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Need advice buying 2004 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by skm009, May 6, 2011.

  1. skm009

    skm009 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2010
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    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hello,

    I was a proud owner of 2010 Prius III until last month. I had to sell it to buy a 2011 Toyota highlander(growing family). But my love for a Prius is not dying. I am looking at a 2004 Prius with 135K miles on it, dealer is asking $9500. I would like to get advice from all the veteran Prius owners here. I will keep the car until it dies, so I need a reliable car with a lot of life left in it. I cannot spend any money on any major repairs like battery or anything in the near future.

    Please let me know what you all think. Should I go for it?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 skm009, May 6, 2011
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    No.

    1. The $9,500 price is high for a 7-year-old Prius with 135K miles.

    2. You don't have a budget for repairs, and it is not reasonable to expect the car will be troublefree indefinitely.

    3. I'm not sure how much more life you expect from a car with 135K miles. Its remaining life depends upon how well it was maintained to this point, as well as the extent to which you can fund repairs as problems happen.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, May 6, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  3. tf4624

    tf4624 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2009
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Price WAY TO HIGH bud... knock a Few 1000 off the price

     
    #3 tf4624, May 6, 2011
  4. UGC

    UGC Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2009
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    Here is some info that could be helpful. As of 05-09-2011 at 10:02PM, here are the values from one of the largest auto auctions in the area -Manheim Auto Auction.

    For todays prices, it shows that the average wholesale price (what the dealer is paying for it) is $7,350 with an average retail of $10,800. LOW wholesale is $4,900, and LOW retail is $7,550

    You can't argue with these numbers, BUT- you still have to take into account the true condition of the vehicle.
     

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    #4 UGC, May 9, 2011
  5. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Santa Fe, NM
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    It is just not possible right now to get a good deal on a Prius. By comparison, a 2001 with 109,000 miles sold on ebay out of Akron for $5495. About your only chance for a sensible deal here would have been to trade your 2010 for this one and a lightly used Highlander.

    On the other hand, there is no escape from car payment hell if you keep buying new cars. I don't think you should buy this car right now, but it is really hard to go wrong with a used Toyota.
     
    #5 seilerts, May 10, 2011
  6. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Boulder, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That is a heck of a lot for a car that age with that many miles. Given the area that you are in I would imagine that the roads get a lot of salt in the winter so rust could be an issue in upcoming years.
     
    #6 stevemcelroy, May 10, 2011
  7. UGC

    UGC Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Persona
    Well, what's the latest? Did you buy it or pass?
     
    #7 UGC, May 16, 2011
  8. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I wouldn't do it. Wait till you can a newer/lower mile car. Your taking to big of a chance it could breakdown and needs thousands in repair, so you could still owe 10k on a car that needs 6k in repairs(I know this is the worst case but could happen).
     
    #8 adamace1, May 16, 2011
  9. Wolfie52

    Wolfie52 Senior "Jr" Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2009
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    Location:
    No. Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Yow, I bought my 04 with only 56k for about that price 2 years ago. I know with gas prices higher now, the demand is up, but that seems too high.

    Good luck.
     
    #9 Wolfie52, May 19, 2011
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