Honest opinion needed on a 2008

How many miles you drive per year ?

 

I would look at the recommended maintenance schedule for that car. The dealer can provide it or you can google it. If you register the car with Toyota's customer web site you can get the info.

I would make sure everything was done. Typically brakes and a major tune up with plugs is needed and a pcv value change and transaxle fluid change at 100,000 miles.

Those may have been done by the previous owner.

After that just routine stuff like the oil change and tire rotation and alignment.

The small 12 volt battery is replaced at 4-5 years old that costs $300. If it's the original have them replace it it take the money off the price.

The Prius can go 200,000 miles before big stuff can occur.

Best to save a little money for repairs but that is typical for high mileage cars.

 

Best of luck.

 

Its good to have $1000-2000 in an emergency fund just in case one of the high dollar parts like the battery or inverter takes a crap, but that's also sound advice for any car out of warranty. Try to find a shop that is good with Prii before experiencing trouble as well. Dealers tend to be more expensive than independent shops and you don't want to have to find a place while under stress.

 

Congratulations on your soon-to-be-yours Prius!

 

do you live in a carb state? if so, you have 15,000 miles left on the hybrid system. if not, see the threads on battery failure out of warranty, or transaxle, or inverter. all the best!