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

VIN search

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by fobber, Nov 20, 2012.

  1. fobber

    fobber Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2012
    32
    0
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I was looking at a used Prius V 2011 and when I saw the pictures, it didn't have leather seats (from my perspective) and did not have the standard 17" inch rims.

    The car fax report doesn't tell you what trim it is. So I would like to ask if there is any free or very low cost for a car report that will cover the most important info about the car as well as what model and trim.
     
    #1 fobber, Nov 20, 2012
  2. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2012
    3,705
    1,650
    0
    Location:
    Sanford, NC
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    The standard rims are 16" with "wheel covers". Only the Five has Alloy 17" "standard" though of course there are aftermarket alternatives.

    Usually the advert will list the car as a Three or Five or whatever to denote the option level as that may help justify a higher pricing.

    So if you want 17"s, look for the Prius V Five. Lots fewer than Threes in my recent shopping.
     
    #2 mikefocke, Nov 20, 2012
  3. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2012
    1,417
    512
    0
    Location:
    Harrison Township, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I wonder if you can go to the Toyota owners site, register and type in the VIN and see what equipment it has?

    I know before I bought my Prius, I registered and entered a few VIN's to get the service history!
     
    #3 PriusGuy32, Nov 20, 2012
  4. fobber

    fobber Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2012
    32
    0
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I guess I can try to goto Toyota site, I just didn't bother to register. I will post if that does the job.

    I just mainly want to ensure I am purchasing the right model and not pay for something that it isn't. Could be seller error for all I know.
     
    #4 fobber, Nov 20, 2012
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I think you mean 2011 Prius Five (not V). Toyota switched to spelling out the trim levels (MY11 Prius | PriusChat) w/MY 11.

    Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius / Toyota is the original 2010 price, feature, trim matrix. Ignore the prices, they're old. For 2010, they used Roman numerals.

    There is also the 2012 Prius v (lowercase v) wagon. See Toyota | Toyota Announces Pricing for All-New 2012 Prius v and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles. 2012 was its first model year.
     
    #5 cwerdna, Nov 21, 2012
  6. fobber

    fobber Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2012
    32
    0
    0
    Location:
    So Cal
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I was looking for a Prius Five, I was confused on why how Toyota labeled its Prius models.

    As far as I can Google, Toyota does not have a VIN search, only thing came up was the recall section.

    Is there anyway to truely figure out what Prius models dealers and sellers post online?

    I thought this site would do the trick, but it says any VIN I put in for a Prius Five shows either a Prius Two or even a One.

    www.vehiclehistorycalifornia.com
     
    #6 fobber, Nov 25, 2012
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    ^^^
    Beats me. I don't think there's way. One can identify them by physically looking at the car and the table.

    The 2010 Prius V and 2011 Prius Five have wheels that look different than the other trims and come w/17" wheels and tires.
     
    #7 cwerdna, Nov 25, 2012
  8. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,981
    3,214
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    15" rims, not 16".
     
    #8 El Dobro, Nov 25, 2012
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,123
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Yep. It's 15" or 17".
     
    #9 cwerdna, Nov 25, 2012
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)