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Looking at a Prius! Advice or buyers guide resource?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by TimJ, Oct 29, 2015.

  1. TimJ

    TimJ New Member

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    Greetings!
    So I have lurked on this forum for a long time, but recently decided to pull the trigger and start looking for a Gen 3 prius. I wanted some opinions on the price for a local prius I found and also some advice for buying a prius used. Details on car are as follows:

    2011 Prius 5 with advanced tech pack (LKA, Radar Cruise etc.)
    64,000 miles. One owner car with no accidents and full service history on carfax (all the 5k services and oil changes are listed). Carfax says car is worth $940 above retail. Price is $13,999

    Any opinions? Looks very nice and am considering going and taking it for a drive but, wanted some opinions on what I need to be looking for. Would you recommend me having a PPI done by a Toyota dealer? I have driven a relatives Prius on several occasions so I am familiar with how they drive.

    Thanks a lot!!

    BTW, my current daily is a 05' Mazda 3 Hatch but, I am up to 166k and it is starting to have issues so I am thinking that I will preemptively upgrade before it kills over haha.
     
    #1 TimJ, Oct 29, 2015
  2. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I don't think any of the 11 models have a power seat, that would be a deal breaker for me, but I do like your idea of getting a car with a lot of options, especially when buying used.
     
    #2 Munpot42, Oct 29, 2015
    Kramah313 likes this.
  3. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

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    Take it out for a good drive and see how it runs. No better way to find out if it's been maintained well. Look in all the nooks and crannies you can to see that there's no rust or damage. Take some pictures of it and let us see it when you can.

    We have a 2011 with similar miles on it... 62k or so and no problems with it so far. Love the car and still love the 50+ mpg we get with it. Totally solid mechanicals, and reliable. Very little to fault. I don't mind the ol' manual seats at all.
     
    #3 B. Roberts, Oct 29, 2015
  4. TimJ

    TimJ New Member

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    Attached Files:

    #4 TimJ, Oct 29, 2015
  5. TimJ

    TimJ New Member

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    Here are the pics. Sorry for the multiples, for some reason my upload glitched and doubled my photos.

    Yeah my parents have a Volvo S80 with the radar cruise and forward collision system and I love it, which is why I've been looking for a fully loaded Prius. The manual seats don't bother me since I am 24 and have always had manual seats haha.
     
    #5 TimJ, Oct 29, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! seems like a decent deal. make sure the guts are as nice as the inside and out. all the best!(y)
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 29, 2015
  7. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Looks like a nice car. Make sure you get TWO FULLY functioning key fobs and the floor mats!

    Best of luck to you. (y)
     
    #7 dorunron, Oct 29, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2015
  8. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

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    The oil change interval is 10k -- so if they did it a 5k it's had twice the recommended changes. Our 2011/ 5 has 125k on it now and the only thing we have replaced other then filters is a set of tires at 90k.

    The most important thing is to make sure it has not been damaged -- you can't trust carfax for this.
     
    #8 yeldogt, Oct 29, 2015
  9. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    To check for any body damage take it to a body shop. They can tell you within minutes.
     
    #9 frodoz737, Oct 29, 2015
  10. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

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    I also really wanted the power seat, which meant 2012 or newer for me. But if you don't care about that the options look pretty good on that one. Nice looking interior.
     
    #10 Kramah313, Oct 29, 2015
  11. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Ahh yes there is a difference between 24 and 73, power seats being one of them.
     
    #11 Munpot42, Oct 29, 2015
  12. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    That seems to be a fair to good price for the car around here. They left the mat for the deck in the car but may not have the floor mats. Doesn't hurt to ask but I wouldn't buy them. I'd spend the money on a set of Husky liners. Make sure you get two working fobs. The manuals are a plus. The nav unit has its own book.

    The mats are accessories. I didn't sell them with the car.

    Test the Radar Cruise Control & the Lane Keep Assist if you can get a test drive in traffic.

    What is the size, make & model of the tires? At that mileage you should be due for a set.

    For me the manual seat isn't a big deal. As I'm the only driver it doesn't get moved.

    Five-ATs are tough to find and that one looks good.
     
    #12 JimN, Oct 30, 2015
  13. TimJ

    TimJ New Member

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    Thanks everyone for all the comments and suggestions!! I am going to take a look next week so wish me luck!
     
    #13 TimJ, Oct 30, 2015
  14. VovCA

    VovCA Member

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    Make sure air engine filter and cabin filter were changed. Suppose to be done @ 60K.
     
    #14 VovCA, Oct 30, 2015
  15. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Good luck and all the best! (y)
     
    #15 dorunron, Oct 30, 2015
  16. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

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    Looks really well taken care of, inside and out. Manual seat is easy to adjust... my wife and I readjust every time the other drives and it's no big issue. Rear carpet mat looks nearly new.

    I bought WeatherTech floor liners for our Prius. They fit and keep the muck off the carpets better than a regular mat. Worth the money in the long run, especially with the light carpet! The carpeted front driver's side floor mat is in that car you're looking at... faint outline can be seen this photo just to right of parking brake pedal...

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 B. Roberts, Oct 31, 2015
  17. TimJ

    TimJ New Member

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    So they just dropped the price by $1,000 I am planning on taking a look asap.
     
    #17 TimJ, Nov 3, 2015
  18. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    PPI?

    Yes.

    At a Toyota Dealership?
    Only as a last resort.

    Good Luck!
     
    #18 ETC(SS), Nov 3, 2015
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