Need advice on buying an 188K mile '01 for $2500.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by atikovi, Jan 20, 2009.

  1. atikovi

    atikovi Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2005
    68
    10
    0
    First off, I've owned an '02 for the last 3 years which now has 151K miles so I'm not new to or afraid of high mileage Priuses although mine has never needed any work or repairs since I got it with 125K miles.

    The one I'm looking at I would just buy to flip. It's at a public auction and I put in a low ball $1500 bid on it, and they counteroffered with $2500. The body and interior is very clean and it was driven into the auction. The engine sounds strong. I did see some warning messages on the screen but don't know what they were for. Also I can do most repair work myself.

    What is the car worth? Is $2000 a good price? I'm thinking it must be worth that much in parts alone. I know the prices on these cars are way down with the drop in gas prices but when it goes back to $4 a gallon this summer it should rebound.
     
    #1 atikovi, Jan 20, 2009
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,200
    6,493
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It's really hard to say what the car is worth without knowing what is wrong with it.

    What if the traction battery, electric steering gear, and catalytic converter need to be replaced. Can you do that work yourself at a low enough price so that when you sell the car, you will make any money?
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Jan 20, 2009
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,831
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    $150 could save you $1000's.....if you already own a Prius you should own a scangauge. You can buy one here for $150 (click on orange shop button on top of this page) and it will read out the codes (check engine lights) that your prospective Prius is showing with the flick of a switch. Buying a Prius that has a lit check engine light is just plain nuts at any price without knowing the severity of the cel. This car is unlike any other car on the market in that if it's showing a CEL...it ain't kidding. It could be into the thousands to fix. Inverter...transaxle...control cpu's....etc...you name it and its expensive.
    Or could be easy.Like gambling at $2500 a flop? Buy a SG here and have it overnighted for $15. Thats smart money. Good Luck.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Jan 20, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,219
    16,445
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Should be. The battery should be able to net you $1k if it's in good condition (if the car turned out to be a dud)
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jan 21, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)