So I am a food app delivery driver. I drive between 75-120 miles a shift in a warm climate. I'm currently using a 2013 Honda that gets 30 mpgs but I burn thru a quarter tank every shift and the full ups are about 32$ a tank so 8$ every shift. So I found a 2013 trim 2 Prius with 1 owner, no accidents with 36k miles on it at a certified dealership for 12500$, well below KKB by a few hundred bucks. My questions to you are 1. Is this a good deal 2. Does this year model have any serious issues. 3 can the car handle the amount of driving. 4 As I'm making payments on this will insane repairs derail me from working and paying it off. 5 can this car live into the 200k and beyond with that amount of usage with basic up keep? Thank you Prius wizards as I hope to join your ranks soon
Looks like a great deal... And Prius are best when they're driven often... That's why Taxi cab drivers get 1/2 million miles out of them with very little problem.
welcome! 2) 2010-2015 have a problem with egr circuit clogging. between 50 and 100,000 miles, you want to clean everything, and add an oil catch can if at all possible. this will prevent a blown head gasket. 3) yes 4) how long will you be paying it off? 5) you have an 8/100 warranty on the hybrid battery. in the florida heat, 100-150k is more likely until you need a new one (around $3,000. installed) 200k is possible but might be pushing it. 6) all the best!
Get pre-approved for financing, cheaply from a Credit Union or where ever. Walk into that dealership and say $10K. Be prepared to walkaway, as they will say all kinds of things. Remember, a bird in hand (a ready and pre-approved buyer standing in front of them right now) is worth two in the bush (unknown future buyer who may materialize soon/a lot later/never). The longer any car sits on a lot, the more motivated they are to sell, b/c they are likely paying interest and insurance on the car. Create a google voice number for them to call, so your real cell phone doesn't blow up. Prius have a LCO (Low Cost of Ownership), esp if you DIY. Regular maintenance and this include checking the engine oil level regularly will help ensure a long life for the car. Don't forget to check the tires too. Too many drives today, do neither. Check out the auto buying program (new/used cars) from Costco, AAA, American Express, etc. Low mark-up, no haggle. Auto Program Services | Costco KBB, BlackBook, Edmunds, NADA, etc, are all ESTIMATED vehicle value. The market will set the actual value: buyer willing to pay more or seller willing to take less just to get rid of it.
you can find a nuts about bolts youtube video about it. egr = exhaust gas recirculation valve, catches the engine blow by and clogs with the fine mist of oil over 10's of thousands of miles. there's a valve, a tube and the intake manifold involved equaling the 'circuit'. when it becomes completely clogged, back pressure can cause the head gasket to fail 2014 got new piston rings i think, which some hope will alleviate the problem, but i don't think we know yet.
wait wait wait, isn't that the PCV? I mean sure, if the engine is literally throwing (through valve seals or piston rings or whatever) oil in the combustion chamber to burn, EGR will reintroduce it through the intake, but AFAIK usually the oil mist comes originally from the crankcase via the PCV system? Other than that, just guessing that a gen2 with a new battery should cost less and be way less trouble to own.
