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220k mile '04 Potential Purchase

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by greenhelm, Aug 23, 2020.

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  1. greenhelm

    greenhelm New Member

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    Hello all,
    I have a line on a Prius as a second "around town" car for my wife and I. I am a grad student, and, unfortunately, someone struck our older volvo totalling it. We tried the one car life (literally just upgraded our main driver to a 2019 Prius), but with our work and all, one car won't work.
    Here are the details on the vehicle:
    1. Traction battery replaced at 170k miles with a battery from a totaled Prius with 60k miles.
    2. Very meticulously cared for, service-wise.
    3. Struck in low speed impact on right side (backed into in parking lot), and the driver door was replaced last year.

    Am I taking a massive risk? My gut says yes, but we only need the car to last as a commuter car (25 mile round trip) for a year or two. They are asking 3500 USD.
    Thanks for any and all advice
     
    #1 greenhelm, Aug 23, 2020
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    2004 is the earliest model Gen2... They made many improvements in later years. Waiting just a little while longer till you find 2007-2009 for a similar price would decrease your risk significantly.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Aug 23, 2020
  3. Moses Bruh

    Moses Bruh Member

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    IF you are in CA i would recommend also getting a CAT shield for the car, as CAT theft is rampant and CA requires OEM CAT replacement if you decide to replace it, which is easily over 3k. If you are out of state then no problem, aftermarket CATs are under 1k.
     
    #3 Moses Bruh, Aug 23, 2020
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #4 bisco, Aug 23, 2020
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It doesn't sound like much of a risk for a 1 - 2 year car. If it looks good and drives well and passes pre-purchase inspection I'd go for it.
     
    #5 dolj, Aug 24, 2020
  6. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    I would go for it! Seems like a fair price.

    The rumor is, the 2004 was the most reliable gen2. I’ve seen many 2004s that never had issue, unlike many 2006-2009 with burnt out his head lamps, failed batteries, and brake system.

    Any older used cars can have problems, so be ready if needed. I’d go for it!
     
    #6 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 24, 2020
  7. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    I'd go for it nice person long the repairs are done right, and with good service records...

    However, I would negotiate on purchasing price.. 220k is getting there regardless the maintenance records..

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 ttou68, Aug 24, 2020
  8. Theotis

    Theotis Junior Member

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    This big time. The problem with the prius is there are several very expensive components, battery, brakes (especially actuator), lights, etc any one of which going bad makes it a terrible deal vs the corolla or civic you could get for the same money. Any old car will have potential repairs, but the prius repairs are much more expensive.
     
    #8 Theotis, Aug 24, 2020
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    At 17 years old, a vehicle has entered the end-of-life phase as a daily driver. Multiple big ticket repairs over the next couple of years are likely; hybrids have more parts. How old is the second battery?
     
    #9 fotomoto, Aug 24, 2020
  10. greenhelm

    greenhelm New Member

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    This is a great point. We would not be keeping it long, but I am extremely aware this is an old vehicle. The second battery was installed in 2016.

    Ah, this is helpful. I am only familiar with the traction battery as major hybrid systems that will break. I knew the brakes had some sort of specific feature related to the hybrid aspect, but I wasn't sure how often they go out. Carfax shows the brakes were replaced about 30k miles ago. I don't suppose they would have touched the special aspects, however. I will note, I am taking it to a PPI before buying.
     
    #10 greenhelm, Aug 24, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 24, 2020
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