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Today's Adventure

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Spcalan1, May 24, 2011.

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  1. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I drove 1 hour to a 'buy here-pay here' car lot to look at a 2006 Prius.
    Nav, Gray, Backup camera. Very nice car. 95,000 miles - $ 12,990.

    This is when the adventure began..

    Doors would not open with FOB (?). I had to show the salesman the 'hidden' key in the FOB. Finally got it.

    Inserted FOB.. nothing....
    No lights no nada

    He figures he will try to 'jump start' the battery - ha.
    No battery under hood

    He fumbles for about 25 minutes with 'too big' jumper cables and proceeds to about ruin the electrical system in the car.

    Finally brings out a smaller version of a battery charger.. he manages to finally 'charge' the battery.

    Now, the nav comes on, and a christmas tree assortment of lights come on...

    the Nav display gives this error:

    Something to do with the battery being dead, a problem with the "P" transmission - please fully depress parking brake and stay on level ground???

    WTH ??

    After an hour in the boiling sun, I said NO THANKS and left.

    Good Times! :rockon:
     
    #1 Spcalan1, May 24, 2011
  2. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2011
    2,171
    659
    23
    Location:
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Ouch.

    Anyone know the phone number for the Prius Rescue League?
     
    #2 Corwyn, May 24, 2011
  3. olerox

    olerox Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2011
    65
    6
    0
    Location:
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Prii should never be left to the care of such a yah-hoo, gads. I hope you told the salesman to really pump the accelerator pedal to prime the carburetor before starting, once the battery is charged.

    Good luck in your continued search.
     
    #3 olerox, May 24, 2011
  4. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    6,038
    707
    0
    Location:
    Tumwater, WA USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I believe that is the error one gets when one puts the Prius in Drive with the driver's door open.

    I would be pretty leery of purchasing from someone if either I or they didn't know basic facts about the car.
     
    #4 Rae Vynn, May 24, 2011
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    109,014
    49,540
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    offer him 6000.
     
    #5 bisco, May 24, 2011
  6. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2010
    1,605
    148
    0
    Location:
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Of course, Bisco is correct. Make an offer to steal just to get that piece of iron off his lot. And remember, you have not because you ask not! Utlimately this Prius needs to be rescued from the evil that lurks at a "buy here/pay here" lot.:D
     
    #6 twittel, May 25, 2011
  7. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I think I will pass on it. better off that way.
     
    #7 Spcalan1, May 25, 2011
  8. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
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    687
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    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    So would I, no telling what he has done to the electronics.
     
    #8 tumbleweed, May 25, 2011
  9. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Alright, my wife and I went back to the dealer.
    He had 'charged' the battery and this time we could actually drive it.
    very smooth ride, smooth shifting.. maybe the dead battery was due to sitting there ?

    I have a 2003 Ford F-150 SuperCrew FX4 package with 175,000 miles on it.

    we kept going back and forth on the deal..
    final offer was accepted.... my truck and 6400 in cash - out the door with tax, tag, title, and 3rd party warranty....

    I am planning on picking it up tomorrow morning.

    what do you think?

    all opinions welcomed!!
     
    #9 Spcalan1, May 26, 2011
  10. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    we looked at 'newer' ones that were no less than 20,000.

    with this 2006 - no car payment

    with any other car - min - 300/per month car payment.
     
    #10 Spcalan1, May 26, 2011
  11. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I figure trading a gas guzzler with 175k miles for a gas sipper for 6400 - a good deal.
    ( I just hope the whole dead battery thing was a fluke ).
     
    #11 Spcalan1, May 26, 2011
  12. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2005
    4,067
    687
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Welcome to Prius ownership. No car payment is great!!

    My suggestions:

    Do some preventive maintenance on your new (to you anyway) Prius. Oil and filter, change transaxle fluid, check the brakes, new engine and cabin air filters, spark plugs, check tire pressures (including spare), etc.

    Search the GenII Prius forums for maintenance suggestions and tire pressure recommendations.

    Create an account at Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website using your VIN. Read the owners manual.

    Have fun with your new Prius. :welcome:
     
    #12 tumbleweed, May 26, 2011
  13. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Here are 2 photos of our new Prius.
    2006
    Nav, Backup, Bluetooth, JBL audio.
    very sweet
     

    Attached Files:

    #13 Spcalan1, May 27, 2011
  14. J5A

    J5A Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2011
    592
    83
    0
    Location:
    Severna Park, MD
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Congrats!
    You did good. :)
     
    #14 J5A, May 30, 2011
  15. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2004
    14,816
    2,498
    66
    Location:
    Far-North Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    You mean that beautiful thing was in the hands of a hack dealer?! :eek:
    Congrats on the Prius. Barring unforeseen things, I honestly believe that you will not regret your purchase. Granted, the first time you want to throw a few sheets of 4x8 plywood into the back of your Prius because you used to do it with the F150, you'll kick yourself. But I'm sure you have friends with trucks and just put aside a little bit of the saved gas money to buy them a six-pack for loaning you their truck.

    Stick around here for tons of advice. You don't have to post much but if you come up upon something that has you stymied, just ask. We're a kind lot of folk.

    And, of course, welcome to Priuschat! :welcome:
     
    #15 TonyPSchaefer, May 30, 2011
  16. Ryanpl

    Ryanpl Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2010
    780
    158
    0
    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That'sa sweet looking car. Good luck with your new purchased. I think you're going to love her, I love my baby
     
    #16 Ryanpl, May 30, 2011
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,939
    16,159
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Congrats!

    Keep an eye on the 12V battery though because it's already been dead once. I drained ours twice on the 2005 and it didn't last very long (replace it last year). Granted, it was 5 years old.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, May 30, 2011
  18. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thanks for the heads-up on the 12v battery.
    So far, everything is going well.
    I filled it up when we bought it ( 6 gallons ) and so far we have 375 miles and still have 2 'pips' left... I am blown away...

    My F-150 could barely get 300 miles on a 24 gallon tank.
     
    #18 Spcalan1, May 30, 2011
  19. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    1,049
    192
    0
    Location:
    NH
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    :welcome:

    The 12 volt battery is toast, get an optima yellow top with fit kit.
    It's what saved the day, the seller knew he had a dead battery and knew he didn't want to get involved with a can of worms, his loss your gain.

    It's not a can of worms, it's a vehicle that's gonna get you 50+mpg for the next ten years.
     
    #19 ursle, May 30, 2011
  20. Spcalan1

    Spcalan1 New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2011
    104
    7
    1
    Location:
    Flowery Branch, GA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    III

    So, how do you know the 12v is toast? By my 1st tank's avg mpg?
    Just wondering...
     
    #20 Spcalan1, May 30, 2011
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