Looking to buy a 2009 Prius and need advice

welcome! they did not make a plug in hybrid until 2012 is this an aftermarket conversion? if so, run, don't walk, as fast as you can, unless you have top notch electronic diy skills. all the best.

 

yes, there are very few 'successful' aftermarket plug ins on the road. if you know what you're doing, it can be removed.

no way to find out from the owner what it is?

 

I am kind of on the same boat here. We have four cars in our family, 3 toyota Prius (2005, 2008, and 2012) and a honda civic hybrid (2003). The civic hybrid has been a pain in the butt ever since I can remember. Finally I have decided to trade in this car and was offered a little over $2000, the same dealer has a 2006 toyota prius with 93k miles on it. I am actually really nervous for some unknown reason. If any one owns a 2006 toyota prius, I would love to hear from you regarding your experience. I will really appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

it's not a 2012 prius plug in if it has a 120 volt outlet on the bumper. the plug in prius has the same plug as the volt, and it's under a cover on the right rear fender. if it is a 2012 for $7,500., offer them $8,500. before someone beats you to it. but honestly? i think you're out of your element, and need to do more research before proceeding.

 

Those are Gen II (i. e. 2004-2009), therefore the plugin is an aftermarket mod.

 

Are both units for sale?

 

dave, if this were a non modified car, there would be nothing to be concerned about. i would do a car fax, make sure there were no accidents and that it had all necessary regular service and recalls completed.

what i am trying to say to you, is that a prius that has been modified with an aftermarket range extender is a whole different beast. they don't work, plain and simple. so you will have a lot of remodifying to do, or constant repairs to try to keep it running the way it is. and who knows what effect it has had on the stock hybrid battery?

there are plenty of threads on the trials and tribulations of aftermarket battery mods in the mod section here, all the best with your research.

 

Thanks for the update.
+1 Do your research.
Since you work there , maybe you can arrange to borrow the car for a week and see how well the conversion is working as this will determine the price you may want to pay.

 

Offer then 7 even for the car.
Then just drive the car as if it were a garden variety G2 while you research the aftermarket PHEV kit that's installed and decide whether or not you want to revert back to a stock G2, or rehab the other battery pack and use it as a pip.

I'm thinking that most of the aftermarket kits that came out in 2009 allowed the Prius to just be a Prius when the battery bank was depleted, and so the only efficiency ding you're going to take is the 100# worth of ballast. As far as the OEM traction battery, you can get a re-manned unit for about $1200, and who knows? The aftermarket battery bank might be good for a while.
Put $1200 in the back and sleep well at night.

A 2009 in excellent shape with 40K miles on it represents a fantastic opportunity to get a pretty dang dependable used car at a bargain basement price - AND since you already know how to solder, read a schematic, and use a meter then you'll also have a pre-installed on-board tinker project.The car looks good and obviously drives well.

I'd buy it.

Good Luck!

 

The two cars in the stock photo are 2005's. The top third of the tail light is clear 2006-2009.

 

No need to be concerned about replacing the battery. You should PLAN on replacing the battery soon. Sitting unused is much harder on batteries than use is. Is the car worth $7500 and the price if a battery to you? A 2009 with 33K could be a heck of a car for a long time. Take the plug in kit out.

Brad

 

and please let us know how you make out!