten are domestics, with automatic BMWs and older Toyotas rounding out the list.
[Source: Consumer Affairs via EVWorld]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Hartwell 10:26PM (6/08/2009)
I have a 2004 Prius. Bought it used @ 69K. Now I have 122K. Did a voluntary 100K service, i.e. belt, water pump and thermostat. Runs flawlessly. Catalytic converter - 2 of them now needs replacement. $1800 from the dealer but found an appropriate replacement for $500 installed.
I agree, this list seems to be too broad brushed.
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Der Alte 4:28PM (6/18/2007)
I wouldn't take these list seriously at all. With detailed makes and model years like "automatic BMWs" and "older Toyotas" you can tell they did a lot of in depth statistical analysis. Hell, the last one isn't even a car...its a coolant! And the Ford F-150...yeah, that's a real maintenance nightmare...sure.
Looks like a 12 year old who's Daddy drives a Chevy put this list together.
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philmcneal 5:23PM (6/18/2007)
i bought a used prius 03 with 40k miles on it, ran it flawlessly for two months, i saw a prius taxi 04 with 120k miles and I nabbed it for a clean trade. Now I've put 130k miles on it and its still knock on wood!
No warrenty left for me but if you do all the right maintainence items, its a joke car to fuel and drive around. Literally pennies for miles...
getting 60 mpg lifetime, but I am a hypermiler after all ;)
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philmcneal 5:25PM (6/18/2007)
forgot to add, there are tons of people buying salvage priuses and fixing them to sell. Mine was one of them, not to mention these cars are selling like hotcakes thanks to gas prices, so finding salvage parts (like battery) are becoming very common place and the parts are rediculously cheap (200 bucks for a battery in good shape anyone? PHEV projects!)
plus i can't wait till the aftermarket releases the PHEV addons for the prius, going to be so dope!
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Chris M 5:51PM (6/18/2007)
The "Consumers Affair" report was based on a few complaints sent in, and is vulnerable to "vote stuffing" by people with a grudge against certain companies.
On the other hand, Consumers Union did a detailed survey of over 6 million car owners to determine reliability data, including reliability for used cars. All hybrids ranked above average for reliability, and two (Prius and Civic Hybrid) were in the top ten. Results were published in Consumers Reports.
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Pep Boys Sux 8:31PM (6/18/2007)
The Consumers Union research, while flawed, challenges the assertion made by the posted report. The F-150 may be a big gas hog, but it is widely considered as a dependable long-lasting pickup.
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alex 7:31AM (6/19/2007)
@4 chris m.
it's no surprise that hybrids do better on reliability questionnaires. people who buy products that aren't mainstream tend to overlook problems so that they can justify their purchase and feel superior to those who buy 'ordinary' products.
Same thing happened when the japanese car companies first came to the US. Japanese cars faired far better in owner questionnaires than they did in fact based reliability studies. People who bought the first Japanese imports wanted to convince others (and probably themselves) that they had made a brilliant choice in not buying a domestic like everyone else.
it's not that people are trying to manipulate the reliability stats... it's just that after spending more money on a hybrid, telling all their friends how cool they are for buying one, etc, etc, it would be hard for them to admit that it's not the amazing car they thought/claimed it would be
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Anil Sethi 8:27AM (6/19/2007)
Well above average "salvage Prius" as compared to other cars...why is this?
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FLR 8:29AM (6/19/2007)
Why are both the Taurus and Sable listed? They should occupy only one slot as they are the same car.
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