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Used Prius buying advice - 2005?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by spycake, Nov 19, 2012.

  1. spycake

    spycake Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2005 Prius
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    Hello! Just started to look into buying a used Prius. I'm new to the Prius and new to used car buying in general, so I guess that makes me a double newbie! This post may be vague, but any info y'all can offer would be appreciated.

    Seeing a few 2005 models with high miles available (~180,000). Best price I see today is $7000, which is a package 6 with a clean Carfax report. Sound like a good deal? Anything I should look for, especially with the high miles? Any concern if the high miles are in a cold northern winter weather state? (I too will be in such a state, but will probably only drive ~15,000 miles per year.)

    Lower miles seem to start at $9000-$10000 and/or involve salvage titles, which seems like something to avoid. Although we're not likely to resell it -- we don't switch cars very often (if ever!). I don't need much fancy features, although safety stuff is always big with the wife.

    Is it worth holding out for a later year's model instead (2006-2008)?
     
    #1 spycake, Nov 19, 2012
  2. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    I recently purchased a 2005 w/96k miles for $8,800 with a few relatively minor cosmetic issues. It was one owner, clean CarFax, been pretty well maintained, good condition interior, pkg 6 so it is pretty well equipped. I looked online within 100 miles for a couple of months and finally reached out 200 miles before finding it. I did probably let a couple slip through my fingers by not acting soon enough. The best deals don't seem to last long.

    I didn't mind 96k and was willing to think about 130k if need be for the right car at the right price. Over 150k was definitely pushing it for me driving 15-20k a year. The supply/demand factor affects the price. In my North Carolina the demand is increasing but the supply of older Prius' is not there. So I had to look further north in more populated areas where there is a larger supply of older ones. I also saw salvaged title cars were noticably cheaper. I wouldn't touch them myself. The lower trim levels typically ran at least $500 less. I looked for private party sales and from dealers. Dealers tended to be far more most of the time.

    As far as comparative prices go, $7,000 may not be too much for your car. Condition and historical maintenance is a huge factor. I'm expecting to get over 250k out of mine but I know I will have to maintain it well to do that. I wouldn't want to start at 180k. Good luck.
     
    #2 SteveLee, Nov 19, 2012
  3. spycake

    spycake Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
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    Thanks for the info. I just saw a 2007 model (package 6) with 192k miles go for $8000 quite quickly, so maybe there is a better market up here? (I hope these folks racking up 25k+ miles per year are having some amazing adventures, and not just doing a crazy long commute every day...)
     
    #3 spycake, Nov 19, 2012
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just be prepared for a 4 figure repair in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 19, 2012
  5. Route66Prius

    Route66Prius New Member

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    My family has purchased 2 Prius with 200k miles and have been very pleased with the service. Remember, the engine on the Prius has only about half the miles actually on it from what the speedometer shows.
     
    #5 Route66Prius, Nov 19, 2012
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Sure but at 180K+ miles, if the HV battery hasn't been changed, then it wouldn't surprise me if it needs it in the next 100K miles. The transaxle could fail too, which isn't cheap for a new replacement part. Getting a used part should be a lot less.

    Then there are some wear items that might need replacement, if they haven't been replaced recently.
     
    #6 cwerdna, Nov 19, 2012
  7. spycake

    spycake Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the tips. After an independent inspection of the car, I am taking the plunge!

    The one issue that came up was a check engine light just prior to inspection -- error code P2601. Sounds like a water pump issue, which doesn't sound uncommon:

    P2601 Coolant Problem - Dealership replaced waterpump... help! | PriusChat

    P2601 - Fixed | PriusChat

    Seller wants to see if it is affected by the current recall, otherwise he will install a new one. Do you think it should be safe to drive for awhile yet with that error triggered? It will probably be a few weeks before the recall work can be performed.
     
    #7 spycake, Nov 20, 2012
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