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2007 Prius - Should I buy?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by sdrocker, Jan 27, 2015.

  1. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    Looks nice...but that's a lot more miles...still need service records..certainly gives you options and bargaining power.
     
  2. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thanks, what price should I offer.. the person had said 6500 is the lowest she would be willing to take.. this was a couple days ago...
     
  3. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    Not qualified to say...you're in the best spot to gauge that. You have knowledge of the local market, supply and have been doing the shopping.
    It seems you're in the ballpark - nothing here looks outrageous nor a ridiculous bargain. Just do your research with KBB and other sources, shop carefully, make sure what you're getting and offer what you think is fair. Be prepared to walk because you will see more and more.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you looked at any other cars besides the tucson?
     
  5. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    yes i drove the black prius yesterday... it was ok minus just getting used to it... im desperate right now.. ive had to take a lot of time off work.. the guy with the black prius says he has to go to class but is free tomorrow morning and will have the lock then for the wheel...
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i mean like honda's other toyota's and etc. your paying a premium for a hybrid.
     
  7. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    to be honest. i had a chevy astro van that i liked... but since im buying something else, nothing really interest me.. my other car is a 53 Chopped Hot rod so im kinda having trouble with newer cars and liking them... the Prius at least has a cool idea of being low on gas and better on the environment.. i would like the black one and put stickers on it a bit with bands that I like just to personalize it some more.
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    leather can denote a higher package, or it could just be an aftermarket add on. you need more info, but i realize you're in a time squeeze. you're gonna add 50k, so 210k when you are done. it could be fine, but there are 3 or 4, four figure repairs that could go wrong, unless you can do serious diy.
     
  9. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thanks the lady said $6500 is the lowest for the one with 163k miles.. i took the train back to work... i may just drive my 53 chevy hot rod the next day or two... the one with the black prius for $6800 with 109k finally responded and told me tomorrow morning would work and that he would get the lock for the wheel.

    I can do some serious DIY.. i have done some hotrod type work and have hands on experience with electrical and soldering etc.
     
  10. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    If you're ready to get your hands dirty, and you have the tools, you can get most of the knowledge you'll need right here. These guys (myself excluded) got it goin' on.

    So, get a good look at what you're going to buy and be confident in your ability to fix whatever might break.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you're comfortable replacing the inverter, or transaxle or battery, chasing down throttle body/maf sensor/injector problems, you can buy a prius with any mileage, no worries!(y)
     
  12. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    I have a gen 2, 2006 and new 2014.. I would grab the black one. You will be very happy with it. Hal
     
  13. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Whatever car you get consider:
    Car Fax report
    Hit up Avi (PC member and an independent Prius shop owner/mechanic) in Inglewood, CA, for a vehicle inspection; Hybridfix.com
    CARB warranty on the battery is 10year/150K miles, from service date (date of 1st sale). Washington State is "worthless" CARB, as they adopted the emission standard, but not the longer warranty.

    You could update your profile w/ So Cal.
     
  14. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    He said the black one originated in Texas so I think that nixes the CARB warranty.
     
  15. brucebee

    brucebee Junior Member

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    fwiw sd is great place to own prius not too hot/cold ATC batts and everything else should last.. that was a good price for socal. OO offered me a prius that I just didnt want to buy.. So glad I did. If anyone knows a good private shop in sd/northsd area let me know. 3yrs ago bot an 04 loaded w/about 105k for 8k. 165k now just basic stuff.. 00 serviced at dealer.. black ouch
     
  16. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thank you. I saw the black one on the lift from underneath and it looked ok but I didnt have a mechanic look at it closely.. I'm desperate so I think its a risk worth taking. I drove it and it felt ok.

    I will get the vin and do a car fax tonight or early in the morning if he returns my text with the vin number.

    I hope with 5 years expectation and 109k, i wont have to do a transaxle.. the battery sounds like something i can do though. not sure on injector or other things... i budged $2500 for maintenance in the 5 years i would own the car.. does that seem ok? if so I can still make out ok given the gas savings.
     
  17. brucebee

    brucebee Junior Member

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    with black you should be able to tell if any bodywork done. the plastic underneath 04 was abused on my prii. test drive. wish i could recommend mechanic but cant. all fluids look good? you own a hotrod so you must know some about cars. if it is a good deal wont last long.
     
  18. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Since it seems you are set on getting the 109K mile black Prius, I would personally do the following before money is changed and you get the pink slip:

    1) Car Fax comes back clean.
    2a) Read the following thread in its entirety! You will understand how, where, and why, water sometimes enters.
    Water filling driver side floor pan. | PriusChat
    2b) Remove spare wheel and 12V battery to look for evidence of water.
    2c) Look for hairline cracks in rear hatch hinge area. Esp, area near and under the black rubber roof moulding.

    If you decide to buy the car, do the following maintenance ASAP:
    1) Assuming transaxle ATF-WS was never drained/filled, do it. Consider getting a strong magnetic drain plug (Goldplug) for the transaxle.
    2) Coolant for engine and inverter loops should have been drained/filled at 100K miles. If not, do it.
    3) If struts/shocks never replaced, do it. All necessary parts for a complete front strut and rear shock replacement ran me $330 (8-2014), using KYB parts from Amazon, and OEM parts from Camelback Toyota on-line. Labor was free b/c DIY. Local Dealership labor would have alone cost $1000 or $800; parts would have definitely been well past $330.

    If $ is tight, do these by the 120K mark:
    1) Water pump belt.
    2) PCV valve.
    3) Complete brake system flush. The brake system supposedly has a little over a gallon of brake fluid.

    EDIT:
    New HV Battery from Camelback (Phoeniz, AZ) currently runs $2,174.48 w/ core exchange. You would have to pick-up, as it seems dealers no longer ship the HV Battery. However, there are a few local dealers who have an online site, and might beat/match: Carson, Hollywood (or N Hollywood), and San Bernardino. New battery would give you the best service life vs a rebuilt.
     
    #38 exstudent, Jan 28, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2015
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if the car is clean with decent service history, i think you'll be fine.
     
  20. stonerider

    stonerider Member

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    I'm in San Diego myself as well. I bought 2 Priuses last year, one in August and another one in November, both are 2007. I drive the Green one and my wife drives the other one, Silver. Green Prius has about 94K miles now and the Silver one has about 109K. I paid $9000 for the Green and $8000 for the Silver. I bought from private sellers on Craigslist. Both Priuses were serviced at local Toyota dealer. I'd stay away from sellers who only want to meet at public places; my sellers both invivted me and my wife into their homes once we agreed on a price and I showed money.