Still The BEST Used Car!?! 2nd Gen Prius Turns 20 YEARS OLD!

It feels like just yesterday the second generation Prius came out, massively underappreciated, and very mysterious. Flasch forward to today, it is easily and by far the best used car on the road, in terms of reliability, value, and versatility.

In this video, I explain everything that can go wrong with it, and give my opinion, with 20 years of experience, of whether or not it’s a good choice for you to still buy one, even though they are at an all-time high price!

[SeanBaker]

Just so have it, I bought and 09 Prius with just over 246, 000 miles two weeks ago for a couple thousand bucks. Immediately got an oil change. Took it to get a new cat installed. I then took it to get new pads and rotors and a manifold gasket. I then went to the junkyard and got a right rear light, an antenna, a spare tire, and the trunk pull-out cover shade for $56. I then went back to the junkyard and got a replacement spoiler for $20. My Prius is silver, but the spoiler is black. It actually looks really good. I think the car drives really well, and the hybrid battery appears to still be in good condition. I can make the battery icon go green quite often. I also programmed an extra fob today on my own. I knew I would have to put a couple thousand dollars into it to get it the way I wanted it, but so far it seems worth it.

[SurferDudeUSA]

My 2006 I have had 4yrs now. It has over 390k miles now. Only had 212k when I bought mine. Only replaced the hybrid battery, back brakes, 12v battery, 3rd set of tires, just did the inverter pump, new cat from the person who stole it, the stupid hatch piece, and just fixed my speedometer. I do need to do the clock spring this week. Great car. I plan on driving it until falls apart. I commute over 100mi/day and still average about 42mpg. I do have to fix the clear coat on it.. but overall great car.

[RiversideAutoBody]

Bought an 06 Prius with 131k miles. My wife's 09 Camry was not working. and i saw the low mileage, went to drive it and it drove great. All i've done is replaced the 2 front tires ($150 new), replaced HID's, Led fog lights, key fob case, wipers, LED inside lighting, and the car looks great! We took it to Santa barbara over the weekend for our anniversary and it drove like champ. Definitely get better mpg in the city, as on the hills it was averaging like 27mpg but that was very short spurts. So excited about having one of the best built cars. I already have the first gen tundra which is another legendary bulletproof truck! thanks for the video!

[corralescruiser]

Another issue that can leave you stranded as it happened to me, is the inverter cooling pump. I would replace that as preventative maintenance. These are awesome cars though.

[jf.]

2001 toyota prius owner with 150k miles. So excited to see how long i can have it

[rickbridgewater]

My family has 3 of these, all over 200k. Best change i made for stability and cost effective tires was installing wheels and 205/55/16 tires off matrix and pointiac vibes. Probably hurts milage a little but handles so much better and tires are very common. I drive around 1000 miles per week. Love all the info you have shared.

[HeyAndrooSky]

Proud owner of a beautiful 2008 Prius with 220k miles on the clock! Bought the car from a nice lady in the Bay area who only used it to commute to and from work everyday, had 130k when I got it. The car has simply never let me down (outside of a bad coolant pump and a couple bad 12v batteries) changed out the whole suspension to keep it going, about to finally change the ORIGONAL brake pads this week and even upgraded the whole audio system and added an aftermarket head unit. Rock solid car and love the fuck out of the gen 2. If I wrecked mine today I'd buy another one tomorrow in a heartbeat. Much love Prius owners!

[Uh-huh-uh-huh]

I have 2005 I bought new. Has 210k miles on it. It really is an amazing car. I keep wanting to sell it, but I never can make myself do it. Drives and looks ‘almost’ as good as the day I got it (I detail clean it regularly). Got a new battery under warranty 10 years ago and it’s going strong. I was getting 36mpg and then changed the fuel injectors and cleaned the mass air flow sensor and now I’m getting about 42mpg with regular gas and 45 with super. Amazing car if you take care of it.

[bladerunner]

In love with my Generation 2, 2008 Prius, with 170, 000 miles. It was only 25K, new in 10/2007. Most think it’s new since it’s garage kept with my custom front and rear running lights. Perhaps garage kept helps the original battery last longer due to less corrosion on the hybrid battery connections? The HID headlights failed but replaced them myself without taking the bumper off by feeling my way with my hand. They are much brighter than the originals. Went 90K with the energy saver Defender Michelin tires and replaced them with the regular Defender Michelin tires. Loss a few miles per gallon but handles better and a softer ride maybe due to new thread. The Prius is used for long trips only with an average mileage of 53 MPG. Short trips are by bike, feet and public transit all year. It’s a beautiful sports car Barcelona RED. Good sleeping camping car with a 6’ bed with great cargo capacity. Adding a portable inverter makes a 115 Volt generator for back up efficient home power with the on and off cycle of the engine. The Princess Prius is a tough survivor like the princess cat in the movie “The Incredible Journey”. The beautiful large dash display is ahead of its time with sharp graphics like a space ship. Ran out of gas, and a whole dashboard lit up including the triangle of death (indicates serious malfunction - do something now!). Fortunately filled up 1/2 mile away before the battery became too low. Never again!!
It’s an adventure reliable stealth vehicle that slips through the air quietly! The best smooth styling of all the model years. Definitely a incognito James Bond vehicle with secrete abilities never to be underestimated. So watch out!!! In time, it will become a classic antique with appreciating value.

[PopeBenedictXVII]

Love my Gen 2 Prius. Never ceases to amaze me. I mean, I just found out yesterday about the secret drawer in the front. It's a car that keeps on giving.

[nathanhatcher]

Im glad to see some support for 20 year old prius! They are such a jewel even with high mileage! Im retired hybrid tech own several myself and have been enjoying hybrids prius for over 24 years!

[thearchivist]

Great info. Just picked up a 2004 with 135k miles. Two owners. Completely clean record. So glad to have a reliable car.

[RphC_mo]

You definitely know you're stuff! I've owned my 06 Prius for 10+ years and it has been the GOAT of cars for sure. Even more reliable than my 99 Land Cruiser that I owned for 14 years. Just amazing, I recommend a Gen2 prius for anyone looking for cheap, reliable, transportation.

[crooner]

My 2008 is at 290k miles and runs like a champ. After 15 years I replaced the hybrid battery with a Toyota OEM at a great price from my local dealer. I replaced it myself. My son replaced the original fuel injectors. It recently passed smog. I agree it's the best car ever made!

[asedeyhot]

I drive one for the past 3 years and still showing people daily how different it is on the inside

[sohailrabani]

For true fact i own 3 of these..2 of 2004 and one 2007 and 4th one is 2010 these are some serious built vehicles to last with owners life span..as a diagnostic tech i totally agree with your every single word you layed out for these vehicles..cheers

[williamquemuel]

When you add a GromAudio VLine2 unit to 2nd gen Prius (w/ Nav), this adds CarPlay and more to my Prius extending the functionality. I was able to use Roku stick with this unit meaning that I can watch Netflix or Prime Video on my screen. I can also add YouTube video as App to the Grom and watch video. It took 2 hours to install without any splicing. It has custom harness. I was able to pair a wireless keyboard with the VLine so that I can type in searches on the YouTube app faster than the online keyboard. VLine2 unit only works on 2nd gen Prius that has a NAV unit. That is because the custom harness was made for that Prius trim. The VLine unit allows for a mouse via USB port. I use HDMI input port and the 2nd USB port for my Roku stick. It has HDMI output port for backseat headrest monitors. The VLiine unit can cast to smart monitors if you can have smart TV/monitor. It allows for a front or rear camera using a Grom accessory harness. I don’t know if it would work for a side camera. This was the best update for 2nd gen Prius using the existing Prius hardware.

[madiemic]

We have a 2005 and a 2008. Both needed front struts and the 2008 needed the inverter water pump replaced. Otherwise they’ve been amazing. My son drove the 2005 without oil twice (forgot to refill it when he changed the oil) and it’s still running. It’s really bulletproof.

[ronniebrown]

Great review. Just bought one. A silver 2004. So i am pretty new to the club🎉

[dcjzohr]

I got a 2004 Gen2 Prius... baby blue color :( Bought for $5k at 35k miles.
225k miles, original everything just about. MFD repair ($250), tires, fluid changes, sparkplugs, 12v battery are about the only expenses.
Using Torque, all 14 pairs of NiMH batt blocks are all within 0.1v min/max of each other.
I just did my brakes... they were original factory brakes....inside pad prob had another 30k on it, but did pads/rotor and rear shoes (which had lots of material left)
Also replaced headlight lenses 10yrs ago due to hazing. Today, they still look new.
I does burn oil unfortunately.... about 1/3qt per 5, 000miles. ha ha (I change every 5k-ish with high-mileage Mobile1 past few years.
46-55mpg avg... depending on if I'm 60mph or 80mph.

rock on you Prius just don't camp in left lane, with blinker on, please!!!