2012 Toyota Prius C3 First Time Buyer

Well as far as vehicle to fit your needs?
I think a Prius c, could be an excellent vehicle for a college/work commute vehicle.
From what I've heard, while Toyota markets the Prius c, as an urban city commuter first, it should do fine on the highway. On a long road trip? Well..it's going to be a smaller vehicle, on a long road trip. Which comes with it's plus's and drawbacks. But if you're comfortable, it should perform admirably, and return excellent gas mileage.

A used vehicle always comes with risk. My biggest concern would be that this vehicle has had 3 owners in only 4 years and 43,000 miles, which means for whatever reason, people haven't kept it long. That would actually be a pretty significant worry for me. Most people like a vehicle, at least when they first buy it, but this vehicle has been a "Hot Potato" of ownership.

But if you've already committed? Good Luck, and let's hope this Prius c's brevity of ownership history was just a fluke.
If you haven't signed on the dotted line? Would I walk away from the deal because of that issue?
Well, I might keep looking for a vehicle that doesn't have the strange short ownership history.

If your dead set? Can you afford an independent evaluation before purchase? Might save you a lot of grief.
And/Or if you can get the VIN you might be able to get a better view of it's recorded maintenance history, which might reveal if it has been serviced repeatedly for some specific issue. Something that would not show up on a Carfax.

In short, I think a Prius c is a good choice of vehicle given your situation, BUT I also think there is reason for concern heading into this deal.

 

I commute to a local university (38 miles each way, 30 are Interstate miles each way); I am averaging 50mpg since I bought the car 5 months ago, 80%+ Interstate driving. Even though it is a 'commuter' car, I have driven multiple 800 mile days (Indiana to Florida) and it is nice on the road-but I drove 2 different Jeep Cherokees (1997 and 2001) for 16 years, so anything is nicer than those Cherokees (and not the Grands either). 3 owners in almost 4 years-could be anything; repo vehicle (it happens), college student who graduated and wanted bigger car, etc... Clean CarFaxes mean absolutely nothing to me, case in point-the 1997 Cherokee got rear-ended on the Interstate-new rear hatch, new rear bumper and both rear quarter panels; police report (by the Indiana State Police), reported to insurance company and insurance (hers) took care of the fix. A year later, hit a deer-new hood, front bumper, right front quarter panel, radiator, police report, insurance, etc... Sold the Cherokee in 2003, pulled a Carfax, clean, no history of any accidents. The 2001 Cherokee, bought in 2003; had a tree far on it, roof replaced, rear hatch replaced, hood replaced, police report, insurance report, etc. 4 years ago, hit a deer (did I mention I hate those forest rats), new hood, front bumper, front left quarter panel, radiator, ac unit, police report, insurance report, etc... pulled a Carfax on it this past September when thinking about buying new car (the Prius C), guess what-clean report, no history of accidents.... just take those things with a grain of salt. With those low miles and that is a good price, I would go for it and buy it.

 

welcome! reset one of the trip meters, and take it for a good long test drive, preferably without a sales weasel. try to simulate all the conditions you will be driving under, and keep the stereo off except to test it. when you get back, see what it's reporting for average mpg. sounds like a good deal to me, all the best!

 

I am not concerned about the ownership changes. Take it to a Toyota dealer (if not already at one) and ask these: A pre-purchase inspection, a review of service/repair records whether above ordinary, and what if any work is required now. And then everything what bisco said.

 

I would be.
3 owners in 4 years isn't PROOF of a problem, but it's at least reason for concern.
I suggested a vehicle inspection and checking the maintenance history.

If the maintenance history can be obtained, and there is no repeated "red flag" problem, then I would probably feel a lot better. If there is a problem that has caused 3 owners to end their relationship with the vehicle, it's probably in the maintenance history.

I think a pre-purchase evaluation is a good idea for nearly any "newer" financed used car purchase.

Hey OP!
Did you end up buying it?

 

you could demand an extended warrantee to say 100000miles to cover all the little bs that might happen. the power train is good for 60k, the hybred system for 80, but all the other stuff that is covered by the 36k bumper to bumper is done. Car companies sell "certified" vehicles. I'd say that you want that or no deal.

 

if the car has a clean carfax and looks visually clean...should be good...I'm assuming the 3 owners could just be that a lot of people (even on here) regretfully had to sell/exchange it for something bigger, but other than that a test drive and a good toyota hybrid mechanic friend wouldn' hurt

 

Just because the Carfax comes back clean doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle hasn't been in an accident and repaired privately. If the dealership has a maintenance bay with a hoist it may be advantageous to take a look underneath for signs of impact/repair if you have any concerns. Also pop the hood and look for signs of repair.

All of that being said I have a 2014 Prius C that I have had for nearly two years, which I use as a commuter back and forth to work and it is amazing. I get around 50 mpg [5 litres per 100 kms] on the freeway (68 mph [110 kph] avg) and 63 mpg [4.5 litres per 100 km] on highways (50 mph [80 kph] avg) and I put nearly 20,000 miles (32,000 km) on it annually.

I don't know if you are concerned about interior size or not, but the room up front is pretty huge. I am 6'3 and around 220 ish lbs and I have a ton of space with room to expand.

In all, I have owned many cars and this is by far the best car I have ever owned. If I were in your position and everything checks out on the this Prius I would definitely buy it. That is just me though, at the end of the day you have to buy what's best for you given your situation and what you look for/value in a vehicle!

Good luck with your vehicle search and all the best with your studies!