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210K mileage 2004 Prius buying check list

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by AllenZ, Nov 17, 2012.

  1. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    I have an opportunity to buy this car in great cosmetic condition for $6000 or less. Package 9 fully loaded. Clear title. Seller is a work at home dealer.

    What's the main things I need to check out, assuming he is not a perfect guy?
    What's the reasonable price if condition is as good as I see?
     
  2. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    That is a heck of a lot of miles. If you choose to go ahead do so with the understanding that a major issue could happen at any point. You shoul be prepared both financially and emotionally to deal with a major repair.

    I do not think that I could see buying this car myself.

    I'd look to buy a Geo/Chevy Prizm or a Pontiac Vibe. They are cars made in the old NUMI plant by Toyota and GM and the Prism is essentially a Corolla and the Vibe is a Matrix They have the reliability of a Toyota but the resale of a GM.
     
  3. gring40

    gring40 Junior Member

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    OP ... 2004 was the first year for the Gen II. KBB (private party) lists it as $5750 Fair to ~ $7350 Excellent, but curiously those prices don't change for mileages over 210K. For lower mileages the $$ does go up, so it seems between a good deal and fairly priced, depending on condition. But ....

    Some car parts wear with mileage (engine, trans, brakes, shocks, etc), and some deteriorate with age (seals, hoses, rubber & plastics, etc), and you're looking at both. Take it to a mechanic for a checkup - even if OK, be prepared to maintain it, which is the main cost of an older car; TANSTAAFL.

    OTOH, it is good advice to avoid sinking $$ into an older car as it tends to snowball; that's happened to me, alas.

    That said, our 2006 is running great, although admittedly the mileage is far lower, as is my sister's 2002.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I suggest you have the car checked out by the Prius specialist at your local Toyota dealer.

    You should have a large four-digit amount set aside as your repair fund especially if you have to rely upon Toyota dealer service. 210K miles is well beyond normal vehicle "end of life." Likely repair areas include front struts and rear shocks, HID headlights, MFD display, traction battery, inverter, and transaxle.
     
  5. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    Prizm is too old. Vibe is pretty close to Prius price now, maybe $1-2K difference.
     
  6. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    How often inverter, and transaxle will gone bad (assuming no problem at purchasing point)? If so, what's the cost for replacing it with salvaged car parts, installed? I know the HV battery installed is about $1K, just saw on my local craigslist ad.

    I do have a regular mechanics do the job, pretty affordable. So I don't worry too much about shocks and struts, bearings...

    If the odds of all those happening within next 100K is less than 20%, it might worth considering...
     
  7. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    I say go for it, but pay no more than $4000. You can put the extra $2000 you wouldve spent if you paid the $6000 into a slush fund, should you need a major repair in the near future.

    However, at that age and mileage, I'd be hard pressed to do every repair myself. After poking around here and youtube, I dont really think there is anything on the Prius we cant do ourselves!
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Since you have a regular mechanic you should ask him whether he can install the inverter and transaxle assuming salvage parts, and what the price would be.

    I think you will need at least one major repair over the next 100K miles, while it is unlikely that you would need all items on the list during that period.
     
  9. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    So, compare to a 100K mile Prius, for the next 100K, chances are that I will need to spend extra $1500 - $2000 on one of those 3 major things, plus other durable consumption parts like Bearing, Struts and Shocks. That puts the total extra cost at $2500 to $3000 range.

    Right now, the 100K 2004 Prius is probably at $8500 - $9000. That puts this Prius at $5500 to $6000 simply from repairing cost point of view.

    Overall, $4000 is probably the fair price.

    Thanks guys!
     
  10. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    AllenZ,

    Your data sheet shows you already own an 04 Prius. So, you know (or should know) quite
    a lot about the Gen II already.

    $6K is about $1K too much for a nearly 9 year old Gen II with 210K miles. The HV traction
    battery may last another 10K miles or for another 100K miles. There's no easy way to predict how much longer
    it will last. But the traction battery will fail eventually, that much is certain. You must price this in.

    The other items (inverter, transaxle, ICE, etc.) may endure for another 200K miles or more. Toyota
    and Honda build cars that last 20 years and 500K miles. I'm not claiming that the Prius will though.

    Offer no more than $5K.
     
  11. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    If only the HV battery fail later, I am prepared.

    You are right, I own a 2004 already, at 172K with no problem other than burning 1qt oil/2K miles. That's why I am kind of optimistic that other major stuff might last another 100K.
     
  12. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Do you use or have you tried a full synthetic oil? My 05 Prius has 185K miles but only uses 1 qt every 4000 miles. I use Mobil 1 5w30. Have you determined why your Prius is burning so much oil?
     
  13. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    I always use 5w30 synthetic, all kinds of brand though, depends on price.
    My Prius started burning oil at 150K miles. Don't know why.
    I generally drive 65 mph on freeway, result in 1qt/2k. If I drive 85 mph, probably 1qt/1000 miles.
     
  14. philmcneal

    philmcneal Taxi!

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    yeah for my 270,000 km prius the suspension makes creaking noises going over bumps at slow speed, and burns oil..,, has MFD issues and combination display issues

    When i do an oil change, after 8000 km the oil level is near the min mark... lots of highway travel but i baby it from time to time getting near a 50 mpg US average.

    not sure if i should sell my car for 4k, or run it to the ground until major repairs

    its nice toyota sold a million of these things.... easy to find salvage parts such as batteries and what not
     
  15. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    I am not planning to sell it just for oil burning. If one day the burning getting to next level, maybe I will replace with a used engine.

    Guess you do need to replace struts and shocks now.
     
  16. philmcneal

    philmcneal Taxi!

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    ^ yea its going to cost me 1k plus labor... although i remember someone telling me they had the same problem as I did and replaced the struts and shocks and the problem was STILL there...

    my ride quality is not affected right now its just noise when reversing on a non-flat driveway, or some jounce effect (like braking really hard and the weight transfer you can hear the creek)
     
  17. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    I don't know enough about cars, but I think Patrick can point you to the right direction.