First Time Prius Buyer

I have a 2015 and that sounds like a good deal to me with that mileage. . A mechanic will usually charge 100-150 to inspect a car and by all means do it! Since they're willing to negotiate I'd offer them 12k (depending on what the inspection finds, how good are the tires, etc).
Good Luck with your decision!

 

Sounds like good price in CA.

Might look at it having original 12v and tires, that may need replaced.
Make sure rear brakes are not uneven and caliper pins seized etc.
Mechanic can look for the usual damage and leaks etc.

You still would have long way on the HV battery warranty (if purchased in CA?)

Good luck!

 

Go to the Kelly Blue Book web page and put in the information about the car and you'll get
a price of the value of the car. Then do a walk around and inspect everything on the outside, then
do the same inside.
Good Luck!

 

California pricing makes it a decent deal.
Not great (otherwise a used car lot would have snapped it up) but not bad.
It sounds like somebody wants to trade in the car and they're upside down or got insulted at the dealer by the trade-in offer, and wants to get into another car with a little more down money.
Get insurance quotes before hand and make sure that whoever you're using for your loan is aware that this is a private sale.
Often, private sellers will not have title in hand and while this is all very easy to work out - it might need to be worked out.

An independent mechanic SHOULD take about an hour to look over the car, and their hourly rate should be somewhere in the $150-200 range. You REALLY also want to pop for a $20 CarFax report - or better yet......tell the present owner to do one and if it's clean that you will pay for it, and let them keep a copy if you do not buy the car.
Sometimes this will jog their memory about the time their car was stolen, broken into, or tapped in a parking lot fender-bender.

I do not expect problems from a 2015 with 70K miles but I'd also NOT skip the mechanic's inspection OR a CARFAX report juuuuuust to be sure.

A 2015 with 70K is a GREAT entry-level Prius.

Let us know if you close the deal and with a little proactive maintenance you're just about dead-bang certain to be buying a car that you can drive for 10 more years without much in the way of major repairs!!!

Good Luck!

 

Sounds like a good deal!

 

The redesigned Pistons, Piston Rings, and Inverter are a huge upgrade compared to earlier Gen 3s, but don't forget to have the EGR System and Intake Manifold either completely cleaned out or replaced and then have a high quality oil catch can installed.
It would be good to flush both coolant systems and drain an refill the cvt transmission fluid immediately.
You may have a little more time left before cleaning out the dirt, dust, and lint from the battery fan.