Pre-Scam or is this for real? 2004 Prius under $5K

[newbipri]

Hi all: i put the meat of this note in another forum, but it might be too buried to get attention, so I'm putting it up in the middle of the forums.

I'm a newbi and don't want to be completely scammed, if that is the case...so i thought I'd reach out to this community to 'weigh in.'

I've driven a prius alot, as I've used a friends who goes out of town often. I've made several over-2 hour trips, and love the car.

I live in NYC, don't really need a car, and can rent (yay zip car), but will need one in the near future. As such, I have been surfing around and found a used 2004 Prius online for, hold onto your hats, less than $5K. I suspect it will last me at least a few more years, and so it might be worth it to NOT get a new one right now.

I've viewed the Carfax info that they supplied: no problem.

The seller wants to sell via ebay Safe Pay Insurer, which apparantly means, that once bought," eBay Safe Pay Insurer is responsible to insure that both parties comply to transaction requirements, both parties must submit proof of payment/delivery presented in a legal form (payment/delivery receipt) by the registered payment/delivery service used. You will have to arrange the payment to a verified agent from eBay. Ebay holds the founds untill you receive the car and also test it. As soon as you complete the payment (whereby ebay holds onto the funds) ,the shipping will start using DAS Auto Shippers." she then wrote that DAS will take no more then 3 days to arrive at your home address.(She'll pay the shipping). The selleer then offers 10 days for inspection,during this time,if the vehicle isn't like i decribed...I can return and she'll handle the return shipping."

Have any of you heard anything like this before? Am I running the risk of being scammed?
I've put more info below in case you think not, but I'm ready to buy this if it seems like the 'real McCoy."

THANKS!

NEWBiPri

The info is as follows. (though this might be less important.

INTERIOR
4-way adjustable cloth front bucket seats w/adjustable headrests
Cloth 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat w/fold-down center armrest & adjustable headrests for all seating positions
Center console armrest w/storage area & dual front/rear cup holders
Tilt steering wheel w/audio/climate controls
Central instrument display-inc: digital speedometer, fuel gauge, shift-lever indicator, odometer w/twin tripmeters, warning lights
Multi-information liquid crystal display panel w/energy monitoring, exterior temp, fuel consumption, climate control & audio status modes
Pwr windows w/driver side auto up/down, jam protection & retained pwr feature
Pwr door locks w/anti-lockout feature
Electronic rear hatch locking system
Remote keyless entry system w/2-stage unlocking, panic function, remote illuminated entry
Cruise control
Remote hood/fuel-filler door releases
Anti-theft system w/engine immobilizer
Electronic air conditioning w/auto climate control/humidity sensor/filtration
HD electric rear window defroster w/timer
AM/FM stereo radio w/CD player-inc: (6) speakers
Digital quartz clock
Dual compartment glove box
Cloth-trimmed door panels w/storage pockets & front bottle holders
Overhead console w/maplights
Dual sun visors w/driver & passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
Retractable front & rear passenger assist grips
Front & rear dome lights
Front seatback pockets
Cargo area side panel & under floor storage


MECHANICAL
1.5L DOHC MPFI VVT-i 16-valve 4-cyl engine w/integrated permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Push button start
Continuously variable transmission
Traction control
Front wheel drive
Sport-tuned suspension
Independent MacPherson strut front suspension w/stabilizer bar
Torsion beam rear suspension w/stabilizer bar
(4) P185/65R15 all-season tires
Temporary spare tire
(4) 15 x 6" aluminum alloy wheels
Electronically assisted pwr steering
Pwr ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes w/integrated regenerative brake system
4-wheel anti-lock braking system
11.9 gallon fuel tank


SAFETY
4-wheel anti-lock braking system
Front driver/passenger airbags
3-point seatbelts w/front pretensioners & force limiters
Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors
Rear seat Child Restraint System/lower anchor points & top tether anchors
Child protector rear door locks
Traction control
Side-impact door beams
Front/rear energy absorbing crumple zones
Internal trunk release handle

MILES: 62,000

[Presto]

It would help to see an actual link of the auction. Is $5k the starting price or BUY IT NOW? At that price has the reserve already been met? If it's $5k BUY IT NOW (which I doubt), then it's probably too good to be true. If it's just started at $5k with reserve not met, then the final price will be higher than $5k.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. I smell a scam.

[duanelaugh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 07:22 PM) [snapback]487673[/snapback]</div>

Hi all: i put the meat of this note in another forum, but it might be too buried to get attention, so I'm putting it up in the middle of the forums.

I'm a newbi and don't want to be completely scammed, if that is the case...so i thought I'd reach out to this community to 'weigh in.'

I've driven a prius alot, as I've used a friends who goes out of town often. I've made several over-2 hour trips, and love the car.

I live in NYC, don't really need a car, and can rent (yay zip car), but will need one in the near future. As such, I have been surfing around and found a used 2004 Prius online for, hold onto your hats, less than $5K. I suspect it will last me at least a few more years, and so it might be worth it to NOT get a new one right now.

I've viewed the Carfax info that they supplied: no problem.

The seller wants to sell via ebay Safe Pay Insurer, which apparantly means, that once bought," eBay Safe Pay Insurer is responsible to insure that both parties comply to transaction requirements, both parties must submit proof of payment/delivery presented in a legal form (payment/delivery receipt) by the registered payment/delivery service used. You will have to arrange the payment to a verified agent from eBay. Ebay holds the founds untill you receive the car and also test it. As soon as you complete the payment (whereby ebay holds onto the funds) ,the shipping will start using DAS Auto Shippers." she then wrote that DAS will take no more then 3 days to arrive at your home address.(She'll pay the shipping). The selleer then offers 10 days for inspection,during this time,if the vehicle isn't like i decribed...I can return and she'll handle the return shipping."

Have any of you heard anything like this before? Am I running the risk of being scammed?
I've put more info below in case you think not, but I'm ready to buy this if it seems like the 'real McCoy."

THANKS!

NEWBiPri

The info is as follows. (though this might be less important.

INTERIOR
4-way adjustable cloth front bucket seats w/adjustable headrests
Cloth 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat w/fold-down center armrest & adjustable headrests for all seating positions
Center console armrest w/storage area & dual front/rear cup holders
Tilt steering wheel w/audio/climate controls
Central instrument display-inc: digital speedometer, fuel gauge, shift-lever indicator, odometer w/twin tripmeters, warning lights
Multi-information liquid crystal display panel w/energy monitoring, exterior temp, fuel consumption, climate control & audio status modes
Pwr windows w/driver side auto up/down, jam protection & retained pwr feature
Pwr door locks w/anti-lockout feature
Electronic rear hatch locking system
Remote keyless entry system w/2-stage unlocking, panic function, remote illuminated entry
Cruise control
Remote hood/fuel-filler door releases
Anti-theft system w/engine immobilizer
Electronic air conditioning w/auto climate control/humidity sensor/filtration
HD electric rear window defroster w/timer
AM/FM stereo radio w/CD player-inc: (6) speakers
Digital quartz clock
Dual compartment glove box
Cloth-trimmed door panels w/storage pockets & front bottle holders
Overhead console w/maplights
Dual sun visors w/driver & passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
Retractable front & rear passenger assist grips
Front & rear dome lights
Front seatback pockets
Cargo area side panel & under floor storage
MECHANICAL
1.5L DOHC MPFI VVT-i 16-valve 4-cyl engine w/integrated permanent magnet synchronous electric motor
Push button start
Continuously variable transmission
Traction control
Front wheel drive
Sport-tuned suspension
Independent MacPherson strut front suspension w/stabilizer bar
Torsion beam rear suspension w/stabilizer bar
(4) P185/65R15 all-season tires
Temporary spare tire
(4) 15 x 6" aluminum alloy wheels
Electronically assisted pwr steering
Pwr ventilated front disc/rear drum brakes w/integrated regenerative brake system
4-wheel anti-lock braking system
11.9 gallon fuel tank
SAFETY
4-wheel anti-lock braking system
Front driver/passenger airbags
3-point seatbelts w/front pretensioners & force limiters
Adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors
Rear seat Child Restraint System/lower anchor points & top tether anchors
Child protector rear door locks
Traction control
Side-impact door beams
Front/rear energy absorbing crumple zones
Internal trunk release handle

MILES: 62,000
[/b]

Just looked and saw nothing like that on ebay!!

[newbipri]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Presto @ Jul 30 2007, 06:26 PM) [snapback]487674[/snapback]</div>

It would help to see an actual link of the auction. Is $5k the starting price or BUY IT NOW? At that price has the reserve already been met? If it's $5k BUY IT NOW (which I doubt), then it's probably too good to be true. If it's just started at $5k with reserve not met, then the final price will be higher than $5k.
[/b]

There is NO auction. Just a 'buy it now' kind of thing on a car-buying site.

[Boo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 07:47 PM) [snapback]487685[/snapback]</div>

There is NO auction. Just a 'buy it now' kind of thing on a car-buying site.
[/b]

This sounds too good to be true (although I don't know what the seller is representing as to the condition and history of the car). I'm betting that this is a SCAM --- under $5,000 for a car that should be worth around $10,000 more? FYI, the Kelley Blue Book value - private sale, for a 2004 Prius in NYC is $13,035 if it's in "fair" condition, $14,425 if it's in "Good" condition, and $15,460 if it's in "Excellent" condition.

[newbipri]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Jul 30 2007, 07:14 PM) [snapback]487700[/snapback]</div>

This sounds too good to be true (although I don't know what the seller is representing as to the condition and history of the car). I'm betting that this is a SCAM --- under $5,000 for a car that should be worth around $10,000 more? FYI, the Kelley Blue Book value - private sale, for a 2004 Prius in NYC is $13,035 if it's in "fair" condition, $14,425 if it's in "Good" condition, and $15,460 if it's in "Excellent" condition.
[/b]

These are the pics:

[attachmentid=10269] [attachmentid=10268] [attachmentid=10270] [attachmentid=10271]

[Barcelona Red Lass]

I take it the safe-pay is through Paypal, Ebay's payment service? Where is the seller and the car in relation to you, and is it close enough for you to go view it yourself?

If it was Ebay and using their systems I'd say probably its ok, as long as the sellers feedback is good. But on another site, with no references/feedback, I'm more leery.

[IsrAmeriPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(newbipri @ Jul 30 2007, 04:47 PM) [snapback]487685[/snapback]</div>

There is NO auction. Just a 'buy it now' kind of thing on a car-buying site. [/b]

Somehow, I highly doubt that eBay Safe Pay Insurer will guarantee a non eBay transaction.

How far is the car from where you are? For such substantial savings it may be worth a trip to inspect it before you turn over any amount of money to a third party.

[richard schumacher]

If it's not some kinda scam it's a salvage. Run far, far away.