Buying Used Prius Agonizing over Details : }

Thanks! I'm calling on Monday to clarify what was going on with service history. It's a 2008 for $7999 although a hefty $500 doc fee. Almost an hour away so I didn't get to see it today.

The 2009 97K pkg 2 that was switched to synthetic oil is probably still a better bet than the mystery repair history. Toyota service told me switching back to conventional oil after one round of synthetic oil wouldn't cause any problems. Any first hand experience with this.

I'm really hoping for a few new cars to check out this week. Can't imagine too many people wanting to be out in this cold, windy weather looking for cars but dealerships were busy today.

 

There's a 2009 blue with "diagnose PR" and then "engine repair" a couple of times. Invert assembly? Maybe I need to take a basic auto mechanics class. : }

 

Thanks for the chuckle! You were pretty dedicated to helping that customer! : )

Another Prius popped up within 45 minutes away. That's considered near by. Got my hopes up for a 94K pkg 2 $7994 until I saw only TWO service records and both were recalls. : / Maybe mysteriously well taken care of. I'll check it out. Can't say I give up easily.

 

If Prius with conventional oil has gone at least 10K miles without an oil change twice in it's 94K mile life, is this a car I should stay away from? Obviously they could have gone somewhere else but in case they didn't. They seemed pretty consistent so may have gone somewhere besides dealership or may have ignored car maintenance during moves. This was two different owners and I can't cross reference a carfax. Apparently small dealer has an Experian auction report I might have access to tomorrow. I see minor body repair. Will check with Toyota collision tomorrow.

This is one of two I'm hoping to test drive tomorrow. Two grey 2008s with same miles and actually near each other for the first time ever.

 

Thanks everyone for looking at service history. I'm getting better at detecting a neglected car. Still a bit insecure primarily due to dealers' attitudes. No matter how well cared for car may be there still may be unforeseen issues.

Learning as I go. Cringing a little when I see a post titled "Just bought myself a Prius" wishing it could be that simple for me. As you've all said it's better that I ask now than be sorry later. I need to get one over the next few weeks so I'm increasing my mileage range and will take one with minor body repair at this point. I can always look for an upgrade in a year or two if circumstances change.

Todays very long search:

2008 gray twins:

#1- Had sound coming from driver's door area/possibly left front. Sort of a wind sound but possibly electrical. It wasn't the tape under mirror issue like other one. Interior covered with sticky residue. Would have bought and insisted steam clean well but they refused to evaluate noise issue. Told me to play radio loud or buy a new Prius.

#2 - Had to charge battery for me to drive. Pretty beat up. This guy buys dealer rejects at auctions and sells or ships to Africa.

Decided to continue on to MA and look at 2009 silver twins:

#1 - 2009 80K pkg 2 $8995 no additional doc fee - I had driven before but not on highway. It has a unique sound when accelerating and slowing down. Plus a very slight interruption of power while on highway unlike any others I've driven. Two new dings in windshield from acorns. They will repair not replace.

#2 - 2009 97K pkg 2 $8495 + $349 doc fee - Well taken care of/clean except a few little cosmetic issues. AC vent next to passenger door was poked in along with piece that slides back and forth for adjusting. He said he wouldn't budge on price and wasn't going to fix vent. Only one key fob. Didn't get to drive this one on highway yet because too far and traffic. He's a bit arrogant (I'm being nice) and primarily sells Mercedes. When I said there was no way I'd buy car without vent fixed he gave in and said he'd take care of it but I'd have to get second key fob on my own. Editing this to say I might need to buy this one since I really need to get rid of my car.

After today the well taken care of 2009 pkg 6 with collision repair and broken fog lights is looking more like it was a good deal. Oh well...I can't go back and buy it after my conversation with the GM.

 

Thanks, Jim!

Friend who helped me negotiate 2009 PKG 6 is calling to talk to them since I really can't handle it right now. It's still available. Even local Toyota service manager mentioned today that maybe I should revisit car he inspected and deal with fog lights later.

Here's what it comes down to considering both cars have been serviced religiously at Toyota dealerships:

2009 PKG 6 $10,000 87K miles $220 doc fee (90K negotiated into price and already done)
pre purchase inspection already done and paid by me
CT emissions done
hidden rear end collision that was repaired well
fairly small crack on bumper

2009 PKG 2 $8,500 97K miles $349 doc fee
additional costs I need to add to selling price:
pre purchase inspection ($130) would be nice if I could skip this and put $$ towards maintenance
2nd key fob ($175 including programing) he won't budge
additional $150 fee to get out of state registration not including actual registration fees otherwise I'm driving back and forth!

PKG 2 dealer (Mercedes) said 90K was done and shows on Carfax. I didn't see it spelled out on report as major service so I called previous Toyota dealership and service dept was willing to read details of 80K and beyond service records. She stated serpentine belt in poor condition, spark plugs need replacing, fuel injection throttle body needs servicing, throttle plate is dirty, brakes need cleaning and adjusting but none of these were actually done at dealership despite this person using dealership for every little thing. They even replaced 12V battery in May. Sounds to me like this car may actually need a major service which needs to be considered in my decision. Are these above items typically 100K service? I think I asked something like this before about another car. No clue how to address this with dealer without putting him on the defensive. Doesn't take much with this guy although he did fix the air vent already. Replaced clips.

I know I have to make final decision all by my little self. Just trying to figure out chunk of money I might have to spend beyond selling price. Trying to compare apples to apples so to speak. I'll call and ask how much the above repairs cost individually.

 

Local Toyota service just told me above items are typically done around 90K. Individually more expensive but combined as 90K service would be $375. They have lower labor costs than RI and MA. Most likely previous owner stalled on repairs knowing they were letting go of car.

I guess I just tell this dealer I called to verify service history since notations on Carfax were so vague. I can already hear his reaction. He bragged about only having to do an oil change. I wait until tomorrow after hearing status on PKG 6. I'm basically trying to avoid a repeat performance of paying for inspection to find out car needs $500 repairs but dealer doesn't care and will wait for the next customer to come along.

 

I wish friend was actually going in. Ha! He's just making the initial call but I'm very grateful for that. Salesman was out today so I suggested maybe talk to GM anyway since he's who I finished with and ultimately makes decision. The thought of walking back in there with a check is killing me but I will swallow my pride and do it if they'll let me.

I can live without fog lights and casually look for replacements. My Vibe has them....don't even know how to turn them on : ) but I checked and they aren't cracked. : }

It may be up to the stars and moon at this point. I'd be ok with either one at this point.

I like the 10.66 cents per mile calculation. : )

A big thank you to all of you!