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Newbie on the fence for extended warranty+more

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by LChack, Oct 16, 2014.

  1. LChack

    LChack New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
    3
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    Location:
    Montreal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hello there!

    I'm in the market for my very first car and have my heart set on getting a used Prius. Going to test drive one on Monday at an official Toyota dealer. It has approx. 85K kilometers (53K miles) and has had a rear collision at 5K kilometers with only a bumper replaced. I am awaiting a free copy of the Carproof and of the maintenance history. It is going for 16,5K CAD (14,7K USD). I should perhaps mention that I'm in Montreal, Qc, with rough winters and all.

    So, I'm on the fence about a few things:

    1) If this car has had a rear end collision at 5K miles with only bumper replacd, should I worry about damage to important parts such as the battery pack? Could I use this as a reason to bargain hard? Should I even be considering buying this car?! Can I trust the dealer to be 100% transparent about the inspection/state of the car?

    2) I have yet to understand exactly what is left on the original guarantee because I'm so new to this. If anyone can enlighten me, that would be great. At this point, I also wonder if it's worth buying an extended warranty. And if so, for how many years?

    Thanks for your advice!!!
     
    #1 LChack, Oct 16, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,945
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to priuschat!

    1) never trust a dealer.

    2) how do you determine there wasn't more damage than the bumper, but that's all they replaced? have a body shoppe check it out? you want them to look at the hatch fitment and closure, the smoothness of the rear fenders, the bottom panel under the spare tyre, and etc.

    3) there should be a warranty booklet with the car. down here, it's 3/36 standard, 5/60 on emissions and 8/100 or 10/150 on hybrid components, depending on what state you are in.

    4) try to find out how many owners and service history. have all the recalls been done?

    5) how are the gyres and the 12 volt battery?

    6)make sure it has 2 key fobs.

    7)all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 16, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2014
  3. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Never trust a dealer. I like that. That's what I think as well.
     
    #3 Okinawa, Oct 16, 2014
  4. LChack

    LChack New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Montreal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Wow thanks so much for this quick and thorough reply!!!
    I'll make sure to look into as much as I can!! :)
     
    #4 LChack, Oct 16, 2014
  5. LChack

    LChack New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2014
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Montreal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Never trust even a Toyota dealer?!!
     
    #5 LChack, Oct 16, 2014
  6. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2008
    11,627
    2,530
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    Location:
    Southwest Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Dealerships are independent franchises. It is money, and more coincidence than anything else that they sell and service cars rather than say televisions or blenders. Sometimes expert mechanics work for them, but I would not count on it. I would count on 'service advisors' who are incompetent salespoops.
     
    #6 SageBrush, Oct 16, 2014
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