Used Prius VS Used ...?

Personally, I would stay away from a salvage title vehicle unless I were confident I could afford to fix any unknown issues. Repairing them can mount up quickly.

Can you widen your search area and plan a long weekend road trip to purchase something if you find what you're looking for?

 

Are these prices for salvage or non-salvage vehicles? I think I'm misunderstanding your OP. I took it to mean these were salvage prices. If not, these aren't too different from prices here in the northeast.

 

that corolla seems to be the perfect car for you. at 100 miles per day, you should be looking for closer work, or a higher paying job.

 

excellent! why not go for a gen 3 with low miles?

 

If your need is immediate, yeah, the Corolla could be a good car. If you can take your time for searching, I'd keep looking for a Prius.

 

idk, looking for a decent prius in that price range, that you can throw a hundred miles a day at, is not going to be easy.

 

Long term, a Prius can save you money on gas, and can save you money on repairs. (they tend to be rare but expensive)

As you have noticed, it really only makes sense to buy a Prius if you drive it, so 'low mileage' is mostly a dream. (Why pay upfront for a Prius you never drive to save gas with?)

As you have also noticed, the exists a group of driver unwilling to drive a car out of warranty, so 100k and used is common. We do not see a great deal of "I just went out of warranty and my car needs help" but it might happen.

I wish you luck!

 

jrdamien,
Idk your situation but, here's what I can tell you. I have owned 3 Prius and all went well over 100k miles with very few issues. My latest (a 2005) is sitting at 184,211 and is on the original battery. It does burn/lose about a half quart of oil every 5k miles. If either of those cars were taken care of, they would be worth the price and should give you many worry free miles.

 

Regrettably I think it boils down to this.
If you can't find the vehicle you want, or are comfortable with, within the price range in which you are shopping? Then perhaps you are looking for the wrong product at the wrong price.

If I wasn't comfortable owning a salvage or rebuilt title Prius ( And I personally would NOT be), and I found that was all I could afford? Then I would investigate other options.

That being said? Why does the dynamic HAVE to be Low Miles and Salvage Title to cost?
Why not look at perhaps higher mileage, but NOT salvaged titled Prius?
I find it hard to believe in any developed State in the USA that ONLY or primarily only Salvaged Titled used Prius are available.

I'd be more comfortable, I think, with a well maintained but perhaps older and higher mileage Prius that did NOT have a salvaged title.

However, if you can't find that sweet spot, between budget, and what you want to own? Then changing models or your desired target, might be your best move.

 

Bought in DEC of 2013, it had 14?,??? miles on it (can't remember exact). I wouldn't recommend you buy an 05 at this point but, an 08/9/10/11 w/ 99k or less, def.

 

Of those, the Corolla is clearly the best deal.

 

I had a 09 for 113 thousand miles when a Semi ran a red light and dragged me several blocks ahead of the trailer tires. I am sure that if I still had it, it would have 200 thousand miles. (I drive 30 thousand miles a year) As it is I have a 2012 v with 96 thousand miles. Every used car is a gamble as you do not know how careful the previous owner was.

Here is what you can do to minimize repairs to your used Prius:

Try not to overheat your HV Battery coming down steep Mountain passes in hot weather. (In MN, this should be easy) There is some hint that those in steep mountains should use B in hot weather to avoid generating heat in the Battery, which could cost $3000 to replace.

Never jump your Prius from another car or jump other cars with your Prius, done wrong it costs $4000 to replace. A Jump Pack is $40.

Routinely change the ATF in your Transaxle. My advice would be when you buy the car then every 60,000 miles. (DIY should be under $50, at a dealer under $120) The ATF bathes the Motor Generators, any suspended metals in the ATF could cause a short circuit. A new Transaxle would be $5000.

If it was me, when the brakes do finally need maintenance, use the dealer, bleeding the brakes is not trivial. (once in a blue moon, shift to N and stop using the friction brakes, just so they get some use, and you are not surprised when you need them)