Questions to ask when looking at a used high mileage Prius?

Great question. *sigh* we really need a sticky on this! I scoured the forums and can't find one anywhere. This question gets asked 10 times/day.

 

So out of laziness I'll just copy what everyone else has said:


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Check 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)

- Check that transaxle fluid was replaced

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

12V Battery health check; replace if weak
Alignment check; rear can't be adjusted so don't accept a bad one
(especially in your case, brand new tires may hide evidence of poor alignment)
Get a list of TSBs, look out for the described symptoms in test drive
Above 35-40K miles, get them to do an ATF drain and fill if it hasn't been done
If they can't/won't produce service records (scary by itself) you can check them at Toyota Owners Online | Official Toyota Owners Website - just claim the VIN as yours.

Ask or check:

4. When was transaxle oil last changed? Wrong answer: never. Negotiate a lower price.

5. Inspect the throttle (remove air cleaner) for 'crud'? Something for an early look.

6. What does the tire wear look like? Fixable, look for evidence of uneven wear. Negotiate alignment report.


7. Was the gas paddle “fixed” during the recall?

8. Check the production date in the doorplate. It may be, for instance, a 2005 model when the seller says it’s from 2006 (perhaps registered early 2006)

9. Did you ever change the ATF (Tranny Fluid)? Toyota says it only needs changing in "Harsh Use". Lab testing has shown that it should be changed every 60,000 miles. It should cost about $100 at a dealer.

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I apologize for the plagiarism. This aint no english class tho'.

 

Yeah, there ought to be. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ed-prius-need-help-what-look.html#post1215778 provided some useful general info/guidelines regarding used Priuses.

 

Pay a tech at a different Toyota dealer to thoroughly inspect the car before buying. As with every modern car so much hard-to-find stuff can be wrong with one it'll make you ill.

 

In that thread I directed the OP towards the search function, also admitting laziness. LOL. Totally forgot I did that. At least I'm consistent.

 

the one question only you can answer: if something goes seriously wrong (unlikely, but possible) can i afford to pay $5-10,000. for the repair?

 

I'll admit, just having been on this site the past two day I can see why someone would become irritated on all the questions that seem to go by the same layout. I for one am guilty of asking the questions as well, but in my defense I did use the search function.

I think what many have a problem with is that even when you use the search function that you don't necessarily get the posts you want. I for one did a few searches and some where upward of a few years old, and I wanted something more current.

Buying a car is no small endeavor, people who are new want to know as much as possible, but some just don't take the time to research, which means you get new users with the same basic questions day after day. With the Prius it's a little different as well, you can search for days, like me, and still not know the facts due to the overwhelming lies that are spread in order to keep customers scared of a fairly new technology. I started with high hopes on becoming a Prius owner, but after day two with hours of research under my belt I was becoming skeptical that the car I wanted wasn't meant for me, but after coming on here asking questions, I'm sure you have answered several times before, I am more confident now more than ever that I will become a Prius owner.

 

While Prius body and mechanical systems are just car systems, the hybrid aspects of the car do make it a different animal. If you want to be prepared to knowedgably buy a used higher miles prius, you should spend 2~4 weeks scanning and reading all PriusChat Gen II posts. You'll become familiar with systems and terminology, hear common complaints, failures and resolutions, and ultimately get a feel for whether you would really love this car or just get sick of it.

My take is that DIY'ers will benefit more from buying/owning a higher miles 2004+ Prius since they study/ask/decide for themselves how to resolve their problems. This avoids many unnecessary dealer service costs and reduces cost impacts of high miles maintenance and failure items.

If you're the type who relies fully on others for diagnoses and repair recommendations, the overall cost versus good mpg may not work out for you. You'll be better off time and money-wise buying a clean loaded low miles 2007~08 Hyundai Elantra 5speed for $6~9k. Or if you're too high above the "H" word, pay more for a higher miles corolla.

 

Traction control is not an option on the Prius. It is a standard feature and its primary purpose is to protect the transaxle. Its secondary function is to improve traction. The VSC system is useful, IMO.

Given proper winter tires and driving technique, you should be OK with the Prius in the winter. (However, I have an AWD SUV so I use that vehicle when driving snowy roads.)

 

*********************This is great info & just what i am looking for, amoung other things--thanks.
regards, imOCD4a_prius