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Got lucky at auction $1200 running/driving 09 with 125k miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by MilkyWay, Mar 22, 2019.

  1. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Was listed as "inop" and I didn't know at all. Just saw that in Indiana they had an 09 with about 125k miles...just a couple pics really no info. Not even a single picture of the inside lol just 2 exterior pics to go off of. But they did list it as leather interior.

    It's a state over from me (Indiana but I'm in Michigan) so this was all online action.

    The funny thing is I didn't even watch the auction. Didn't feel like sitting around for hours waiting on the car to come through so I set a "proxy bid" of $2900 which was what I was willing to pay (I assumed it ran/drove like 99.9% of them do) and later in the day I checked my account and I saw it went for $1200! Figured I was for sure going to be outbid.

    The bank sold it and I then noticed all of the similar numbered units (something like A020 to A030)...all of those went for like 500-1200 and realized they were all "inoperable units". And confirmed with auction it was sold as inop.

    I kinda figured worst case bad hybrid battery (but also know it would still run/drive if it had bad battery) or something stupid not allowing it to start. And told myself I'd have around 1500 to play with to get it going since it went so cheap.

    Had auction ship to my mechanic for $195...Mechanic called and said it needed front pads/rotors/wheel bearings. And a 12V. I was pretty surprised that it was not inop.

    High bid $1200
    12V Battery $166
    pads/rotors/bearings $255
    installation $100
    shipping $195
    auction fees $250.

    Total cost with a few new parts: $2166.

    Interior is really clean. So far no dash lights. Has an aftermarket radio that is screwing with the display. Sometimes can change display sometimes not....So going to remove it and install factory radio ($60 at junkyard).

    Then just has that ding/crease rear right and slight crack in rear left bumper. Overall not too bad though.



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    #1 MilkyWay, Mar 22, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
    fragglestickcar, SFO, fotomoto and 2 others like this.
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Not bad deal you got there. Good luck.
     
    #2 Skibob, Mar 22, 2019
  3. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Dang!

    Keep us posted.
    Good Luck!!!
     
    #3 ETC(SS), Mar 22, 2019
  4. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Holy freaking macaroni....!!! “I’d buy that for a dollar!” (With apologies to Robocop) .
    Congratulations on such a brilliant purchase AND your amazingly good fortune too!

    You’ll probably get at least about 250k on the clock (if not more) before it becomes too old or problematic to keep.

    Nice purchase - you won the lottery right there


    iPad ? Pro
     
    #4 Data Daedalus, Mar 22, 2019
    Raytheeagle and bisco like this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what year and how many miles?
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 22, 2019
  6. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

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    2009 and 126,xxx
     
    #6 MilkyWay, Mar 22, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    too much wine :cool:
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 22, 2019
    Raytheeagle and SFO like this.
  8. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Looks good and a great deal.
     
    #8 padroo, Mar 22, 2019
  9. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    You get lucky sometimes. Operable for a prius at auction is meaningless anyways, they only have to make it 100 feet through the door. It can take 20 minutes or more of real mileage driving for a prius to heat up and go into limp mode for battery or other codes being thrown.

    Its 50/50 with hybrids. Always assume the worst because if you do pay the full price you will lose guaranteed. I paid 2k for one that would go for an hour at a time with a bad battery, and 3k for one with a blown head gasket. Both no symptoms until long distances on the highway.
     
    #9 09Prius2, Mar 22, 2019
  10. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    It is a case of buyer beware, but he paid so little for it that he shouldn't get burnt.
     
    #10 padroo, Mar 22, 2019
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Don't take out the stereo. The OE units all tend to have failed CD players. The problem with the display usually a missing resistor that installs at the connecting harness.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #11 jdenenberg, Mar 24, 2019
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  12. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Briefly driven vehicle but sometimes display doesn't work at all. Then the junky after market radio -- if it doesn't work --- then display works.

    And if the display doesn't work you can fight with the radio to see if you can figure out how to turn it on.

    If the radio was newer and had the easy touch screen apps I'd love to keep it. I can barely figure out how to power it on/off lol.

    I'm going back to factory there is one on shelf for $20. Radio looks really cool but it's not user friendly.
     
    #12 MilkyWay, Mar 25, 2019
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