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Is a Toyota Prius a good first car?
For my first year of college, I wasn’t allowed to have a car on campus. But now that I’m a rising sophomore, I’m hoping to buy something cheap to bring back with me for the upcoming semester. I found a used Prius that seems in pretty good shape, but I’m just unsure about the hybrid engine. Is a Toyota Prius a good first car?
Kathryn Mae Kurlychek · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The
Toyota Prius
has the potential to be a good first car—but it’s not for every driver. You’ll want to watch out for the model year and mileage of the car you’re looking at. That’s because certain older Prius models (namely those made before 2014) have below-average safety ratings that have the potential to make it less forgiving in first-time accidents. Mileage is another concern—while it’s not the most important indicator of car health, it’s important to keep in mind how long you expect to have the car for. The average Prius lifespan is around 150,000—but in earlier models, power tends to drop off closer to 100,000.
On the other hand, the Toyota Prius is a highly economical hybrid car, making it perfect for college students on a budget! Another perk is that the Toyota Prius is
less expensive to insure
than other vehicles. Before buying any used car, it’s a good idea to have a vehicle history report done by CARFAX
or another reputable company. These reports can let you know whether the title is clean and point out any past, glaring issues with the vehicle. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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