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2007 Prius - Should I buy?

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

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  1. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thanks that is helpful... but I need a car this week... latest friday would be ideal...

    the 2004 black prius for $5600 with 177k miles sounds risky to some... the 2007 grey prius with 163k for $6500 might be a better bargain.. but who knows.. they were asking more for that one originally and the lady said $6500 was the absolute lowest she would take.
     
    #81 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  2. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    I also need to find something locally in SD
     
    #82 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Long thread...
    Lots of replies.

    I haven't read them all.

    But in general, it looks like you are considering older, high mileage Prius at a price point below $7000?

    I think in that market, you can mitigate risk, but there is no way to eliminate it. $500 dollars more? $500 dollars less? $1000 dollars more? $1000 dollars less? 10, 20 thousand miles more or less on the odometer? Very hard to determine in comparison which vehicle might be best.

    I HATE to say it? But if you're not just mindlessly devoted to owning a Prius, you might be better off in the price range in which you are seeking a vehicle in postponing your hybrid experience.
     
    #83 The Electric Me, Jan 28, 2015
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    If you want something that *looks* like a Prius you might consider a second generation Honda Insight.

    Nope, too expensive
     
    #84 css28, Jan 28, 2015
  5. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thank you. Yes I am looking for a car that will last 5 years and for under $7,000 and that may need in the range of $2500 to $3000 in maintenance.. I'd be ok with spending $3500 on maintenance for the 2004 prius with 177k miles but im not sure that is even close to reasonable.

    I thought with the gas savings I could make a prius worth while. I would put 10k miles per year but I may even consider the once a month trip to a farther location in southern ca just to make myself go on trips.
     
    #85 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  6. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thanks I looked and I dont see anything under 7000 that is newer than 2002.
     
    #86 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  7. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    So just to be clear $5600 for a 2004 prius with 177k isn't really a good idea right? i can tolerate $3500 repairs over 5 years... otherwise ill keep taking the bus and thinking
     
    #87 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  8. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I hesitate to give advice in the situation you are in, because in my life, I've purchased used cars in the price range/age you are looking. And there is always risk. You could buy a Prius...and have it need a LOT of maintenance...you could purchase something else? And also have it need a lot of maintenance.

    I know that doesn't help you.

    I guess my feeling is, that if you aren't much of a maintenance DIY'er? And budget is an issue?

    Well I own a Prius so obviously I like them. But..I think there is more risk in potential maintenance cost in a older Prius than perhaps a standard ICE vehicle that might be newer, with less miles---even though that is no guarantee.

    I would think, if the vehicle is in decent/good/great shape to start? That $3500 dollars in available maintenance budget would be a reasonable safety net. But hybrid repairs can add up quickly. A HV battery could take a large sharks bite out of that quickly.

    My instinct says...go with as nice a ICE vehicle as you can afford.

    My Prius brethren can now crucify me.
     
    #88 The Electric Me, Jan 28, 2015
  9. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thank you I am pretty hand overall... It's tough... I've looked on craigs for other cars.. it's a risk but not sure what i should do. I dont like most newer cars and the dark prius' with tinted windows look ok to me.

    im almost wanting to take the risk on the 2004 prius for $5600. i would spend more on gas for a different car that i liked more aesthetically.
     
    #89 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
    The Electric Me likes this.
  10. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    #90 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  11. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Aesthetics are expensive.
     
    #91 css28, Jan 28, 2015
  12. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    I'm basically just at a crossroads in my life and i could even get a newer prius in a couple years when i figure things out.

    I'm thinking I should just take a risk and get the 2004 prius with 177k for $5600 or the 2007 with 163k for $6500.

    i dont know what is a better bang for the buck. i was already factoring in a battery for $1500 witin the next couple years.
     
    #92 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  13. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    yes.. for under 7k.. the only thing i like without crazy mpg is a black prius... i guess i have issues. i could buy a mid 60's c-10 hot rod truck but mpg would be awful
     
    #93 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  14. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Here's another thought.. because im so desperate.. maybe i can get the 2004 with 177k for $5600 and sell it in a year for $5000.... and then get a newer one with more time.. i just need something now ... i guess it doesnt need to last 5 years....


    Or I can get the 2007 for $6500 and sell it for $5800 in a year from now.

    Is this even too risky to try?

    I will have more savings next year, also im selling my house so i will have more cash to play with next year.
     
    #94 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  15. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    I wonder if I bought it for $5600 and sold it in a year for $5000 if its a worthy risk.... i just need something real soon. i could play with more cash next year. i could tolerate 1-2k of repair if something goes wrong horribly with this risk
     
    #95 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  16. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    Buy the cleanest of the two! Check them out as you did the black one. The women is probably honest?. A 2004 is new as far as gen 2 goes. 2007 will be more refined. H
     
    #96 HaroldW, Jan 28, 2015
  17. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    The 2004 is the oldest Gen 2.
     
    #97 css28, Jan 28, 2015
  18. sdrocker

    sdrocker Member

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    Thanks, assuming they both looked ok...

    should i go with the 2007 for $6500 to be safer and hopefully take less risk in 1 year time and sell if for $6k in one year from now?
     
    #98 sdrocker, Jan 28, 2015
  19. Eclipse1701d

    Eclipse1701d Prius Enthusiast

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    I would go with the '07. I loved mine. And they are correct, it was the 4th year of the GenII. They had three years to improve things here and there.
     
    #99 Eclipse1701d, Jan 28, 2015
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you can test drive both, and they both feel good, i wouldn't hesitate to go with either one. newer if you like newer, older if you want to save some cash.

    one thing i would do, if i could, is reset the average mpg and take them on similar drives to make sure they are getting around 50mpg. that's really about all you can do in a hurry to test operational satisfaction.
     
    #100 bisco, Jan 28, 2015
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