2012 Toyota Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) Five

as a "car guy" I've been looking for a Prius for my sister and her family and came across a 2012 Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) 5 w/65k for $16,995.

It looks great and drove fine. I was slightly taken back by this "shudder" under take off (as the normal, non-v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) Prii's I drove didn't have it or it wasn't noticeable). The salesman said it was normal. As you can't trust a salesman, I also drove the brand new Prius v they had on the lot with 20 miles on the odometer. It also had a shudder as the gas engine kicked on from stops, so that worry was alleviated.

We then went inside to get the salesman's card and I wanted to see the CarFax. I was taken back when I saw it was sold at an auction and that it had been a corporate fleet vehicle in California then the "owner" moved to Arizona (we're in Oregon). I also saw that it was a Toyota Certified Used Hybrid...after it was for sale for over three weeks at this dealer. There's also no maintenance records on the CarFax.

It drove nearly identical to the 2016 with 20 miles on it. It's clean, the light grey leather(?) interior is perfect. There's no stains anywhere. Has a 3M clear bra/nose. Everything works. I wanted to lean away but my sister is stuck on that it's loaded and $3-4k less than comparable cars. She's ready to buy it tomorrow (Sunday).

Being a corporate fleet car, does it still have the extended hybrid system warranty? If so, is it longer because it was a California car...or no because it was never sold to a "person"? Or does it have no warranty past the CPO warranty? I'm lost.

What do you experts think?




Here's some pics.

 

Thanks for the informative post, Jimbo.

Unfortunately, the dealer service history looks kind of bare:
9/29/15
Dealer
Big Two Toyota Scion of Chandler
61,817
Repair Order Number: 6246317

2012 - 2014 PRIUS SOFTWARE UPDATE, GUEST STATES PERFORM TOYOTACARE PLUS 30K WITH SYNTHETIC OIL. REPLACE OIL AND FIL, INSPECT FLOORMATS, VERIFY THE CONDITION OF DRIVERS FRONT MAT. REMOVE DRIVERS FLO, NEXT SERVICE APPOINTMENT, BULB - TURNING INDICATOR FRONT: LEFT SIDE OUT, SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT - REAR: RIGHT SIDE LEAK ING, GUEST REQUEST 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT ALIGN FRONT REAR 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT: DUE TO TIR, GUEST STATES CHECK AND ADVISE ON BATTERY BATTERY REPLACE ONLY (NON-HYBRID), MOUNT AND BALANCE TIRE 4 TIRES SHOWING CORD INSIDE EDGE WEAR

6/26/15
Dealer
Big Two Toyota Scion of Chandler
54,672
Repair Order Number: 6226730
TOYOTA AUTO CARE MINOR, INSPECT FLOORMATS, VERIFY THE CONDITION OF DRIVERS FRONT MAT. REMOVE DRIVERS FLO, 02TOZCTAC, C/S LEFT TURN SIGNAL BLINKS FAST

4/6/15
Dealer
Big Two Toyota Scion of Chandler
49,411
Repair Order Number: 6209373
AUTOCARE NONLOF 5K

12/23/14
Dealer

42,219
Repair Order Number: 0017205
40K SERVICE SAFETY INSPECTION WRITE INFO IN GUIDE % FRONT BRAKES % REAR BRA

10/8/14
Dealer

36,988
Repair Order Number: 0013107
40K SERVICE SAFETY INSPECTION WRITE INFO IN GUIDE % FRONT BRAKES % REAR BRA, WINDSHIELD WIPERS--REPLACE W/S WIPER INSERTS, BRAKES --BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING ALOT

8/6/14
Dealer

34,136
Repair Order Number: 0011043
SAFETY INSPECTIOCUSTOMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE ON A LONG TRIP.

 

No, no, I just drove the 2016 to verify the small shudder of the ICE kicking on from stops when cold. The 2016 v was $30k. They have the 2012 v 5at $16,995 as Toyota Certified Used (12k/12months) and the remaining CARB state hybrid system warranty (8yr/100k).

Two comparable 2012 v 5's are $20k at other dealers- one is a "no-bull" dealer that won't budge on price.

There's one 2012 v 2(or3) from a private seller at also at $16,900 w/64k on it.

In Oregon, clean Prii (and Toyo and Honda in general) demand a premium.

 

Oh, I don't think she's that worried about one specific crash test (which I've read was a hit piece on Toyota along with the floor mat and unintended acceleration debacle as GovernmentMotors and Chrysler were bankrupt)...or else she would be looking at a Volvo.

Also budget, $17k vs $30k.