Considering buying used prius

I had a 2003 Prius and the only things that didn't come standard was a cd player and Nav system. The only thing that the 2003 had on it that the 2002 Prius didn't have was the Cruise Control.

 

I have to agree that you need to tell us more about what you need in a car before we can make any recommendations. I'd recommend the nav system if you drive around to strange places all the time, for instance, but if 90% of the time you're driving to only three different destinations and back, you may not need that option. If you find yourself stuck in traffic for long periods, I'd recommend 04-05 because of the compatibility with XM satellite radio, a feature my friend found important because he routinely has to drive through long traffic jams. VSC is a good feature if you need to take the car on bumpy, dirt, or icy roads. Do you have a family you like to take out often? Then the 2000-2003 models might be too small for your needs. If you go on driving trips where you pack up a lot of camping gear or luggage, definitely the 04-05 because of the extra space in the back (which is why I upgraded; I have to carry my musical keyboard around all the time and the old Prius was really too small for that).

But if you're a single person, or married with no kids and don't take a lot of high-cargo trips and generally don't need a NAV system for most of your trips, the 2000-2003 might indeed be a better deal. (though there is an after-market NAV option for 00-03 that the 04-05 doesn't have).

 

VSC: Vehicle Stability Control. Consumers Reports calls it ESC: Electronic Stability Control. You can think of it as an extension to ABS, where the car can detect if it tries to do doughnut skids. There is a yaw sensor and a steering angle sensor so it knows how much the car SHOULD be turning because you told it to. If it doesn't turn enough, or turns too much, it will adjust brakes at each individual wheel to correct for this, and in some vehicles, as in the Prius, correct your steering.

I might be wrong but I don't think the classic rear seats fold down. However, a 2003 Prius does sound like a good candidate vehicle for you.

 

Actually, the seats do NOT fold down in the 00-03 models, though there is indeed enough cargo space for a few backpacks. But if you're looking to put something long like a surfboard, rowing oars, or a folding picnic table in the car, it aint gonna work. unless you have no passengers, in which case you have to angle it in to the back seat (I got tired of doing this with my keyboard).

Mileage difference...generally the 04-05 will give you better gas mileage by about 5 mpg with average driving. Never believe the EPA numbers...real time, you'll get about 40-45 with the classic and 45-50 with the Prius II.

For the price range you specify, I suggest you look for a 2002 or 2003 model. When I traded my classic 02 in a couple months back, it had about 45K miles and I saw the price sticker on it the next day advertising $17K, which of course you would negotiate down. Cruise control is standard for 03, but even in 01-02 models you can get that addition installed for about $200-300, so it shouldn't be a main concern. An alarm will cost you about the same (these are all dealer estimates, btw).

As for repairs, I can't vouch for what happens on a classic Prius beyond 80K miles, but I did the recommended fuel injection cleaning at 42K, and all the recommended oil change intervals, and didn't have one single thing go wrong in all the time I've owned it (though I did have to replace the tires once of course).

 

Prior to 2004, the rear seat of the Prius did not fold down. That alone is worth narrowing down your choice to 2004 or later.

I have a 2005. I am 6'3" tall. I ride with the driver's seat all of the way back. I can easily sit in the backseat with about 2.5 inches between my knee caps and the back of the front seat.

The 2004-2005 Prius can comfortably seat 5 adults.

If I were you, I would consider biting the bullet and purchasing a new Prius. The used ones are not selling significantly less than new ones.

 

the 2k3 Prius comes with alarm and immobilizer standard. I personally don't like hatch backs as they are targets for thieves doing smash and grabs, I'd much rather have a trunk. I've done hi 40's US Gallon with mine easily, the 2k3 is known to get better mileage than the 2k1-2 Prius. Documented by Andre Grant the Taxi driver. The Classic has some TSB's on the steering and a few other points and any purchase should include checking the VIN against the TSB's. For two people occasional 4 a Classic is a good choice.