1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Best used Prius to buy? High miles newer or low miles older?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Funk-O-Meter, Aug 25, 2012.

  1. Funk-O-Meter

    Funk-O-Meter Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2012
    33
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Looking at used Prius(s) in the 10k-13k range. Finding a lot of them with 80k+ miles. I know these cars are different. Would you buy say an 08'-09' with high miles or a 05'-06' with 40k-60k miles?

    Does the warranty transfer to a new owner if bought from in individual?
     
  2. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I got a 2005 from toyota place in garden grove 65k 9800. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1345933400.457050.jpg
     
  3. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I would buy an 06+, the interior changes are worth it to me (mid model year revamp). Miles and time are the enemies. If it was a hilly or hot region, I would go with newer higher miles since that is probably more highway driving and less time baking in the sun. Otherwise a car that has low miles but still enough that shows it was driven every few weeks minimally would be better. But these are solid cars anyway you slice it, you will be happy no matter what.

    If you are new to Prius shopping you may want to consider what package it is. For instance the 3-door SKS is a feature that I could not live without on my Prius. The higher def MFD with backup camera is also very useful, but the navigation unit not so much.
     
  4. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2012
    2,593
    763
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Those cars that have resided in the South with small diurnal and annual temperature ranges, as well as where the least amount and frequency for use of snow melting salts on the roads during freezing weather are much more desirable than thos cars that have resided in Northern clomes.
     
  5. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Not with the Prius. Hills and heat kill batteries, and therefore reduce the traction batteries useful service life. Cold zones where the engine runs more often to keep the cabin warm use less battery which is good. Hills charge and discharge depleting the maximum cycles.

    Most failures of the HV battery occur in warm climates like Florida or Arizona or in hilly terrain like the Rocky Mountains.
     
    Che' likes this.
  6. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If you get serious about the car ask for the vin and go on Toyota.com/owners and join and then you can see the service history of the car. Report back here.

    No gen 1 and Buy lower miles for more $$$. And do not buy a Prius without SKS.
    Best feature.
     
  7. Gun owning Prius driver

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    397
    78
    0
    Location:
    Downey, California (Los Angeles Area)
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    What is the sks feature, yes make sure you get the car fax my dealer used it as a selling point cause the car was maintenance regularly
     
  8. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,302
    295
    0
    Location:
    California - SF Bay area
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    SKS is the auto door unlock that unlocks the car and allows you to drive off with out inserting a key.
     
  9. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,604
    8,036
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    what - there are still states that use salt?
    If body style matters - the divide'll be '09 - '10 going from Gen II to Gen III. Some love or hate the new 'fly bridge' - so that choice forces you to go earlier or later ... unless the newer Gen III's synergy drive weighs in more heavily. Like most things in life ... you have to weigh all the trade offs against what's important to you. Also - don't forget that it's not uncommon for either model of the Prius to get 200k - 300k miles on the original traction pack - which btw has come down in price (at least for Gen II's) since the '04 model 1st came out.

    SGH-I717R ? 2
     
  10. Funk-O-Meter

    Funk-O-Meter Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2012
    33
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm finding a lot of 06'-09's with high miles but the price is right. It's gonna be hard to finance them though. Usually 80k miles is about the cut off for banks. I'd just take my time but my ride is dying and I'm done putting money into it

    Anybody heard any horror stories of people buying high miles cars and them going to @#$%?
     
  11. Funk-O-Meter

    Funk-O-Meter Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2012
    33
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    There's a couple of nice 10's at the local Toyota store but I theyer 19K+ and I just don't want a big car payment. Reason I'm going Prius is because I can offset half the payment in just the fuel cost if I keep the payment around $250
     
  12. Jei

    Jei New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2012
    1
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Believe it or not I found a 2010 with 77k miles but loaded for $11k. I know the nav on this things isn't the best but the leather & sunroof/solar panel option is nice. Most Toyota dealers in South Florida want way too much for 08 - 10 Prius. This same car would be $26k in a Toyota dealer.
     
  13. TJB2008

    TJB2008 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2016
    1
    2
    0
    Location:
    Madison
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Although I have a 2008 I bought used with 11k on it in 2010. I have 209k on it now and besides tires and regular oil changes the only repair needed has been a serpentine belt. Original batteries and no rust...in Wisconsin and driven all winter long on country roads to commute.
     
    Da1sy and Chodronish like this.
  14. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,483
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd look for an off-lease Pip.
    Low teens, generally in good to excellent shape and usually in the low to mid teens if you don't live in a CARB state.
     
  15. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2016
    1,097
    563
    0
    Location:
    MSP
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I must be true to my own behavior... :)

    Newer HIGH mileage vehicles have ALWAYS served us better than OLDER lower mileage ones.

    Why? About the WORST thing you can do to a vehicle is let it sit unused and infrequently serviced.

    Our logic (household logic for the last, oh 40 years) has been: If someone put a TON of miles on it and maintained it well, it is a better bet than a vehicle that was not relied upon and therefore may not have been carefully maintained.

    In general, the MANUFACTURER's WARRANTY will transfer to all consecutive owners without charge. Service Contracts (Extended "warranties") may not be NOT transferable, or only with a fee.
     
    #15 05PreeUs, Nov 1, 2016
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2016
    RCO likes this.
  16. milkman44

    milkman44 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2011
    591
    386
    0
    Location:
    Ky
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Good luck with your search, don't know where you live, but raysford.com at area code 40108 has a 2010 for $6970 with 183,000 miles. I have 165,000 on mine and wouldn't be afraid of another 17,000 miles.
     
    RCO likes this.
  17. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    545
    426
    18
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Huh. I was just looking at an '09 with Package #2 and 69k miles for under $10k. I guess the market is different everywhere.
     
  18. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2016
    1,097
    563
    0
    Location:
    MSP
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Mileage seems to be the major factor in pricing for a used Prius, so that's not completely out-of-line given the 69k.
     
  19. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2008
    1,743
    613
    0
    Location:
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    In FL a 2010 with 140k sells for $5,500. Low gas prices makes these cars tough for dealers to sell new or used. That spells opportunity for you as the buyer
     
    edthefox5 likes this.
  20. Velo781

    Velo781 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2016
    32
    9
    0
    Location:
    Austin
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm in the market for a gen 2, looking to spend about $4000.

    What's the verdict on gas mileage as the car ages / higher miles? If maintained, will the efficiency hold? ( Assuming the HV battery is good)