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I'm considering a Prius but...

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Herbalicious, Jan 2, 2016.

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  1. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    Hello all,

    As you can see, I'm very new here. Just joined today and made my first post (about buying a bad used Prius) and now I'm wondering if I can get some help from you all on making my decision.

    The car I've had since college sprung a leak and got some wires wet. I'm trying to decide if I want to keep that car and fix the leak or to buy a different car. I was considering getting a used Prius because I had gas and petrochemicals and all the wars surrounding them, etc. I would personally like to limit my petrochemical consumption. I consider myself eco friendly and an activist for the common good, etc.

    I don't have a lot of money budgeted for a car, maybe around $5,000. I could probably spend more but I don't want to spend too much and I do NOT want finance at all. I was just looking at any Prius online in my budget but the lady at Toyota said she'd never buy a used Toyota from a small lot because that means it wasn't good enough for Toyota to sell.

    After buying a bad Prius, I'm now worried all Gen 2 have leak problems and I cannot afford a Gen 3 right now.

    Do any of you have experience buying a used Prius? Any advice for me?
     
    #1 Herbalicious, Jan 2, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
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  2. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat, which as you're sure to find is the very best place to learn all you'll ever need to know about anything Prius-related! The "search" function will be most useful to you, and here's a thread which may be of great help (but make sure you read the whole thread): priuschat.com/threads/buying-used-prius-agonizing-over-details.156697/
    Welcome once again, and good luck! (and Happy New Year!) - Wil
     
    #2 WilDavis, Jan 2, 2016
  3. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Used Corolla or Yaris would fit your budget better. 5K budget really is not enough for an older Prius IMO.
     
    #3 dorunron, Jan 2, 2016
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! i'm confused. you say your mitsi sprung a leak, but you also bought a bad prius?

    either way, i agree with ron. how much to fix the spider?
     
    #4 bisco, Jan 2, 2016
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Welcome! I read your other post and sorry about your first experience. I still have a 2005 Prius in the family with 250,000km and it's still running in good condition. The engine uses a bit of oil but that's about it in terms of mechanical or hybrid related components so good used Gen 2s exist.

    Really, it's the same as buying a used car (hybrid or not). Ensure all the recalls and TSBs are done, ensure the car runs well (no odd shudder/vibrations or squeaks), ensure there's no moisture anywhere (not a flood car).

    Maybe try a dealer that has a high turnover rate so that it's always getting "fresh" inventory. That usually means a larger dealership in a large city (not necessarily CA sized but I guess you could head down if you needed to. There's probably more choices there since more were sold in that state. Heck, I just saw a locally registered car that had the CA carpool stickers lol).
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jan 2, 2016
  6. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    Thank you for this link. I'm reading through it now. I'm only about 3 pages in but it is discussing things I was wondering about.

    Ok, thank you! I will keep that in mind.

    Yes, I have a XXX and it got a leak that got onto some wires and drained my battery. I still need to have it jumped and looked at by my mechanic. I wanted to get an idea of everything that needed to be fixed on it. I called the local water-leak car specialist and he was an donkey! I hope I can say that without getting into trouble. He said he didn't have enough time to answer my questions because he had "millions" of cars to work on that day. I was simply calling to figure out how to arrange to get my car there after my mechanic looked at it. I felt like I really didn't have enough time to pay him my hard earned cash to diagnose and fix my car. I need to do more research to see if it can be repaired somewhere else.

    And yes, I bought a bad Prius in a rush and returned it 2 days later. Now, I have no running car, a car stuck in the garage and place to be.


    What is the best way to figure out if the recalls have been done? What is TSBs?

    I will keep looking. Thanks for your feedback.
     
    #6 Herbalicious, Jan 3, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    well Oregon is CARB state, but a little unique, not full CARB, but HV battery is covered to 150k miles 10-yrs. So if you could get a 2007 that had a year or two left on the warranty that might be a good option.
     
    #7 wjtracy, Jan 3, 2016
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  8. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    Wow! That seems like good news. I'm very confused about this whole CARB thing. I'm reading about it in another thread. So any Prii less than 10 years or 150,000 miles has a battery covered by Toyota?

    Is Washington a CARB state?
     
    #8 Herbalicious, Jan 3, 2016
  9. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    The 2014 list of CARB States in the US | PriusChat

    Washington is CARB but not full CARB...

    Actually check me on this but it looks like CARB coverage for OR started in 2009, so that means you'd need a 2009 to get that extended coverage.
     
    #9 wjtracy, Jan 3, 2016
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  10. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    When you says not a full CARB do you mean the battery is covered like Oregon?

    PS,

    Thank you for taking the time to help me understand batter. I do appreciate your fast responses and helpful info.

    PPS

    If I get a Prius do I have to register it to make sure the battery is covered? This CARB thing is a new concept to me.
     
    #10 Herbalicious, Jan 3, 2016
  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Only the full CARB states + OR give the extended coverage to 10-years.
    The others eg PA, WA, DE do not

    Note that OR apparently did not join until 2009. So if you could find a CA 2007 that could be cool. Toyota has special rules about CARB and the state has to be in CARB at the time of orig purchase to be accepted by Toyota for the CARB coverage.

    Read this carefully, then get yourself a CARB 2007 for OR
    CARB Warranty Ins-and-Outs (and In-Out-Ins) | PriusChat
     
    #11 wjtracy, Jan 3, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 3, 2016
  12. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    Thanks again!

    So I guess, 2007 in OR, the battery isn't covered. How will I know if it's an CA car? I think I read something under the hood on the drivers side says something. I'll have to go back and read that post again.

    My xxx lives in California (that's where I used to live too). She's coming up here in a few weeks. Maybe I'll ask if she can help me find a car near her and have her drive it up. Her boyfriend is a mechanic, so maybe they can help me find a better option. I'll ask her. She maybe too busy to help me with this and waiting a few more weeks might be tough.

    Ok, I read the Original Post. It says that WA is a stand CARB state but I'm not sure the date they joined, etc. I guess I gotta read more. This is overwhelming....
     
    #12 Herbalicious, Jan 3, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    You need "extended" or Full CARB for 10-yrs/150k miles. WA is "standard" CARB (ie, not extended).
     
    #13 wjtracy, Jan 3, 2016
  14. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    Oh I just saw another list, that says Oregon joined in 2009 and includes the 150,00/10year duration. Washington joined the same year but doesn't have the included duration.

    So, it looks like buying a 2004 or newer Prius in Oregon will allow me included duration. It's 2016 so I want a car that is 2006 or newer and with less than 150,000 miles to qualify for the included duration.

    This is so confusing...



     
    #14 Herbalicious, Jan 3, 2016
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    No if OR joined in 2009 you need a 2009+ OR car or 2004+ CA Car
     
    #15 wjtracy, Jan 3, 2016
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you buy one that's almost out of warranty, it's not likely to do you much good. it sounds like you need a decent reliable car for 5k. prius is not it. it's not just the battery, it's the brake actuator (not covered) the air conditioning (not covered) etc.
     
    #16 bisco, Jan 3, 2016
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Best way is to look at the service records. I don't know how it works in the U.S. but up here, all records are centralized so as long as you service it at a Toyota dealer anywhere in Canada, it will show up and any dealer can print a copy for you. If you have the VIN of the vehicle, see if it'll show up here:

    Lookup Safety Recalls & Service Campaigns by VIN

    TSB stands for Technical Service Bulletin. They're usually more minor things (not immediate concern like brakes or steering wheel) but could still be important.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jan 3, 2016
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  18. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    TSB is Technical Service Bulletin. TSBs are recommended procedures for repairing vehicles. They are a form of diagnosis. Not to be confused with recalls, a TSB is issued by a vehicle manufacturer when there are several occurrences of an unanticipated problem. There may be a time or mileage limit for a repair/replacement paid for by the manufacturer.

    Register the VIN at Toyota Owners Official Web Site to see dealer service history and recall info.
    --
    The clock starts on the warranty the day the car is first put into service. If a 2006 Prius was sold before January 3, 2006 the last of the warranty has expired.

    On truecar there is only one 2006 within 250 miles selling for $5000 that is still under warranty as it has 140629 miles on it. The is a 2005 with 150120 miles for $4995.

    Every one of us is driving a used Prius but a 10 year old car with high mileage is going to need repairs & maintenance sooner rather than later. My 2006 was the best car I had until I bought my 2010. You may have to search high & low for a car that fits your criteria or one may fall into your lap. At $5000 you'll find many more frogs than princes and your expectations may have to be lowered. Keep us posted & happy hunting.
     
    #18 JimN, Jan 3, 2016
  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I've never got rid of a car because it "sprung a leak".
    I'd fix it.

    I think $5000 budgeted for a used Prius put's you in a very vulnerable market as far as reliability.

    Your reasons for wanting a Prius are "noble" but #1 you need a reliable working vehicle.

    I'd fix...or buy something NOT hybrid.
     
    #19 The Electric Me, Jan 3, 2016
  20. Herbalicious

    Herbalicious Junior Member

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    Oh that makes since. I need to buy ia 2006+ with less than 150,000 miles CA Car in Oregon to qualify. I'll keep that in mind. This is something I knew nothing about when I was on the car lot. I have no idea if it was CA or not. But moving forward, I will pay attention to that knowing it adds value.


    Could you says more about the brake actuator and the air conditioning?


    Is truecar a good place to look for cars?

    I have no idea how to fix a leak in a convertible top! If you want you can fix this one! I'll keep looking for the best solution for me....
     
    #20 Herbalicious, Jan 3, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 3, 2016
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