Mutorcs

Hello!
So the title pretty much says it all... I live in Switzerland and I'm looking to import a car from Germany as it is MUCH less expensive.
http://suchen.mobile.de/auto-inserat...ml?origin=PARK
It says the car has the service history but 80k miles is alot... So do you think running costs will be hell with 80kmiles? Is it worth the 20% difference in costs with a similar car from the same year that only has 25kmiles?

Clutchless

Go for the lower mileage car. You will save the difference in not having to do typical high mileage repairs such as tires, brakes, battery. Having said that, it is a Prius drivetrain and very reliable.

Raidin

I noticed you were looking at a 130,000 mile car before. That car will have had its coolant and spark plug maintenance done already, if it was maintained properly. Your 80,000 one will need both of those.

Beyond that, it's up to you and the price of the two cars. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your purchase.

Mutorcs

It's a 130000 km car
That makes around 80000miles!
When is this service you're talking about?

Raidin

Oh I see, you switched units and I didn't notice.

At 100k miles, you replace the engine coolant. At 120k miles, you replace the spark plugs.

nacke

Those sound like very minor jobs, do they really cost a lot at the dealership? Sparkplugs are right under the plastic cover, and coolant change is also easy job (like in any normal car) according to the service manual.

Raidin

I was simply pointing out that if a car had 130k miles and was properly maintained, these services would have been done, vs. a car with 80k miles, which would have needed them very soon. This of course is moot now since they are the same car.

But yes, you are correct, they don't cost much to do, but the dealer will charge a lot. I recommend an independent mechanic.

That's the nice thing about Toyota hybrids, maintenance is simple for the long term; just oil, filters, brake fluid, spark plugs, and coolants. Transmission fluid optional, but recommended.

Mutorcs

I'm nor scared of standard service prices... Because these are predictable. I'd be more concerned about reliability issues. But its seems like there are nearly none for this car

Clutchless

The folks at PriusChat can provide all you need to know about performing maintenance on this Prius drivetrain

http://priuschat.com/categories/gen-...#axzz3SbIPZSx4

I think it has 2 cooling systems, for the engine and for the inverter.

Green Hybrid also has how to do it yourself maintenance tips http://www.greenhybrid.com/forums/f59/

Mutorcs

But are services simple to do for a small garage? Because It's a pretty modern car with sophisticated hybrid technology.
I could give the car to a friend (I trust him) of mine who has a small garage if it's not too hard to maintain! That way I will save some $$$

nacke

With a maintenance manual he should be able to service it. Some things like a brake fluid change are tricky in CT/Prius, as brakes are electronically controlled.

Clutchless

You need a scanner type tool to do the coolant change as you need to activate the electronic water pump. .See the Green Hybrid link for Camry as it is the same and they have more how to do it yourself instructions. http://www.greenhybrid.com/forums/f4...-change-28565/

Given that brakes last forever on these, all you really need to do is flush the fluid and maybe service the pads/calipers every few years to make sure all is sliding correctly.

Change the transmission fluid every 50,000 miles and you are good to go. http://www.greenhybrid.com/forums/f4...-change-26791/

Raidin

The Prius C I had before my CT was serviced (after 80k miles) at a local mechanic with a great reputation. He has roughly 10 hybrid customers, so he's familiar with these cars. He's done oil changes, both filter changes, a coolant flush, and spark plugs for me. Soon he'll also do a transmission fluid change.

On my CT he's done all of that other than spark plugs and coolant since I am not there yet in miles. Seems like any good mechanic should have no problem doing any of these things.