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2005 Pre-Purchase Inspection

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Gaujo, Sep 28, 2009.

  1. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    Hello to all you Prii experts out there from a newbie!

    I am on the cusp of buying a 2005 Toyota Prius, 27000 miles. I am taking it to a Toyota dealership to have it inspected in a hour or so just to make sure it is tip top, as it is a rebuilt salvage title. I am confident as I can be in the car as it comes with a warranty, but still I'd like guidance from you guys on specific items to have the tech's do.

    So what are the things I should have the guys at the dealership go over?

    • Do they know what to do?
    • Can they/ will they inspect the hybrid system and confirm it is in good operating condition?
    • Will they be able to tell if it's had it's TSBs by the VIN or do I need to print them out and have them confirm?

      Thanks so much and sorry for the rush job!
     
    #1 Gaujo, Sep 28, 2009
  2. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Check the tires for sure. The Goodyear Integrities probably need replacing. $500-600 for four new ones. Check the voltage of the battery--$150 for a new one that is almost certainly due. Noisy coolant inverter (under warantee). FYI: What are you paying for which model?
     
    #2 kenoarto, Sep 28, 2009
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I'd be very concerned about the fact that the car has a salvage title. The "warranty" that you mention above is only as good as the provider of that warranty, who I assume is the seller of the car. If the seller goes out of business or disappears, you are out of luck. Certainly, Toyota's warranties no longer apply to a salvage vehicle.

    A TSB is just a notice of a known problem and info about what to do about it. It is not a recall, aka SSC or Special Service Campaign. The Toyota dealer will be able to look at the VIN and see what service has been performed by other Toyota dealers, including SSCs.

    It's a good idea to have a Prius tech at the Toyota dealer inspect the car. I'd also recommend that you point out the prior accident history and ask for the car's structural condition to be evaluated to confirm that it is safe to drive.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Sep 28, 2009
  4. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    Thanks guys!! I checked the tires, they look pretty good, definitly not an immediate replacement. The frame was checked by the body shop next door as well as the Toyota tech, and checked out ok. Everything checked out ok except they found a coolant leak on the bottom right corner of the radiator where it connects to the hose.

    I went Gastonia Collision Center / Gastonia Toyota (Gastonia NC) for the service and the collision center didn't even charge me to look at it. There wasn't much going on so they let me in to look with them and 3-4 guys poured all over the undercarriage with me. It was great, and they didn't even charge me for it!

    The toyota dealer service dept offered to do a "pre-purchase Courtesy Check" (which costs $69), where they found the coolant leak. Overall definitely worth it. However, if you pay to have this done, be sure they give you a copy of the Tech's checklist sheet because I had to ask for it.

    It was definitely worth the effort and cost to have it inspected!

    Now if I can only find an independant Prius mechanic in the Charlotte area...
     
    #4 Gaujo, Sep 28, 2009
  5. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    PM me
     
    #5 Gaujo, Sep 28, 2009
  6. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    Why is it a big secret??/ LOL:focus:
     
    #6 Sandy, Sep 28, 2009
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The worst single mistake is buying a car in a rush. Be *very* leery of a salvage. So many things can be waiting to go wrong it'll make you ill.
     
    #7 richard schumacher, Sep 28, 2009
  8. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    Never buy salvage titles, insurance company will not insure them and will not payout for them and who needs more problems...i WOULD NEVER BUY A REGULAR car with a salvage title , and not a hybrid...ask a few here who did :(
     
    #8 Sandy, Sep 29, 2009
  9. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    I'll search, but who has had trouble?
     
    #9 Gaujo, Sep 30, 2009
  10. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    some one had awiring harness problem if I recall right, was having a nightmare of a time.
     
    #10 Sandy, Sep 30, 2009
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Five concerns that I would have with a Prius that has a salvage title:

    1. Wiring harness damage that results in intermittent connections
    2. Water damage that results in intermittent connections
    3. Was the body damage repaired in a professional, first class manner?
    4. Difficult to resell the car when you are ready for a change
    5. No Toyota warranty coverage; if your transaxle, traction battery, inverter, etc. fails and you have to rely on dealer service then you are looking at a big four-digit repair bill.
     
    #11 Patrick Wong, Sep 30, 2009
  12. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    Terrible news, I am 10 miles from the car lot and my car kicks a P0A93 code and the engine light goes on. I think I almost blew a gasket too (Personally!). That's an "Inverter Coolant System" code, and they are replacing the inverter coolant pump. Bummer, I am hoping everything works out allright.

    I understand there was a TSB for this type of failure, does a salvage Title car have access to TSB repairs?
     
    #12 Gaujo, Sep 30, 2009
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The first page of the TSB that you cited shows the applicable warranty coverage, which is 5 years or 60K miles. However since your car has a salvage title, the manufacturer's warranty coverage no longer applies.

    Don't let this particular incident worry you, as the inverter coolant pump is a known trouble area. I'm wondering whether your car has other issues that have not yet become apparent to you.
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, Oct 1, 2009
  14. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    Jeez that sounds ominous! As i described, i had it checked out by the Toyota dealership, what issues do you have in mind?
     
    #14 Gaujo, Oct 1, 2009
  15. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    See post #11.
     
    #15 richard schumacher, Oct 1, 2009
  16. Gaujo

    Gaujo Junior Member

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    I am glad to report, the Inverter steering pump was replaced and the car is running great!

    One question though, it seems like the power to the cigarret lighter doesn't cut off when i turn the car off, which keeps my GPS running. Is there any way to change this?

    ie: it's not switched to ignition i think
     
    #16 Gaujo, Oct 2, 2009
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