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

Buying Used 2007 Prius that hasn't been started for 2 years

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by HaiImBrian, Dec 12, 2017.

  1. HaiImBrian

    HaiImBrian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2017
    45
    20
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I am a proud owner of a Gen 3 but I just got an opportunity to get a gen 2 2007 with only 14k miles on it for an amazing price. This isn't some lucky craigslist find, it's from a friends aunt who is moving out of town.

    The problem is, it hasn't been driven for the last 2 years and the car does not start. I'm assuming that the 12v battery just needs a jump start but I'm quite concerned about the traction battery on the Prius.

    What do you guys think?
     
    #1 HaiImBrian, Dec 12, 2017
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,479
    8,397
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Don't try to start it! It'll kill the traction battery.

    You should have that traction battery charged and balanced BEFORE you attempt to start it.

    If you're in Los Angeles, I can help you with that or you can buy a charger from hybrid automotive.
     
    #2 JC91006, Dec 13, 2017
    05PreeUs, Data Daedalus, Chodronish and 5 others like this.
  3. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2014
    1,612
    1,144
    0
    Location:
    Franklin TN
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes good advice JC!

    That's really cool, a 10 year old hybrid cars that's basically brand new! Keep us updated!!
     
    #3 Aaron Vitolins, Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus, Chodronish, WilDavis and 1 other person like this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,809
    49,430
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    aunt find! congrats, do it right, and you might have a great little car there. all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus and WilDavis like this.
  5. HaiImBrian

    HaiImBrian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2017
    45
    20
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Thank you for the advice. I just checked the site and there are so many chargers. Which one do you recommend? I am also in Los Angeles! Are you a supplier or do you offer a service/product?

    Will do! I've only had my use gen 3 for 6 months and I've already put over 14k miles on it haha.

    I'm assuming this is referring to JC suggestion? Is recharging the traction battery from scratch the only way to do it?
     
    #5 HaiImBrian, Dec 13, 2017
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,318
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    For recharging the traction battery, we generally recommend the Prolong Charger from Hybrid Automotive. If you get the discharge-ready harness, you can get a discharger in the future to recondition the battery. If you get a Gen 3 harness, the charger & discharger will work with your 2012 too. @jeff652 is the company owner and very helpful here.
    @Raytheeagle may have some additional suggestions.
     
    #6 Prodigyplace, Dec 13, 2017
    Raytheeagle and WilDavis like this.
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,479
    8,397
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm in the Los Angeles area, I can help you charge the battery if you don't want to buy the equipment.

    But since the car has been sitting for so long, it may need some work done before the car is ready for the road. For example

    1. change oil
    2. change transaxle fluid
    3. change gas if it's bad
    4. make sure brakes are functioning
    5. tires might need to be changed
     
    #7 JC91006, Dec 13, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus, Chodronish, Raytheeagle and 4 others like this.
  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,318
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If it were me, I would take @JC91006 up on his offer.
     
    #8 Prodigyplace, Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus, Raytheeagle, Aaron Vitolins and 2 others like this.
  9. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2017
    1,152
    1,177
    3
    Location:
    Western Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Did I read it right?! 14K miles on an '07? Wow!

    Take care of it properly to get it ready for the road and enjoy!
     
    #9 VFerdman, Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus, Aaron Vitolins, Prodigyplace and 2 others like this.
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,520
    38,702
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Brakes might be seriously rusted up, rotors and/or drums. OTOH, Southern California, maybe not. Tires too, might be flatspotted from sitting so long.

    A little dismaying about what protracted idle time might do to hybrid battery. Our 2010 when new, was 15 months past manufacture date. But maybe more stable when new? No problems, over seven years on.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Dec 13, 2017
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,809
    49,430
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yes, stick with JC, he'll steer you right.
     
    #11 bisco, Dec 13, 2017
    Raytheeagle and Prodigyplace like this.
  12. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,492
    2,153
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Sounds like a great find. Some good recommendations so far, my only question is "has it been garaged for those 2 years?" Good luck, and you've certainly come to the right place for great advice! :)
     
    #12 WilDavis, Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus and Chodronish like this.
  13. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2016
    581
    422
    1
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Best before first startup is:
    1. Replace 12V
    2. Recondition HV battery
    3. Change motor oil
    4. Change gas, or at least fill it up with 5 gallons of premium (old gas looses octane rating over time, so premium will help balance this)

    Transaxel and other fluids should be in good enough shape to start the car. Tires will probably be flat-spotted and will likely need replacement. Do some intentional controlled breaking around the neighborhood before getting it into traffic. The rotors and pads will definitely have some corrosion that will take at least a few good brake cycles to get off.
     
    #13 Kevin_Denver, Dec 13, 2017
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  14. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,481
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    The local dealer here still has 3 brand new 2015s sitting on their lot:cool:.

    That would be an interesting data point for comparison ;).

    When we were shopping for a new car for the wife in July they had a 15 HiHy there and I inquired about it. Being 3 model years old didn’t deter them from starting at MSRP:eek:.

    Let’s just say we kept looking;).
     
    #14 Raytheeagle, Dec 13, 2017
    Aaron Vitolins and JC91006 like this.
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,479
    8,397
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I have a nearly new 2015 for sale. In about 10 years, it should have close to 20k miles. I don't have a chance to drive it

    Asking MSRP
     
    #15 JC91006, Dec 13, 2017
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,481
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    How many Prii are in your stable:whistle:?

    Seems like it grows frequently :).

    At least that one isn’t a project(y).
     
    #16 Raytheeagle, Dec 13, 2017
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,479
    8,397
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    No more for now, out of room and CA registration just went up.

    8 and counting. I'm ready to sell some....
     
    #17 JC91006, Dec 13, 2017
    Prodigyplace, Aaron Vitolins and Raytheeagle like this.
  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,481
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    I might look you up when you are ready to part with the 2015;).

    Just clicked 170 k miles on our 2010 and going strong so it’ll be awhile (y).
     
    #18 Raytheeagle, Dec 13, 2017
    Prodigyplace and JC91006 like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)