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Buying a used Prius

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Formula Victor, Apr 8, 2019.

  1. Formula Victor

    Formula Victor New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2019
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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My 07 Prius battery just went belly up so I'm in the market for a new Prius. How can I best assess the battery of used Prius? Any thoughts? After I had the red triangle of death I tried checking the maintenance screen, it still displayed 11.5v. Paid dealership to tell me it was indeed the battery, would be $4k to fix; you guys know the drill.
     
    #1 Formula Victor, Apr 8, 2019
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    how many miles on her?

    you're confusing the 12v starter battery with the hybrid drive battery.

    if the trouble codes indicate a bad hybrid drive battery, you should make sure the 12 volt battery is healthy and the connections good. otherwise, the trouble codes can be set erroneously.

    you can get a new hybrid drive battery as low as $1,600. plus installation.

    if you would rather have a newer car, just take them to a dealer for a pre inspection.

    i think you can run a battery health check with a phone app like dr prius.

    all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 9, 2019
  3. Formula Victor

    Formula Victor New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey, thanks for that helpful info bud. 216k miles on it. Been a great car, only one owner before me. I'm tempted to go that installation route, have found some people near me that do it but the high mileage is a little concerning. The dealership also told me that I had 10 codes come back, that their master technician feels as though replacing the hybrid battery and cooling system flow valve will take care of it but they're not 100% sure.

    How would you go about getting someone to let you take their car and drop it off down the road at a dealership all day? I'd love to do that but seems like a big ask.
     
    #3 Formula Victor, Apr 9, 2019
    bisco likes this.
  4. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Do you have any mechanical skills?

     
    #4 Skibob, Apr 12, 2019
  5. VeganRob

    VeganRob New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2019
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    Location:
    Tonawanda New York
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    I
    My 1st gen is the biggest pos ever built by Toyota.
     
    #5 VeganRob, Apr 27, 2019
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    it is quite common to let a potential buyer take the car for an inspection. i have never done it, but i suppose the owner would have to be willing to go, or let the buyer take it themselves. all they can say is yes or no.
    as the buyer, you have to be knowledgeable, because the dealer will throw a lot of mud against the wall to see what sticks.
     
    #6 bisco, Apr 27, 2019
  7. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Perhaps you should relate that in the gen 1 forum. Totally different car.
     
    #7 Skibob, Apr 28, 2019
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