Best used Prius to buy? High miles newer or low miles older?

I got a 2005 from toyota place in garden grove 65k 9800.

 

I would buy an 06+, the interior changes are worth it to me (mid model year revamp). Miles and time are the enemies. If it was a hilly or hot region, I would go with newer higher miles since that is probably more highway driving and less time baking in the sun. Otherwise a car that has low miles but still enough that shows it was driven every few weeks minimally would be better. But these are solid cars anyway you slice it, you will be happy no matter what.

If you are new to Prius shopping you may want to consider what package it is. For instance the 3-door SKS is a feature that I could not live without on my Prius. The higher def MFD with backup camera is also very useful, but the navigation unit not so much.

 

Those cars that have resided in the South with small diurnal and annual temperature ranges, as well as where the least amount and frequency for use of snow melting salts on the roads during freezing weather are much more desirable than thos cars that have resided in Northern clomes.

 

Not with the Prius. Hills and heat kill batteries, and therefore reduce the traction batteries useful service life. Cold zones where the engine runs more often to keep the cabin warm use less battery which is good. Hills charge and discharge depleting the maximum cycles.

Most failures of the HV battery occur in warm climates like Florida or Arizona or in hilly terrain like the Rocky Mountains.

 

If you get serious about the car ask for the vin and go on Toyota.com/owners and join and then you can see the service history of the car. Report back here.

No gen 1 and Buy lower miles for more $$$. And do not buy a Prius without SKS.
Best feature.

 

What is the sks feature, yes make sure you get the car fax my dealer used it as a selling point cause the car was maintenance regularly

 

SKS is the auto door unlock that unlocks the car and allows you to drive off with out inserting a key.

 

what - there are still states that use salt?
If body style matters - the divide'll be '09 - '10 going from Gen II to Gen III. Some love or hate the new 'fly bridge' - so that choice forces you to go earlier or later ... unless the newer Gen III's synergy drive weighs in more heavily. Like most things in life ... you have to weigh all the trade offs against what's important to you. Also - don't forget that it's not uncommon for either model of the Prius to get 200k - 300k miles on the original traction pack - which btw has come down in price (at least for Gen II's) since the '04 model 1st came out.

SGH-I717R ? 2

 

Believe it or not I found a 2010 with 77k miles but loaded for $11k. I know the nav on this things isn't the best but the leather & sunroof/solar panel option is nice. Most Toyota dealers in South Florida want way too much for 08 - 10 Prius. This same car would be $26k in a Toyota dealer.

 

Although I have a 2008 I bought used with 11k on it in 2010. I have 209k on it now and besides tires and regular oil changes the only repair needed has been a serpentine belt. Original batteries and no rust...in Wisconsin and driven all winter long on country roads to commute.

 

I'd look for an off-lease Pip.
Low teens, generally in good to excellent shape and usually in the low to mid teens if you don't live in a CARB state.

 

I must be true to my own behavior...

Newer HIGH mileage vehicles have ALWAYS served us better than OLDER lower mileage ones.

Why? About the WORST thing you can do to a vehicle is let it sit unused and infrequently serviced.

Our logic (household logic for the last, oh 40 years) has been: If someone put a TON of miles on it and maintained it well, it is a better bet than a vehicle that was not relied upon and therefore may not have been carefully maintained.

In general, the MANUFACTURER's WARRANTY will transfer to all consecutive owners without charge. Service Contracts (Extended "warranties") may not be NOT transferable, or only with a fee.

 

Good luck with your search, don't know where you live, but raysford.com at area code 40108 has a 2010 for $6970 with 183,000 miles. I have 165,000 on mine and wouldn't be afraid of another 17,000 miles.

 

Huh. I was just looking at an '09 with Package #2 and 69k miles for under $10k. I guess the market is different everywhere.

 

Mileage seems to be the major factor in pricing for a used Prius, so that's not completely out-of-line given the 69k.

 

In FL a 2010 with 140k sells for $5,500. Low gas prices makes these cars tough for dealers to sell new or used. That spells opportunity for you as the buyer

 

I'm in the market for a gen 2, looking to spend about $4000.

What's the verdict on gas mileage as the car ages / higher miles? If maintained, will the efficiency hold? ( Assuming the HV battery is good)