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Looking to Buy a 2005 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by phidler, Dec 14, 2010.

  1. phidler

    phidler New Member

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    Hello All,

    First of all, love this forum. There is such a wealth of knowledge here.

    I'm looking to buy my first Prius. Its a 2005 with 61k miles. Not sure of the package but it has navigation, premium sound, and is certified.

    Dealer is asking for $13,971. I offered $14k out the door. Carfax is clean but does not have any service records. Is this cause for concern?
     
    #1 phidler, Dec 14, 2010
  2. ccdisce

    ccdisce Active Member

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    Service Records could be over at the Toyota website, ask the dealer to get them for you before you buy it. They will be available to you after you register over at Toyota.
     
    #2 ccdisce, Dec 14, 2010
  3. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    Sounds like it is loaded if it has nav. Low mileage, so should give you many good dependable years of good low FE driving. Enjoy, H
     
    #3 Hal W, Dec 14, 2010
  4. macmaster05

    macmaster05 Senor Member

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    If it's certified you have little to worry about. Buy that sucka.
     
    #4 macmaster05, Dec 14, 2010
  5. phidler

    phidler New Member

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    Thank you for the responses. 2 questions:

    1. I entered in the VIN # on the Toyota website but there were no recalls or service alerts for this car. If its clear, does that mean that any issues have already been addressed?

    2. Does the lack of service records on Carfax raise any red flags?
     
    #5 phidler, Dec 14, 2010
  6. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    No records is always a cause for concern, especially early on in the car's life. A Toyota dealarship can tell you if the car was serviced by Toyota. Also, only Toyota dealers can "certify" a used car, and then only if it is still under warranty. What exactly did they tell you they meant by "certified" - an extended warranty by Toyota? And is the dealer a Toyota dealer?
     
    #6 sktn77a, Dec 14, 2010
  7. phidler

    phidler New Member

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    Yes the car is from a Toyota dealer certified by Toyota. I made a point to verify that first. Does Carfax only show maintenance performed at a dealership? I'm assuming no records from after market shops (midas, jiffy lube) would show up.
     
    #7 phidler, Dec 14, 2010
  8. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    Carfax is only accurate for service records (or any other record) if the dealer participates. The Toyota system computer will have a record of any service work done by a Toyota dealer and all recall work performed. There are at least 3 recalls on most 2005s:

    1. Steering/Airbag ring
    2. Gas pedal shave/replacement.
    3. Inverter coolant pump (very recent).

    A Toyota dealer should have made sure all of these recalls were done before offering the car for sale.
     
    #8 sktn77a, Dec 14, 2010
  9. phidler

    phidler New Member

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    Thanks Keith. If recall work was done on this car, would any records show up on the Toyota site or do I have to take the dealer's word for it? Punching in the VIN # just tells me that no recalls apply to this car.
     
    #9 phidler, Dec 14, 2010
  10. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    Recall repairs can only be performed by an authorized Toyota dealership. There are DEFINITELY recalls on your car. I don't know if they cease to show up as recalls on the Toyota computer after the repairs have been done but there should be a computer record of the repair on the service history.
     
    #10 sktn77a, Dec 17, 2010
  11. cthindi

    cthindi Member

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    I think unless it is loaded, the price is too high. Edit- Missed it has Nav. Very Possibly High end PKG.

    I bought Pkg II 2005 with 73K Miles for $11000 in May 2009 from a dealer
    For me this price was also out the door price as Connecticut does not have sales tax for Prius.

    But the car is a year and half older and Used Prius prices also have come down since.
     
    #11 cthindi, Dec 17, 2010
  12. oxnardprof

    oxnardprof Member

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    Just to give you a frame of reference, we purchased a 2008 Prius Touring for 17000 plus tax and fees.

    It has leather seats, NAV, back up camera, sat radio, cd / changer.
    It has 24500 miles or so.

    I still have to see if it has been serviced for recalls, but the car is very clean. I think the tires are original.
     
    #12 oxnardprof, Dec 17, 2010
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