Looking to Buy a Used Prius

I'm new to the hybrid world. I have an opportunity to buy a 2001 prius from a inner city dealer. It has 127,000 but needs a new battery. He didn't know where to buy one and is asking $1200. Body condition pretty good. Only 1 rust spot a few marks here and there. I live in racine wi and the only person I found beside a dealer, lives in Madison. He will travel to the car and put a reconditioned battery in. Any thoughts? It would be nice to find someone that knows about a Prius to take aloof at it before I buy it, but I don't know anyone. Please advice

 

welcome to priuschat! unless you have deep pockets, do not buy this car. what if you put in a new battery and it needs something else? how do you know that you can trust the seller? why don't they put in a battery if that's all it needs? sounds like a scam. you are looking at a 14 year old car that is going to eat money faster than you can print it. if you are on a limited budget, i would look for a corolla/yaris/matrix, etc. all the best!

 

Thanks for the feedback. We are not rolling in money but thought perhaps this was our chance to try the hybrid life. The dealer didn't make excuses, he just said he couldn't find someone to put in a battery. It seemed like he realized the Prius wasn't for his clientele and was over his head. We will keep looking.

 

if you want a good solid hybrid, you're going to need at least $6-8,000. depending on where you live. you want a gen II, (2004 - 2009) with less than 100,000 miles, no accidents and a complete service record.

 

I agree with bisco.