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Buying Used Prius in LA... Need *Serious* Guidance from Prius Chat!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013.

  1. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    Hello,

    I've been checking out this board for a few weeks now and decided to start posting =)

    My situation is that
    1. I have an SUV that is beyond repair and uses a ton of gas (I calculated that an estimated payment + car with my current driving in a Prius will be less than or equal to my car situation).
    2. I want to buy a used Prius for reliability, gas savings, and I actually really like the Prius compared to other cars (I am a big guy and the car has plenty of room even for me),
    3. my perfect credit is now really BAD due to recent hardship that I am overcoming.

    I am looking to spend under $9K with not a lot down, I've read on here about getting an older model but I really am looking for best bang for the buck - especially for reliability... that "sweet spot" so to speak, affordable and reliable (CARB state warranty?). This car would be used for city and highway in SoCal. Any advice on models, financing... etc?

    Thanks so much!
     
    #1 rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! i would look for something like an '08 with 50 or 60,000 miles, but i don't know about the prices in your area. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
  3. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    Thanks! Is it hard to find a Prius in the mileage range?
     
    #3 rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Those factors will vary from location to location. Check multiple sources. YMMV When we got ours it was a 09 with 42K on the clock...

    Welcome to Prius Chat!
     
    #4 dorunron, Oct 8, 2013
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how wide a net are you planning to throw? you'll get a much better deal in the northeast than cali.
     
    #5 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
  6. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    Good tip actually thanks! Now... should I avoid "salvage" title Prii like the plague? I haven't purchased a car since 2005 and it is a totally different world now. I really don't have much car buying experience actually.

    Thanks!
     
    #6 rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013
  7. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    I am thinking Southern California, AZ, NM, Las Vegas since those are places that I have access to. Aren't cars from the northeast problematic because of the potential to rust?
     
    #7 rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not like the old days. i'd be more concerned about getting a car from flood prone areas. of which nj/ny was one.
     
    #8 bisco, Oct 8, 2013
  9. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Stick with an 06 or newer, remember when you are buying a used car you are buying miles, from my snooping on this site it seems that at about 120k the risk of expensive bad things happening becomes much more frequent. Unless you can get financing set up before hand, you are probably left dealing with dealers, try Toyota and Lexus dealers first. Good luck.
     
    #9 Munpot42, Oct 8, 2013
  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Just to give you an idea, one Prius Chat member here in north Virginia recently sold his 2006 package 6 w/ 95000 miles for $8700 on Craigslist...he immediately got more offers than he needed. It was a case of good pricing I believe. Something like that might be a good deal for you since you are in CA the CARB warranty applies for 10-yrs and 150000 miles...you probably want to be sure to get a CARB (sold in California or equivalent CARB state) car to get the warranty.
     
    #10 wjtracy, Oct 8, 2013
  11. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    Wow this is really good information, thanks guys!

    Definitely buying miles... and what I don't want are unexpected costs popping up so I am willing to pay somewhat of a premium to avoid mechanical issues. Plus I am planning to make double payments so this bad boy gets paid off quickly.

    I guess my most important goal is reliability because I will be doing a lot of driving.

    Does anyone recommend a good Toyota dealership in the LA area and a place to have a Prius "checked out" by mechanic? I don't want to buy a lemon, regardless if they make lemonade =)

    Thanks again..
     
    #11 rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013
  12. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Not from Cali, but Luscious Garage is the place to go for Prius work. Not in LA, more like Frisco. They are the "respected" place in Cali here on PC.

    Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists
     
    #12 dorunron, Oct 8, 2013
  13. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    If you can find a "Certified" Toyota Prius that is affordable, buy it. They come with a warranty plus roadside assistance. You might find something wrong with it, but I don't think it would be a lemon so to speak.

    More info on that can be found here.

    Certified Used Toyota Cars, Trucks, SUVs & Hybrids
     
    #13 dorunron, Oct 8, 2013
  14. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    Wow... more helpful stuff, thanks! I went on the garage website they look great, I hope I find something like that down south. You guys have definitely got me thinking bigger than how I have been thinking thanks again.

    Going to try to secure financing soon, because I would rather not deal with a dealership.
     
    #14 rankinfitch83, Oct 8, 2013
  15. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Credit unions are the best in my book if you have to borrow money.
     
    #15 dorunron, Oct 9, 2013
  16. rankinfitch83

    rankinfitch83 New Member

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    Aside credit unions do you guys know any places that specialize in auto loan financing with bad credit?

    Thanks!
     
    #16 rankinfitch83, Oct 9, 2013
  17. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Longo Toyota in El Monte

    Yes, you should avoid those cars, because you have no idea whether shortcuts were taken in the repair process. Also the resale value is questionable.
     
    #17 Patrick Wong, Oct 10, 2013
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