Newbie buying guide & DC area advice?

A Prius with under 100,000 miles for about 5k? Good luck.

 

Not sure about *used* Prius, but DC you get tax free purchase If I recall if over, I think 40 MPG city.
At your low offer price perhaps best is 2009... I would not go earlier.
Probably cheaper on the MD dealers on the Beltway vs. Virginia, but I am not sure on used.
Things like Fitzgerald or DarCars.

I have never figured out Toyota warranty policy in DC since there are no dealers in DC, but MD is special extended 10yrs/150000 miles on hybrid battery for model years 2011+, assuming first owner and regsitration was in MD or equivalent CARB. So it would be nice to get a MD car that was eligible for the extended CARB warranty, but I am unlcear if that applies to DC, and I think that applies only after 2011, so a 2009 probably does not matter. .

 

A quick check of DC and surrounding area CL ads shows you'd be looking pretty much at what you already own. An HV battery replacement is the big question; "new" refurbished batteries are sketchy.

Toyota Prius - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

$5k Gen3 are going to have 200k miles.

GOOD LUCK!

 

welcome!

this is a tall task. i don't know anything about the dc area, but in general:

1) you want to find a repair shop you're comfortable with before buying a car. dealers are outrageous and often dishonest.
finding a qualified hybrid mechanic who charges reasonable prices is the most difficult part of owning an old prius.

2) you want a gen 2, preferably '08 or 9. i can't say that you will find one for that price that hasn't been in a major accident or salvage or in poor condition.

3) oil burning is a concern, and your previously found mechanic should do a thorough inspection before buying.

4) have a talk with said mechanic about battery replacement cost.

5) as an example, i just encouraged my daughter to sell her 2008 with 130,000 miles for $5,000. because i was concerned about reliability, and possible major expenses. but those are unpredictable, as many fortunate owners have done a few hundred thousand miles normal wear and tear

 

As far as relaibility I would go with 2008 or 2009.
After that you are talking 12 year old cars than can have a variety of extra costs such as hybrid battery.
There is no really magic year they were all Gen2s but I have a hunch 2008 and 2009 were the best.

 

agreed. if you can find a one owner 2008 with a good car fax and well maintained like my daughters for 5k, i think that's the best you can hope for.

 

what is wrong with your '06?