Buy use 2004 prius with 85k miles for 150k?

I'll sell you my 06 with 70,000 and HOVs for only $100,000 !

 

Don't buy a Prius for $150,000....., buy a condo/apt instead.

 

I bought my 2004 with just under 100K miles last December for $16200 (Canadian - back when it was near par), and it is great. Just do your usual due diligence (check Carfax or similar, ask for all maintenance records, check that the Toyota service checks have been done, have it inspected, etc.) as you would with any used car - but it seems like a perfectly fair price.

Go for it.

 

If you wait a couple of months, you could probably get a much better deal on a new or used Prius for the following reasons: A) Lower gasoline cost, B) Formal announcement of the next generation Prius, C) worse economy.

Good Luck,

Keith

 

See Consumer Reports magazine advice on car buying, either online or in their most recent April issue in almost any library.

If a Prius technician checks out the car and says it's in good shape then $15K is reasonable. Do not skip this checkout; undamaged Prius are reliable, but so many expensive things can be wrong with one it'd turn you purple.

 

This is less a Prius question and more a Toyota answer. I know a used car dealer who buys and sells mainly Toyota from auctions and re-sells them but sometimes ventures out to Lexus and the Honda cars, including Acura. He swears by Toyota. He said Toyota reaches its maturity. at 100 K versus the downward spiral of other manufactured cars at 100K. He says the difference between Toyota products and american and others is the durability factor.
I have seen posts from many members purchasing Toyota products at 30 K, 60 K, 80 K or higher at prices that SEEM high but when factoring in the MSP new the car might be a steal.
Another example my co-worker bought a privately sold 1993 Acura for $2500.00. The car was extremely well cared perfect except for very minor paint chips, and the interior is pristine. She had it detailed, and completely serviced; new hoses, belts, oil, coolant, transmission oil, tires rotated alignment etc..for an additional $600.00.The car looks showroom quality. She complained of the car needing premium fuel up until the dramatic drop in gas prices. The car sold originally for over 35 K. It now has 120 k miles. Since it is quality Honda/Acura auto she may get another 100 K driving while driving a luxury auto with a great track record.
As to your question, buying a used Prius for $15 K......So far Prius has a "Toyota" track record. It may prove in the future to have a better track record than other Toyotas because the technology was fairly new to the public in 2001, yet Toyota has been researching hybrid technology for decades before releasing it to the public (unlike american manufacturers) If the Prius was a bust we would have heard of it well before Toyota rolled out its second generation model in 2004, however when you talk about 'reliability' you have to use decades of performance for public consumption, not a model generation, normally four - five years.
Purchasing a second generation, 2004 Prius with 85 K miles for $15 K may well be a bargain if the car was well cared for. BTW, I have talked to some Toyota sales people, service managers, and more importantly Hybrid technicians specifically about the Prius. Their statements were all consistent. The best of Toyota might be highlighted with the Prius model.
Prius took a barrage of unsubstantiated hits from car other manufacturers, more hits from auto critics around the globe who claim the manufacturing process had a dire environmental impact versus the manufacturing process of the Hummer and/or the replacement of traction battery cost $6-10 k to replace and had to be replaced at 50 K miles.
Toyota warranties its traction batteries in the U.S at 100 K miles and real life costs can run at $3K. All of these claims and numerous other B.S. claims were either outdated or entirely ficticious. Their uniform assessment is the Prius might possibly prove to be, not only the most environmentally friendly Toyota, but the most reliable in the Toyota fleet...and it was manufactured to be a hybrid, not a converted model sacrificing interior or trunk space...and the technology will continue to improve in 20010 and beyond as we see the introduction of generation 3 Prius and the plug-in Prius...
BTW, I am not associated with Toyota but I am a loyal 25 years + Toyota buyer.

Hope this helps in your assessment.

 

There are 04's with similar mileage for $12,900 on Ebay (non-salvage). You have to do your due dilligence on them. The overall price seems to be coming down with the decrease in gas prices. Many people selling,... few buyers. Prices will come down. How low will they go and for how long? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

The Prius has other things going for it besides gas mileage. It is super quiet and silky smooth to drive--a very relaxing experience. You can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
If you weren't alternating your attention between the LCD screen and the road, you might fall asleep.

 

Re: Buy use 2004 prius with 85k miles for 15k?

I'm use this car to commute from SF to San Jose.

A Reasonable choice for this commute.

What should I look for with a use car?

I second the Consumer Reports suggestion.

On an average, how long does a battery last till?

No on knows. They've only been making them since '97 and they're not wearing out yet.

and how much does it cost to replace the battery?

$1 ~4 thou, depending.

How the power when driving on freeway?

Good for an economy car.

2004 Prius, What do you think of it?

I have that year, no real problems with mine.

P.S. :welcome: