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Looking to buy a Gen 2

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by LeeTao, Jun 14, 2020.

  1. LeeTao

    LeeTao New Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2020
    1
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    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm new so hope it's cool to post here. I'm moving back to the states in a couple of weeks. I'd like to buy a Gen 2, 2004-2008, under or around 200k miles. I'll be the middle of the country and could go to look at a reliable car under 3k. Yea, I know my budget isn't high, but hopefully there's something out there. I can't afford rent and need something to live in. thx.
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    What state in the US are you moving back to? Do you like to do your own repairs on cars you've had in the past? If you go into this purchase with eyes wide open and prepared for the type of repairs you may need to do, you could get lucky on a Prius that will be good for months or years without any issue. But if you don't do repairs and don't have a friend or family member willing to help a few weeks after purchase you could easily have a dealership telling you they want $5K to fix something minor that myself or others on here could fix for under $500.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    to keep a 3k prius in running order, you will need extraordinary diy talents, access to salvage parts and a decent array of tools.
    are you any where near scottsbrg, in? 'autobeyours.com' ask for steve
     
  4. JerryScript

    JerryScript Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2020
    43
    38
    1
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I bought a 2007 two weeks ago in West Texas. I purposefully looked for one with a falling hybrid battery (used a cheap obd2 reader to get the codes, P0A80 and P3018, hybrid battery failure and battery block failure codes). I found one at a local used car lot with 135k miles, and I could tell they were just trying to get rid of the car due to the battery, they didn't even bother detailing it. I did a quick service check at the Toyota website, and found two entries per year showing all scheduled service was performed, indicating the battery was the only major issue. I used the condition of the car to talk them down to $2300. I ordered a rebuilt hybrid battery for $995 with a 2 year warranty, and installed it myself, and detailed the car. All in I spent $3300 for the car and a rebuilt battery.

    In the future I'll probably replace any failed modules, now that I've studied up on it more, but even replacing the entire battery, I feel like I got a good deal!
     
    PriusCamper likes this.
  5. fragglestickcar

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2018
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    Location:
    Corvallis, Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Are you asking if anyone here is selling a $3000 gen2 or if it's a good idea?

    Craigslist is a much better place to find inventory than here.

    As for whether it's a good idea, no, I don't think someone who can't afford monthly rent should buy a fifteen yo car to live in. But if you've only $3000 to your name, then I guess you've no choice in the matter.