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Is this worth 8k?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Toddwilks, Jan 16, 2019.

  1. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    I just went and looked at a 2010 Prius with a solar package and 135,000 miles. They said they won’t take anything under 8000. The car had three previous owners the rear bumper was re-sprayed and there are four marks in the paint that are down to the metal and covered up with a paint pen. The marks are the size of my thumb and would obviously need to be touched up professionally. The car Road nice and I did a scan with an OBD two reader and there were no trouble codes. I tested the sunroof and there were no leaks and I was also able to run on Ev with no issues. I checked the service history and the cooling needs to be completed which is easy, but I did not see a serpentine belt replacement done. Below is the Carfax report let me know if this is a good buy or not. I only need the car for a year to a year and a half to keep miles off my other car but this is something I would plan to keep and run to the ground.

    CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS: JTDKN3DU4A0032766

    IMG_4746.jpg
    IMG_4747.jpg IMG_4748.jpg IMG_4749.jpg IMG_4750.jpg


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  2. Robertto09

    Robertto09 Junior Member

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    I paid $ 7500 for my Prius 2010 package two, when it entered in Costa Rica I had to pay another $ 7500 for Transportation taxes and customs fees. I finally had to pay $ 1000 more for circulation right and minor expenses for a total of $16,000. If I could pay $8000 for a Prius 2010 solar package I would be really happy. I definitely think it's a good buy. Good luck!!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Is this the first Prius you've looked at?
    What are Prius in your area going for?

    Off the cuff...there are enough issues surrounding this vehicle that continuing to look wouldn't be a big problem for me.

    Depending on what level of perfection you are seeking, those chunks of missing paint could be very expensive to fix.
    You'd also be the 4th owner of this vehicle in just under 10 years.
    You're coming out of the gate knowing of maintenance issues.

    I'd want a bigger comparison base of what $8000 might be able to get me. Even if gaining that knowledge meant losing out on this deal.
     
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  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    There isn't a serpentine belt.
     
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  5. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    Oh that was only gen 2?


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  6. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    I think the price is a bit high....I'd keep looking. Also, the gen3 Prius does't have a serpentine belt..at least my 2015 doesn't.

    I see a Clean 2010 in your state (Freeport area) on CL with 72k for just a thousand more...no solar package though.
    Don't have enough posts yet to give you a link, sorry.
     
    #6 bettergolf, Jan 16, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2019
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Good Catch.
    Geesh, I remember Toyota talking about the "beltless" engine on the Gen 3. It was a big thing.

    Just noticed the paper in the window of one of the pictures, which would suggest to me this is NOT a private party sale.

    This is a dealership that is refusing to deal on a nearly a 10 year old Prius, with obvious wear and tear?
    I think I'd pass.
     
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    All those paint chips would be your call, I mean you could just drive the car, ignore them. But I'm in the same school of thought as you: would wan't to get it professionally restored. And that will be expensive.

    You mean engine coolant change? Yeah that is overdue. I believe inverter is not due till 150K miles (or 15 years).

    Still, both the neglected coolant change, and the cavalier paint touch up, could be symptoms of ongoing neglect, someone who never checked the oil dipstick for example? Also, the car will be getting into EGR cleaning territory.
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Check if any monitors are offline, any car codes can be erased. Monitors will all come back online after a week of city driving or an hour of highway speeds. Don’t let off line monitors get you later with repairs.
     
  10. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    How do I check that?


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  11. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    No this is the 13th or so. I am between 08s-10s but this this the 5th 10 Ive looked at but this is the first with the sunroof which Ive wanted in all of the prius I've owned in the past. Im trying to look past the paint issues because I can fix that at a family shop and the routine maintenence I can do on my own (have a Hellcat and a Outback I do my own service on). Book value is 8K but its been hit in the rear (hence having the back bumper repainted) so I thought it should be less.
     
  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Family shop for the paint issues and ability to do your own maintenance does potentially change the equation.
    But if I was negotiating for best price?
    The fact that you can have the finish issues dealt with at a potential discount and also deal with some maintenance issues yourself, really shouldn't be something you look past. As a negotiating leverage point, the finish issues, including being hit in the rear and even the minor known maintenance issues are all things that IMO should create some benefit for you as potential purchaser.
    But you seem to know what you'd be getting into...so ultimately the question is Do You Think It's Worth 8K?

    Personally "Big Picture" I think I'd pass.
     
  13. egn83b

    egn83b Junior Member

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    Three owners and that much damage to the paint and abuse naa keep looking. Keep this in mind while buying cars if it isnt perfect dont mess with it even if it drives fine. Three owners who didnt want the car bad sign.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  14. PagosaSprung

    PagosaSprung New Member

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  15. Toddwilks

    Toddwilks Active Member

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    Thanks all. After thinking about it for a day I decided to pass and found the same exact car except it’s one owner, no accidents and full dealer service history with 76000 miles and got it for a steal! Well worth that in my book.


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  16. runnyeggs

    runnyeggs Junior Member

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    Good choice. What price did you get it at and what year? I generally dont get first gen model vehicles. I wait for year 2 at least, so the bugs are worked out. I just saw a car with 2 owners within a 6 month period, and 4 owners overall for a 2016. It was a CX-5 on a dealer lot. It was also a few thousand below others even though it was loaded. I ran from that one.
     
  17. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Nine year-old cars are going to have scratches. The Pearl paint is quite expensive to perfectly touch up. That’s the least of my concerns.

    1) It needs more maintenance. Not a big deal, especially if you can do yourself. But it looks like it hasn’t had the spark plugs replaced, and probably the cabin air/engine air filters, which are easy. The emissions system could probably use cleaning — replace PCV and clean EGR and intake manifold. Lube the brake pins. This is just standard stuff.

    If I were going to buy it, I’d remove the rear bumper cover and inspect for any signs of damage.

    But the Prius Gen III — 2010-2015 — became most reliable beginning in 2012. This car seems to have a great maintenance history, but there was an EGR glitch with the 2010’s. Try this: With the engine cold (like not run overnight), start the car. After the engine runs for ten seconds, shut it off. Wait, then start it again. Does the engine stutter?
     
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  18. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    That's a good idea.
    Years back, 2010...I had a Honda Fit that was in a very, very minor rear end collision, barely indented the paint on the bumper. At the time it was nearly brand new, and the collision was NOT my fault and being covered by the offenders insurance.

    Anyway, my body shop said that once a modern bumper is impacted they HAD to inspect behind it. There is almost a Styrofoam looking section that acts as an absorption segment, Once it is impacted it doesn't bounce back. Leading to the whole thing needing to be replaced.
    Long story short, according to my body shop, much more than just the cover needed repair. They could of just slapped a new cover on it, and it would of looked fine, according to them, in an accident it wouldn't of been fine.
     
  19. Sal43

    Sal43 Member

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    Seems a little pricey. I bought a 2011 Prius 4 with Solar Roof, NAV, Leather, etc with 58k miles for $9,300 about 9 months ago.
    It was at the Jersey Shore a good 80 miles from my house, but it was worth the trip to save a couple of thousand compared the the cars in my area.