Lotsa salvage Prius'

jeffn · 11-18-2005, 09:16 PM

What's with all the crashed Prius' on Ebay? Seems to be an inordinate amount of salvage titles on their. Maybe that's because the uncrashed ones are not being sold off...

GreenMachine · 11-18-2005, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jeffn@Nov 18 2005, 09:16 PM
What's with all the crashed Prius' on Ebay? Seems to be an inordinate amount of salvage titles on their. Maybe that's because the uncrashed ones are not being sold off...

[snapback]157899[/snapback]

"crashed" on ebay could very well be stolen. Ebay is the perfect place to fence stolen items.

Wayne · 11-19-2005, 12:14 AM

What keywords are you using to find these auctions? I used "prius crash", "prius crashed", "prius accident", etc, and found no crashed Prii...

hdrygas · 11-19-2005, 12:19 AM

Could these be flooded Prius from the Gulf Coast? If it is too good to be true it is too good too be trlue.

tochatihu · 11-19-2005, 12:30 AM

I favor jeffn's second idea - Prius run good and people like them/keep them. But, they get crashed out of the fleet much like any vehicle. Attempts to resell under a salvage title follow.

Over time I have collected a lot of images of crashed Prius. It seems that about 2/3 are front end damage. Curious, I looked for stats at the NHTSA or someplace, where it seemed that only 1/3 of totalled vehicles are front-ended. This led me to wonder if maybe Prius drivers watch the little TV too much.

Eyes up, everybody...There are plenty of HV batteries available already and I don't need yours!

heavenleigh · 11-19-2005, 12:41 PM

I think "Salvage" Priuses are ending up on e-bay at a high rate because they are "totaled" with relatively little damage. Although many discussions here have centered on how Prius owners are (relatively) safe drivers, they cost a fortune for even a tiny accident (see the threads about the guy whose wife backed into the Prius, and the guy that ran over the street lamp during Wilma). A tiny problem costs $$$ to fix when only OEM parts can be used. This is definitely going to raise insurance rates for us, despite being safer on the road

*shrug*

Charles Suitt · 11-19-2005, 01:23 PM

<_< A "Salvage" title can result from what I'd call a "fender bender" in normal terms; however, I believe there are some warranty problems and certainly resale values with "Salvage" on a title. Thus... the lower asking and selling prices. In tracking eBay Prius postings, I see many more "Reserve Prices" on new Prii at MSRP and above than I do "Salvage" listings. A significant number of dealers post their new Prii on eBay, at a mixture of MSRP and inflated prices.

As always "Caveat Emptor" prevails. I bought my Prius on eBay with ~4,000 miles on the odometer, clear title, previously owned by a Toyota employee. I paid ~$100 below MSRP, the "penalty" being the 4,000 miles. The Prius was virtually new having been maintained by the premier Toyota Prius dealer in the area "for a Toyota employee." Wouldn't you expect the maintenance would have been excellent? After a year, I'm pleased with the Prius, no problems, just good performance. We currently have three Toyotas: '04 Prius, '96 Camry, and '88 Camry wagon.

richard schumacher · 11-19-2005, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charles Suitt@Nov 19 2005, 01:23 PM
I bought my Prius on eBay with ~4,000 miles on the odometer, clear title, previously owned by a Toyota employee. I paid ~$100 below MSRP, the "penalty" being the 4,000 miles. The Prius was virtually new having been maintained by the premier Toyota Prius dealer in the area "for a Toyota employee." Wouldn't you expect the maintenance would have been excellent? After a year, I'm pleased with the Prius, no problems, just good performance.
[snapback]158207[/snapback]

Why did the previous owner sell it?

Charles Suitt · 11-19-2005, 02:11 PM

Howdy richard schumacher

The Prius had been purchased for his 82-year-old father-in-law whose failing health resulted in death prior to enjoying the Prius. Toyota employees can purchase for their family members at a substantially discounted price. I'm confident that the Seller in this transaction made a comfortable if not substantial profit - but - I was more interested in my end of the transaction - availability (I waited 6 days) - price (I paid essentially MSRP) - condition (virtually new) - CarFax report perfect.

11-19-2005, 12:30 AM	#5
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 1,725 My Car: 2001 Prius Package: Pioneer #1 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	I favor jeffn's second idea - Prius run good and people like them/keep them. But, they get crashed out of the fleet much like any vehicle. Attempts to resell under a salvage title follow. Over time I have collected a lot of images of crashed Prius. It seems that about 2/3 are front end damage. Curious, I looked for stats at the NHTSA or someplace, where it seemed that only 1/3 of totalled vehicles are front-ended. This led me to wonder if maybe Prius drivers watch the little TV too much. Eyes up, everybody...There are plenty of HV batteries available already and I don't need yours! __________________ DAS Tochatihu, the Hopi hummingbird kachina

11-19-2005, 01:23 PM	#7
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	<_< A "Salvage" title can result from what I'd call a "fender bender" in normal terms; however, I believe there are some warranty problems and certainly resale values with "Salvage" on a title. Thus... the lower asking and selling prices. In tracking eBay Prius postings, I see many more "Reserve Prices" on new Prii at MSRP and above than I do "Salvage" listings. A significant number of dealers post their new Prii on eBay, at a mixture of MSRP and inflated prices. As always "Caveat Emptor" prevails. I bought my Prius on eBay with ~4,000 miles on the odometer, clear title, previously owned by a Toyota employee. I paid ~$100 below MSRP, the "penalty" being the 4,000 miles. The Prius was virtually new having been maintained by the premier Toyota Prius dealer in the area "for a Toyota employee." Wouldn't you expect the maintenance would have been excellent? After a year, I'm pleased with the Prius, no problems, just good performance. We currently have three Toyotas: '04 Prius, '96 Camry, and '88 Camry wagon. __________________ Charles Suitt Dallas Texas 2007 Touring Edition (Former Prius: 2004)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
salvage prius	dolphinmom	Prius Main Forum	23	12-30-2007 06:17 PM
Salvage US Computer for Japan?	randreed	Prius Technical Discussion	6	08-23-2006 10:11 AM
Newbie question: salvage bargain?	Aardvick	Prius Main Forum	40	03-25-2006 07:52 AM
What is up with ebay and salvage titled Prius's	Ghostrider	Prius Main Forum	7	03-04-2006 11:45 PM
Prius news stories from 12/1 (lotsa links)	Danny	Prius Main Forum	0	12-02-2003 07:47 AM

11-18-2005, 09:16 PM	#1
jeffn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Long Island Posts: 81 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	What's with all the crashed Prius' on Ebay? Seems to be an inordinate amount of salvage titles on their. Maybe that's because the uncrashed ones are not being sold off...

11-19-2005, 12:14 AM	#3
Wayne Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 676 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	What keywords are you using to find these auctions? I used "prius crash", "prius crashed", "prius accident", etc, and found no crashed Prii...

11-19-2005, 12:19 AM	#4
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Could these be flooded Prius from the Gulf Coast? If it is too good to be true it is too good too be trlue.

11-19-2005, 12:41 PM	#6
heavenleigh Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 52 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think "Salvage" Priuses are ending up on e-bay at a high rate because they are "totaled" with relatively little damage. Although many discussions here have centered on how Prius owners are (relatively) safe drivers, they cost a fortune for even a tiny accident (see the threads about the guy whose wife backed into the Prius, and the guy that ran over the street lamp during Wilma). A tiny problem costs $$$ to fix when only OEM parts can be used. This is definitely going to raise insurance rates for us, despite being safer on the road shrug

11-19-2005, 02:11 PM	#9
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Howdy richard schumacher The Prius had been purchased for his 82-year-old father-in-law whose failing health resulted in death prior to enjoying the Prius. Toyota employees can purchase for their family members at a substantially discounted price. I'm confident that the Seller in this transaction made a comfortable if not substantial profit - but - I was more interested in my end of the transaction - availability (I waited 6 days) - price (I paid essentially MSRP) - condition (virtually new) - CarFax report perfect.