Best way to get rid of 340, 000 mile 2010 Prius

SIX STEPS:

1. Make sure insurance is paid and up to date.
2. Remove all of the good aftermarket stuff you have added (stereo, etc.)
3. Drive to the sketchiest neighborhood in your area.
4. Leave car unlocked, key visible on dashboard.
5. Cash insurance company check for double what the car is worth, since they will give you average value, not the value of a car that looks like hell and has codes.
6. Thank me for this excellent plan.

 

Leaving aside the loudness of the engine, is the car dependable, meaning, can the buyer drive the car from Point A to Point B, without getting himself stranded on the local roads/freeways/highways? For instance, I recently sold my 1999 Toyota Corolla, and that Corolla despite being more than 20 years old I am certain that it will and can take me from Indiana to New York (12 hours of driving distance) without any issue. That car was dependable, according to me.

What price are you expecting for the car based on the condition of the car (you can check kelley blue book to get an idea)?

 

Yeah. 3rd gens don’t typically make it to 340k miles without some significant engine attention; what’s it’s history?

Any more info? Oil consumption, Cat, exhaust? Original engine, or?

 

Other than felony insurance fraud (of which they know all the tricks and will probably find this thread), I would put a "reconditioned" hv battery in it for $600-$1000 and then sell the car for $4k with full disclosures. Otherwise it is a $500 junkyard queen or you end up in court without Perry Mason to guarantee your acquittal.

 

Would you be able to work on the Prius and lower or eliminate the loudness of the engine?

Would you be able to eliminate the minor stalling?

Would you be able to eliminate the oil leak?

If you can fix all the problems and make the car dependable, I think you can try to sell anywhere between $1,000 to $2,000.

See, my car mechanic drives his 1980 truck from Indiana to North Carolina and the truck has 400k miles on it. Before every such long distance trip, (since he is a mechanic) he makes sure everything is ok, i.e., replaces the engine oil, checks the battery, checks all oils and fluids, etc., that are necessary for such a trip in order for him to drive to North Carolina and return to Indiana. He has no fear whatsoever in driving long distances with his 41-year old truck. He plans to keep that truck for a few more years, as he knows he will not make much by selling the truck, but at the same time the truck is dependable. If he knows his truck well and the truck serves the purpose, then why should he sell it? He has a very understanding wife who doesn't care if the truck is a bit rusty and not-so-good looking, and she will not leave him, no matter what, which also helps. She is as dependable as the truck. (Btw, there are girls that exist that will never date a guy, unless the guy drives a good-looking car. If the prospective buyer has one such girlfriend, then......well.........)

As they say, "form vs. function." The color shouldn't matter, if the Prius is functional and dependable. If the car is functional and dependable, you or the buyer can consider painting the Prius with rustoleum rattle cans, without breaking a bank (you may want to check youtube videos on cheap rustoleum paint jobs). If you don't want to work on the car to fix the issues, you can advertise it on craigslist in your area as "as is," be honest with the buyer about the condition of the car and potential issues, and see what price the people that are interested in will offer.

This guy below is looking for a Prius.
WANTED TOYOTA PRIUS 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014...

Good luck.

 

If it’s just a question of convenient disposal, rather than maximum cash value, you could donate the car to one of the many charities that sponsors vehicle donation programs. Towing is provided at no cost, and you may be able to take an income tax deduction for the proceeds received by the charity. Check with your accountant or tax advisor, or see IRS Publication 4303, for details.

 

Its pretty much a free car at this point. Why would you get rid of it? Drive it until the thing won't maintain the speed limit anymore or blows up. Even then they are pretty easy to repair lol
Even if it blows up the car is worth $200, the exhaust is worth probably almost $1000, and the battery will probably be worth like $500 ish.