Looking to buy a used Prius

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by AceJacob, Jan 13, 2022.

  1. AceJacob

    AceJacob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2018
    17
    4
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    Any recommendations/advices I should look for when shopping around for a used Prius? My budget is $15k or less. I had a 2012 Prius before and it drove great. Traded the car in last year and clocked 144k miles on it. Now I am back in the market for one. The car will be for short term. Planning to keep it for at least 3 years. Should I be looking at cars with certain amount of miles vs how old the hybrid battery is?

    For example: I am currently looking at 2 Prius’s.

    1. 2008 Prius Five with 108k miles
    2. 2015 Prius Two with 170k miles
     
    #1 AceJacob, Jan 13, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2022
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,389
    6,774
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Gen 3 before 2015 have head gasket issues more than they should, I would try to avoid 2010 to 2014. ( My 2012 has given me no issues)
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Jan 13, 2022
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    4,585
    4,545
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Get the newest one you can afford, never mind the odometer.
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jan 13, 2022
    fotomoto likes this.
  4. MTN

    MTN Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2017
    263
    234
    2
    Location:
    SB, CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    You should runs the #s - if you can find a Prime at MSRP, and qualify for the $4502 federal tax credit, plus any state/local/utility rebates/credits, you'd be better off. When you go to sell it in 3 years, the incentives will have offset the depreciation.
    Caveats - have to find a Prime at MSRP (LE model is best value) and have to be able to use the entire tax credit (meaning you have at least $4502 in federal tax liability for 2022)
    Finance it with DCU at 1.24%

    After 3 years, I think this would be the cheapest TCO (total cost ownership) even vs $15k used Prius' at "half" the cost.
     
    #4 MTN, Jan 13, 2022
    mikey_t likes this.
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,426
    3,658
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    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Yup but as with most things in life, “within reason” of course. Worn out suspensions and brakes are very expensive to fix and too much labor for most folks to attempt a DIY.
     
    #5 fotomoto, Jan 13, 2022
  6. JohnnyPR

    JohnnyPR Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2021
    25
    8
    0
    Location:
    Hinesville, GA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Welcome! Sending you more luck finding a nice one.
     
    #6 JohnnyPR, Jan 26, 2022
  7. krishay.baxte

    krishay.baxte New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2022
    4
    3
    0
    Location:
    Stockholm
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I would try to avoid 2010 to 2014. ( My 2012 has given me no issues)
     
    #7 krishay.baxte, Feb 28, 2022
    bisco likes this.
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