Used prius on a budget?

I am considering a used prius at a local toyota dealership; however, the price seems steep for what is offered.

I haven't seen it in person, but the ad suggests it is a base model with 251k km (155k miles) and is a 2006. They say it was a one owner car with full service record from the dealership. They are asking $8900 canadian (west coast of canada).

From what i've read the battery will most likely die any day now, and I can't afford to take a loan out to pay for this car, and then within a year drop $3000-4000 on a new battery. Also keep in mind, being in canada, I cannot order a new battery from ebay (shipping is $1000-2000 alone), and even reinvert would be too expensive due to shipping.

With the gen 2 batteries being improved, is it safe that this thing would last at least a few more years? It is a 2006 so only 7 years old, but the high km worries me.

If I seriously consider this, what should I be asking? About the cooling pump recall repair (to see if it was done), when the transmission fluid was last changed? Any other big ones to look out for?

I've asked if they offer any sort of warranty or guarantee. When I sent an email stating that I would take the car if they put a new battery in, the guy played it off like prius batteries never die and it is just a myth that they do, but from researching online I know better.


Thanks for your help!

 

It is all over these forums. That is the generally understanding i've got from doing a lot of reading on these forums.

I know it depends on heat and age, but many people in cold climates with low km have them fail at 8-10 years as well. I've read from some battery guru guy on this site that even high km 2007s are starting to fail.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I'd love a prius, but i'm at a financial stage that I can't afford to pay for the hybrid novelty, i'd actually need it to work for me in terms of saving money on gas and repairs. If the car is too old and high mileage I guess I throw that out the window. I know they have no alternators or starter motors, but if the battery/inverter fails then it is a huge repair cost.

I can get a toyota yaris from 2009 with less than 80k miles for cheaper than I can get a 2006 prius with 155k miles. Obviously the prius is a nicer car, but straight up economics suggests the yaris would be a better deal.

 

Damn, I was hoping you'd talk me into the prius

Thanks for the help!

 

If I can get a yaris and a prius for the same price (around 8-10 k), but the prius is older and has high miles, and the yaris is newer and has low miles, would you still take the prius? I had recently seen a private sale of a nice 2005 prius with only like 95k miles on it, but it was still pretty old and they wanted $10,000 for it. Despite the lower km I was still worried about the battery dying at that magical 8 year mark.

 

I see, thanks. You're right about how reading forums you are going to get a ton of people saying they have problems (because they come for help or to complain), but most people don't have problems. On the other hand the dealers and sales people will lie and say prius batteries will never die.

Right now there are two prius cars i'm looking at.

One is a 2006, base model, 155k miles, one owner, dealership sale, and they are asking $9000 for it. It is from a toyota dealer, but there is no warranty as far as I can tell. It looks clean and again, one owner will all dealer service and records. It is the base model so no fancy smart key or gps.

The other one is a private sale I know less about. The owner just bought a new prius. This one is a 2005 with only 85k miles and they want $9500-9000, and has more options upgraded with GPS system, side impact airbags, security alarm, skid traction control,six-disc CD changer. Smart Keyless Entry. Also it has new tires.

Assuming the 2005 is also a one owner car with good service records, it SEEMS like the 2005 is a better deal despite being a year older, since it has lower km, new tires, and more features/gps.

What do you guys think? The other option is the 2009 yaris with 40k miles for $8000, which has very basic features (4 doors, but basic power windows/doors and that is it).

 

\

I appreciate the advice!

I'm currently driving a 1990 toyota camry wagon with 300k miles, so i'm no stranger to repairs. I can handle paying $1000-1500 a year in repairs over several small incidents, but a massive $3000-5000 ding from a big prius repair would kill me.

 

Yea, it just isn't reliable enough to take out of the city, and every few months requires small repairs. In the last year i've had to do the radiator, spark plugs, distributor cap/rotor, alternator, starter motor, part of the exhaust, and a few other small things. I'd like a car I can take on long road trips and feel comfortable.

 

This is great advice, and the warranty on a new car is big, but my problem is that from all I know and have read, new cars are bad news in terms of value. Since they drop in value so quickly after purchase, you can usually save a lot if you buy a used or slightly used car.

Also, if a base prius is 26k, you then pay 3k in delivery and other fees (that is what they charge in Vancouver) and then another 3-4k in taxes, so you're around 32k for a base model new prius. I guess as a compromise I could get a newer prius, like a 2010 or 2011 with very low km for something like for around 20k, and just pay 2-3k in tax and no delivery fees, and still save ~10k over a brand new one.

The prius c is a good option as you mention, but i've read bad reviews that it isn't a very good quality car and isn't nearly as nice as the standard prius. Again, the base price is 20k, but throw in delivery and tax and you're around 25k.

Tough choices!!! The camry wagon I have does run well, it just isn't trust worthy due to it's extreme age and mileage, and it requires frequent repairs.