Need Opinion: Lexus CT/Toyota Prius head gasket problem that I see a lot online

pizzacooper

Hi, I have Toyota Prius 2015 and looking to get a Lexus CT. I always read the head gasket problem online. Usually have to clean EGR, etc. to prevent that.

I just want to see if people here know anything about it? I read some people opinion/comments on this topic somewhere, that it is almost if not all occur with the people in the US/Canada. I heard they say the fuel is different or something like that.

The thing is, if this is a common problem for this engine? I know in 2015 it got revise a bit, but it is not 100% sure either. I have Prius 2015 so I think I worry less. But the Lexus I am looking for sometime it will be 2011-2013. Should I really worry about it?

Extra questions: At the moment I have 2 cars in mind. Wonder which one will be better. They are at the same price before any bargain.

1. 2015, facelifted, 136k miles, sunroof, Private seller
- pro: of this car is that it is newer. The seller sounds legit (even schedule the dealership service to get the hybrid health check cert. because I asked if the car has it).
- con: the mileage is pretty high than my liking. I know people say newer car is better even if it is high mileage?

2. 2013, pre-facelifed (I prefer this look), 90k miles, dealer/garage
- pro: lower milleage. I like the look of prefacelift more. Dealer has 6 months warranty
- con: car is older, worry about head gasket issue mentioned above

To be fair if the car are both good, and I know the head gasket issue is not for the EU then I'd go for 2013 because of the lower mile. Another thing is that I don't know but I always skeptical with dealer…like I feel to catch a sketchy private seller is easier. I live in Cork so would be hard to always take the car up to Dublin if something needed in the warranty.

Thanks ahead for all the help!

Audioslaven

Lexus CT are pretty close to bulletproof and are petrol. I think you are reading about the diesel 2.2 Lexus.

pizzacooper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123327866#Comment_123327866

Hi, I pretty sure Lexus CT is only hybrid petrol. So I think the things I read from the American/Canadian CT/Prius forum are the same car here. I mean I don't know these cars head gasket problem happens to European/Irish too, but they just don't talk about it much online.

I am just torn between go with the newer year with high mileage or older with low mileage.

Audioslaven

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123328013#Comment_123328013

Yes Petrol hybrid but maybe you are reading about the lexus 220d. I just sold a 2014 reg CT last week that we had for numerous years. I have never heard or experienced head gasket issues. They are unbelievable reliable. I think if you have proof of regular servicing, then you could not go wrong with either.

pizzacooper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123328028#Comment_123328028

Is your 2014 has a facelift front bumper? Like the big "x" shape grill? because that might well be the version that Toyota fix them a bit (piston ring, etc. I am not sure). I think 142 has that, and from then on.

I know it is Lexus/Toyota in the end so reliability is probably still the best out there.

How many km was on yours before you sold it? Had you the ads on Donedeal? I looked like every day haha, I don't remember 2014 lately.

Audioslaven

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123328046#Comment_123328046

Yes it was a 142 and we had an 12 reg for a good few years before that, so I would have plenty of experience with them. There was only 126K KM on it when I sold it on…. just ran in tbh… one that got away!!!😁

User1998

Stop overthinking. They don’t have headgasket problems. They are the most reliable car you can buy. Nothing even comes close to them

pizzacooper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123328175#Comment_123328175

Yeah thanks. I am super overthinking because I am original from another country and I grew up with the likes of people saying anything 150k km and above is already high mileage. I have to get rid of that mindset because Irish drives more.

By the way, as I am a foreigner, I wonder if I just pissed the garage off without meant too. I called in for a Corolla 2020 that has 200k km. I just want to ask what was the car before that it got quite a mileage. I did say off of my tongue "was the car a fleet car, or a rental before?" You know just to make sure like nothing else. Like if I would ask if the car is damage free. But then I think the line cut off then. I tried to ring back but no one pick the phone. I suppose he thinks that I wasting his time. But I do genuinely want to know more about the car you know. Well, just for future going forward so I know what is rude and too direct. But in my defense I thought he could've said no it wasn't…Maybe a culture clash here.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123329008#Comment_123329008

Some people will say that 100k km is high mileage in Ireland as well. But in reality its nothing for Lexus or Toyota

pizzacooper

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123329025#Comment_123329025

I am not sure if you read this part (I don't blame you for that, I am really wordy). But I just thought like you seems to be selling cars, and want to know if I did something wrong. I put what I wrote again down. Thanks.

"By the way, as I am a foreigner, I wonder if I just pissed the garage off without meant too. I called in for a Corolla 2020 that has 200k km. I just want to ask what was the car before that it got quite a mileage. I did say off of my tongue "was the car a fleet car, or a rental before?" You know just to make sure like nothing else. Like if I would ask if the car is damage free. But then I think the line cut off then. I tried to ring back but no one pick the phone. I suppose he thinks that I wasting his time. But I do genuinely want to know more about the car you know. Well, just for future going forward so I know what is rude and too direct. But in my defense I thought he could've said no it wasn't…Maybe a culture clash here."

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123329037#Comment_123329037

I read it. I just have no idea about it. Your question doesn’t seem unreasonable.