Prius Questions - thinking about buying one?

The other answers you've received so far are very typical of people that have not bothered to actually do any research into hybrids, and instead just parrot the misinformation that they've heard from others.

In no particular order...

The battery in the 2001-2003 model years is warranted for 100,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first. That is not a pro-rated warranty; if it fails at mile #99,999, you get a free replacement.

The battery in 2004+ model years has the same warranty, unless you bought the car in California or one of the other states that has adopted California's emissions regulations; in that case, the warranty is for 150,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Just like any other major component in any other car, the warranty does not imply that the part will fail immediately after the warranty expires. (Does the automatic transmission in a conventional car fail at mile #36,001? Not very often. Same thing for the Prius battery; a failure at mile #150,001 isn't likely either.)

Battery replacement is under $3,000 these days, IF you happen to need one. Less, if you go the "find one in a junkyard" route.

Resale value for the Prius is HIGH (measured as a percentage of original price), not low. Talk about "suspicion and ignorance!" Sheesh.

The Prius does great on the highway. Expect 40+ miles per gallon, zooming along at 70, with the AC turned up full.

The Prius is a niche vehicle because it can't tow 5000 pounds? News flash: It's a CAR. Cars don't pull 5000 pounds. (If you want to try to marginalize the Prius as a niche vehicle, you'll have to do better than that.) Gee, I would have said that the Ford F150 is a niche vehicle because I can't park it anywhere and I have to suffer with less than half the mileage I'd normally demand.

Consumer Reports hasn't found any other vehicle that had a higher percentage of owners that said "I'd buy it again." That should tell you something.

Check with a Toyota dealer. The batteries in the Prius need to be replaced at around eight years or so. They run $4000 - $5000 and replacement of worn batteries is not covered by warranty. The Prius has never held value as a used vehicle, probably due more to suspicion and ignorance than to a problem with the vehicle itself.

You can buy a brand new Prius for around $20K.... so those prices are in line with what used ones should go for.

The biggest worry about buying a used Prius is that their battery pack needs to be replaced soon, which could cost as high as $5000.

The Prius has never held value as a used vehicle, probably due more to suspicion and ignorance than to a problem with the vehicle itself.

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What used vehicle holds value these days?

A Prius is a niche vehicle. I can't load up stuff or pull up to 5,000 LB's with it like I can with my v6 F150 and still get 18-22 MPGs doing it while seating six.

So, really, a Prius is worthless to me.

Also before buy a hybrid...take a close look at your driving habits..if you are in a city most of the time it will save you some..If you are on the highway..running the ac..it will save you very little..