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Looking to buy a 2004, just a few ?s

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by khazouri, Mar 3, 2009.

  1. khazouri

    khazouri New Member

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    I have spent about 2.5 hours perusing the pages here and have pretty much decided that the 2004 used Prius with 58k miles is the car I wish to buy, however I have a few questions that I was unable to answer by surfing. As an aside, this is a great site and I appreciate in advance any help yall have to offer.

    1. What is the warranty period on the battery? Looks like it varies by state -- this car would be purchased and driven in Florida. Again, the car is 2004/58k miles. I think I get 8/150k, but want to verify.

    2. Does this warranty transfer owners?

    3. It looks like there may be several engine options on this car -- can I get a digest of what they are, their differences, and make a determination as to which one the car I am interested in has?

    4. Looks like there is a 12v battery that I can pretty much expect to replace at some point, and this cost will be $150-$250, correct?

    That's about it. I must say, I am surprised by how few issues I have found on this car. Just so you know where I am coming from, my last used car was a 1999 Volvo S80. If I had done 5 minutes of forum research, I would have known not to buy that car. $8,000 for the car, $5,300 in repairs and a ton of downtime over the last two years. I just don't want to repeat this mistake.

    Again, thanx in advance.
     
    #1 khazouri, Mar 3, 2009
  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    1) For fear of messing up, I'll let someone else answer the warranty questions.

    2)

    3) There was only one engine in the 2004/2005 models. There were different options packages, but only one engine.

    4) I have 66,000 miles on my 2004 and am just now getting around to thinking about replacing it though unless something dramatic happens it will not be anytime soon. And this is living through the Chicago winters, not basking in the Florida sun. I wouldn't worry too much about it but I think your price is about right.

    There are very few issues with the Prius. As I said, I have a 2004. Problem-free for 4.5 years so far.

    Good luck and let us know what you decide.
     
    #2 TonyPSchaefer, Mar 3, 2009
  3. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    In '04 the battery warranty was for 100k miles.
    Yes
    Only one engine has ever been available for the Prius. 78hp, Atkinson cycle, 1.5 liter
    Yes, and look into using a better one from elearnaid.
    Just make sure to do a transmission oil change at 60k. It uses a gallon of Toyota type WS ATF and can be a DIY or a dealer will do the job for less than $100.
    I have an 04 with 142.5k miles and still trouble free. There have been some issues with the MFD (Multi Function Display) that a dealer will charge $$$ to fix, but it can be repaired DIY for free (see repair description by Hobbit). Mine still works fine.

    JeffD
     
    #3 jdenenberg, Mar 3, 2009
  4. khazouri

    khazouri New Member

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    Thanx all for the fast replies. I'll let you know what we decide.
     
    #4 khazouri, Mar 3, 2009
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Pay (or have the current owner pay) a certified Prius technician to thoroughly examine the car before you buy it. A Prius that's been in any kind of accident can have so many things wrong with it that haven't been diagnosed or repaired correctly, it ain't funny.

    Just curious: what made you suspect that there were several engine options?
     
    #5 richard schumacher, Mar 3, 2009
  6. khazouri

    khazouri New Member

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    So, still reseraching. ... As I'm sure yall figured would happen, I stumbled on the TRAC issue and the headlamp issue, so a couple more questions there.

    On the headlamp issue, I gather it is NOT a problem on NON-HID equipped cars, correct? The one I am looking at is a 2004, so how would I know if it has HIDs? The posts I saw on the HIDs all seem to apply to the 06 and 07 models, so should I be concerned? If I have to shell out 1.5gs on new lights and their "computers" I'll go completely crazy like Travis the Chimp. I expect that kind of thing from Euro manufacturers, not Japanese.

    And then on the TRAC issue, I guess I just need to know: Do you really get the wheels spinning again if you mash the pedal all the way to the floor, or do you have to go into P and then reengage D to get the moving again? Honestly, it doesn't sound like it would be an issue here, since there's no snow, but my wife will be driving the car and she needs all the help she can get. Something like the car suddenly stopping as she turns onto a highway would make her panic for sure. I just need to know what to tell her to do if it happens.

    Lastly -- and, please, don't think I'm crazy -- are the Prii known for smelling like a horse inside? (Yes, I am being serious.) The 04 we drove yeterday smelled like a horse. I thought it was just unique to that particular car -- maybe the previous owner had some crappy perfume, or, perhaps, was a horse -- but then we drove an 08 today and it smelled exactly the same! Exactly. Is this odor maybe something that happens when they sit around unused for a period of time? Again, I don't think it's that big of a deal ... but, the wife...
     
    #6 khazouri, Mar 3, 2009
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If the car has foglights, then it has HID headlights.

    If you don't have snow or loose gravel to drive upon, then no worries regarding traction control.

    If the car's interior has an unusual smell (like mold or mildew) then the air conditioning system will need to be cleaned out. I haven't noticed this on my 2004 with 71K miles, though.

    Good luck with your purchase decision.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Mar 3, 2009
  8. khazouri

    khazouri New Member

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    Yeah, I've smelled moldy AC and it's not a moldy smell. Not sure what it is.
     
    #8 khazouri, Mar 3, 2009
  9. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    every major auto poll lists the Prius as #1 or #2 for buyer satisfaction and usually #1 on the question if "i had to do it all over again, knowing what i know now, would i buy my Prius all over again?"... when 95 out of 100 say yes, that is saying something since NO OTHER CAR IN ANY PRICE RANGE SCORES AS WELL....only thing close is the $60,000 Lexus class with 94 of 100.

    as far as replacing the 12 volt battery, its a battery that is used and like any battery, it has a finite life. now would you likely replace it? it depends. there are things you can do that will insure replacing it in a few years. there is also many people here with a 2004 that have not after nearly 5 years of ownership and are not close to having to replace it.

    as long as you close your doors, leave dome lights off, etc. you should be fine

    as far as engine options go, its either it has one or it doesnt....end of options.

    warantee i am pretty sure is transferable. now whether its too late to get the extended warantee, i believe it is. i think you have to exercise that option within first 3 years or 36,000 miles but not sure of that.

    the hybrid system is under warantee either 8 yrs/100,000 miles or 10 yrs/150,000 miles depending on the laws in your states. the longer warantee is available in the "CARB" states. Florida is a no i think. Cali, mass, NY, new jersey and maybe a few others are on that list
     
    #9 DaveinOlyWA, Mar 3, 2009
  10. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    Did both owners have dogs? Cloth seats can really hod those doggie odors, just from them riding in the car.
     
    #10 ggood, Mar 4, 2009
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Turn on the lights, if they look blue, they may be HID otherwise not.
    Just get good tires as the TRAC behavior is then mitigated. I run Nokian WRs on my 04 (now get the WRg2) and can live with the residual behavior.
    As was noted earlier, this is usually due to a fungus in the AC which can be cleaned (also replace the cabin air filter). It is a common problem in humid climates (Florida). You can mitigate it by turning off the AC compressor a few minutes before stopping the car to dry out the system.

    JeffD
     
    #11 jdenenberg, Mar 4, 2009
  12. spitinuri

    spitinuri Member

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    I bought a used 04 with 70K miles about 4 months ago. When I went to test drive it the 12v battery had failed and they could not start it. Like you I had done my research on this vehicle and new that was the likely cause. I have had it to the dealer and he proclaims it like a new car. Have it checked out by a Toyota Certified Mechanic before purchase would be my only recommendation.

    As for the HV battery... there are multiple Prius with 300K and still going strong on the original one. Replacement cost have gone down. My last quote was $2500. Even with that it is usually one or two cell in the battery that have gone bad and you can replace those for $50 each.

    The only state I know of that warranties the battery for 150K is California. Otherwise it is 100K. Others will correct me if I am wrong. There are no engine options.

    Best of luck!
     
    #12 spitinuri, Mar 7, 2009
  13. khazouri

    khazouri New Member

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    Well, all, I see the conversation continued without me. Thanx to everyone for the advice and information. We did end up buying the 04 Prius. I had it checked over by a mechanic who said it was in great shape, except it needed a new water pump, which the dealer took care of, or at least told us they took care of.

    My wife was kind of leaning toward the Mini Cooper, but when I told her that we could count on buying a power steering pump and look forward to an $8,000 tranny job in the future, she started singing a different tune. We've had one crappy Euro car and would just as soon not have another.

    I wish I could count how many times she's said "I love this car" already. It really is nice ... so far so good.
     
    #13 khazouri, Mar 8, 2009
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