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Buying my first used 2005 or 2007?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Eclectic76, Feb 20, 2010.

  1. Eclectic76

    Eclectic76 New Member

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    I am currently driving a 2002 BMW and am anxious to go green and get out of my moneypit! I have been shopping around and have found 2 Prius's that I am considering. Both vehicels have good points but as they are at 2 different dealers its hard to decide which to get.

    #1 - 2005 Prius Package #6 , 50,000 miles one owner for $14,900
    or
    #2 - 2007 Prius - base model, 62,000 miles waiting on carfax for $13,900

    Also, I noticed that when I test drove the 2007 there was no gas in it and the battery had only 2 bars and was blue. Hoever it did gain a bar and go to purple on the road.

    Can someone please advise me?
     
    #1 Eclectic76, Feb 20, 2010
  2. JimboK

    JimboK One owner, low mileage

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    All things equal, I would lean toward the 2007. The earlier 2005s had a problem with the multi-function display that has caused several of them to fail, a problem corrected sometime during the model year. The 2006s saw several minor and mostly cosmetic improvements.

    But of course all things aren't equal. Without knowing the condition and history of the cars and without researching KBB values or market prices in your area, our attempts to judge the relative value of each option is just speculation.
     
    #2 JimboK, Feb 20, 2010
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  3. Eclectic76

    Eclectic76 New Member

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    Thanks for replying. The Carfax of the 2005 is emmaculate! However if its a 5 year warranty, then there is no warranty left. I am waiting to get the carfax on the 2007. I am a little concerned with the 2007 because the salesman doesn't know where they got it from and it does have 12,000 more miles in 2 less years. However its impeccably physically clean looking so far. This is really a hard decision.


    The KBB on both is above the asking price. So that's nice. But since the 2005 has been driven for 4 years 4 months, I would think that if problems where to come up they would've already happened.

    Is the package deal of the 2005 has not make it worth more than the 2007?
     
    #3 Eclectic76, Feb 20, 2010
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    I can see where the higher package of the 2005 is attractive, but as previously pointed out, some of the 2005s had problems with the MFD. Also, the traction control on the 2005 can be a problem in snowy areas and with uphill on steep gravel roads. Traction control was improved for 2006 and up.

    I would go with the 2007 unless there is some other reason not to.

    Tom
     
    #4 qbee42, Feb 20, 2010
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  5. spinkao

    spinkao New Member

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    I'd definitely go for the 2007, if it is in a good shape. There were some nice upgrades since the 2006 on (like higher-resolution MFD), and some known reliability issues plaguing the 2004 and 2005 models were fixed (like MFD failure) - look around the forum for more detailed info.

    12000 more miles is nothing for a Prius. The two years less in age are much more important.

    The behavior of the battery you describe is normal and nothing to be afraid of.
     
    #5 spinkao, Feb 20, 2010
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    both are good choices. i'd be more concerned about your bmw experience. a prius is a long way from a bmw, other than gas mileage, make sure you will be happy with most other aspects of the car. it is not a sports car, it is not a luxury car. it is a high mileage, high tech, environmentally friendly commuter vehicle.:)
     
    #6 bisco, Feb 20, 2010
  7. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Enter both VINs at http://www.toyotaownersonline.com/index.html to see dealer service history. 12,000 miles in 2 years is "low". A package 1 (base) 2007 has smartkey, camera, & can play mp3. I don 't know what is in a 2005 package 6 that you can't add aftermarket or live without. It seems used car prices are mostly based on mileage brackets. Look for 12v battery replacement on both cars. The 2005 probably had one or will need one shortly. The 2007 may need one this year or next.
     
    #7 JimN, Feb 20, 2010
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