Newbie here buying a 2002 w/ 168,000 miles & scared

If you go to Toyota's owners site and enter the VIN they should be able to tell you all service that was performed by a dealer.

You have what we call a Generation 1 Prius. The forum is here.

Generation 1 Prius Discussion | PriusChat

 

Personally I would not buy a Gen1. Gen 2 (2004/up) and newer, so much better, and have more support.

 

welcome!
headache, please try and get your deposit back. you should look for an old corolla or other similar small car. all the best!

 

Newbie here just wondering if these VINs only work in the US, or should I be able to get one for a Toyota in a different country?

 

It looks like you could check here for recalls.
Recall Checker | Owners | Toyota UK

If you scroll down, you can check the service history here.
Manage My Toyota | Toyota UK

 

I've used it in UK and it worked fine

 

Headache.

As bisco said, look for an older non hybrid Toyota.

 

If you haven't even done the deal, and you are already scared? Then it's not a good deal for you.
And as you explain your situation, I'd reluctantly have to say, it doesn't sound like a good situation to put yourself into.

Nothing personal because I give this advice to EVERYONE that asks about buying a older Prius on a budget, but the admission that you have " No money to fix anything in the near future", would really just cement the idea to me that it's not a good idea.

I'm OK sometimes with someone who A: Either wants a project and doesn't mind future repair work or B: Has the money to support any needed future repairs,- buying an older high mileage Prius. But if the purchase itself puts you against the wall?

I would invest into something simpler, and HOPEFULLY newer and in better shape.

Prius are IMO good, well built reliable machines. BUT there is no way to change the reality. You'd be buying a 15 year old one, with nearly 170,000 miles on it.
Without ability to face the worst case, or even the "probable" maintenance and repair issues likely to develop? I wouldn't make the deal.

 

Seems like you didn't run a carfax and you didn't have a trusted independent mechanic check it out. And you already paid $1000. Do you owe another $2000? Are you leaning towards keeping it, or are you trying to get out of the purchase?

Here is the kbb value for the car in your area.

 

I stand by my original post.
But if you can't get out of the deal? The $1000 non-refundable? Then I would tell you Prius are well built machines and sincerely wish you the best of luck.

No used car deal comes without risk.

 

cared for isn't the issue, age, mileage and the fact that it's a gen 1 are the issues.

if you can't get your money back, you will have to decide between losing a thousand now, or spending thousands later.

 

That's why I'm not sure if the $1000 was the down payment, with the balance of $1000 due later. Or if the OP hired him to do $1000 worth of repairs repairs on his car before she gives him the $2000 for the Prius.

If it's the former, then you're locked in, imo. And hope for the best.

 

I would think in taking it to a local mechanic, preferably one that has a high rating on Google or Yelp, and ask them to do an inspection. It will cost you money, but it is better than not doing it and finding a $$$$ problem down the line.

 

That may help some but with a car of this age expensive things can fail suddenly with little or no notice.

 

Nobody knows for sure.
But the odds of this turning out bad for you are very high.......in my opinion.
Maybe I shouldn't have said that because with the "down payment" that you already made, the car probably is yours already.
I hope it works out good for you.
Try not to fret over things that may never happen.

 

Agree. Thanks for stating that.

Trust your intuition and listen to what the more experienced members here are stating.

 

I disagree with the bolded part. Whether or not a car was cared for can determine whether a reliable car model lasts 10 years or 20.

But it sounds like the car in question has an unknown maintenance and repair history. That added to the age, miles, and Gen 1 factor (based on stats I've seen, 1st gen Prius batteries fail up to 5 times more often than 2nd gen Prius batteries. And purely from observation, I see 2nd & 3rd gen Prii everywhere, but hardly ever see 1st gen Prii) means the risk is higher.