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Prius Auction Car - Should I Buy?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Feebz13, Feb 3, 2020.

  1. Feebz13

    Feebz13 Junior Member

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    Hi guys,
    Have my eye on a gen 3 prius selling at auction. It's reported that it doesn't run or drive and the 12v battery is dead. I pulled a carfax and 300km before coming to auction the 12v battery was replaced by the toyota dealer. Before that all routine maintenace done on time, no major issues. There's a check hybrid system stop the vehicle in a safe place message. I'm hoping to go check the car out and put my bluetooth odb scan tool on it.

    What's the chance that a bad battery was put in? Could this be something bigger?

    My wife has a 2009 prius and it's been rock solid. The best car we've ever bought. All this head gasket talk on here has me worried about the gen 3 but if I can get this at the right price think its worth a shot?

    Would appreciate any thoughts you guys have.
    All the best!
     
    #1 Feebz13, Feb 3, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you're a serious prius diy'er, go for it. otherwise, run as fast as you can
     
    #2 bisco, Feb 3, 2020
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  3. Feebz13

    Feebz13 Junior Member

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    Yeah my gut is telling me to run...but I'm cheap and I feel like this could be an amazing deal!
     
    #3 Feebz13, Feb 3, 2020
    bisco likes this.
  4. bettergolf

    bettergolf Active Member

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    Depends on the price and the mileage....it may ALREADY have a blown head gasket...or it may need both batteries. Agree with Bisco, if you can work on it yourself and get a really good price...........
     
    #4 bettergolf, Feb 3, 2020
  5. Feebz13

    Feebz13 Junior Member

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    I don't mind doing the work on it just not sure how much money I'll have to put into it. It's got about 75,000 miles on it now.
     
    #5 Feebz13, Feb 3, 2020
  6. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

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    +1
    +1
     
    #6 dig4dirt, Feb 3, 2020
  7. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    No....................................
     
    #7 Tim Jones, Feb 3, 2020
  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Most cars in auctions are big hits or big misses. Some are there because the cost of repair exceeds the value of the car once all repairs are done so it's not worth fixing it. The other side of the coin is if dealership has lost interest in the car and prefer to get rid of it to reduce inventory but never really looked into the car issues and the issues ended up being minor repairs for the next owner. And not just limited to those reasons why it's in auction.

    If your shoes, I wouldn't even touch a turd gen with a 10 ft pole anymore.
     
    #8 Grit, Feb 3, 2020
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  9. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Or you could be a Glutton for Punishment..... expensive punishment..... : )
     
    #9 Tim Jones, Feb 3, 2020
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  10. Greenteapri

    Greenteapri Active Member

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    Just tell me the final cost to drive it off the auction block...oh wait, it doesn't drive...
     
    #10 Greenteapri, Feb 4, 2020
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  11. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    You guy's replies are dammed funny though. But kinda true, if the OP wants to try, y not?!:D
     
    #11 Dxta, Feb 4, 2020
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    he's asking?
     
    #12 bisco, Feb 4, 2020
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  13. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    So you've never really had to deal with potentially expensive repairs or major work on a hybrid then? If so, then you may be looking at this with rose tinted glasses.
     
    #13 fotomoto, Feb 4, 2020
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  14. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    As stated, auctions are hit/miss, maybe.....
    MAYBE, whoever replaced the 12v battery, didn't clear the codes. If they aren't hybrid people,
    they don't know what to do.
    You didn't state which year it is? With only 75,000 miles, even a 2010 would be okay,
    Head gasket is more than likely okay, as is the EGR cooler/system. Maybe the people didn't
    drive it much.
    With bad 12v battery, it will pull more amps from the hybrid battery as it tries to charge it.
    you'll get error codes.

    If it's less than $3000 or so, it could be a good deal. Put a full charge on the 12v battery, reset all
    the error codes, AFTER you write them down. If it starts, you're in good shape!
    You may have bad gas though if it's been sitting, and the low mileage.

    If you can do the work yourself, even if it does need a hybrid battery, you can get the cells
    for $1600, NEW. And replace them.

    How much money are you willing to risk?

     
    #14 ASRDogman, Feb 4, 2020
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  15. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    If the auction car was driven the same way as your wife did and maintenance was the same, good chance it’s similar condition. Until there’s actual evidence of that, I would have an extra $5,000 in my back pocket for repairs if the prius bug bit me and there’s no backing out.
     
    #15 Grit, Feb 4, 2020
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  16. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    #16 Tim Jones, Feb 7, 2020
  17. Feebz13

    Feebz13 Junior Member

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    Didn't end up bidding. I don't feel terrible though, it ended up selling way more than I was willing to pay. Thanks for your help here lads. This community is amazing!
     
    #17 Feebz13, Feb 8, 2020
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