1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Potential 2008 Prius Purchase Sitting for 9mo+

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by junglejim83, Oct 13, 2015.

  1. junglejim83

    junglejim83 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My landlord moved overseas and has had his 2008, 57k mile, Toyota Pius parked in the mostly shaded garage. It has all the bells and whistles and I think I might be able to get it for as low as $6000. After replacing the shot 12v, the tires, (maybe the rusted rotors & pads), the tailgate touch sensor and maybe a new key, I am probably looking at around $1000 into it, if I do some of the work myself. The reputable mechanic did not see any other things of concern upon review but he is not a Prius specialist.

    The dealer told the owner not to worry about starting the car at all, so it sat in the garage for about 9 months before it got jumped for 6 or so test drives over the last 4 months. Is there any way to check if the HV battery is still in ok shape?

    I am not in an urgent situation, so i don't need to force the purchase. However if I can move into a car that has 90k less miles (than my solid but 150k mile car), better efficiency, cheaper maintenance, for a net cost of about $3000-$4000 that would be worth making a move sooner than I planned. If the battery is in good shape, it is a great deal --- if not I would assume wait a bit and buy elsewhere. How can I tell?

    All of the posts I have found seem to be for Prius in the 6 months or less storage situation. I am looking at 13 months in storage, so your input would be very helpful. Thank you in advance.

    -Jim
     
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Would be curious as to why a dealer would recommend NOT starting a Prius over such an extended period.
    But we may never know.

    Also even though I assume your net buy in price is factoring in selling your current vehicle for $3000-$4000, I would still approach the purchase as being an initial investment of $6000-$7000, because selling your vehicle IS giving up something of value to get cash.

    So I guess the question becomes is buying a low mileage Prius that has sat for 9 months with limited test drives in 13 months a wise purchase?

    I'd be concerned about a HV battery that has sat with no activity for at least 9 months. But I don't think it's necessarily a death bell. It might be OK.

    But something I say to ALL Prius owners-Past Battery Warranty, is that I think if you own a Prius, you should have the financial resources or money set aside for the possibility of a "Worst Case" scenario.- Which is usually the failure of the Hybrid Battery.

    Other may be able to suggest ways of testing the battery for charge and balance. But that's a path I do not walk. And I think it's hard to quantify or predict what affect sitting unused for 9 months plus may or may not have on the overall longevity of the battery.

    You could get, minutes, days, weeks, months or years of continued viable use....hows that for vague?

    I'm also assuming on these limited test drives no codes are popping up? And that the battery isn't immediately showing any problem?

    I guess bottom line, IF I was going to purchase this vehicle, I'd want to do it, with the knowledge and acceptance that a Hybrid Battery failure "Might" be on the horizon at some unknown point, and if I couldn't or didn't want to deal with that reality? Then I might just keep driving my solid but high mileage vehicle.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    start it up and reset the mpg's. take it for a good long drive under varied conditions and see how it does.

    a knowledgeable dealer can hook up tech stream and test the battery under load.

    all the best!(y)
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. junglejim83

    junglejim83 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2015
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    As to why the dealer told him to let it sit, there are plenty of dealers who (having dealt with vw) dont know jack or the owner may not have specified how long he was going to be letting it sit. For basis of comparison my current car is a 2006 tdi jetta (pre-emissions debacle) with 150k. Based on what I am seeing on the tdi forums, $3500-$4000would probably be a realistic expectation if I were to sell it.

    Bisco, will the long drive help the tech stream get a more accurate reading or are you saying reset the mpg and calc out the milaege to see if it underperforms? Also, I am in Nj where the car has been for the duration and purchased, that would get me the carb warranty through 10yrs of the purchase date right? It was purchased in July 2008.
     
    #4 junglejim83, Oct 13, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2015
  5. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    448
    102
    1
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A