Buying Used...

I'm looking at buying a used 2010 Prius II. I'm looking for low mileage (<40,000 ideally). My question relates to going private party vs. certified pre owned. I've searched, but haven't found any recent threads (it looks like Toyota used to only offer a 3 month/3,000 mile warranty which is what most of those threads reference, but it is now 12 month/12,000 miles).

I think if I'm patient in my private party search, I can find a car that meets my specs for $16,000 - $16,500. I drove a CPO 2010 with 33k miles today for $17,999.

Given that I'm looking for low mileage, I'm not sure how concerned I should be about buying a car without an independent inspection. My buddy buys and sells lots of cars privately and he isn't really ever concerned about an inspection with newer model, reputable branded cars (Honda, Toyota, etc.). Especially if it's a CPO, I'd rather not hassle with trying to pry it from the dealer's hands to do an inspection. I'm sure I'll get berated for this... but it just seems like such a hassle. I mean how many huge problems (outside of the powertrain, which any car I consider will be well within warranty) could a car possibly have?

There are lots of stories about how CPO is garbage and the dealer doesn't actually do any inspection on them at all. Not sure if those are just a very vocal minority or what. I figure it can't be any worse/more risky than buying private party, and with the premium at only ~$1500, maybe it's worth it to just go CPO. Also CPO from the dealer would save me a trip to the DMV to transfer the title and register, as the dealership would do it there.

Any thoughts/experiences with Toyota's CPO program of late?

 

Yeah... the CPO ones come with a free carfax. I actually just Google'd it and pulled up the carfax for free just now. Looks like it was a 3 year lease. No accidents reported. Service completed by the dealership every 5k miles.

Seems like a pretty solid car, and at $17,999, it's only a $500 above private party KBB value, and well under KBB's CPO estimated value ($20,175). Seems like a pretty solid buy.

 

Well, the process went extremely well. I found a 2010 (red, not my favorite, but oh well) Prius II in great shape with 36k miles. It was a lease turn in that I bought from a wholesaler (who bought it from Toyota Financial). I paid $15,995 + taxes and fees, which came out to just over $17,500 out the door in my county.

Overall, the car is in very good shape. Runs great. Just took it in for a service and they found nothing wrong with it (I didn't even have it inspected before purchasing).

All that said, I'm considering getting rid of it! I WANT to love the car... I really do, but I just don't. The main issue I am struggling with is the seat comfort. While the guy I bought it from let me drive it about 25 miles (~45 minutes) on a test drive, I didn't notice until a few days of driving that the seat really caused my back to hurt. Seems like this is not a unique problem. I've been experimenting with all sorts of lumbar supports, seat covers (shelled out for Clazzio's), etc. I haven't found a winning combination yet, but I'm really trying. I also don't care much for the cockpit of the Prius (instrument cluster, control layout, seating position/feel, etc.).

I'm currently borrowing my friend's Insight, which gets a fair bit less MPG's, but has a much much better cockpit and way better handling, despite significantly less power and a much inferior hybrid system. All in all, it has got me thinking I'd be better off with a Honda Fit, which I was dead set on before considering the Prius... probably should have gone that route.

Alas... that is neither here nor there, and I don't mean to dissuade you or cloud your decision. More directly at your question... these cars are built like tanks, from what I can tell. A low mileage, clean shape, clean title/CARFAX Prius should give you absolutely no trouble whatsoever.

Good luck!

 

Link? I've tried the mesh supports if that's what you're referring to. Helped a bit but my back got tired of resting against it.

I'm onto washers under the front seat mounts, combined with some foam padding on the seat back. We'll see how it goes...