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Should I buy high milage 3rd gen Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Shane Burns, Dec 6, 2016.

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  1. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    I would love to have 3rd gen Prius as my project car. I just checked on Craigslist and saw a 2011 Prius with 300K on it. Selling for $4,500... Maybe I can get it to $4,000.. Look clean. With that high mileage, I know that engine/transaxle will have to be replaced soon. I have enough budget for new low mileage engine/transaxle and some couple of mods.

    Am I talking crazy and avoid that car? lol :sneaky:

    P.S. There are some other 3rd gen Prius with 300k and issues for roughly $3000 or less if I negotiate.
     
    #1 Shane Burns, Dec 6, 2016
  2. Eastside

    Eastside Member

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    Have you researched buying from a charity that auctions off donated cars ?

    300k 3rd gens might auction off for much less than the craigslist route.
     
    #2 Eastside, Dec 6, 2016
    CNYhybrid likes this.
  3. CNYhybrid

    CNYhybrid Member

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    There may be more than the engine and transaxle involved. I would never buy anything without pulling a Carfax and seeing what service was done and any other issues. With that mileage it may have been used as a taxi and, in that case, steer clear of it. Good luck! I love my 2011 Four.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #3 CNYhybrid, Dec 6, 2016
  4. stockdaddy

    stockdaddy Member

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    I like buying higher mileage cars but not that high. The discount you get for a car with 300,000 miles vs 200,000 is very little.

    Here are some KBB private party prices for 2010 Prius II
    50,000 miles 9450
    100,000 miles 7200
    150,000 miles 5500 (sweet spot for me)
    200,000 miles 4600
    300,000 miles 4150
     
    #4 stockdaddy, Dec 7, 2016
    tvpierce and Shane Burns like this.
  5. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    Thank you for your honest tips! Wish me a good luck on search for 3rd gen Prius. Hopefully the price would be just right :)
     
    #5 Shane Burns, Dec 7, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all the best!(y)
     
    #6 bisco, Dec 7, 2016
  7. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    Welp! Just bought 2010 Prius! Call me crazy but this bad boy have 328,000 miles on it! I got it for $3500. Drive good and just ordered Mini VCI so I can check the health of hybrid battery and some other stuff! Wish me good luck on modding and some necessary repairs!
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 Shane Burns, Feb 19, 2017
    ckam1989, iamvietdang, RMB and 3 others like this.
  8. Incredablehefey

    Incredablehefey New Member

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    Good luck!
     
    #8 Incredablehefey, Feb 21, 2017
  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Mind sharing what the necessary repairs are?
     
    #9 Raytheeagle, Feb 21, 2017
  10. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    Oh not its too bad. I need to inspect my suspension because the ride was bit harsh. The struts might be gone after 300,000 miles lol. And the A/C is not blowing cold. Just cool. It might need a simple recharge or new A/C compressor. And maybe need new transaxle fluid and spark plugs. Hopefully thats it.
     
    #10 Shane Burns, Feb 21, 2017
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  11. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Hey, congratulations on the "new" whip! I wonder what time of mpg you'll be able to get out of your new ride? Keep us posted!
     
    #11 Aaron Vitolins, Feb 21, 2017
    Shane Burns likes this.
  12. RMB

    RMB Senior Member

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    Nice find! Good luck with your project!
     
    #12 RMB, Feb 21, 2017
    Shane Burns likes this.
  13. stockdaddy

    stockdaddy Member

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    Fixing AC is a pain in the A$$. I doubt you can recharge it, the line has a leak somewhere or a bad compressor. That's probably a $500 to $800 job though might be cheaper using used parts.
     
    #13 stockdaddy, Feb 23, 2017
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well best of luck.
    I think you ended up with exactly what you wanted. A Project.
     
    #14 The Electric Me, Feb 23, 2017
    Shane Burns likes this.
  15. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    Passed 10,000 miles yesterday! One major repair... A new HV battery lol. When I have the time, I will be doing some maintenance such as all new high quality (ceramic?) brake pads as current cheapo brake pads give out excess brake dust... Hopefully I can tackle it with Techstream's help.. Oh , maybe spark plugs change and EGR cleaning and transmission fluid change. Still going strong! Looking forward to reach 400,000 miles!
     

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    #15 Shane Burns, Sep 17, 2017
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  16. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    Which route did you go with replacing the HV battery? How many miles did you drive before you realized that it needed to be replaced?
     
    #16 MelonPrius, Sep 17, 2017
  17. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Time to update your profile!
    So far it sounds like $3500 well spent.
     
    #17 ETC(SS), Sep 17, 2017
  18. ckam1989

    ckam1989 Active Member

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    Congratulations! many crazy mods done yet?
     
    #18 ckam1989, Sep 17, 2017
  19. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    @MelonPrius @ETC(SS)
    I drove 1,000 miles and then all crazy lights came on. I immediately knew it was failed hybrid battery so I hooked up my cheap OBO reader and yup, Failed hybrid battery. I cleared the codes and they came back 700-1000 miles. I went on hybrid battery shopping and researching all batteries pricing. (Rebuilt, Dorman, and new oem battery) Then I strike the gold! A low mileage battery for $500. That battery only have 21,000 miles on it! The catch? A 4 hours drive to Henderson, Nevada lol. So I took my Prius and drove over there in the morning. Pulled the HV battery out from the salvaged Prius and then drive back! Then I installed new HV battery the next day. I already put 8,000 miles on my new hybrid battery and no lights came back. :D
     
    #19 Shane Burns, Sep 17, 2017
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  20. Shane Burns

    Shane Burns Member

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    Actually I already installed coilovers on mine! :cool: But I also have the airbag kit.... Havent got the time to install it haha
     

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    #20 Shane Burns, Sep 17, 2017
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