2002 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews

surprisingly nippy and comfortable-good on gas and reliable-good heat and ac Body looks good the paint has held up well & still takes a good shine

Hi I want to buy this car if possible thank you. let me know how its working? about title and things like that.

This actually was a good car for me while it lasted. I bought the 2001 used in 2014. I was happy with the gas mileage and ease and convenience of parking and driving. All was well and good until the master cylinder went out and I was quoted 3,000-4,000 to replace it. Possibly could have got it done for less, but considering I would be lucky to get 1800 for my car on a good day, I just sold it for really cheap. Cant comfortably give this car a good review due to expense of maintenance and repairs. I also was unsure about the safety of this vehicle as it is so small. Got a used crown victoria police interceptor now. The prius may have saved me on gas, but with the high cost of they hybrid batteries should they go out and the master cylinder on the prius which would have been way less expensive to replace on another car, Im going to stay away from used hybrids from now on.

I bought this car in 2008 with 185K miles on the engine. I have now driven it multiple times across the country, from Virginia east coast to Kansas City, and it has been a dream. Catalytic converter light came on a few years after I bought it, but I never replaced it. I am just now having issues with cylinders misfiring, which could be a result of the catalytic converter going out. My gas mileage is still 40 mpg city, 35 with full AC/hwy. A/C compressor started to wear out a few years back (fixed now), and the actuator started going bad, but only after a breakin caused me to have to change the driver's side lock, handle, and window. Alarm system on it allowed me to stop two different breakins. Most reliable car I've ever owned. I don't think I will ever not own a Prius.

Two words I expected to NEVER EVER SAY was that the Prius was fun and affordable. After the hefty base price of 24,000 and going up to 35,000, we were sure to stay away. Then, about 4 years ago, we sold our trusty Honda Accord and took a gamble with the Prius. Let me just say that this car is one of the best car's I've ever owned. The ride is smooth, the technology is advanced for 2002, the car was cheap to maintain, and best of all, the car cost us only $6,000! The car was in stunning condition, only had 79,000 miles on it, and 34,000 miles later, she has only had one problem and it was a recall! I'm now selling her to get the 2005. I'm going to miss my car!

Drove the car for 14 years, to and from work, across country, everywhere, and it proved to be the most reliable car I ever owned. So reliable, in fact, that I just bought a 2016 Prius V. The car only had two repairs in 14 years, one just six months ago, when the rear struts were replaced. I recently gave it to a poor neighbor who needs a reliable car with good mileage for her job as a home health care aide in the rural county where we live. She will undoubtedly put a lot of miles on it, and I have no doubt it will be just as reliable for her as it was for me.

Fill in the blank above, but the Gen 1 Prius is great fun. There are multiple reasons to love the car, and no need to wonder why this brand continues 15 years later to dominate the hybrid market. The overall engineering design and computer integration of the hybrid system is awe-inspiring. Almost seamless transition back and forth between pure electric and engine-assisted operation. I smile when I hear people talk about 41 mpg. I averaged 54 to 65 mpg every tankful for 8 years. My girlfriend and son got as "low" as 48 mpg in Alaska on the hills to town and back. I guess their mpg results could be called the lower 48 ! I bought the car as a two (model year) old used car with 60k miles and drove until 140k miles in 8 years. 60k in less than 3 years by the original owner is a lot, and presumably were mostly highway. Reliability - Look at the brand name. Great reliability is their norm. I did have the Big Red Light (serious hybrid system problem indicator - Don't Drive) illuminate at 99,000 miles. Dealer analyzed, reset system, no charge. Hybrid system warranty was 10 yr/ 100k. Extreme cold weather caused occasional problem codes which always went away within minutes. The car preferred Florida where I had bought it. Economy - In town, it all depends on the driver. The system is great and a little effort can yield 30% to 50% better economy than EPA numbers. On the highway expect 110 mpg minus your speed; easy enough to figure, huh? (note: headwinds and tailwinds affect highway mpg at almost 1:1 ratio.) In town, anticipate the traffic and be smooth for 55 to 65 mpg. I understand that 2010 and later models have the modern equivalent of a vacuum gauge to aid in visualizing what's happening as a result of your accelerator foot technique. Not surprisingly, mine still had the ORIGINAL brakes at 140k. Driving dynamics - Frankly, it is numb. Buy a second car if you want the race car kind of fun. Used [insert little Japanese 2-seater, if you get my drift] should do it for you. Interior - the cloth interior must have had magic regenerative powers, too. Either that, or elves came and changed out the upholstery when I stored it for the winter. The folks who bought the 10 year old car from me commented that the seats and carpet looked new. I have no explanation for that. Quality shows over time,I guess. I loved the car. Just bought another 2003 with only 80k miles this morning as a present for a college student. I'm hoping she will get as many smiles from her Gen 1 Prius as I did. And write her own review, but maybe not waiting 10 years to get around to it.

I've owned this car for going on 14 years. It is the most reliable car I've EVER owned, only two repairs in 14 years. That is why I am going to replace it with another Prius, which will be the first time in my 65-year life that I have bought two versions of the same auto. I see no need to even consider another car.