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Buying Used Prius Agonizing over Details : }

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by daisy555, Aug 11, 2015.

  1. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Thank you so much for being so kind! Everyone here is being so helpful.

    I do have one local friend of a friend who said he would help me negotiate price if I get stuck but he's pretty busy.

    I will need to beg another busy guy friend to come with me to a private seller test drive. He's not into cars and actually called me when he needed help buying his Subaru years ago. Ha! He would be coming along for safety...all those scary stories about craigslist freak me out a bit.

    I'll email you when I have further questions. I feel silly having posted so many details here but I suppose someone else in my position will learn from my questions too.

    A huge thank you again!
     
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  2. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

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    Don't feel bad, I'm sure you probably know something that I'm clueless about.

    I taught auto techs for several years. There are no Stupid questions. Only the questions you didn't ask. JTM
     
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  3. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    : ) Good point. Thanks!
     
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  4. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

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    The pics are good. Not bad, Kumho Solus tires, made in Korea. The one left front fender looks weird. Is that a reflection?

    I would drive it, good pick Daisy. Dimgs and dents really don't matter. I was following a dump truck pulling a flat bed trailer. Two rocks got my hood to The Right of the Toyota symbol. The hood is aluminum, it will never rust. I say it gives it character (j/k).
     
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  5. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Oh gosh...I would have been so upset! My windshield was hit by a rock from a truck recently.

    My eyes went to front fender immediately too! Looks almost like it was repainted but could be reflection. This is why I was asking if dealer can test for bodywork repairs. Don't they use a special device? My Vibe fender is slightly duller finish than hood but supposedly original.

    I haven't seen car in person yet. I get as many details from a distance and then coordinate test drive. Only a couple of cars have shown up close by. I usually move pretty quickly but sometimes timing just doesn't work. I've even started calling about cars that are listed a couple thousand out of my price range so I don't miss out on another good deal. Some of the doc fees are crazy!

    Thank you for checking out photos!
     
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  6. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    To JTM2955: I like your attitude "I say it gives it character" (Thinks: dueling scar in tussle with dump-truck) To daisy555: Pics look good, I'd check all the panels to see how well they "fit" i.e. how do they line up? Do the doors close easily or do you have to slam them to get them to close? Do they close with a nice satisfying "Thunk"? …or is it more like a "CLANG!" Look for signs of "overspraying" (if there have been any respraying of panels, also look for "orange-peel effect") How worn are the seats? (…are they "sad" looking?) …I'm just thinking of the things I'd be looking for! - hope this helps - Wil
     
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  7. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

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    Thanks Wil. I have another pair of dings on the back of mine, too. I moved my daughter from one side of town to the other. I used a bungee cord to hold the back door down while I drove it to her new place.

    I guess I didn't realize how tight I had that cord. When I released the tension, it came within millimeters of my eyeball. It flipped up and hit the back door leaving, again, two small dents next to the "Toyota" nameplate.

    I am like most of my breed of technician/mechanic, I would rather have a car that runs good than looks perfect.

    I did have my car Ziebarted before I purchased it. So far, no rust anywhere.
    I have had three windshields in eleven years. I blame all the construction around the town. Flying debris, rocks and one time my wife and sister-in-law swear it was a mini-meteor.

    They took my Prius to Atlanta, Ga. This was a weekend reunion. And they were on a two lane road and something smacked the windshield right where you look out of it. The insurance company was concerned but paid for it anyway.
     
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  8. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    I'm afraid of bungie cords. : )

    I figure if I buy a car that has a little ding or two, I don't have to deal with the pain of that very first scratch.

    That being said, I would have a hard time if the spot near the door handle was on driver's side. Looking at that every time I approached car would bug me. We'll see how it goes. Thanks!
     
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  9. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

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    In the words of a friend of my daughters, "You just can't have nice things". No truer words have ever been spoken. The first dent on any car makes you cringe. Then is over.

    Life goes on, it's just a dent and it proves you've been out there driving it. It's a daily driver, not a trailer queen or museum piece.
    If I had something really expensive, don't you know some idiot with NO insurance would crash into it. I get mad if I see an expired license plate. I want to yell at them, " Get off my road!"
    Most expired plate on the road? I saw one that was five years out. Think about it...


    LG G3 T-MOBILE phone ☎
     
  10. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Either Toyota dumped all their Package 1 cars in CT so Daisy could find them or the cars are being misidentified.

    The 2007 MG Package 1 has SKS & backup camera.

    The armrest looks OK. I'd take the discount but wouldn't get it recovered. I would take the seller up on the offer of two working fobs. Test both of them.

    Scratches, chips & dings happen. You are going to scratch up the door cups in no time.

    I would not do the recalls until the original part is suspect or the recall would expire. There have been reports of the original part being replaced only to have the replacement fail.

    The tires may not be on my list of replacements but if they have good tread then live with them until they need to be replaced then buy what you want or can afford.

    Yes, one does need a companion when car shopping (buying) as someone needs to drive the other car back home.

    The 2007 cars on autotrader now are higher mileage and priced higher. If you are happy enough with the car buy it.
     
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  11. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Thanks! Now I understand why I've seen cars with two water pump replacements.

    After all the erroneous Touring listings, I confirm package upgrades with vin# at Toyota directly. They better be accurate about package 1. As you said I can confirm VSC with dashboard light.

    Yup they dumped them all in CT just for me. I've felt that way about a few things in life. : )
     
    #151 daisy555, Sep 3, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2015
  12. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Back in the day I collected the Prius booklets every year. Makes it easy to check the package contents.
     
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  13. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    Coming back for more...

    I know it's better to buy a newer Prius with higher miles than to buy an older one with super low miles.

    Would you buy a 2007/2008/2009 with only 35K miles on it?

    I already know how to change cabin air filter and have seen how tricky it is to change head lights.

    I must be getting closer to finding my very own Prius. : }

    Thanks!
     
    #153 daisy555, Sep 6, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2015
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  14. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

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    If you get an 07,08 or 09 without HID headlamps they shouldn't be too hard to change.

    On the other hand, HID lamps are hard, at least for me, because of the way that the headlamp "buckets" are like the world's tightest pickle jar.

    I removed my headlamp buckets after I broke the ear on one of those jar "lids". I did get them open but Godzilla must be tightening the lids at the end of the line. I did get the bulbs changed, took about two hours with a couple of coffee breaks and once to bandage my hand.

    35k miles? Where has this jewel been hiding? It's not impossible, if the former owner just let it sit or had another car to drive.

    I know of three Prii, which are not for sale (yet), a 2008 and two 2009's with 1 to 2000 actual miles. They will be up for sale in 2018 and 2019.

    If you get THAT Prius, you would almost have to break it in again to get used to the way you use it.

    What does Carfax say about it? Is it one or possibly two owners? What else can you find out about it? JTM

    PS: write me,"Daisy", you are not bugging me at all.jtm
     
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  15. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    In answer to your question: "Yes! (…depending on other things)" …any Toyota with only 35k miles, is almost brand new, and is only just about run in! My old (1993) Toyota Corolla DX Wagon had 292,000 miles on the odometer and failed the NH State-Inspection due to rotten rocker-panels (sills) (…see threads passim), but the engine and transmission ran as smoothly and was as reliable as the day I bought it! Cabin-filter, ICE air-filter change is simple, head-lights are fairly simple to change, but there's a "knack", as to the blue high-lighted links, I've always assumed that was just part of a ruse to get you to click on things you don't really need to click on, but you might need to ask Danny (BossFellah of PriusChat, or someone smarter than I, for the definitive answer!) - hope this helps - Wil
     
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  16. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    I've actually found a few with really low miles and one with only 11K! Thought it was a typo until I saw the price. : } Carfax on both show pretty consistent usage throughout the years although one never knows if car was sitting around for 6 months at a time. One owner on both I think. One is officially a Touring although figures they don't know it is. I'm inquiring and watching them since you never know when another price reduction will occur like the one I missed last week.

    Keep me in mind for one of those 2009's with 2000 miles on it. They must be on display in someone's collection. : ) Hopefully won't take me that long!

    Thanks!
     
  17. daisy555

    daisy555 Senior Member

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    I tried so hard to change the drivers side (I think I'm remembering correctly) headlight in Vibe. Even with small hands I couldn't pull the plug holding the bulb. Not enough leverage. Luckily I had a coupon for free bulb and dealership forgot to charge me labor.

    I removed my comment about highlighted words because I thought the highlighting went away but it's back again. : } I initially thought they linked to posts related to each topic. That would make more sense. I'll ask one of these days.

    Thanks!
     
  18. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    "Would you buy a 2007/2008/2009 with only 35K miles on it?" If the price is right. I would prefer the lower packages to avoid the HID issues and the up to 9 year old NAV. That sounds like "Grandpa's car".

    JTM, those cars fall outside of her criteria as she wants a car still covered by the hybrid warranty. They also point out that perhaps the criteria need to be a bit more flexible.
     
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  19. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    "I'm inquiring and watching them since you never know when another price reduction will occur like the one I missed last week."

    Or the car will be worth more to someone else and it will be sold.
     
  20. JTM2955

    JTM2955 Active Member

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    Yeah, my eleven year old Prius is a "Grandpa" car except for the mileage. The internet does a good job of explaining how to replace the HID bulbs.

    My NAV does need updating, but for local addresses it works fine. I can get the update on ebay, the NAV DVD for about $25 to $35. I wasn't about to pay $350 to $400 for a tech to change a DVD. Ridiculous. JTM