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Can you please give me advice? Should I buy this Prius?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by M. Sartor Lansing MI, Dec 1, 2009.

  1. M. Sartor Lansing MI

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    JimN, thanks for your quick reply!

    I have to assume its a '2' package.. with cd player, keyless entry, security system, alloy wheels, traction control, and cruise control... etc. no mention of dimming mirror/6 cd system, fog lights or Nav system.

    Their price is $13,897, down from $14,500 a couple of weeks ago.
    I did as you suggested, registered at the link you provided, and found that there are only 7 official service records at Toyota done on 8/20/09.. just from the current dealer who is selling it. (inspect, lube, detail, interior trim, 2 filters & alignment) Also, the color via the vin is listed as 'Seaside Pearl' vs 'Blue Moon Pearl' at the dealership.. So it looks like the rental firm (hopefully) did their own servicing? Geesh...

    Is seaside pearl a darker blue color? Could this car have been in an accident, and not been reported/listed in the carfax report? (thus the color change..!?) or is the color listed just a typo at the dealership? Their color in the photo looks like a darker blue..

    Thanks!
     
  2. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

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    Rental companies do their own maintenance. They do maintain a car well (it's in their best interest - they have found that regular maintenance is cheaper than not maintaining a car, and since they're all about maximizing profit they have learned the maintenance lesson well). As for buying a used rental, I have had great luck with this. I would expect that a rental Prius would be better treated for the most part. Most of the rental companies don't rent the Prius except to people who ask or in a separate category (in other words, it would be unusual to go rent a mid-size and get a Prius rather than a convential car). Therefore, the type of people who would intentionally rent a Prius are probably not vehicle abusers.

    As for the color, I'm sure the VIN tag indicates original color - you can check with parts to see what that car really had originally. Changing the color of a car is so much trouble that I can't imagine a rental company doing it, even if they had to repair damage. Lift up the rear compartment door in the floor and see if the metal under there is the same color as the car. You'd have to almost strip the car to a bare shell to get all the places that are relatively easy to check for color match to change it to something else.
     
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  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Just based on the mileage & the package it sounds like a good price. Seaside Pearl is a "medium" to "light" blue. Spectra Blue Mica is a very deep, dark blue. Spectra Blue has only a dark gray interior. Seaside Pearl has either dark gray or bisque interiors. Maybe "Blue Moon Pearl" is the name for the same paint code on a Lexus or other Toyota or it is just dealer puffery. Dealer websites quite often use stock photos (and there is a disclaimer) so the car you see isn't the one advertised. The rental company isn't going to repaint the car. If anything, they would have a special fleet color.

    The wheels you mention are standard. The security system sounds like an accessory. The other items are easily identified.

    I doubt this pertains to your car but do keep in mind that dealers can & do misrepresent cars. A higher packaged car may have damage to the fog lights & grill but rebuilt without the fogs. This is why I believe it is important to know the contents of the different packages for the model year of interest.

    I was thrilled with my 2006 package 3 and this one is a bit better equipped.
     
  4. direstraits71

    direstraits71 Member

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