Is the car dealer lying?

No the used car dealer did not deceive you; the used car salesman did.

A high mile 2010-15 Prius is about the worst car you could consider. It is so complex most mechanics don’t work on them. So you are likely to have to go to the high priced Toyota dealer for the complex and complicated problems.

How about $2500 to make your brakes work. Common on a brake by wire Prius of this generation.

Would you want to spend $2400 for a new hybrid battery. Most likely that car needs one.

How would you feel if you scrapped up the money for those and felt good as you were cruising in your pretty 2010 but two months later it needs an engine? Happens with these cars. Cost $3,000-$8000 depending how bad the used car salesman hid the problems.

Be smart and find a Corolla, Camry, Avalon or Yaris with a conventional engine. One where the brake master cylinder is available at Autozone for $200 but probably won’t fail. One that has no hybrid battery to wear out. A car that does not have excessive oil burning or head gaskets that take out the engine.


Even then avoid these

• 2007-2011 Toyota Camry HV (Hybrid) 2AZ
• 2007-09 Toyota Camry 2.4L (07 Camry is the worst, best 13-15) 2AZ
• 2009-2011 Toyota Camry 2.5L 2AR Engine
• 2009-11 Toyota Corolla XRS
• 2009-13 Toyota Matrix 2AZ Engine
• 2006-08 Toyota RAV4
• 2009-2012 Toyota Rav4 2.5L 2AR Engine
• 2007-08 Toyota Solara
• 2007-09 Scion tC
• 2008-15 Scion xB
• 2010-15 Prius 1.8L 2ZR-FXE
• 2012-17 Prius v wagon

What to buy?
Budget Oldies But Goodies (w Lower Miles)

2000-04 Avalons (no rust)
2004-06 Camry V6
2004-06 Lexus ES330
2005-08 Corolla (very good)
2007-19 Yaris

Always spend $100 for an inspection of the non-hybrid with an independent mechanic with good references.

 

100k-150k miles for a conventional car assuming you want to keep it several years.

For reference I have two friends who bought 2002 cars ten years ago that still have them and both are now over 200k. Both purchased for around $5k each at the time. One bought a Honda Accord and just had to replace the transmission for $2k. Another bought a Toyota Camry and has had no major work. Both conventional engines and manageable by any mechanic.

So your opportunity is to find similar cars ideally newer and more conventional.

 

Yep those Yaris's are some impressive long-lasting little cars! Corolla's can be good, too, but make sure you get a mechanic to do a pre-purchase check-out to look at how rusty it is, any leaks, condition of the suspension, etc. Our family has a 2008 and, until last week, had no issues. (The starter went out last week but easy to replace with just 3 bolts!)

 

To answer your question, if you was lying, was his mouth moving?

 

You owe yourself a 2024 Prius prime #yolo