New 2005 Prius owner. A few questions…

If it still has the origonal 12 volt battery, get it changed. Consider a Optima Yellowtop.http://www.elearnaid.com/opdsopbadifi.html

If it still has the origonal Automatic Transmission Fluid in the Transaxle, get it changed. Toyota's WS is the best.

I hope you enjoy your Prius as much as I do mine,

 

its expensive but the car will also need new platinum spark plugs; and if you're paying for all that labor to get to that part of the engine thats so covered up with other things than you mind as well also have the PCV valve replaced at the same time.

Every time I get a new car I throw in fresh synthetic oil, high capacity oil filter, and check the engine and cabin HVAC air filters. It seems like you're buying the car from a decent chap, ask him for the service records so you know whats been done and where. If he says he does his own work, ask for receipts, if he can procure receipts for parts that he has installed himself, I would test him by asking him where on the car it goes, if his answers are quick and sharp, than he is knowledgeable and probably did the job right. Lastly did he invite you to his home to look at the car or is he keeping where he lives a secret?? I bore easily so in just 15 years of driving I have bought over 10 cars and I can tell you from experience that the ones who invite you to their home to look at a car are usually not trying to hide anything. A person who wants to meet you at a location other than their home or job may (I did say may) know something is wrong with the car and doesn't want you to be able to find them when the crap hits the fan. I still get an annual 'how you doing' email from the man I bought my '98 rodeo from, a car I bought in '04 and sold in '05, needless to say that car gave me no problems at all.

On here we call the dealerships 'stealerships' cause they're expensive but they do know Toyotas very well, and unlike independent shops they have access to an internal network to know what problems are more likely to occur, and most dealerships have at least one 'Prius Expert' mechanic that knows exactly where to look and what to look for.

105K for an '05 is right on par with the national average for mileage, so the car is neither high nor low mileage, but the car is reaching its halfway point so it should last another 7 years without major problems as long as you keep up with the maintenance, and joining Priuschat is definitely a smart move as there are some very knowledgeable people here and great threads that will help you keep your Prius in tip top shape.

 

At minimum the dealer can do a 25-point inspection, but that's pretty basic. I don't have the canonical list of recalls, but depending on VIN it might be steering, inverter coolant pump, and ECM. If the transmission fluid is dark or gunky, feel confident you are not being told the wrong thing if a change is suggested. There might be some software updates too. You can buy stick on MFD protectors and a sunvisor if you like. I love the clear protectors to keep the MFD scratch free. I use synthetic oil and buy the filters and crush washers in bulk. As an aside, try to find out if the "master tech" is also a Prius tech. Not all techs are created equal. Good luck! And welcome. Whatever your problem is, there are very very very knowledgeable people here.

 

You are basically giving the dealer an open invitation to rip you off. At 105K, here is what you need:

- Change engine coolant and inverter coolant
- Change engine oil and filter
- Change transaxle ATF
- Verify that inverter cooling pump repair has been done
- Check engine water pump and axle seals for leaks

A car this old/that much mileage should have the hybrid battery fan checked/cleaned. But they may charge you a lot of money for that, even though it is less than an hour to do a thorough job.

Buy your air filters on Amazon.com.

Plugs (iridium) and PCV can wait until 120K. Have the throttle plate and bore, and MAF sensor, cleaned at this time as well. That is a great Saturday afternoon DIY project.

 

Find Toyota's scheduled maintenance guide here:
Toyota Online Owners Manuals and Service Manuals
Take a copy and tell the dealer to do the stuff on the 100k miles page, plus any outstanding recall and TSB items. (You've been around the block, right? You know that if you tell a dealer to give you his X miles service package you'll get serviced up the wazoo. Tell the service writer the specific items to do and nothing else.) BTW, get an ATF drain and fill, not a "flush".

[Thanks Seilerts! You nailed it.]