2009 Touring 300k miles for under $3k..... should I ?

Here's the thing, very possible battery failure, and for sure major oil consumption. You'll be adding lots of oil if you do any amount of highway driving. That's one of my big turn offs on high mileage Prii. I'd get em down to $2500 or less! Could be a good car, or a money pit. Ya never know till you try

 

A prius is a expensive used car to maintain. You're wayyyy better up picking up a 2008-2009 with 110k or under miles for 4-6k. Just look around.. it'll pay for itself in repairs you won't have to do.

 

I think any Gen 2 Prius, no matter the mileage, is going to have an expensive battery failure in its future. A pristine '09 with 60K miles is still going to be at some (lower) risk simply from the age of the chemical battery. They don't have an unlimited shelf life.

Under $3K is a good price, but start putting $1500 (used) to $3500 (new) into a battery fund if you want a long-term ride.

Or you can call it a gamble, as you would with any other used car that might blow a transmission in a month.

With fuel down near $2, there's little financial incentive to commute with a Prius. It's a good car and I'm happy to have one, and I enjoy working on it as a retired EE, but there could be better options right now.

 

i say go for it! get the necessary prius tools and have at it. i would do the same if i had your skills. all the best!

 

I'm not much of a mechanic but I took the chance on a $3000 2005 Prius. My math for it was simple. I could spend $10,000 on a newer Gen 3 or I can gamble on an older Prius with excellent reliability. Worse case scenario I think is a wheel bearing, or axle replacement costing ~$1500. You thought I was going to say battery failure huh? My anecdotal review of this site and the internet has convinced me that battery failures on a Prius are very uncommon. This site has maybe 1 or 2 new battery failure posts a month. Consider how many Prius are sold and how people tend to complain rather than say nothing is wrong and it's just not likely you will have issue. You can do your own searches.

Even if my Prius does battery encounter issues. There is the Prolong battery maintenance charger. There are DIY's for replacing the individual battery modules. The cost for that is in the $100's range.

I wouldn't recommend a 2005 or a 300k mile Prius to a college student. But that's not because I am worried about the battery. It's because the car is really old and expensive repairs will start to crop up. But to a tinkerer and a mechanic in a two car family? It can be quite a bargain... or nightmare. But do your math. A $7000 (my math) gamble is easy for a tinkerer like me.

 

Thank you for your perspective. I know others who think like you do, that the battery failure is more of an outlier that gets a lot of attention.

 

From experience. My current prius is at 205k miles, and i've had it since 70k. At around 180k things started to break down. If the car is on it's original transmission/engine, then that alone I'd pass. I've bought a 2002 honda insight with 190k miles, which also had expensive repairs down the line. Generally speaking it pays it get a 90-120k miles prius for 1-2k more in better condition, then save the 2k and pay for it down the line on a car that has no resale value and high miles at that point.

 

I got a 2009 with 230,000 Miles.
I immediately had the transaxel fluid replaced, new 12V battery, synthetic oil change, and new tires.
I have kept aside $2000 for a future hybrid battery failure.
You should NOT pay more than $2500.
Go for it.
Simba

 

I would not pay a penny over NADA Trade for it, no way.

While the Gen 2 Prii are, buy point of fact, the most likely CAR in the world to achieve 300k with minimal fuss, that does not mean they are exempt from repairs and maintenance needs. With the added complexity of the HSD system, very significant financial risk comes with the added parts.

Our 2005 was bought for under $2k with about 170k on it needing nothing more than two new tires and a good cleaning. About 10k miles later and it insisted that I replace the water pump. Money we save on gas will more than make up for the cost of a new HV battery when it fails.

 

170k or 230k, is not 300k miles. You should be able to find one for 2k-3k with 170-200k miles easily imo. If paying more isn't an option, that's the alternative i'd go with.

 

If the car is in perfect shape 300k, I would offer 2k$ and save for future repairs. You won't know if it burns oil till you drive it. Take what the seller is saying with a grain of salt. DOES NOT BURN OIL RUNNING 20W80????
My hybrid battery in my 2005 195k threw a cel red triangle and the dealer wanted 3500$ for a new hybrid battery system and 1000$ back for the core. I have been working on cars since I was 16 and also an electrician by trade. I had never taken the battery out nor have worked on a hybrid car. I was able to pull the whole battery out in 45min and in about 1:45 figure out which battery had gone wonky. Ordered a single battery on eBay for 30$ shipped, cleaned all the contacts and balanced all the batteries with my quadcopter charger. Applied noalox on all the terminals and had it up and running 100%
Also fixed the mystery leak and removed 5 gallons of water hiding in the spare tire and 12vdc battery.
I sold my 2005 prius and bought a truck for work. I am here now because fuel prices are suppose to skyrocket this summer and just bought a 2011 prius with a blown head gasket. In the middle of fixing it now. War in north Korea???? Trump in office???? Anything can happen with the fuel/electricity/food/taxes.
Good Luck.
I think its cool to keep something alive thats old and paid for rather than having a car payment. Keeping up with the jones' your in luck with so many prius' out there. There will be parts galore for some time. I'm just waiting for an aftermarket graphene or solid state battery option or a hack like I saw on youtube were he runs 100% battery and no motor.

 

hell NO, why are you buying a used taxi? 300,000 miles = parts car. $1000 max

 

I think it is a good idea to seek out a used Prius for your daily 100 mile commute, but it is not obvious that a Prius with 300K miles is the best choice - unless you have lots of time to work on it.

Why not seek out a used Prius with 100K miles instead? Such a car will have a relatively low price, not under $3K, but still affordable.

 

Since there are not very many prius' in your area, I would venture to a bigger market where you will get more for your money. Get temp tags and fly to the destination and drive it home. A 100$ one way flight could save you thousands. Adventure is out there.

 

I'm late coming to this thread, but I bought my 2009 Gen II (83,000 miles) used for about $12k 3 years ago, inc. extended warranty, I also invested in ProlongDischarge system. Car just hit 120,000 miles, still getting high 40s to mid 50s mpg, runs like a top! (it's a Toyota!!)