Advice on 2004 Prius Purchase

We are thinking of purchasing a used 2004 Prius sold by a private party - the car appears to have been meticulously maintained - it's in great shape, standard package (no special features) but also no major repairs or problems, has new tires and recently had brake computer system replaced due to some kind of fluke (dealership replaced for free). The owners appear to really care about it and have treated it well. It does have kinda high mileage - about 65K, most of it highway. We live in CA and this car has HOV (Clean Air) stickers, which is a major plus as they're no longer available with new cars. Kelly Blue Book has the private party listing for a 2004 Prius at 14-15K but we've read that it's not unreasonable for folks to ask an extra 4K in CA for the sticker "bonus." This car is being listed at 19K...wondering if others think this is a reasonable asking price. Any advice would be welcome!! Thanks.

 

We are thinking of purchasing a used 2004 Prius sold by a private party - the car appears to have been meticulously maintained - it's in great shape, standard package (no special features) but also no major repairs or problems, has new tires and recently had brake computer system replaced due to some kind of fluke (dealership replaced for free). The owners appear to really care about it and have treated it well. It does have kinda high mileage - about 65K, most of it highway. We live in CA and this car has HOV (Clean Air) stickers, which is a major plus as they're no longer available with new cars. Kelly Blue Book has the private party listing for a 2004 Prius at 14-15K but we've read that it's not unreasonable for folks to ask an extra 4K in CA for the sticker "bonus." This car is being listed at 19K...wondering if others think this is a reasonable asking price. Any advice would be welcome!! Thanks.

 

Thanks for the responses so far...
we went to see the car and it was in excellent shape with very dedicated owners, who also appear willing to budge some on the price (we didn't make an offer yet). Ran a clean CARFAX report on it.
Also looked it up in Kelly Blue Book again now that we know all its features - yes, base 2004 model, including our area code and the fact that it has 65K on it. Given that we live in No Cal, prices *are* higher around here - stickers aside. These were the listings:

KBB Condition Value:

Excellent $15,875
Good $14,800
Fair $13,420

Meaning, 19K is still high but not as far off the mark as we originally thought. Looking at other listings in the area, I guess it's not outrageous as a price, b/c amazingly, people really will pay 4K for stickers out here. I guess it's a matter of us deciding how much the clean air stickers would be worth to us...my husband commutes 90+ miles each way by highway several days per week, and the carpool lane would sure help him out a lot. But we definitely don't want to overpay either.

Any other thoughts?

 

Thanks for the responses so far...
we went to see the car and it was in excellent shape with very dedicated owners, who also appear willing to budge some on the price (we didn't make an offer yet). Ran a clean CARFAX report on it.
Also looked it up in Kelly Blue Book again now that we know all its features - yes, base 2004 model, including our area code and the fact that it has 65K on it. Given that we live in No Cal, prices *are* higher around here - stickers aside. These were the listings:

KBB Condition Value:

Excellent $15,875
Good $14,800
Fair $13,420

Meaning, 19K is still high but not as far off the mark as we originally thought. Looking at other listings in the area, I guess it's not outrageous as a price, b/c amazingly, people really will pay 4K for stickers out here. I guess it's a matter of us deciding how much the clean air stickers would be worth to us...my husband commutes 90+ miles each way by highway several days per week, and the carpool lane would sure help him out a lot. But we definitely don't want to overpay either.

Any other thoughts?