Talk to me about buying an older Prius w/ some miles...

Sapphireblue · 01-12-2005, 03:21 PM

Totalled my car last month. Always joked that it'd be allowed to die of old age but not before it hit 100,000 miles. The accident happened at just under 98,000.

I have Prius envy. I also am self-employed (2+ years and doing great, but of course it's not the same as a predictable paycheck every 2 weeks). Definitely wasn't planning to have to get a new car right now, but my Prius envy is really out of control here, so I'd like to hear from anyone who's bought an 02/03 Prius with some miles on it. I'm seeing them online starting at about 15-16K for average-to-high-average mileage.

I understand the 04/05s are bigger and have full-electric AC... those both sound really nice but I can live without if we're talking about a $10K savings. Are there any other big differences between the 02/03s and the 04/05s?

For those of you starting to rack up the miles on your 02/03 Prii, how's it holding up?

I found an 02 online with 80K miles for 10K and my Prius envy is such that I would have been seriously considering it if not for some weirdness with the CarFax report ("exceeds mechanical limits" title issued when the car was 1 month old? is that even possible??). Anyone here have that many miles on your Prius? And, despite the fact that you all are probably not the most objective source :D would I be a serious moron to replace a 1997 car with 98K with a 2002 with as much as 80K?

Pixie · 01-12-2005, 05:41 PM

I can't speak to the older models other than to say that you might want to hit the NHTSA website at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/ and check out the Technical Service Bulletins and Recall notices for comparison.

As for buying a car with high mileage, you have to figure in a number of factors. How many miles will -you- be putting on it? How long do you intend to keep it? Are you planning to pay cash or is financing an option? Also, remember that the warranty will probably be expired and, while Toyota has a reputation for reliability, this is one car you can't take to just any old mechanic when it needs major work. On the up-side, resale value tends to run high.

Sapphireblue · 01-12-2005, 06:06 PM

The NHTSA suggestion is a good one, thanks.

I don't think I'll put a lot of miles on my new/old car. I work from home, do go to school part-time so that's 70 miles a week for sure, beyond that I don't get out much, as they say.

How long do I plan to keep it? Til it stops going, is my general philosophy with cars, but I've never bought a used one.

Probably will finance some of it, though can put a decent chunk down, but I guess I'm curious why this is a question of special significance for a high-mileage car specifically...

And, I'm one of those people who goes ahead and pays through the nose for the dealership to service my car already, and lucky that I live in a major metro area with several Toyota dealerships in case my closest one turns out to be a turkey.

bruceha_2000 · 01-12-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

I guess I'm curious why this is a question of special significance for a high-mileage car specifically...

Because it already has 80K miles on it so it is 20K short of the end of the Hybrid components' warranty. If you only drive it to church on Sunday, 20K goes a long time. If you commute 100 miles a day, 20K is gone in a blink That's why. :-) The 3yr/36K warranty on the rest of the car is already long gone.

If you figure to replace it when it gets to 100K, you can calculate the per mile cost (assuming no residual value) of $0.50/mile. A new '05 pkg 1 costing say $22K kept for 100K miles is $0.22/mile. However, there are a lot of balances on both sides: '05 higher insurance. If your state has personal property tax, it will be higher as well. And the finance charges! If you put down $8K on either car, you are either financing $2K or $14K. Gas will cost less with the '05, only regular maintenance costs for the first 3 years, nothing on the hybrid parts for 8. The '02 might need some replacement parts, or maybe rust work depending on where it has lived. etc, etc, etc.. :-)

Frank Hudon · 01-12-2005, 10:38 PM

we started with a used 2k1 and drove it for a trouble free year, other than a new 12Volt battery covered under warranty. It was a very dependable car and took it on holidays driving about 1/3 the way across Canada and back. 7 mountain passes and all. Then she wanted a new Prius and the 2k4's had just been released, so bought a new one. Well the mileage for the 2k4 is way worse thant the k21 so when I was going to buy one I bougth a 2k3 and it's mileage is better than her 2k4 and under the same driving conditions as I got to use the car for a month and a half so could take either one when I left for work in the morning. Would I buy a used Classic for sure, if I had a pick of years I'd take a 2k3, the hybrid electrics are more "sorted out" than the 2k1, drives smoother and no sag's or flat acceleration that sometimes occured with the 2k1. Now I'm going to get flack for saying what I did about the mileage but I have spread sheets for both since new and figures don't lie. My signature will tell all. Personally a lower mileage 2k3 with some of the warranty still intact would be worth a few dollars more and if under 36K would enable you to buy the Toyota extended warranty. First place I'd go is to your local dealer and speak to the lease manager and see if they have anything coming off lease that is to your liking, if not ask him if he can recommend another lease manager you can contact. That'll give you a local car with some history. There are a few TSB's on the Classic involving sealing on the HV battery and some to do with the steering rack but other than that it's a very reliable car.

Sapphireblue · 01-12-2005, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Because it already has 80K miles on it so it is 20K short of the end of the Hybrid components' warranty.

Oh, that makes perfect sense, and is a good way to think of it. But I was wondering specifically where finance vs. cash came in.

bruceha_2000 · 01-12-2005, 10:47 PM

Flack attack! :-) Just kidding. Maybe the 2k1 & 2k3 have better mileage than the '04 because they were/are broken in??

bruceha_2000 · 01-12-2005, 10:52 PM

The only way financing works out is if you can make more on the amount financed by investing it than the interest you pay. But you knew that. I would guess that Pixie's comment was related to that, plus 'can you afford to buy either one outright, or would you have to finance the '05 but could pay cash for the 2k2?' Interest makes the car much more expensive.

Frank Hudon · 01-12-2005, 10:57 PM

the 2k1 was used with about 30K on it and yes broken in. My 2k3 was brand new and currently has about 3K more than the 2k4. It's the first thing we noticed with the 2k4. Talk to the dealer about it and he said wait till you have about 8-10K on it. Well we have 2 TSB to get done on it so will bring up the mileage issue again but doubt he'll find any thing wrong. This is a useage issue for the most part but when I was using the car for that month and a half I was doing the same route and traffic pattern as I do with the 2k3 and was always getting better with the Classic. If Sapphireblue is going to do 70 miles a week I don't see a bigger advantage with a new Prius as either will do about a month and a half on a tank. So save some money and recycle a good used Prius. Thanks for not shooting at me

DanMan32 · 01-13-2005, 10:07 AM

Under some conditions, I could see a classic doing better than a 2K4. The 2K4 is a bigger car, with more mass, and both cars have basically the same technology. They have the same engine, thought the 2K4 has a bit more horsepower due to some tweaking. If you aren't taking advantage of the electric AC, and not using the brakes much thus taking advantage of the improved regenerative braking, then you may indeed get better mileage with a classic.

01-12-2005, 03:21 PM	#1
Sapphireblue Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 14 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Talk to me about buying an older Prius w/ some miles... Totalled my car last month. Always joked that it'd be allowed to die of old age but not before it hit 100,000 miles. The accident happened at just under 98,000. I have Prius envy. I also am self-employed (2+ years and doing great, but of course it's not the same as a predictable paycheck every 2 weeks). Definitely wasn't planning to have to get a new car right now, but my Prius envy is really out of control here, so I'd like to hear from anyone who's bought an 02/03 Prius with some miles on it. I'm seeing them online starting at about 15-16K for average-to-high-average mileage. I understand the 04/05s are bigger and have full-electric AC... those both sound really nice but I can live without if we're talking about a $10K savings. Are there any other big differences between the 02/03s and the 04/05s? For those of you starting to rack up the miles on your 02/03 Prii, how's it holding up? I found an 02 online with 80K miles for 10K and my Prius envy is such that I would have been seriously considering it if not for some weirdness with the CarFax report ("exceeds mechanical limits" title issued when the car was 1 month old? is that even possible??). Anyone here have that many miles on your Prius? And, despite the fact that you all are probably not the most objective source :D would I be a serious moron to replace a 1997 car with 98K with a 2002 with as much as 80K?

01-12-2005, 05:41 PM	#2
Pixie Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 51 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I can't speak to the older models other than to say that you might want to hit the NHTSA website at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/ and check out the Technical Service Bulletins and Recall notices for comparison. As for buying a car with high mileage, you have to figure in a number of factors. How many miles will -you- be putting on it? How long do you intend to keep it? Are you planning to pay cash or is financing an option? Also, remember that the warranty will probably be expired and, while Toyota has a reputation for reliability, this is one car you can't take to just any old mechanic when it needs major work. On the up-side, resale value tends to run high. __________________ [size=10]Excuse me while I go hug my car. 2005 Salsa Red, full bling

01-12-2005, 06:06 PM	#3
Sapphireblue Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 14 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Talk to me about buying an older Prius w/ some miles... The NHTSA suggestion is a good one, thanks. I don't think I'll put a lot of miles on my new/old car. I work from home, do go to school part-time so that's 70 miles a week for sure, beyond that I don't get out much, as they say. How long do I plan to keep it? Til it stops going, is my general philosophy with cars, but I've never bought a used one. Probably will finance some of it, though can put a decent chunk down, but I guess I'm curious why this is a question of special significance for a high-mileage car specifically... And, I'm one of those people who goes ahead and pays through the nose for the dealership to service my car already, and lucky that I live in a major metro area with several Toyota dealerships in case my closest one turns out to be a turkey.

01-12-2005, 10:38 PM	#5
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	we started with a used 2k1 and drove it for a trouble free year, other than a new 12Volt battery covered under warranty. It was a very dependable car and took it on holidays driving about 1/3 the way across Canada and back. 7 mountain passes and all. Then she wanted a new Prius and the 2k4's had just been released, so bought a new one. Well the mileage for the 2k4 is way worse thant the k21 so when I was going to buy one I bougth a 2k3 and it's mileage is better than her 2k4 and under the same driving conditions as I got to use the car for a month and a half so could take either one when I left for work in the morning. Would I buy a used Classic for sure, if I had a pick of years I'd take a 2k3, the hybrid electrics are more "sorted out" than the 2k1, drives smoother and no sag's or flat acceleration that sometimes occured with the 2k1. Now I'm going to get flack for saying what I did about the mileage but I have spread sheets for both since new and figures don't lie. My signature will tell all. Personally a lower mileage 2k3 with some of the warranty still intact would be worth a few dollars more and if under 36K would enable you to buy the Toyota extended warranty. First place I'd go is to your local dealer and speak to the lease manager and see if they have anything coming off lease that is to your liking, if not ask him if he can recommend another lease manager you can contact. That'll give you a local car with some history. There are a few TSB's on the Classic involving sealing on the HV battery and some to do with the steering rack but other than that it's a very reliable car. __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

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01-12-2005, 10:47 PM	#7
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,191 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Flack attack! :-) Just kidding. Maybe the 2k1 & 2k3 have better mileage than the '04 because they were/are broken in??

01-12-2005, 10:52 PM	#8
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,191 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The only way financing works out is if you can make more on the amount financed by investing it than the interest you pay. But you knew that. I would guess that Pixie's comment was related to that, plus 'can you afford to buy either one outright, or would you have to finance the '05 but could pay cash for the 2k2?' Interest makes the car much more expensive.

01-12-2005, 10:57 PM	#9
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	the 2k1 was used with about 30K on it and yes broken in. My 2k3 was brand new and currently has about 3K more than the 2k4. It's the first thing we noticed with the 2k4. Talk to the dealer about it and he said wait till you have about 8-10K on it. Well we have 2 TSB to get done on it so will bring up the mileage issue again but doubt he'll find any thing wrong. This is a useage issue for the most part but when I was using the car for that month and a half I was doing the same route and traffic pattern as I do with the 2k3 and was always getting better with the Classic. If Sapphireblue is going to do 70 miles a week I don't see a bigger advantage with a new Prius as either will do about a month and a half on a tank. So save some money and recycle a good used Prius. Thanks for not shooting at me

01-13-2005, 10:07 AM	#10
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Under some conditions, I could see a classic doing better than a 2K4. The 2K4 is a bigger car, with more mass, and both cars have basically the same technology. They have the same engine, thought the 2K4 has a bit more horsepower due to some tweaking. If you aren't taking advantage of the electric AC, and not using the brakes much thus taking advantage of the improved regenerative braking, then you may indeed get better mileage with a classic.