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Buying used Prius - Toyota Certified benefit?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by whodat, Jul 17, 2010.

  1. whodat

    whodat Member

    Joined:
    May 8, 2006
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    Location:
    Aptos, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Is Toyota Certified really worth it for a used Prius? I'm looking to buy an 06 or newer used Prius and it seems there is a $1-2K premium for buying a Toyota Certified used Prius versus non-Toyota Certified.

    My first 06 Prius (which I still have with 130K miles) was purchased new. I know about the HID headlight issue, keeping charge on the 12V aux battery and using synthetic oil on 10k intervals and now the battery vent fan.

    Any advice on what to watch out for with a used Prius would be helpful.
     
    #1 whodat, Jul 17, 2010
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Well, this is a question that can be answered only in hindsight. If the car has an unwarranted issue that costs more than $2K in repairs (AC compressor, MFD failure, transaxle, etc.), then you will be very happy that you have the extended warranty coverage. If your car is troublefree, then you might not be so happy that you paid $1-2K more for the coverage.

    Regarding what to watch out with a used Prius, I would inquire into its service history and accident history, and ensure that the car has a clean title. If you decide to purchase a vehicle that isn't Certified, then I would suggest that you have the car checked out by a Toyota dealer service dept (that is not affiliated with the selling dealership.)
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jul 17, 2010
  3. ckholloway

    ckholloway New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2010
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    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Having just bought my used prius, I was lucky in the fact that I have a very good friend and motorcycle riding buddy that is one of the head techs in this dealership. Thats the only reason I chose to buy from them. I knew that he would know or be able to find out everything about what ever car I was looking at.
    That being said my car is toyota certified. He said that the cars have to be in tip top condition with low miles in order to qualify and that he would recommend not buying one if it's not certified.
     
    #3 ckholloway, Jul 17, 2010
  4. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2007
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    Location:
    NC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Vehicles of this age will be out of warranty or going out of warranty soon. However, the Toyota Certified Warranty is pretty weak - 3 months or 3000 miles on all but the powertrain and 7/100 on the powertrain. Given the standard warranty on the powertrain and hybrid components for the Prius, I don't think it's worth it.
     
    #4 sktn77a, Jul 18, 2010
  5. spitinuri

    spitinuri Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    It cost a dealer approximately $600 and an inspection by a TCM to qualify for Certified status. If it gives you peace of mind to know the vehicle has a little extra warranty good. If it doesn't then you have just given the dealer $2000 for their $600 investment.

    I would buy without the Certifed label and have a TCM check it out prior to purchase.
     
    #5 spitinuri, Jul 19, 2010
    1 person likes this.
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