Saying farewell to my 2008 and buying/swapping for 2011 (pics/story)

Well, in August I scored this beauty (and I will put prices as well --- both vehicles acquired at dealers auction).

August 2016:

For about $4000 I score this very clean 2008 Prius 1 owner with 143,000 miles...Just love it and only thing I did was basically oil changes and tires until recently decided to flush trans and do rear struts. It now sits at 185,000 miles!!!

Fast forward to about a month ago and this decently clean 2011 Red Toyota Prius with 185K is at the auction...I was thinking maybe $3500 and the $200 in fees....and just resell...Well, the bank that owned it wanted $4900 and was just re-running it over and over where it keeps going for low $3000s....then last week I see they have it up for Buy-It-Now $3200 (plus 200 fees) and I told myself they are definitely selling it this week....Well, I was high bidder at $2200 (I have no idea why so cheap guess people are afraid of Priuses sometimes).....He counters at $3200 and on the spot I tell him $2700 (plus 250 fees) and he takes it. So my cost on the 2011 is a pretty unbelievable $2950 (I'll have to add tax when I transfer title)...But I figure it is a newer year and has more value....plus gets better gas mileage...and I can basically get a free trade when I sell my 2008 (pics below)....Story continues on next post with pics of 2011!

 

2011 with 185K for $2950 so I just need to sell my 2008 with 185K for over $3000 and it's an even trade....

Only issues it had were "no key detected problem" with yellow triangle (fix was battery for key fob for $5).....tire pressure light (a little low on tires plus front 2 are 4/32 so they need to be replaced)....and needed to reset oil maintenance light...Other than those 3 things, it's basically just a little dirty on the inside....and was probably repainted on the rear bumper cover and possible rear right quarter panel.....aside from that it seems solid. Not sure if front right hub cap is missing or if that is a totally different rim.

I like the 2 cupholder set up in my 2008 vs. the 1 cupholder in the 2011....

And I like the way my phone charger goes into the middle compartment on my 2008 vs. the weird floating design with underneath storage on the 2011...

But really the main selling point for me was better gas mileage, newer vehicle (more value?), and built in satellite radio...And the price was just a steal...

My 2008 has backup camera and navigation and this 2011 has neither...

Here she is....I've only driven it for about 30 to 40 minutes so hopefully no surprises down the road.

 

I could see that...I listed my 2008 on Craigslist for $3800 and might already have a guy coming for $3200 but probably just a talker!

I like the interior layout of the gen 2 better...Love the middle compartment with large tray....The gen 3 middle compartment/arm rest doesn't seem to have the same amount of space. I do not like that whole floating center console where the gear shifter is.

I like the exterior layout of the gen 3 slightly better (looks a little more modern/sleek).

From what I have been told the gen 3 does not have hybrid battery problems....But from my experience it could get a head gasket and require replacement of entire gas motor....and junkyard motors for the gen 3 is well over $1000 while for a gen 2 (and I just looked this up now) a used motor is only $250!!! Some yards have the gen 2 motor up for $175!!! Probably because they don't go bad.

Do you know if the gen 3 burns oil??

 

Already dumping more money into it than anticipated....But it is very nice upkeep / preventative maintenance. And I had a guy buy my 2008 the very next day for my asking price of $3800 so it's at least $600 more than I was expecting.

#1 : Oil dipstick showed absolutely nothing....I was probably running it on 1-2 quarts which is not the first time I have gotten into this situation...I'm sure it was somewhere between 1,000 and 5,000 miles from blowing the motor. But it is quiet and performs well. So spent more money than I would like to admit doing a Mobil One change plus engine flush.

#2 : As stated front tires 4/32 so I found out that Costco has a phenomenal relationship with Michelin and offers $70 off on whatever Michelins they have available...After doing research between the Michelin Defenders or Energy Savers I went with Defenders due to availability and how nice all the reviews are.....$430 on Costco's website so you just print out or screenshot the estimate and bring to any Belle Tire and they match it (would have been $550 at Belle!!!).

#3 : So now in the hole about $500 with the oil change and tires....And Belle calls and says I should resurface all 4 rotors and replace all 4 brake pads....From experience I know my mechanic would do the labor for $100 and I could probably get all 4 rotors/pads brand new for about $150 which would come to $250 total with premium pads/rotors (just estimate on parts I didn't look up).....But Belle Tires price was $280 so I just decided I'd go with them. They are pretty reputable and I'm sure the brakes will work good when they replace.

#4: So now I am $500 oil/tires and $280 brakes/rotors so almost $800 into it.

#5: Here comes preventive maintenance. Denso spark plugs at about $14 each times 4 = $56......PCV valve @ $6.....Debating whether to flush trans fluid ($50 parts)......And clean EGR Tube (people have recommended this)....But roughly speaking I am probably looking at $100 in parts and an additional $100 or so for mechanic to do tune-up, clean EGR tube, flush trans, and change PCV valve.

And just like that I'll have spent $1000 (About $800 from tires/pads/rotors/oil change)....

Might as well say I am married to it for a little while..