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Need advice on buying 2010 Toyota Prius,100K miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by CodyBoy, Jul 14, 2018.

  1. CodyBoy

    CodyBoy New Member

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    Hi all,

    I need your advice/opinions.

    I want to buy a used 2010 Prius that has 101600 miles on it. This car is owned and well maintained by the municipal facility. (This is a retiring village fleet vehicle)
    Since I've never owned Toyota nor any hybrid car (zero experience), I don't know if this is a good car to purchase.

    Specs:
    2010 Prius, (I think it's Trim II from the description)
    Mileage: 101650
    Service/regular maintenance by Municipal's own facility. - 1 owner (Municipal)
    No accidents
    No Flood damage
    Normal wear interior and exterior
    No rust

    Price: $4000.00

    Concerns:
    1) I don't know how much additional mileage it will run before it needs a new battery. - I heard I shouldn't get Prius that has 100K + miles.
    2) Insurance cost. - I don't know if insurance on Hybrid is much higher than the Non-hybrid car.
    3) Normal upkeep cost, i.e: Oil change, headlight, tune up, etc. - I don't know if service place will charge more for these services because it's Hybrid or will it be just about the same as the gasoline car.

    Expectation:
    I am working from home, so I don't put a lot of mileage on the car; Maybe 3000 - 5000 miles/year. I want to keep this car for at least 5 years without major issues.

    So, what are your thoughts on this?
    I need to make a decision by July 18th... Should I go for it or I should better get a different car? Appreciate all the help/advice I can get. Thank you.
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    1) no one knows, so it's a good idea to have $3,000. earmarked just in case. hopefully, you won't need one.

    2) shouldn't be. call your agent with the vin for a premium.

    3) most regular maintenance costs the same. you would be advised to find a good hybrid shop for abnormal repairs, otherwise, the dealer will soak you.

    4) with that low use, you would be better off with a corolla or yaris, etc.

    5) a 2010 will immediately need an intake manifold and egr circuit cleaning, plus a possible oil catch can. and you should have the tranny fluid replaced.

    6) at 120,000 miles, you will need spark plugs and all the fluids replaced. that is a fairly pricey service.

    all the best with your decision!(y)
     
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  3. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    4,000$ sounds reasonable, run it through Kelly blue book, it will soon need a new traction battery (2,500$ installed by Toyota), if not already, then it will be a gas miser,
    Brakes, rubber, gas and it’s going to go to 300,000 miles no problem.

    Struts and wheel bearings will be coming up, also the steering wrack.

    But it still beats any other cars mpg’s, and no monthly 500$ payment.
     
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    No, don't buy a used prius. Just get a regular car.
     
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  5. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    That's a very, very good price for a 2010. Buy it - you could turn around and sell it in a week or so for $5,000 - $6,000 if you don't want to keep it.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    +1

    $4000 is a very good price
     
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  7. CodyBoy

    CodyBoy New Member

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    Thank you all so much for great advice. I have 3 days to think about this.
     
  8. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    if you don't want it, let us know. It would be worth the drive for me, and others might be closer.
     
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    $4000? Look it over carefully, test drive and all, but yeah: that's a good price.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    kbb sows 8k retail in my area.

    the only downside is the myriad of yahoo muni drivers it has probably had. but prius can handle quite a bit of abuse.
     
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  11. CodyBoy

    CodyBoy New Member

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    :) You must be "Prius" fan!
     
  12. CodyBoy

    CodyBoy New Member

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    Here are the photos of Prius that I am thinking to buy. A little dirty, but overall, it looks good.
    They also have 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan (Taurus line) for sale, and I don't know if I want the Prius or Police Interceptor. I am leaning toward to Prius.
     

    Attached Files:

    #12 CodyBoy, Jul 15, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2018
  13. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Replying to my own post. I now see you're in Chi-town. Batteries last longer up north in cooler climates so I think you should be good for it (the expensive hybrid battery) to last another 5 years. If not, it's about $3k right now. There are less expensive alternatives and you should research those too.

    If you're good with that, go for it.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Those pictures look good, like a car that hasn't been particularly tarted up for a sale, just the everyday appearance. Yeah test drive, see that it behaves normally, sounds ok, I would go for it: a very good price and not a lot of miles.

    Or the Police Interceptor... :sneaky:
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you are conflicted about these two vehicles, lay down on my couch and tell me about your childhood.:whistle:
     
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  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    We all want you to buy the interceptor and let us buy the Prius
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think you'd be an excellent psychologist, you're tactful, awash in people skills.

    I know I've been clinically depressed since the first 4th gen pictures came out. And then there's @Danny: he may be suffering from Howard Hughes syndrome.
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hope he's keeping his fingernails trimmed.:sick:
     
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  19. CodyBoy

    CodyBoy New Member

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    I am going to test drive tomorrow. I'll let you all know the outcome. Thank you all for the great advice and humorous comments.
     
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  20. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    You know, the car you drive makes a statement about you. Driving a police interceptor makes a significantly different statement than driving a Prius does. For example, "That's a really badass-looking Prius" is not a common statement (unless you're part of the California crew here). Among other things, this will affect how different types of girls/women respond to you. On the other hand, driving up to a job interview in a badass-looking police interceptor may or may not be a good thing, depending on the job. Good luck with your test drive.
     
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