Buying A Used Prius

[thisisrichard]

Hi Everyone!

My previous car (a 4Runner) was totaled, unfortunately, so I'm in the market for a Prius. I'm looking to buy used and was wondering if anyone had any advice on anything, like year, model, etc. My current specs I'm looking for are:

2006-2008
<40k miles
$22,000

I hear that buying a used Prius outside of the original manufacturer's warranty can be troublesome because of the repair costs in the future. Something having to do with the technology and the cost to fix it is higher than a normal car. Is there any truth to that?

Any difference between certified used and used?

What about buying from a private seller?

As you can see, I'm a total newbie to this! Please help! I am excited, however, to be the owner of a Prius.

Thank you!

[eaglesight333]

I would recomment lowering your price value. You could almost get a 2010 II for 22,000. I would blue book the value of an 06-08 to see what you should be paying for one.

[HeyVern]

Originally Posted by thisisrichard

Hi Everyone!

My previous car (a 4Runner) was totaled, unfortunately, so I'm in the market for a Prius. I'm looking to buy used and was wondering if anyone had any advice on anything, like year, model, etc. My current specs I'm looking for are:

2006-2008
<40k miles
$22,000

I hear that buying a used Prius outside of the original manufacturer's warranty can be troublesome because of the repair costs in the future. Something having to do with the technology and the cost to fix it is higher than a normal car. Is there any truth to that?

Any difference between certified used and used?

What about buying from a private seller?

As you can see, I'm a total newbie to this! Please help! I am excited, however, to be the owner of a Prius.

Thank you!

Yes, eaglesight333 is right, lower the price you are willing to pay. Craigslist shows a 2008 with only 1000 miles $15,900 (private seller) in Charlotte, NC. You should be able to find similar deals in your area. Private seller will almost always be $2,000 -$3,000 less.

[Muhahahahaz]

I was able to get a certified used, fully loaded (all options, incl navi and leather) 2007 Prius with 35k miles for just $20k, so your specs are definitely doable.

I definitely recommend buying certified used from a dealer. That means you'll still have a warranty (for 7 years from the ORIGINAL date it was sold as NEW).

[Muhahahahaz]

Originally Posted by eaglesight333

I would recomment lowering your price value. You could almost get a 2010 II for 22,000. I would blue book the value of an 06-08 to see what you should be paying for one.

Yes, but that would be the base model.

I'd rather pay ~$20k for a used Prius (as I did) and get all the options, than max out my budget just to buy a new Prius II with none of the options I want.

Apples to apples, please!

[thisisrichard]

Yes, I'm looking at getting a nicer, older model, than the base 2010.

I will definitely look at getting the Toyota Certified car.

Also, when it comes repairs, how's the Prius hold up? Is it super-expensive?

[reverai]

Originally Posted by thisisrichard

Yes, I'm looking at getting a nicer, older model, than the base 2010.

I will definitely look at getting the Toyota Certified car.

Also, when it comes repairs, how's the Prius hold up? Is it super-expensive?

The Prius holds well..it has much few parts than a non-Prius which helps and it is of course a Toyota. And generally, repairs are costly compared to non-Prius's. Now, one can purchase a warranty that can cover just about everything for up to 125000 miles with the best price for these are available on this web site. A Toyota Certified Prius comes with 3000 miles and 90 warranty as I remember with my Prius.
Good Luck...

Steve

[thisisrichard]

One more question!

Anyone have any success with buying a used rental vehicle? I'm seeing a few of those at around $2000 less than non-rental vehicles.

Thanks!

[phdchp]

Originally Posted by thisisrichard

One more question!

Anyone have any success with buying a used rental vehicle? I'm seeing a few of those at around $2000 less than non-rental vehicles.

Thanks!

Two months ago, we purchased a 2008 with 32k miles for $17k as a certified preowned vehicle from Toyota. It has most of the goodies: backup camera, stability, traction, and limited slip. It does not have GPS. So far we are very pleased. We have driven it about 3k miles with no problems. We are averaging about 46 mpg and have had two tanks over 50 mpg. It was very clean and appeared to be well maintained. The exterior was in really good condition except for a few small marks on the hood from rocks. The interior was in really good shape. I am hoping for a long pleasant relationship. We did have leather installed. The cloth interior was in good shape but we felt in the long run the leather would hold up better with grand kids. We plan to make many trips to see the grand kids in it.

[Gutsy]

I was loooking for a used Prius for my son online and I found a 2008 fully loaded grey package 6 online with low mileage. The ad says it sustained upper front end damage (hood , right/light, radiator support replacements). All was fixed by a certified body shop. The title is reconstructed, the car passed state inspection. It looks great in the pictures. The ad says the car is no longer under warranty. Would an accident similar to this one void a toyota 3 year warranty? If I purchased this car for my son, could I get a warranty from another source?

Thanks!