1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prospective Buy: 2004 Toyota Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by MadeVoller, Jul 1, 2016.

  1. MadeVoller

    MadeVoller New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello everyone, as the title suggests I am looking at a 2004 Toyota Prius with 145k miles for $3.8k.

    Any hints, tips or advice would much appreciated. Thanks!

    Here is the link for those who would like to inquire:

    AUTO EXCHANGE USA: 2004 Toyota Prius - Miami, FL

    It includes the CarFax history, and I can provide any maintenance history from the Toyota Owners site. The most notable being the removal and replacement of the hybrid battery in 2013 at 138k miles.
     
  2. MadeVoller

    MadeVoller New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The other finds I made is the front brakes worn 2-3mm and this:

    "CHECK ENG.LIGHT ~|~C/S THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. INSPECT & ADVISE CUSTOMER IN TRANSIT MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ~|~CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. RAN HEALTH CHECK. CURRENT DTC,S P3000 P1151,C1234,C1241. CODES FOR HYBRID BATTERY AND COOLANT STORAGE TANK. - ~|~INSPECTED COOLING SYSTEM. FOUND COOLANT LEVEL TO BE VERY LOW FIRST INSPECTED FOR INTERNAL LEAKS, NONE. NEXT PERFORMED HYDROCARBON TEST TO CHECK FOR POSSIBLE INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUES, GOOD. DETERMINED COOLING SYSTEM NOT BLED PROPERLY. AIR POCKETS THROUGHOUT"

    As for the hybrid battery R&R, I'm well aware of the aforementioned. However, if I want to go about checking its integrity, how should I go about it?
     
    bisco likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    sounds like a decent car. my neighbor has my old 2004 with 140k. but i sold it to him 4 years ago with 95k for $5500. what's the book value?
     
  4. TampaPrius.com

    TampaPrius.com Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2013
    461
    296
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Look for the additional stickers that only a new/replacement battery has. Here is a picture of a new/replacement battery(front) and an old original one (rear) IMG_5939.JPG
     
    KimPrius3 likes this.
  5. Silver Pine Mica

    Silver Pine Mica Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2013
    48
    22
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Assuming the battery was really replaced by toyota that recently and the coolant issue was fixed this is a hot deal. That is maybe 1k more than the battery alone. I would buy two of them and give one to my sister if it weren't for
    1 it is too far and
    2 there is only one of it.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    is it a new or remanufactured battery?
     
    Silver Pine Mica likes this.
  7. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2004
    949
    115
    0
    Location:
    Coconut Creek, FL
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I actually think you can do a little better on the price. I have the same car but with much more mileage (263,000).
     
  8. MadeVoller

    MadeVoller New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Fair Purchase Price from KBB is $4,809, but the dealership's going price is $3,827.

    It really does sound like a great buy! But I'm hesitating in regards to what you've mentioned. If and when I get it inspected, hopefully that will determine its true condition.

    Well, I got the hybrid battery R&R info off of the Toyota Owners site and it describes being completed at a Toyota dealership. But otherwise, I have no way of knowing until it's inspected.

    I thought it was an okay deal as mentioned above. How much more should I try to get shaved off the price?
     
  9. MadeVoller

    MadeVoller New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2016
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks, I plan on inspecting it with my mechanic so I'll keep my eyes peeled.
     
    bisco likes this.