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Pre purchase advice: '07 Prius, 99K miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Fest911, Mar 21, 2012.

  1. Fest911

    Fest911 Junior Member

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    Hello all. I am new to the forum, and 'almost' a Prius owner. I am looking at a 2007 with 99k miles, priced at $10,700. It's a two owner car with new tires, the paint has a few chips and minor scratches, and the interior looks great. I received a crash course in Prius knowledge from this forum, so I thank you all for the posts! Here are my concerns:

    1. Carfax is clean, but service records and inspections are only noted beginning at ~50k miles, at intervals of 15k. Carfax seems to indicate inspections, but not the actual work performed, does that sound normal? i.e. "85k mile inspection performed" instead of something like "85k mile inspection performed, oil changed, tires rotated", etc.

    2. The 90k service was not performed. Any idea of a ballpark price for the 90k service, and what is typically done at the 90k interval?

    3. Owner states that on occasion, only on cold mornings, the car doesn't start the first time he pushes the start button. He has to cycle the power once or twice, then everything seems fine. I did some checking on the starting issue and found lots of complaints, but no concrete solutions. Many suggest it's the 12v battery, a brake switch, or not depressing the brake pedal firmly enough. Looking for suggestions.

    4. Where would I take a car like this for a pre-purchase inspection for a reasonable price (is this something that's typically done with a Prius)?

    Any and all suggestions and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping to make a decision by mid-day tomorrow 3/21. Thank you in advance for the assistance!

    Matt
     
    #1 Fest911, Mar 21, 2012
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    At 100K, the car is due for engine coolant and inverter coolant changes. I strongly recommend a transaxle fluid change as well.

    It clearly needs a new 12V battery.

    Luscious Garage (SF) or Art's Automotive (Berkeley) are the best shops in the area. An inspection at a dealership is probably a waste of money. If it has always been a California car, the major components (hybrid battery, catalytic converter, inverter, and most transaxle problems) are covered to 150,000K miles by CARB warranty.
     
    #2 seilerts, Mar 21, 2012
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  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Confused. You say records start at 50K but your talking to the owner?
    Whats the owner say about pre 50K service? Thats the important time for maintenance.

    If it was me and I was buying a Prius private and talking to the owner I want to hear about meticulous oil changes using Mobil 1 and other maintenance. If the guy is so cheap he won't even use Synthetic motor oil I pass.

    But as far as service at 100K your looking at the full whack. Oil change-trans fluid change-engine coolant change-Inverter coolant change-air cabin filter-air cleaner filter-sparkplugs, belt--and the Throttle body needs cleaning, maybe tires and the 12 volt battery for sure.

    Oh and the struts are way done at 100K too. And possibly the engine water pump to.

    Just all those alone minus the struts & pump at the dealer are about $800 to $1000 maybe more. And thats not including what other snake oil horsesh*t they can upsell you.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Mar 21, 2012
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #4 JimboPalmer, Mar 21, 2012
  5. billinmd

    billinmd Member

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    I don't really like how my service history shows up on the Owner's website. For example, my 10,000 mile service does not show "oil change" (even though it was performed... and at the dealer)... So I've been keeping the receipts from the dealer and scanning them into the computer in case I ever decide to sell the car.
     
    #5 billinmd, Mar 21, 2012
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    You can write your own service performed on that site. I have all my own work I performed myself listed on that site in addition to all there dealer work. It helps because the few times I have been to the dealer they look at that and see I'm a DIY'er and don't try to sell me all there useless services.

    Also it will be very helpful when I sell as I can then just direct the prospective to that site.
     
    #6 edthefox5, Mar 22, 2012
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  7. bobeast

    bobeast Junior Member

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    Not sure I'd put much stock in CarFax wrt maintenance records. Many folks, myself included have routine maintenance performed at the local oil and fill shop. I don't think those would show up in a global database. Better bet is to buy a car from an owner who kept all of their receipts.
     
    #7 bobeast, Mar 22, 2012
  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Matt,
    My take is to first check the fluids. Oil: look for the proper level and color; Inverter coolant level and color (should be bright pink); engine coolant level and color, brake fluid etc. Look underneath the car for leaks and around the engine/tranny for stains left by fluid leaks. Start the car, listen the the engine for ticking/tapping sounds. When you start the car, make sure all the warning lights come on then go off. How does it drive? What mpg is it getting (should be at least 44 mpg city or better). Switch to the "Energy" screen and check the batter state of charge (SOC) (should be blue or green (purple is bad but if purple drive for at least 10 miles or 20 minutes to see if it charges properly). A typical 20 minute drive in the city should give you about 30-40 mpg for the first 5 minutes (displayed on the "Consumption" screen of the MFD) and 45+mpg for the next three 5 minute intervals. How does it ride (if rough, the struts are probably bad). This list is not all inclusive but, its a good start.

    When you buy used, you are taking a gamble but, with the Prius, its a low risk gamble. I have found my 06 to be rock solid and none of the problems listed by Edthefox. That is not to discount what he says because it is good advice. I have 102k on mine and the struts feel brand new, original 12V battery, no water pump problems. Spark plugs were in such good shape I simply cleaned them up and put them back in. Maintenance records on the car do not indicate it was well cared for (I bought it used). I couldn't be happier with the car (especially when I gas up for $35-40 once every 3-4 weeks).

    My point is: When you come to a forum like this to check on reliability, you might get the wrong impression. Keep in mind, people come to this forum to find answers to their problems. If their car is running fine, that doesn't get posted. As I sometimes say "Any Prius is better than no Prius" and an '07 w/ less than 100k for less than $11,000 is a good deal (providing it passes the tests listed above). There is a good chance you will have to put some money into it for a repair but, I wouldn't let that stop me from buying it providing it looks nice and drives good (all relative terms).
     
    #8 usnavystgc, Mar 22, 2012
  9. Fest911

    Fest911 Junior Member

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    Thank you to everyone for your input! I did some homework based on your suggestions and made the deal for $10,400. Fluids look good, drives solid, and the strut dampening and rebound feel good. Current average mileage is 48.1. The owner does his own oil and filter changes every 3k, and has done the big services, just not the 90 or 100k.. The car isn't perfect, and I wouldn't expect it to be with nearly 100k miles, but it is in really good condition. I should have it at Luscious Garage next Friday for the 100k service. Of all the places I called to inquire about the 100k service, I liked their honesty and integrity, and it doesn't hurt that they also have the best price for the service. Looks like I am now a Prius owner, something I never thought I would say (-:

    Thank you again, and I look forward to return visits to the forum.
     
    #9 Fest911, Mar 23, 2012
  10. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Congratulations and welcome. I wish you many years of happy Prius driving and chatting.!!!!
     
    #10 usnavystgc, Mar 23, 2012
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