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2012 Prius C with high mileage, or older Prius with lower mileage?

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Brittany R, Sep 17, 2014.

  1. Brittany R

    Brittany R New Member

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    Hello, I am looking to buy a Prius, and recently I have come across a 2012 Prius C for $12,999 which sounds like a decent deal until I noticed the mileage. In its short life it is already at 107,000. I was hoping to gain some advice from established Prius owners. As far as reasonable longevity of the car, would you opt for an older model with lesser miles (ex, 50,00-80,000) or a newer model with high mileage?
     
  2. robertmaria

    robertmaria Member

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    wow,, great deal. make sure itz been maintained. and YOU make sure that includes changing ALL the fluids for sure. i would personally put aside $5,000 in reserve (or have in available credit) for any surprise repairs like a transaxle failure.
    ps you could buy a new YARIS instead,,, same car
     
  3. cary1952

    cary1952 Member

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    depends on how many miles you plan to put on it per year. its hard to find a good deal on a used prius, and I am not sure you have found one especially if it is being sold by a dealer.
     
  4. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    That's kind of an open-ended question, but I'd probably lean towards a base model G3 for 13 thou.

    I'm sure that the C-model will hold together for something like another 50K even if the previous owner trashed it, but I'd be looking to see if the maintenance records are present and whether or not there was any fire, flooding, famine, pestilence, or civil unrest in this car's recent past.

    If this is a dealer car, ask to see the documentation that they pulled when they took the car in on trade, including Autocheck and Carfax.
    If they baulk.....you walk!
    Either they're lying and they're hiding something, or they're morons and they take cars in on trade without investigating the vehicle's pedigree.

    Typically dealerships have a subscription to CF and AC.
    13 large will almost get you into a new hatch.
    I'd have to be convinced that a C-type that retails for $19,000 would be worth $13,000 two years and 110,000.

    MAKE them convince you.

    Good Luck!
     
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If it was a 2011 prius with 50k and a close price i would go for the 2011. If it was a 2010 with 80k then no. So it really matters what car is the alternate.
     
  6. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    [Moderator Note]
    I moved this thread from the Prius v forum to the Prius c forum.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! all the wear and tear is due to miles, not years. i would opt for older with lower miles, all the best!(y)
     
  8. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    That much mileage in such a short period of time, like others have said, make them show you the maintenance history behind it, and make sure there wasn't anything funny on it. I'd probably lean more towards mileage than age of the car, at least if it's under 3-4 years. But with prius, it's a toss up, because they're generally reliable cars, but can break down too if the owners treat them badly (press hard on the gas, brake hard, don't follow maintenance).

    Honestly though, I'd just get a new c for a few thousand dollars more, or at least a lower mileage used one. 107k is a lot for a car that's only about two years old. You'll have to pay more upfront, but at least with a new car it won't have a "history" behind it, aside from what you make with it. I've owned a 2012 c four since March 2013 and no issues with it and only about 20k miles on it (but yes, I've recently bought a liftback five and sold the c to my brother, hence why I don't have a c under my name).

    Plus they may be offering incentives on the 2014 c's, such as 0% for 60 months, and if you shop around you may get a good deal on one, especially if you can make the dealerships try to underbid each other.
     
  9. Brittany R

    Brittany R New Member

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    Thanks for all of your helpfulness. I went to the dealer and test drove it, and it seems to drive fine and the car fax shows regular maintenance with no accidents. Apparently it was a leased car before. I'm assuming the price is what it is because for one, its a light blue color which perhaps isn't so popular, and likely because the mileage will scare people away. I have not made a decision yet, but I think I'm going to keep shopping. 107K on a car so young has me skeptical of its past.
     
  10. hunterisgreat

    hunterisgreat New Member

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    I bought a 2013 Prius C two with 10,500 on it last week for 16,500. With 100,000 mile warranty for everything. And bought it from a dealership. Seems like you could finder a better deal based on my (short) experience
     
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  11. robertmaria

    robertmaria Member

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    after more research on transaxles, i think you should walk away from this one,,, a NEW TRANSAXLE is probably going to be a high risk on 107 k miles in two years. offer them $5,000 less upfront so thatz 13-5 = $8,000 total. or walk,,, go buy new.
     
  12. fermuscolo

    fermuscolo Member

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    I bought a Prius C 1 with 7400 miles for U$S14900 six months ago and Im very happy. Car is like new. You can find a better deal.
     
  13. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

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    You don't say what the trim level is, but that price is way too much for a C with that mileage, even a trim level 4, and especially with a battery warantee that just ran out. If you have the car fax, you should know if it's been replaced. If Yes, and it's a 4, then the price is more reasonable, but still a bit high. If No , then it's way too high.