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Need to Make Decision on Purchasing Prius in 24 hours: 2008 vs. 2007

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Beignet Beauvoir, Dec 28, 2014.

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  1. Beignet Beauvoir

    Beignet Beauvoir New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I need to purchase a vehicle in the next 24-48 hours.

    Unfortunately, I let what I considered the best deal a 2008 Prius with 105K miles at $7995 slip through my hands.

    Here are my current options:
    2007 Prius $8000 + TTL
    • 99,998 miles
    • service records complete w/Carfax
    • 1 owner
    • back-up camera
    • interior fairly discolored
    2008 Prius Touring $8200 total (TTL included)
    • 114,087 miles
    • no service records available but did view Experian Autocheck has a rating of 91.
    • 3 owners (last owner of vehicle had for around 6 months)
    • slight noise of belt when starting vehicle.
    • JBL sound system, back-up camera, all that jazz.
    • clean interior

    Which is the better option? Should I just run my own car fax on the 2008 model? Is there anyway I could find maintenance records?
     
    #1 Beignet Beauvoir, Dec 28, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2014
  2. irrational

    irrational Member

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    Personally, the '08 would scare me. Especially the belt noise and the fact that the last owner only had it for 6 months.... makes me wonder if there is a reason for both, and you're simply buying someone else's problem.

    Just my 2-cents.(y)
     
    #2 irrational, Dec 28, 2014
  3. Beignet Beauvoir

    Beignet Beauvoir New Member

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    Model:
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    Yes, the belt noise went away after starting up. The dealer claims it's just because the car had been sitting for a while and it is not driven often. I will note there are no open recalls for the vehicle and it drove very well. I'm just really wary of the 3 owners and no service records. Should I try to see if taking the vehicle to a Toyota dealer can further offer assistance?
     
    #3 Beignet Beauvoir, Dec 28, 2014
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i've read that you can plug the vin in at the toyota owners website and it will list all dealer maintenance. and you can run your own car fax. and you can bring it to a dealer and have them check it out. all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 28, 2014
    irrational likes this.
  5. Beignet Beauvoir

    Beignet Beauvoir New Member

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    Thanks! I was able to locate 25 service records. The drive belt was replaced this May. Then in July, the Toyota care performance package was performed at 113,000 miles. I know the car was in auction during October and November.

    Could this be an indicator of a little bit more confident purchase?
     
    #5 Beignet Beauvoir, Dec 28, 2014
  6. irrational

    irrational Member

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    The fact that it went to auction indicates that whoever had it previously (most likely another dealer) didn't think (or couldn't) sale it.

    Also, which belt (does the Prius have more than 1?)? To need to be changed in twice, 2 months apart, and to still have an odd noise.... It's your money, but I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole - plenty of other Prii out there.
     
    #6 irrational, Dec 28, 2014
  7. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    If someone is pressuring you to buy something under a time-limit, it's a huge red flag. Let it go, take your time, and find something you can learn about thoroughly before you buy it.
     
    #7 GregP507, Dec 28, 2014
    Okinawa and irrational like this.
  8. Beignet Beauvoir

    Beignet Beauvoir New Member

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    Model:
    Three
    I believe it's the timing chain according to the dealer. The noise isn't prominent and only occurred when I started the car for a test drive. Subsequent starts, it wasn't there. I still feel it's an issue worth inspecting. Definitely not dismissing it and throwing away $$$$.

    There is not a time limit being imposed from the dealer outside of the regular "someone else is interested in it" ploy. I have a personal time limit because I'm currently out of state and looking for a prius. I have to return back in a few days. I just worry I won't have much to choose from after the new year starts. As I know right now (end of year/end of month) is the best time to buy.
     
    #8 Beignet Beauvoir, Dec 28, 2014
  9. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    The 1-owner 2007 sounds like the better value to me. You mention that the interior is discolored. I can say that I was able to clean up mine well after buying used, but I don't know the extent of the damage you mention. Another option is to get covers.
    If you can get the VINs you can enter on toyota.com and probably get the bulk of the service records - assuming the previous owners used the dealer service.
     
    #9 Yakoma, Dec 28, 2014
    Beignet Beauvoir and irrational like this.
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wish i could give you good advice here, but it's next to impossible to diagnose over the internet. if you like the 08 better, and you're satisfied with the service records, spend the money to have a hybrid specialist check it out. dealers usually keep the cream and send the rest to auction, so it's tough to say if that indicates a problem. are you sure it hasn't been in any accidents?
     
    #10 bisco, Dec 28, 2014
  11. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Personally, I think its crazy to buy any used car without a thorough mechanical inspection.
     
    #11 GregP507, Dec 28, 2014
  12. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    You list the JBL sound system like its a plus, but from what I've heard, its not much better than the base sound system and its more work to replace the headunit with an aftermarket one if you ever want/need to.

    I would take the 2007 if its mechanically sound.
     
    #12 vskid3, Dec 28, 2014
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    You gotta give me the state for CARB warranty considerations, but I assume we're talking Nawlins if we're talking in French re: beignets
     
    #13 wjtracy, Dec 29, 2014
    Beignet Beauvoir likes this.
  14. Beignet Beauvoir

    Beignet Beauvoir New Member

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    Close but not only 5 hours west.

    I came across another 2008 yesterday at 111K for $7,900 but it was a base model. No backup camera, which is a feature I'd really like to not add on as aftermarket.

    Also someone had been smoking in it. I have no idea how I could eliminate such a strong odor.

    It had 2 owners and also had been sold at auction twice in October and November. Also no carfax as promised on their website.
     
    #14 Beignet Beauvoir, Dec 29, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 24, 2015
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Houston on I10...nope not CARB
     
    #15 wjtracy, Dec 29, 2014
  16. ETC(SS)

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

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    07.

    One owner.
    Service records. (although it doesn't mean it was serviced correctly at least the prev owner cared enough to do servicing.)
    Fewer miles.
    Interior discoloration does not effect mechanical reliability or fuel efficiency, and an 07 is old enough to be a beater or a commuter car.

    Let us know how it went.
     
    #16 ETC(SS), Dec 29, 2014
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    only 5 hours left!:eek:
     
    #17 bisco, Dec 29, 2014
    irrational likes this.
  18. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    No smoking.
    You'll never be happy with that unless you're a smoker yourself.
     
    #18 Yakoma, Dec 29, 2014
  19. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Why doesn't someone invent a smoker's snorkel?
    ;)
     
    #19 GregP507, Dec 29, 2014
  20. Beignet Beauvoir

    Beignet Beauvoir New Member

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    Ah... I decided to pass on both and ended up buying a 2012 Toyota Prius Three, not III as Roman numerals were used for model year 2010, with 80K. Totally happier with this route! Thanks everyone!
     
    #20 Beignet Beauvoir, Jan 24, 2015
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