Looking for a used Gen 2 but I am finding lots of low mpgs

I am posting here as a last resort for a bunch of info that doesn't seem to add up. I became interested in Generation 2 Prius because I found out I can pick one up for 5000$ with around 100k miles. Seems like a good deal and should be able to get that second 100k miles pretty easy. What I am running into real world here is low mpgs.

I live in Los Angeles and it is December. I have looked at a handful of these cars now. What I am seeing is that the sellers on clist are primarily dealers. I got one piece of advice and that was to buy from the original owner. I am not sure that is going to be possible around here but it is a thought. The real problem that got my head spun is not really buying or not buying from a dealer and have not been so concerned with that.

The sellers are not taking pictures of their trip monitor on the add. So there forth when I get to the car the trip monitor has been reset or it has a low value on it. I am seeing numbers like 38, 39, 40, 41. The best I have seen was 45 for 180 miles. I felt that car was a little rattly on test drive. A guy online told me he could get 47 out of any old prius as long as windows up and plugs changed. So why not go hypermile the car somewhere or something before you go sell it, take some pics, anyway a decent recorded mpg upon sale seems like it should be the norm not the un-norm?

I have studied some mpg tips since looking for a prius and tried them on my old civic and they work. I know the prius doesn't do it all on its own. However, I expected Prius drivers to be more in tune with the topic and I don't understand why they aren't. I mean I would love to find the Prius guru to show me the ropes who has taken good care of the car and looked for mpg tips along the way. I am not sure that is going to happen here in Los Angeles. It looks like if I want one of these in this price range I am going to have to buy it and fix it up. Or at least invest in a tune up.

I spoke with the dealership and they said to bring it in for a inspection ~150$ Then they said they could do an mpg tune up that would include throttle body and fuel injector cleaning ~500$. Also spoke with an independent Japanese mechanic who stated would like to see 45 +or- 3 as a general rule of thumb for mpg.

My question is what is going on with these cars? Why can't I find a single one that has a good mpg? Should I wait out until I do find the prius guru which surprisingly might take a long time or go with getting a dealer inspection and appropriate 100k mileage tune up?

Thanks for anyone's time.

 

If we look a Fuelly there is quite a broad range with the overall avg about 44. If you flip through there are a lot of cars in the 50s. So why do I not see this in real life? I have read no articles what so ever that these old Prius are not properly maintained. All you read about is the damn battery which isn't supposed to be as much of an issue with repairs getting as low as 300$. What kind of a bummer would it be to get an under performing Prius or to have one already for that matter. It just doesn't make sense because these are Prius drivers. I think seeing low numbers in the trip monitor does tell me the car was less maintained and cared for. I was a bit long winded in my original post. What I am getting at here is are these cars worth my time or should I hold out until a properly maintained one comes along? Which honestly looks like it might take a long while. I read nothing about this happening in LA its at least 9 out of 10 gen 2 prius that are under performing under maintained.

 

I don't see how doing a 100 mile test drive would be feasible. What is wrong with the owner having a good trip prerecorded? They are selling the car. You wash and clean it before you sell it. So you present your car with a 50 mi trip with 38 mpg. Sorry not impressed with the presentation. I think that is an indicator in it self of how the vehicle was not treated as an mpg vehicle. tired of hearing of how america has to beat the red line or whatever some commented on. Dont expect it from prius drivers and even at that why would you want that prius? I guess I am really answering my own question. I don't want a Prius that can't produce a prerecorded mpg chart that is decent. However, from my month and a half looking I can't find one. If I give up and take one that I think is overall tight otherwise to the dealer for inspection do you think I would be okay?

 

Thanks Jerry, Unfortunately I think your original comment is happening. That being that the car search is turning into a real pain and taking longer than I anticipated. Further I didn't anticipate this at all among Prius drivers as they tend to be trending educated and are pretty sjw about their gas. I guess I am going to proceed with caution. If a guy can produce a solid mpg trip with service records then I would get it inspected and buy it immediately (needle in a smart hay stack). Otherwise I will just pick one that seems solid have it inspected and plan to invest something into getting the mpg up as long as dealer is reasonable on solution go with that.

 

Foto: I agree with the over analysis, but what you wrote complicates more. I think a gen 2 with 100k for 5000$ might have been a little too good to be true. Now I am thinking of backing out of the whole deal unless I can find a seller who actually knows what they are talking about and can provide a good mpg trip with service records. I am not in this investment to pick up someone's problem. I don't think providing a good mpg trip and service is asking too much.

 

I just called on a 05 and asked them to take a picture of their latest trip. They are supposed to be the 2nd owner of 2 years. This person couldn't even get into the mpg screen display because they didn't know how to do it! So I told them to forget it. I was told i was an anal prick asking stupid questions. I already know under avg mpg is at least a $500 tune up at the dealer.

 

I had another idea today. I wasn't looking to buy a salvaged title car. However what is the real danger in doing so? The reason I ask is maybe some of them have been gone through mechanically..Would it be possible that I wouldn't find these under performing mpgs in the salvage cars?

 

Hi MRA. I see you are posting a 40.0mpg on Fuelly. I am curious going by the 45+/-3 rule. I would have to say you are the specific under average mpg car that I have been writing about all day. Why does your car only get 40 mpg? I can't say you are not trying as you participate on Fuelly and Prius chat. Thanks.