Buying a Prius (maybe)

Okay, this whole post may be a smidgen off-topic, but I think eventually I will get to the point. Here it goes.

This weekend, we will be car browsing. I had my eye on a 2005 Toyota Prius, 77,000 miles, $10,995. Plus, it had the Nav system, but no side airbags, which are two of my biggest qualifiers. Unfortunately, it just sold.

Now, I found another Prius online, for the same price, but this time it has 85,000 miles on it. It says fully loaded, but who knows what that means, until I get there in person to see it. The dealer said he could not come down anymore, because he cannot sell it for below cost, but at the same time, it seems insane to me to pay the same amount for a car with 8,000 more miles on it.

I got a loan through my bank, but it was on the $10,995 amount. I have a couple of other lower mileage options, a certified 2006 with 50k, now about $16,000, or a 2007 with 30k, now about $17,000. Hopefully the dealers would be able to negotiate. But, at this point, I would have to add an additional year or two, and probably 3-5k onto the loan, and I am not 100% sure if my bank would do that.

I guess, it is really all contingent on the following: I don't NEED a super low mileage car, as I do not drive a whole lot. I live about a mile and a half from my work and the same from my gym. I drive MAYBE 10 miles a day on most days, give or take. So, my main concern about the mileage is just the maintenance and upkeep of it. That mileage on a 2005 is a little on the high side, but as long as there are no maintenance issues with such high mileage, I am not concerned with it. (I had read about the 2003 Civic Hybrids that once it hits 95k, there are some major repairs to be expected)

Any insight into this would be so wonderful, and I would be very grateful!

 

Okay, I am going to try to answer everything in successive order; I did not see any way to multi-quote.

ggood- He is a she. Haha. And yes, I do want to stick with a hybrid if at all possible. And ideally, obviously, I am interested in a Prius. I have not seen a whole lot of 2006's. I have seen several 2005's, and as I mentioned, one certified 2006 just a bit out of my price range. Also, I HAVE seen very high mileage Priuses out there, so I do know they run "forever". I just did not know when the major repairs started. I also have read about the hybrid battery warranty. (10 yr, 100,000 k) That gives me another 15k before it runs out, at my current usage.....about 3 years. I've heard replacing the main battery is a MAJOR expense, but also that it is quite rare.

apriori- I am in a small town in Indiana. You are right, I do not drive as much as necessitates a hybrid vehicle. However, I am a bit of a tree hugger, and knowing how environmentally friendly these vehicles are, really seals the deal for me. I am open to a Civic Hybrid, but really those are the two options I am looking at right now. If I found a low mileage Civic Hybrid in good condition at the same price as the Priuses I mentioned, I would definitely look into getting it. In fact, a few months ago, I was actually leaning toward the Civic Hybrid, purely for budgetary reasons. At this point, in my area, I am unable to find an 05 or newer Civic Hybrid for the same price as the Priuses. And, to me, and most others, the Prius is the best hybrid out there. If I can get the better car for lesser money, it would be silly of me to not do so. Now, if an 05 Civic Hybrid with 60k miles popped open tomorrow for $9000, I'd strongly consider it.

 

Thank you for the offer, but I will have to humbly decline. I DID however find an 07 in Chicagoland for $12,900, with 70k miles on it. If you'd like to test drive it for me, you'd be such a prince. I kid...

I wish I could talk the dealers in Indiana down to that price, but I really doubt they will come down $5,000, which is about what Indiana dealers are asking for an equivalent car.

I can have the car shipped to me, but the thought of buying a car without ever actually driving it, seeing it........ugh, makes me sick. But, I do not want to drive half the day to get there either. Ugh.

 

It IS a pretty good time to buy a hybrid. When I saw a Prius for right around ten grand, especially compared to the KBB value, I was just beside myself. And twelve nine for an 07? Unfortunately the prices of used Priuses here in my state of Indiana seems to be a good 3-5000 more than any other state.