Buying Used Prius Agonizing over Details : }

I'm working on getting less worried about battery. : ) Then I spoke with neighbor of a friend who knows my car was in an accident. He used to do financing for vehicles. Retired and has purchased all kinds of fancy import cars for personal use. Thinks I'm crazy buying a Prius with 80-90K miles on it. Battery and other maintenance issues. :}} Thinks I should look into a Hyundai/Kia : / considering my budget. Ugh! Obviously everyone is going to have their opinion. He now transports VWs at a local dealership. Loves the diesal Golf.

Spoke with low key guy/dealer who owns the 2009 Touring. He supposedly has records regarding everything he's done to the car to make up for carfax having no documentation since 7/14. Mentioned he just had an intermittent starting Issue diagnosed. Something to do with $27 Toyota part that signals car is in park. Does that make sense? I may be way off on describing what part does. I'm going to test drive this car on Monday after he has part repaired. He seems pretty trustworthy. Retired and sells about 6 quality cars a month.

I'm really holding out with reading mechanical difficulties posted on this forum but I should be sure typical issues are checked out thoroughly. My car before Vibe was a SAAB 900s. I cried when they towed it away with dead head gasket. There was always something to fix but I LOVED this car and it took good care of me to the end. Wasn't dating a mechanic back then either. : }

 

I read the posts about standard models being listed as Tourings. I've called Toyota corp regarding each car I'm interested in to verify the package details etc. Don't think I'll be looking for red and pink stripes on struts. : }

I only have new car dealers involved because once in a blue moon they will call me to let me know about a recent trade in before it gets listed or sent to auction.

I'm a bit shy about contacting estate. I will try town hall and see what I can find. The closest relative (only son) is extremely well off and rumor has it she didn't leave estate to him because he is all set. I just hate the idea of contacting regarding such a sensitive topic.

Thanks again everyone for responding with such valuable info and support!

 

Thank you! I'm sensitive to criticism but I hear you. I guess I wasn't expecting there to be such polar opposite opinions about the Prius.

People told me not to get a SAAB way back when but I did my usual research and the car pretty much found me. Despite multiple repairs, I NEVER regretted my decision.

Yes, being "over informed" can be a issue. I've been looking for Honda Fit as a back up but aren't many around. I'm going to stop talking about looking for a car because the people around me have very strong opinions. The only reason I bring it up is incase someone has a friend or family member looking to upgrade their Prius or other possibility. Thanks for your time and concern!

 

I appreciate your feedback. I'm test driving the 2009 Touring on Monday and may have another question. I'll do a post search first. I've only done a little searching because I didn't want to get more overwhelmed with info.

If it's a Prius, I'm sure I'll have more questions. I'll definitely let you know. Thank you for the good luck wishes. I need all I can get. : )

 

I just found two more Prius cars near each other to look at tomorrow. Located 1.5 hrs in the opposite direction of the other one but may be better choice for me (miles/$$) so I'm going to look.

I'm confused where to post certain specific questions. If a thread is really old, do I continue here instead? I want to follow appropriate protocol especially since details might help others

When I called Toyota corp. regarding Vin # on the 2009 touring they couldn't verify it was a touring or not. I finally found the clear pictures of struts and wheels in another thread so I'm removing my question by editing. Is there a way to delete in the future?

Thank you!!!

 

Thanks! I'm glad someone is enjoying this. Ha!

I can't believe I have to go and negotiate by myself. Here's the deal. I'm looking at 3 cars tomorrow afternoon.

2009 with 94K white/leather interior $8991 - standard model
2009 with 88K silver/leather/nav $10,690 - listed as touring but has standard tire spokes
2008 with 63K seaside pearl/leather/nav $10,995 - listed as touring but no photos yet so may be standard

All three dealers have really good reputation for being fair and honest. I unfortunately get to be the person who shows them they've listed/priced car as a touring. I know these cars don't usually leave much room for negotiating when they are used so stop the worrying.

I'm mostly concerned about the 2008. He has reputation for listing below NADA. So I can go look at car and nicely mention it's not a touring and what would price be since it's a standard model? Regardless of the model they already know how low they will go...right?

I know we are talking peanuts when it comes to negotiating but every little bit off selling price will go towards doc fee etc. Can doc fee be negotiated? I know NY has a set doc fee of $75 but CT and MA have no cap.

Sorry for my silly, detailed questions. I'm recovering from the loss of my 20 yr old kitty. I did not need this big decision right now.

Thank you once again!

 

Thank you, Jim! I actually knew some of what you've said which amazes me but I needed reminding that itemizing what's missing from car is primary negotiating tool.

My understanding is fobs are pricey so that's been on my list and I noticed a car with aftermarket leather. Leather armrests are most important feature of leather upgrade for me.

I do realize posting here isn't a job and I really appreciate the time you guys and gals volunteer helping out here. I put many hours in on some feline health forums and know it's a labor of love!

I just found out 2008 is spectra blue (Chevron blue like). I really don't care for it. Darn! My Vibe was a darker pretty blue which grew on me except scratches show up on door handles etc. I know used buyers can't be so picky. The Gen 3 nautical blue(?) is a beautiful blue.

I won't be too attached to these cars. I do have more time although shopping from a distance will be challenging once rental is returned...most likely tomorrow. Figure this road trip will give me more experience with Prius if nothing else.

The white with higher miles is at VW dealer. My one and only new car was a Jetta. I remember doc fee being outrageous. I'm waiting to hear. If it was lower miles, that might be first choice.

My real estate friend (called me with questions when he was buying used Subaru) reminded me to be sure dealer's non refundable deposit is contingent upon approved financing and mechanical inspection.

Thanks again for the much needed info and reminders! Really helping me not feel so alone with the process.

 

Thank you!

My not very productive update. Color of blue car is actually seaside pearl. It was a new listing that didn't have photos yet and they said spectra blue.

I had my trip all mapped out yesterday but the 2009 silver needed a part and they sent the wrong one. Apparently Toyota switched parts mid 2009. So it's all set for me to look at today but I can't get there and now the dealer is going on vacation tomorrow. : ( His son can show it to me later in the week. It's probably not going anywhere since it's been there for a year due to being overpriced before. If it sells, it's not meant to be. The blue was in detail shop. blah, blah blah. Sorry for all of this.....

So I'm still diligently looking. Presently I'm working on getting insurance settlement. Value of my Vibe is a no brainer but they're stalling. It's going into the third week so I'm getting consumer affairs involved. Stalling is giving me more time to look but less clarity regarding what I have to spend.

I did check on CT fees. Both the blue and white Prius have $299 doc. They offered I could register car myself to avoid additional fees but it's 1.5 hrs away in another state. I'm too fried right now to even think how I could make that work without driving back and forth multiple times. I would prefer a car with under 90,000 miles.

For some reason dealers around here say non refundable deposit but I will force the issue. I plan on using credit card for extra back up.

I mustered up the courage to call about Prius sitting waiting for estate to come thru. I think its a 2004 or 5. Driven across country a few times per friend. I will hopefully hear but wouldn't put too much money on this one.

Thanks for listening and being patient with me. I'm juggling a great deal right now. Armed with info and your support which makes me feel better!

 

: } I deleted that sentence in my post because I looked on chart EPA (revised 3/2011) and New Hampshire is not listed as one of the CARB states. I thought I read somewhere that NH backed out of it. Not sure how that would work.

My understanding is as long as 2005-2009 Prius was purchased new in a CARB state after law was put into effect for that state, it can be purchased used and registered in another CARB state and still be covered. Obviously the older models in Gen2 have no warranty. The 2008 and 2009 Prius purchased in a CARB state wouldn't be covered if repurchased used and registered in a non CARB state. Am I making sense? : /

This longer 10yr/150,000 warranty covers hybrid battery only from what I understand. I've seen reference to warranty covering "hybrid system" which I'm assuming is an error.

Here is EPA CARB chart (scroll down to see chart)

http://iaspub.epa.gov/otaqpub/display_file.jsp?docid=24724&flag=1

Yay! I was allowed to post a link. Thank you!

 

Ok because Toyota rep made extra effort to tell me it was only battery. They have been wrong before. That would be great news even if it does only mean a couple of years for a car I would buy. Would give me enough time to settle into loving my Prius. : )