Trying to buy used: $8,500

See my response in your other thread here:

CALIFORNIA > 2010, < 120k miles, any color

 

Ray your link says page not found for me.


https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/776227652/overview/

Volts are very reliable and in your price range

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/775160315/overview/

Pip is as well but a harder search

2016 + Prius comes in a grand over
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/773941891/overview/

And of coarse there is the Prius v

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/741893434/overview/

 

Page froze up and double posted

 

Uh, to the original post if that's the reality why would you go any farther?
That's kind of what reviews are all about.
When you say ALL his reviews are either 1 star or jokes, that's when I hear the phrase "Exit Stage Left".

 

This might be your car. As a 2012 PIP driver, I would recommend it, although I have not checked the details. Do note that it is a Base, not an Advanced as advertised. This is a common "mistake."

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/758502559/overview/

 

I'm going to recommend a high-low approach.
High....go for a Pip or Plug-In Prius . They were more likely to be adult driven, on long commutes, and even the base model has many options.
Low...consider a "C".
Most reliable Toyota model. Doesn't have the history with head gaskets and egr coolers (yet?)

You're in California and you said that you do not DIY.
Fine.....but you DO know how to read.
Closed-hood maintenance for the first 100,000 miles can lead to some costly repairs in the next 100,000 miles.....and NOT just from the traction battery.
Take some time and read 10 threads in this forum for the search terms:
EGR Cooler.
Catalytic Converter.
Head Gasket.

Some of them are a little long because some people (like me) bloviate, but as a frequent poster might put it, car ownership, like many things in life is:
Time
Effort
Money
....pick any two to save the third.

Being thrifty all the way around the track means that the cost-per-mile figure isn't really available until you have the dead carcass towed away after your ownership experience, so you may want to consider sticking a crowbar in your wallet and shopping in the $12-14k range and then familiarizing yourself with the car type and the more common maintenance procedures (transaxle flush, EGR cooler and throttle body cleaning.)
Also you can leverage a little time spent in places like this forum to avoid common dealer repair recommendations that WE recommend that you defer.
Read 10 threads concerning "timing chain cover gasket" for example.

Having a catalytic converter start spitting codes on you in Aridzona can be expensive ($250-500) but in 'the California' your repair bill will have a comma in it.
A blown head gasket will make a Dodge Challenger less expensive to own mile over mile!

If I were you I'd look for a $12k base Prius Plug-in outside California with a good maintenance history....or a Prius C in the same price range. The Prius Plug-in was a $40,000 car when new, and their depreciation curve resemble Presidential approval ratings.
You'll never find one in Caly that hasn't been ragged out because everybody wants to use them to dodge HOV rules, but they are widely available on free soil.
Look for a private seller that was insulted when they took their $40,000 "baby" in to trade it in for a Prime.

If you're REALLY thrifty (instead of just "cheap") you'll get a later model C-type in as base a trim as you can stand.
I'd go ahead and shop local for this one since $12k will give you a car with lots of the CARB warranty left in it.

Good Luck!

 

I think you should look at states where gas is cheap; unfortunately, there won't be as many Prius there, but the asking price should be less.

I'd be suspect of those who price it LOW: bait and switch. LOW gets lots of attention. Price will quickly come up to average market price or higher b/c of the number of people interested. I have seen this done w/ homes.

Maybe an insurance repaired car? Steve at Autobeyours buys/repairs insurance write offs and does some pretty cool modifications to Prius.
He also sells Prius parts. There is a 2009 w/ Package 6 (fully loaded I believe), 101k miles, $7500 & 12mo warranty. Damage was left front. Insurance adjuster probably wrote it off b/c unfamiliar w/ Prius and unable to open the hood to see engine compartment.
Browse Inventory &#8211; Prius hybrids sales and service Scottsburg Indiana

 

Only if you buy the car.
In some states duplicated titles are a very large, very angry looking warning sign!

 

My advice is stop being in such a big hurry. You will find one, you just need to be patient. You have already learned the better ones don’t stay for sale very long. I got mine from the original owner who just had gotten a Tesla. Had all recipients, the original window sticker and even a sales brochure. I was the first person to look at it.

 

No I can't say I have shopped for a used Prius in the Bay Area.

But you're not just saying used car salesman...you're saying EVERY review is one star. That would seem to be a little more than a Red Flag, it's more like a Big Red Tarp,

Plus I would sincerely recommend that you never look or purchase a used vehicle from a position where you are looking and have become tired, weary and just want the process to end.
Sometimes you HAVE to make a used car purchase on a timeline, due to "life". But if that isn't the case? Take some time off from the search, or just take a deep breath. If a part of your criteria for possibly making a deal is just wanting to get a deal done? You could just be seeding the clouds for future rain.

Really IMO once you purchase, you have all the benefit and burden of being the owner. But before you purchase? It really should be fun. You're ostensibly able and trying to get something you want, and hopefully will enjoy for numerous years. This IMO....should be the fun part.

 

If you look at the first posts photo of the car you will note it’s not even on a car lot. He takes all his photos in front on that office building. Guy is a total fraud.

 

That will cost you $1 for the battery

 

Yes.

 

congrats!

time to clean the egr circuit and install oil catch can.

all the best