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Help Purchasing Used Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Doorknob, Feb 16, 2010.

  1. Doorknob

    Doorknob Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
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    Howdy,

    I live about 6 hours from PA (CARB State). I'm in VA (non-CARB). I'm considering driving up to PA and purchasing a used Prius, but I'm not sure it would be worth the drive or even if I can come to an agreement w/ a dealer or person within the 1 weekend I'd go up. I'd like to get the 10year/150k warranty (BTW, I can register the car in PA if necessary to keep the 150k warranty). Any thoughts? Will the warranty transfer to a non-CARB State?

    I'm looking to purhcase a used mid-2005+ Prius. I've check KBB, edmonds and have been reading up on priuschat and other prius forums.

    I really don't care for any of the added features - back up camera, nav, etc. so they really aren't "worth" money to me. I'm sure they bump up the price a little, but they aren't a requirement for my purchase.

    I'm looking to buy a Prius and could use some help regarding what to look for. I did a few searches before posting here.

    From what I've seen, some things to look / ask for (if at the dealer):

    - Car fax and ensure no accidents, ensure they followed maintenance regiment - 5k oil, 15k service

    - New 12V battery (expected life of 4 years - 2006 prius would require new one soon)

    - If vehicle is at 70k miles, get transaxle fluid replace

    - Have dealer agree to 90k service

    - Shifting of car gears should be completely not felt by driver due to CVT

    Also, can someone tell me when I should hear the engine? I've never owned a hybrid. When I hit the start button, should the engine start? Should the engine only start when I start driving above 35mph? Lastly, when the engine starts while I am accelerating, should I "feel" the engine start? I test drove a 2007 and as I accelerated, the engine switched on and I could feel it turn on. It's slight, but I could feel it. Also, when I came to a stop and the engine would turn off, I could "feel" the engine turn off. (I'm also driving w/ radio off so that I can hear all vehicle/road noise).

    That's all I have so far. Please add more info if you can. I'm trying to do my HW, but feel there's so much more to know before purchasing. Thanks!
     
    #1 Doorknob, Feb 16, 2010
  2. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
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    The ICE (engine) may or may not start when you press the power button. In the winter, with the heater on it is likely the engine will start, as the only source for cabin heat is the ICE. With no other demands on the ICE (heat or airconditioning) it will most often shut off at a stop, but not always. Don't worry about it - the programming is rather complicated and the car takes care of itself and will run the ICE when the computer(s) believe it is needed. My 2006 seldom runs on the electric motors only on the street since I have either the heater or air on almost all the time. Others seem to spend more time in this mode. And, when the ICE kicks on and off, I almost always feel it. If I am sitting in park and the ICE kicks on it will often move the car forward a bit, which can be a little disconcerting. However, once it "takes up the slack" in the parking pawl, it stops.

    You should feel no shifting, as there are no "gears" in the conventional sense in the transmission. In fact, it's not even like a CVT which uses a couple of variable size pulleys and a push belt. That said, the ICE speed will vary in a most "unnatural" way to those used to a conventional transmission. Some say it feels more like a boat where the engine speed is not closely coupled with forward speed. Don't worry about it. The computer(s) know best and will vary ICE speed to meet demand, driving conditions and battery charge state.
     
    #2 PriusLewis, Feb 16, 2010
  3. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Most important point: if you intend to buy one from a private party or under any non-warranty situation, pay a Prius technician to thoroughly check out the car before buying! As with all modern cars but even more so :-> there's no end to the things that could be wrong.

    The engine will run whenever the computers decide it needs to run, either to supply necessary power to the wheels, to recharge the big high-voltage traction battery, or to warm up itself/the catalytic converter/the cabin heater.

    The engine RPMs are not a direct function of road speed, thus there will be times when it sounds as if the transmission is slipping. This is completely normal. It is also normal for the engine to shudder a bit when it shuts off.

    If you don't receive both the correct Owner's Manual and Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the model and year, buy them from a dealer or online. Then read them front to back. They will save you a lot of trouble and expense.
     
    #3 richard schumacher, Feb 16, 2010
  4. Doorknob

    Doorknob Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    VA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the note regarding having it checked by a qualified toyota prius technician. I'm actually looking at the used prius from toyota and they've stated the car's been looked over and anything needing fixing has been fixed. The only thing I demanded is that they produce the "fix it" list from when it was originally traded in. I thought it would be funny and probably a waste of money if I paid for their toyota mechanic to "recheck" the car. Do you think I should do that?

    BTW, I understand that dealerships (stealerships) and private parties are "overly confident" with their prices. I think most of these owners are suffering from personal attachment issues and so expecting more money from their vehicles. The question is, at what price is the vehicle a good buy from the dealership? That is, KBB retail, KBB private party price? Of course, it wouldn't be KBB trade-in. That would be a GREAT DEAL. Your thoughts?

    And, with all the recalls, I'm hearing the prices of used prius' are also coming down. The asking prices have come down a few hundred bucks over the past week - a 2006 package II from 14k to 13k (70k miles). Thoughts here? Think prices will continue to drop due to the toyota scares?
     
    #4 Doorknob, Feb 16, 2010
  5. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    A Toyota certified used vehicle should come with some kind of warranty, at least 3 months/10K miles I guess. Ask the dealer and get it in writing. So no need to "recheck".

    KBB retail price I think. Of course as you said below you are free to bargain. Good luck! :)

     
    #5 2009Prius, Feb 16, 2010
  6. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I think this is a very good idea. Also ask for all the maintenance and repair history records.
     
    #6 2009Prius, Feb 16, 2010
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