what should we look for when buying a used prius

don't be anxious, that's the worst way to make a major life decision. do your homework, carfax, have a hybrid mechanic go through it, warranty potential, i prefer the lower mileage, years don't have as big an effect. all the best!

 

Try to find a car with a complete service history, what was done and when. As posted above by Bisco check the Carfax report and have the car checked over by a hybrid technician. If you are looking at a car which is being sold by a Toyota dealer try to have the service department at another dealer check it out for you. Or it you can find an independent mechanic that understands hybrids that might be even better. If they won't let you take it to have it inspected move on, find another one elsewhere.

 

What they said. The single most important thing is to *not* be anxious and in a hurry. The next most important thing is to have it thoroughly inspected by a Prius tech before you buy it. Don't buy a salvage unless you love finding and fixing screwy obscure expensive car repair problems.

2006-2009 had all the bugs worked out.

 

Look for a car that has Smart Key!!!

Except Toyota introduced a new problem with a switch to D4R bulbs in HID headlight models. I personally think 2009 is the cleanest model year. 2 fas 4 u is closing in on 400,000 miles in his 09:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/79235-299-999-mile-club-30.html#post1362812

Definitely true! You should test drive a few and buy the one that feels right. Some people take very good care of their cars, while others beat the holy living front door out of them.

People have mentioned Prius tech, hybrid tech, etc. Your best long term value is if you can locate an independent shop that will work on your car. Dealerships frequently charge extra on Prius repairs simply because they can for lack of competition.

 

smart key, yes!

 

Yes by all means a smart key, one of the handiest Prius features. Make sure you get two key fobs and that both of them work, they are quite expensive.

 

another good point!

 

Sorry for the ignorance, but what is a smart key? (I did do a search for 'smart key' before posting this, but nothing came up.)

OK, having read some threads on another website, I surmise that it is a device that automatically unlocks your doors for you (and maybe even starts the car?) as you approach. Am I close? There have been several mentions of a fob or FOB. (Is that an acronym for something? What does it stand for?) It sounds like the fob is a device that enables the smart key to work. From what I've read, the fob is big and clunky and some folks don't like to carry it around. (This would be so much easier, if I could see these devices.)

 

You are close. It won't start the car but it does allow it to be started locked or unlocked without getting a key out of your pocket. You just touch a button on the door handle to lock or grasp the handle to unlock. Then after you get in you can start the car by pushing the power switch with your foot on the brake. Very handy and secure, I usually forget to get the key out when I drive a vehicle without it.

Each Prius with the smart key option is delivered with two key fobs that are electronically coded to work with that car only. If one is lost you can buy a new fob and have it encoded to match the one you still have but it may cost several hundred dollars. If both are lost it's even more expensive I think.

Each fob has a little mechanical key stored in it so you can unlock the car if the fob battery dies. You can also insert the fob into a slot in the dash to start the car if the fob battery is dead. I have never had a dead fob battery but they are easy to replace and available anyplace that sells watch batteries.

The fob is about 2 1/2" X 1 1/2" X 1/2" it is very light and no trouble at all. No one on this site, as far as I know, has ever mentioned that it is to big or to heavy. I think it would be safe to say that everyone who gets the smart key system likes it.

As far as I know fob or FOB used in this context is not an abbreviation for anything. It is the name of a leather thing, usually with medallion, that was attached to men's pocket watches.

 

You will have to work to find a 2nd Generation Prius without SKS but they do exist. There will be a SKS button below & to the left of the steering wheel and the Toyota emblem on the fob will be silver. A fob with a black emblem is from a car that does not have SKS & won't have a bunch of other things.

What options do the cars have? The 2009 will have as standard some things that were options in 2006.

You can register the VIN at Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website to get the dealer service records.

They are the same car. The options & pricing will determine which is the better value for you. I was absolutely thrilled with my package 3 2006 and I have stuff on my 2010 that I have yet to try so I don't even know if they work.

Get the emotion out of the deal.

 

D'ohh!! Good point. So: don't buy HID; more trouble than they're worth.