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Would you buy this prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Sd61904, Sep 17, 2014.

  1. Sd61904

    Sd61904 New Member

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    Hello guys I just registered because I need some advice, I'm looking to buy a salvage prius that was only a front bumper accident.

    anyway it is a 2006 one owner only with 85 thousand miles with backup camera, navigation. I don't know what package it is but I can find out.

    I have checked the service records on the toyota owners website and it seems to have been mantained well, also checked carfax and autocheck and no accidents come up which tells me it wasn't anything major.

    I can get it for $9K cash, what do you guys think?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    No no and hell no
     
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  3. Sd61904

    Sd61904 New Member

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    Care to elaborate?
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This is priced the same as a non salvage car. Also this car no longer has any warranty from Toyota because it's salvaged.
     
  5. Sd61904

    Sd61904 New Member

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    Where can I get a clean title 2006 prius with less than 90K miles for $9K flat? All i see in California is $12K+ that year with 100K miles or more.
     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You are not looking hard enough, just last month my friend bought a 2008 with 100k miles for $8500. This was like new.

    You just have to keep an eye out, there are a ton of prius cars in California
     
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  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If the accident wasn't "major", why would the insurance company have designated the car as salvage? If Carfax doesn't have a record that probably means the repair was done by a fly-by-night place that doesn't post records. Who knows what shortcuts were taken - for example, were the airbags replaced or is there just empty space in the steering wheel hub and the instrument panel on the passenger side?

    You are taking a big risk by buying any salvage vehicle, especially Prius which has an extremely high electronics content. If that car has an intermittent problem it can be very tough to figure out.

    If you want a repair project you can do better than paying $9K. If you want a car that actually runs, is safe and reliable, look elsewhere.
     
  8. Sd61904

    Sd61904 New Member

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    Was it private party? The place I'm getting it from is a stealership, I mean dealership.

    TBH I'm really weary of buying from people, the last 5 prius's I have looked into all had major repairs on the service records or didn't start and the owners wanted to sell it as like new condition.
     
  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes the best deals are private party. Check craigslist, they have good deals daily.
     
  10. writes123

    writes123 Junior Member

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    i can appreciate the difficulty of finding a good prius deal in SoCal. many priuses are salvage which are almost universally recommended to not purchase due to insurance difficulties, reliability, and other non-salvage priuses. it took me a few weeks and some patience to locate a well-maintained prius. the prius i found was located around 5 hrs from the LA area closer to san jose. it was also on the market for nearly 3 months from a private seller on CL. with an immaculate dealer maintained service history with a brand new HV battery i got it in late june 2014 for under 6k. it had 100k miles and was fully featured except for leather. it neeeded new tires but nothing else beside some exterior cosmetic scratches. good deals are there. it just takes time.
     
  11. Fifine

    Fifine Member

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    ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

    What JC said.
    You asked for advice but sounds like your heart is set on this car.
    Price is WAY out of line.

    If this is indeed a one owner car, ask the seller to show pic's of the crash damage. (S)he or the insurance co. would have such. BE WARY if not. That most likely means something is being hidden.
    Is seller also the owner who had the car accident?
    Or the 1st owner settled w/ the insurance co. and the "2nd owner", aka seller, has not registered the car yet. Thus not showing 2nd owner on carfax?

    Do a web search of the VIN. If this car has gone to a yard or auction house, there may be a residual trace (and photos) of it.
    Make sure both a mechanic and body shop person inspect before you buy.
    Why is the mileage so low? is it consistent w/ the dates of service done?
    How long did the car sit between accident, repair and now? (read up on PC why this is important)

    Dealership? I don't think dealerships sell salvage cars. You mean a used car lot?
    Once again, price is WAY out of line.
    How many cars on that lot are salvaged?

    For 5 weeks I waded through doz. of Prius, clean and salvage, from I. E. to San Diego. Not all in person but you can screen pretty well by asking relevant questions. Hooray for SoCal and the plethora of choices (y)

    Spend the $$$ or do the legwork.

    Good luck.
     
  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    If the question is "Would You Buy This Prius?" regrettably my answer is no.

    It actually does make me MORE nervous that an accident isn't showing up on Carfax, even though the vehicle has a salvaged title.
    Something happened to it, and it was enough to deem it a salvaged title vehicle.

    If you have Nine Grand, cash available? That's so close to opening up a whole lot more doors of possibility.

    Yeah I'd keep looking and/or hang on and save just a little more.
     
  13. Sd61904

    Sd61904 New Member

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    Ok guys thank you for the feedback, ill back off this deal and look for a clean title prius.

    What is your opionion on high mileage prius's? 120k miles and up?

    Ive seen a few from 2004 to 2008 within my price range.
     
  14. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    JC, sell him one of your many many Pri. :)
     
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I can't let go of my Prius, the older and more beat up they look, the more attached I get to them. It costs so little to maintain and it only costs $30 a week to drive. I just can't let go.......
     
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  16. Fifine

    Fifine Member

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    Haha
    Hope our OP takes note. (y)(y)(y)
     
  17. parkp81

    parkp81 Junior Member

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    Like others have mentioned keep looking. It took me some time to find one too. Many that I looked at said it was in excellent condition or very good condition, then I go to find out it has been in an accident or has some other issues. Waste of my time and gas, but what can you do.

    I picked up a 05' with 99k miles for 9,400, at the Torrance Toyota dealership. Very good condition with all records, 1 owner. Previous owner had all service done at the same dealer and sold the car back to the same dealer in which then I bought the car. =). Came with warranty too!
     
  18. exmetrodriver

    exmetrodriver Member

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    If it truly has a salvaged tile then I would say no. You never know what kind of can of worms your opening. I know around here about 90% of the private party ones are salvaged titles. And the dealers are asking way too much for used.
     
    #18 exmetrodriver, Sep 19, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 19, 2014
  19. wa-chiss

    wa-chiss Member

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    +1 on the salvaged title with no accident records. I'm overly curious how that happened. No accident(s) reported but has salvaged title? Seems fishy.
    I just bought my 2005 Prius with 85,000mi for $5000 ($2500 after my "trade-in"). Albeit I get my employee discount from my Toyota dealership. All I'm saying is, wait. I waited for a better MPG vehicle than my 2001 Xterra for almost 2 years to come into the dealership before I decided I could't pass this car up. Look for the deals, wait for the right car, and don't buy a salvaged vehicle for a non-salvaged price.
     
  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Please notify me when there's another 2005 with 85k miles for $5000