To Buy or Not To Buy 2008, 230K miles, $3K

Hi!

I’m looking for some feedback regarding a one-owner 2008 Toyota Prius with +230K miles, with clean Carfax. The car is SOLD AS IS- For parts only- No WARRANTY, by a local Toyota dealership, with a tempting price tag ($3000). The dealer said the car had been driven to the dealership and not towed; however, they won’t inspect the car because it has high mileage (even if I pay for it). They won’t allow me to drive the car on or off the lot either, because it’s not inspected. They will, however, allow me to bring my mechanic and have the car inspected on the lot prior to purchase.

The car looks good on the outside; it has one minor scrape on the rear bumper. All the lights, mirrors, windows, and wipers are in working condition. The interior is clean and was not abused or neglected and everything seems to be functional. It has the owner’s manual and 2 other little booklets. In the owner’s manual the pages pertaining to service have been used over and over. The display shows 45 Mpg and the hybrid battery pack is charged to about 75-80%.

It has new tires (little hairs still on). It has a new 12V battery installed, and oil change done before I checked the car. The car starts and the gas engine turns on and runs smooth at idle. The heater works, today 37 F (3C) degrees outside, could not test AC.

I looked in the engine bay which is dusty. I saw no leaks by the engine coolant pump, and inverter coolant pump. I also looked for ripples in the inverter reservoir and I saw something but not like a rolling boil. There are also no visible oil seeps/stains on top of the engine. I looked underneath and it seemed to be clean, no oil stains on the transaxle nor the engine. I stuck my finger in the tailpipe ;p and there was soot (very wet, not oily).

Spoke to the mechanic (not a hybrid tech) who changed the oil and replaced the 12V battery. He said the car drives, shifts, and the brakes work. He saw a red triangle before changing the battery and he thinks the engine is running rich. There were no warning lights as we sat in the car for about 10 minutes with the sales rep with the gas engine running.

The car has dealer service records and the last multipoint inspection was done at 220k miles (6 months ago) and no repairs were suggested.

My question is, should I pursue this car by bringing a mechanic or leave just forget about it?

Thank you!

 

Thank you for your replies.

Fragglestickcar- it is true that dealers will make a profit. I have been looking for a Prius for some time. Here, where I reside, in Tennessee, the cars have very high mileages and are expensive. The best prices for used cars I found to be in Florida, Georgia, Texas (maybe hurricane cars?) .

Paul- I know, it was odd not to be allowed to drive the car, but it is sold as is for parts only, no warranty, with a clean title. the service records on the toyota website show that services were performed. As I sat in the Drivers seat I asked the sales rep- "So this is the shifter..." thinking maybe it wont hurt to throw it in Drive. but the guy had that look in in his eyes. "Don`t do it, man!" I`ll try to find a Toyota hybrid mechanic who is willing to take a look at the car. Maybe they will all say to stay away. Or I will get the scan tool.

JC- they had a camry parts only as is for $15k, it is gone today. now 2007 camry parts only, 110k miles, $8k. Prices are interesting here.

I watched some Youtube videos and definitely the inverter pump was not humming- and no turbidity in reservoir. Assuming that only the inverter pump is defective that would be a ~$50-$90 DIY fix.

What else do you think can be damaged by driving with a defective inverter pump?

Since the Toyota tech was able to drive the car in the bay for oil change and battery I assume is not immobile.

What does running rich mean for a Prius, what causes this condition?

Is non oily sooth in the tailpipe normal for this type of engine?

Thanks, mitch

 

Frodo and oil_burner,

You are right! No test drive is major impediment in buying a vehicle.

What made the car attractive was the longevity of prii and the price tag.

The dealership has many cars in this condition probably they are trying to get a better price than the auction would bring them.

Thank you all for your input!