Advice on Used Hybrid Car

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  kinetic9 on 25/08/2023 - 13:11

  +1

  I haven't driven all those models so I can't really compare them. I do own a 2012 Prius and like it for what it is. The interiors of Aquas of the same year felt a lot cheaper.

  I don't believe Nissan released the e-Power Note until 2017 so I'm not sure if there is a hybrid version between 2012-2014. It also works slightly differently to Toyota's system. IIRC the gas engine is solely used to charge the small battery in it and the electric motor is used to drive the car.

  Personally in that year range I would stick to Toyota, but I would say most late model hybrids now are as good as each other.

  • 

    Stoffel on 25/08/2023 - 15:29

    +2

    My mother has a used Nissan Note E-Power and it's a neat little car. She uses it mainly for her daily 12 km commute and the fuel mileage was less than 5L/100 last time I checked. As mentioned, it's a more modern car so you're probably looking at more like $15k for one of these.

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  CheapAzChips on 25/08/2023 - 13:22

  Have a 2010 Prius which has been a good car however I managed to have hybrid battery issues recently which ended up being costly. I could have got cells replaced or reconditioned or an after market battery but instead went for a new Toyota genuine through a local specialist. Cost me $4500 all up, so bear that in mind.

  I've been told (but not sure what I believe) that some Priuses last into the 300k range on the original battery, but mine lasted around 120k and while I thought hybrid batteries degraded gracefully, that wasn't the case for me. My car within a week went from fully functional to hobbling along with the engine always revving and an error message on the screen, and iirc a couple of times it simply wouldn't start until I reset the engine error code.

  Would I buy again? Probably, yes. It's a great car. But I'd want to get low mileage or be ready for the possibility of a replacement.

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  ace310 on 25/08/2023 - 13:46

  Best recommendation from your list will be prius. Widely popular, easily serviced. I have Prius Alpha 2015 and very happy with it. But again spent around $18k 5+ yrs back.

  Corrola, Camry, Prius(any model with lesser age), Nissan Note - Good
  Insight, Fit Hybrid - Stay away
  Rest not really sure.

  This is all based on feedback from friends & family.

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  RSTH on 25/08/2023 - 14:02

  +1

  Have you considered a Nissan Leaf? Full EV.

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  spam on 25/08/2023 - 14:34

  As @RSTH have said, you could consider a Nissan Leaf

  daily commute (max. 60kms /week)

  which works well for a 10-bar (full charge will give you est. of 90km - 120km range depending on your driving, e.g. motorway or hilly road) Nissan Leaf which should be in your price range and new(ish) year. $10k could get you a 2015 Leaf.

  However, may need to consider whether you can charge at home as this may be the dealbreaker as public charging is expensive (vs home charging). and perhaps insurance would be more compared to those listed hybrid models (may need to check this)

  Also won't recommend Honda's hybrid at those years. Friend mentioned that Honda of that age have CVT issues.

  • 

    ace310 on 26/08/2023 - 09:28

    Leaf is great for daily commute but OP wants to have it for occasional long trips as well.

    But EV have way less servicing and maintenance cost. Even if you have bit higher insurance. Again all depends on the preference.

    • 

      RSTH on 26/08/2023 - 09:30

      I personally have a 6bar leaf for short daily commutes (can go around 55kms on a full charge) and then a 3k petrol run about.

      I store the petrol car around the corner from our house, as we live in a small subdivision.

      • 

        ace310 on 26/08/2023 - 10:00

        Totally agree. But if someone wants all-in-one car leaf is not recommended due to short range. I have an EV & hybrid(wife's car). Since we got EV, hardly use our hybrid as a family car. Heck it's only used couple of times a month.

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  mdsl32 on 25/08/2023 - 18:12

  Toyota aquas that don't have push button start don't have immobilizers so keep that in mind

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  Grandma on 25/08/2023 - 18:20

  +1

  I bought a used honda fit 2014 which had about 150k at the time. Paid $7300 (becaue there was yoghurt in the boot, yeah)

  At the time, commuting across christchurch daily id say my fuel went from $40-50/w to about $35-40 a fortnight. It was really really good.

  Now, 3 years on, get about the same fuel economy as the ms mazda demio. I dont live in a flat place anymore and I use the car very sparingly as I have a work car and none of my trips are really long enough to get the electric going before im going up a hill.

  Maintenance wise it hasnt needed really anything out of the ordinary in the last 30k, just servicing.

  According to trademe it looks like id have no issue selling it around or just over what I paid, ami wanted to insure it at 14, so I am very happily waiting for a tree to fall on it.

  • 

    Grandma on 25/08/2023 - 22:51

    came back to this thread and dont think I mentioned it was a hybrid

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  Cheapkiwi on 25/08/2023 - 19:50

  Aqua - way easy on gas..

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  Mellyp on 26/08/2023 - 07:36

  +1

  I have a 2013 aqua and I love it. Amazing on fuel and really nice to drive. As mentioned above make sure you go push button start to help reduce chance of theft and go full insurance just in case.

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  desikiwi on 26/08/2023 - 21:19

  +1

  I did automobile engineering in india . But don't work in this field .

  I import my own cars from Japan auctions

  Aqua is cheap and you can get one with smart key it's safe to use you can't hack it to open it or in nstall immobiliser it's not that expensive 🫰ie thief is less

  Toyota Sai Lexus like very comfortable and low noise etc but more expensive

  Vitz hybrid is same engine different packaging

  Nissan note empower is not as efficient as aqua or as reliable but it has lots of features and it's fast . And has safety package

  Honda has reliability problems

  Mazda has Toyota components used in it's hybrid they are ok you can change the entire system to English in NZ easily it has good style