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Used 2011 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Victor1507, Aug 1, 2021.

  1. Victor1507

    Victor1507 Junior Member

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    I'm looking at buying a used Prius. I found a 2011 with 110K miles for $7400. Is this a good deal? It's a private seller.
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Take it to an independent hybrid mechanic and have the hv battery, brake by wire system, inverter, oil consumption and head gasket throughly vetted. From a private party the price is almost too good for a reliable Prius. Hybrids are expensive to fix with each of the above over $2k each to repair. Some of these common failures can be hidden like using a sealer to mask a head gasket. I usually suggest a conventional Toyota or Honda within your budget.
     
  3. Victor1507

    Victor1507 Junior Member

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    The Carfax report looks good, no accidents, and it was maintained at a Toyota dealer.
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    For me, personally, the answer would be NO.

    Too many "extra" things to go wrong on a used hybrid that old, starting with the hybrid battery which can cost ~ $4000 to replace if you have a dealer do it.

    Of course you can get a "lemon" with any model but I think the odds are much less with a conventional economy car of the same age and mileage. And the sale price likely would be less too.
    Like a Corolla, just for instance.
     
  5. Victor1507

    Victor1507 Junior Member

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    I don't think a Prius battery costs that much. There's a place near me where I can get a new Prius battery for $1,990 with a 4 year, 50,000 mile warranty.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Carfax and dealer maintenance does not help anything on my list above. The dealer oil change interval should have been 5k rather than 10k miles to "maybe" reduce the oil consumption and head gasket risk. Dealer maintenance does not include egr cooler and egr valve refurbs. You may be ready to take delivery, so perhaps these kinds of heads up are not needed.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I SAID "if you have a dealer do it".

    If that price you quoted includes the labor to install it, you should advertise to let others know who that is.
     
  8. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Often shops claim a new hv battery but its actually a "refurb" or other descriptive term for used with weak modules replaced with better used modules. A true set of new cells is possible diy for $1600 and somebody might do the several hour job for $400. Maybe.

    However the $1600 module supplier only offers a 2 year 25,000 mile warranty so your shop is either amazing by adding warranty or they are not 100% truthful.
     
    #8 rjparker, Aug 1, 2021
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2021
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    buy now, test drive later.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    good value depends on where you live. used car prices are way up right now due to a shortage of cars in general.
    go to kbb.com and plug it in, see what it shows
     
  11. cnc97

    cnc97 Senior Member

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    Only 110k for 7400? There are lots near me asking the same for 200k miles. But yet they are trying to buy them for 2k. I was thinking of trading my 2010 on a 16 with 75k, but after being offered 2k trade, I think not. I know that it’s not worth a lot, but 3k-3250 is where I thought I should be.
     

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  12. Victor1507

    Victor1507 Junior Member

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    That price excludes labor. How difficult is it to replace a Prius battery?