Making my first Pruis purchase tomorrow (most likely)...

Seems to be a good deal. But you should have it checked out and prepare yourself for a Hybrid battery in the near future.

 

On a 2005, there is no saying how long it'll last. It could be 1 day later, it could be maybe 2 years later. Many have posted failures close to the 10 year mark.

 

If your not in a big hurry, you could hold out like me, and buy one with a hybrid battery replacement. I just bought a 06 two weeks ago with 144k, the hybrid battery was replaced by seller at 128k. We settled at about the same price that you are looking at with the 05. Runs great, no rust, body scratched a bit, think of it as my MadMax car. Here it is.
Good luck.

 

A new hybrid battery is cheaper than a transmission overhaul or an engine job on a conventional car of the same age and mileage. Seems most here advise to get a rebuilt or junkyard battery (about half the cost of a new one), buying a car of that age and mileage you are taking your chances, but I would guess dollar for dollar you should come out ahead in the next 100k miles.

 

Why have a carport if you're not going to park under it?

 

I do, I was just about to lay down some ramps to get car off ground.
I can put the Tundra behind it and keep windshield clear from overnight ice, ect.
Of course you don't have to worry about that in LA.

 

Amazing how you had time to consider purchasing your car. Here in California, a car in that condition and criteria, would be gone 1 hour after it being listed for sale.

 

The sellers had it on Craigslist here for two weeks or more before I saw it. This area like most urban areas has a lot of Prius cars around . Three major Universities all 20 min apart.
I did let them know to consider me as #1 just after we started talking, they did.
Went to drive it 4 days later, must have been meant for me. They are good people.

 

Where you from Steve?

 

Or you can haggle with the seller a little more. If you can get them to drop the price by $800 you're halfway to a rebuilt traction battery.

 

Kelly Bluebook is usually lower that what sellers are asking, you could use that to bring price down. I also had a pre inspection before buying, and met them half way on some near future maintenance . So that helped reduce the asking price. Then you have the eventual battery replacement. Depending on how long they have been trying to sell, you could always make a low offer.

 

So JC, does my Prius have a fuel filter, is it in the tank?

 

I don't know the answer to that question.

My thinking is if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Normal maintenance is OK but don't go beyond that, you can mess up a car by doing too much to it when it's perfectly running fine. Unless you are having driving issues, I would not touch the fuel filter.

 

No, was not planning too,just curious .
May be self cleaning, or last forever??????

 

$5500 would be a minimal discount on a car asking $5800. I would think if you drove 4 miles a day, you can ride a bike.

The car seems to be in good condition with really lower miles than many you normally would see from 2005. But if you were buying this car strictly to save gas and money, you probably won't see that unless you drive it for more than 5 years because the eventual battery replacement will set you back a couple grand. If you don't intend to keep this car more than 5 years, you won't save any money buying this car to drive.