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Buying Advice

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by spad3, May 17, 2018.

  1. spad3

    spad3 New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2018
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    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Should I buy a 2010 Prius (package 2??) with 150k miles for $6,000? private sale
    Brakes just got replaced. I know there is oil burning with this year, is there indication when I test drive it?

    My other choices are
    $5,200
    2006 (All options including leather) 161k miles
    Rental then 1 owner @ 11k/yr

    $5,200
    2006 (All options including leather) 154k miles
    3 owners 11,921/yr(4 total) 21,784/yr(3 total) 8,819/yr(3total)

    $6,200
    2007 Touring 121k miles
    1 owner

    I have Torque advance and dr. hybrid to test stuff
     
    #1 spad3, May 17, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    welcome!
    hard to advise, because there is no way for us to know how these old high mileage vehicles will perform for you.
    they are all in possible need of a new battery, along with other major expenses, or they could go another 100,000 miles with few problems.
    one thing to keep in mind with 2010 is potential oil burning around 100,000 miles, egr clogging and head gasket failure.
     
    #2 bisco, May 17, 2018
  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Do you mind sharing some background so we can tailor our advice;):

    • How many annual miles will you be driving?
    • Are you the DIY type?
    • What is the personal driver for getting an older, used Prius?
    • What is your budget?
    • Do you have money set aside for a potential large repair?
    Good luck with your decision and keep us posted (y).
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, May 17, 2018
    SFO likes this.
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    In your shoes, I wouldnt buy a high mileage prius at that price and just get a conventional vehicle with lower miles. And later save up for a honda civic hybrid.
     
    #4 Grit, May 17, 2018
  5. spad3

    spad3 New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2018
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    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    -Im a delivery driver at the moment, I'm averaging about 400 miles each week, about 20800/year.
    -I am the DIY type, but haven't done much except replace a cabin air filter in a 2012 corolla.....:oops:
    -Financial reasons, and I'm tired of used cars that have problems here and there. Get something reliable and for the mpg
    -My budget is under 7000.
    -I have an ok amount for small repairs, but probably not enough to do a Hybrid battery replacement as those cost around $2,000. I just don't want to be one of those people who buy a car and having to replace the hybrid battery a few months down
     
    #5 spad3, May 17, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  6. spad3

    spad3 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have a vehicle like that already, I'm driving a 1998 Lexus ES300 with 296k miles, but let's not get off topic about the lexus :)
    I've been driving it for half a year about, but I calculated the math, that paying my mother-in-law 100-200 a month. With insurance and gas calculations. It would be the same as the Lexus, just because it wastes a lot on mpg alone, gas alone cost me around 300 a month
     
    #6 spad3, May 17, 2018
  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    If the diy type and willing to learn, we have this in the Bay Area :):

    Possible Monthly install meets. Bay Area-Fremont

    The one thing @SFO and I do is share the Prolong setup from Hybrid Automotive, which reduces costs and allows us to preventatively maintain our hybrid battery ;).

    The equipment will work on either a Gen3 or a Gen2, so that helps with flexibility :).

    Good luck with your decision (y).
     
    #7 Raytheeagle, May 17, 2018
    SFO likes this.
  8. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Model:
    Two
    If I had to make a decision like that, I think I would go with the 2007, one owner, with the 121,000 miles.
    With the one owner, it’s probably been cared for. If you ask the seller, I’m sure that maintenance records won’t be a problem. Just looking the car over will tell you a lot about it.
     
    #8 BZzap!, May 17, 2018
  9. spad3

    spad3 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It is at a dealer, It's listed for $6,300. How much would you bargain Out The Door price? 5,800? or even less?

    Sounds great, I think I would look out for that, thank you so much for the invitation :rolleyes:
     
    #9 spad3, May 18, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: May 18, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #10 SFO, May 18, 2018
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  11. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    A 2007 with 121000 miles on the clock and in “Good” condition would be worth $3500-$4500 according to KBB. That’s the trade-in value. If you made an offer of $1000 below their listing, you might get lucky.
     
    #11 BZzap!, May 18, 2018
  12. spad3

    spad3 New Member

    Joined:
    May 17, 2018
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    Location:
    San Francisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I guess I'm looking for leather, and also fog lights due to the extreme random fog days here in SF/Daly City
     
    #12 spad3, May 18, 2018
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