Anyone have experience with a 1st gen prius?

[rich4rdee]

A recent acquaintance has offered me his 1st gen prius for $1000. I've driven a 2nd gen Prius and hated every aspect of it besides the MPG and range. It's ugly, not that comfy, the power delivery is nonexistent, and the switching between the gas and electric motors while driving feels very scary to me.

With that said, I've been driving my E30 for 5 years now and love every minute of it. I don't plan on ever selling it. However, she's approaching 170k, and I don't have the time, tools, or workspace to properly perform the required maintenance. Each semester I've been using some of my student loans to ensure the necessary parts are replaced, but I feel that DDing an E30 for my <2 mile round trip to school every day is too hard on a 25+ year old car.

Now, about the Prius:
pros:
~125k miles
clean title
original paint
exterior seems really good except for a dent in the door
cold a/c
cloth interior is free of rips or smells
4 new tires
rear battery (non-main?)

cons:
Christmas tree lights on the cluster (check engine, battery, some others)
main battery going out?
flickering LCD


My main concern is that he says the main battery pack is going out. He says he was quoted $1700 to fix it and that he needs some special permit to buy the battery? If that'll keep the car running for a super long time I don't mind spending that much to fix it.

The owner is a friend of a friend. He's getting a 2002 X5 with 140k because he says he's sick of the Prius. (lol) I advised him against this, but he insisted that he wanted to sell it and he'd take $1000 for it. Like I said, I'm not rich, but if this car will last I'd much rather beat this up on the daily instead of my baby. What should I do?

[Wh33lhop]

Get a bike.

[Cabriolet]

The real question is do you like taking loads up the butt?
If you can answer yes, then buy it. But, if you like being cool you will get a TDI and get better mpg.

[jalopi]

Get a bike.

+1, i'm assuming "the swamp" is florida or something, that's pretty much year-round motorcycle weather.

the bike will serve you much better as far as gas mileage/reliability goes, you can park it ANYWHERE -and- ladies <3 motorcycles

[Wh33lhop]

A bicycle. Get a bicycle.

[rich4rdee]

I'm 28 years old...I've definitely considered a bike, but local EMTs around these parts call them "organ donors." Also, my mom would kill me if I got a motorcyle. :(

I own a bike and would love to ride it. Unfortunately, the roads near my university are extremely dangerous for bicycles and pedestrians. No lie, while driving to/from school I see a pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a car probably 2-3x a month.

[rich4rdee]

+1, i'm assuming "the swamp" is florida or something, that's pretty much year-round motorcycle weather.

the bike will serve you much better as far as gas mileage/reliability goes, you can park it ANYWHERE -and- ladies <3 motorcycles

Riding a motorcycle in daily summer thunderstorms seems terrifying to me.

[UlrichFennec]

I'd advise just getting a VW diesel.

At least you wouldn't get made fun of.

[fiveightandten]

I'd be embarrassed to be seen in a 1st Gen Prius. But all other things aside, don't daily drive a car you hate. It's a miserable experience. I'm all for having a fun car, and leaving the DD duty to something practical and economical. But driving something you're miserable in just plain sucks.

[Staszek]

I agree with everyone here, the Prius will be an expensive problem and it's ugly. Golf or Jetta Diesel is the way to go.

[rcsoundn1]

Get an old honda, cheap and runs forever.

[iXerces]

Is walking and/or public transportation not an option?

[stonea]

I'm ashamed that a e30 owner would even consider a Prius.

[jalopi]

Riding a motorcycle in daily summer thunderstorms seems terrifying to me.

http://www.froggtoggsraingear.com/Motorcycle.shtm

i DD'd a bike [from henceforth i will refer to motorcycles as bikes] for almost two years.

riding in the rain without any sort of rain gear sucks major balls

riding with isn't particularly pleasant, but it's leaps and bounds more pleasant than driving a prius in any weather condition

bikers have a different term for organ donors - they're called squibs. the EMT comment isn't exactly untrue, but only applicable for a certain brand of people that ride everywhere like they're in a moto GP. since you're 28 you've [hopefully] stopped driving like you were 16 at least 5-6 years ago (you know exactly what i'm talking about, we're the same age)

the point is that you're probably old enough that you've got a level head on your shoulders and that you won't kill yourself riding a bike. just gotta watch out for the other drivers...

[rich4rdee]

Is walking and/or public transportation not an option?

I've taken the bus several times. I don't mind it at all, but it takes about 45 minutes to get to class vs 7-8. It also rains here frequently in Tampa, and I sometimes have equipment I bring with me to school, so definitely don't want that getting wet.

I'm honestly not even in the market for a car. The opportunity presented itself and I thought it might be a good deal for a cheap, reliable set of wheels. (I thought $1000 for a 100% running Toyota with a/c was definitely worth $1000?) I'd love a TDI or Prelude, but would probably spend at least 3-4k for a decent one in the area.

I planned on perhaps storing the 325is in my parent's garage (which is only an hour away) until I'm finished with college, but it'd definitely be hard driving a Prius over this: