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potential buyer - 2006 86k mi

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by timinfl, Jul 2, 2013.

  1. timinfl

    timinfl New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2013
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    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello PC,

    I will be getting a 2006 Prius with 86,000 miles on it inspected tomorrow as a step towards buying. Seller is an independent dealer asking $8900, negotiable.

    Just wanted to get some thoughts as to whether this seems like a good deal. I'm especially curious as to whether its having been in South Florida its whole life will have been bad for the battery (read around here that heat is detrimental to its life span).

    Also, there is some damage to the paint, mostly on the roof which is basically covered in scratches. It's bad enough that the dealer described the condition as 'good' (as opposed to very good or excellent), and it seems to have knocked the price down. I will definitely need to get it reconditioned.

    Aside from that, it looks quite clean and the carfax indicates regular maintenance with two previous owners, almost all done by two dealers.

    So my main questions:
    - Given the paint damage and the history in the heat, does this seem like a good deal? Any idea what would be a ball park estimate for reconditioning the roof? (Could use as a bargaining chip)
    - Anything specific I should ask the mechanic to look out for?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 timinfl, Jul 2, 2013
  2. timinfl

    timinfl New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2013
    12
    0
    0
    Location:
    South Florida
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    PS - Battery apparently remains under warranty until 100k, or so says the dealer's ad as well as the salesman. Does that sound right? Or is it alternatively a set number of years?
     
    #2 timinfl, Jul 2, 2013
  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2006
    11,324
    3,591
    1
    Location:
    Northern VA (NoVA)
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I think it is 8 yrs or 100k miles in FL. Price sounds a little high but amazing how low the depreciation is on these vehicles. I know that's about right for the blue book value. Maybe you can get a better deal than this one, not sure. Prii tend to pay off the more miles per year you drive, assuming you are looking for cost savings. You cannot beat the practicality of the liftback design, so that's another selling feature which has nothing to do with hybrid engine. Just a great car all around.
     
    #3 wjtracy, Jul 2, 2013
  4. megatsea

    megatsea Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2013
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    Location:
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    I
    We live in Florida, and my neighbor has had her Prius 2007 since new....never had a problem, and it is not garage stored.
    I have a 2001 Duffy Electric boat with 16 batteries, and keep the batteries topped off in extreme heat in the summer months- on the second set of batteries since new (used as a commercial rental boat)...it runs quite hot after 3 hours, but only goes 6 mph on a full load!
    I assuming the Prius will not be an issue.
     
    #4 megatsea, Jul 2, 2013
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