'05 Prius w/ ~65k miles for $14,995 -- Good deal?

if the prius only has 56k miles.. you're good for at least another 100k miles. a lot on here have gone longer.

if you get the car, change the 12v battery... change the oil, and you might as well change the psd fluid (easy.. just not super cheap)

my prius was my first new car.. i purchased new for 29k... 42k with financing once all said and done with financing... it was a huge mistake in a sense... i wish i would have waited a few years and picked up a deal like you're getting right now (i do love my car though...)

the way i see it in the end is... a new cheap car for 16k financed which can last 100k miles possibly 200k miles.... or.. get a prius that's a great deal for the same price... saving you thousand and thousand of dollars over a new purchase. my car has almost 180k miles and still feels like new... i still get 40mpg (with rims and aggressive driving)

 

btw.. there are complaints about a prius in snow... i love my car in snow... traction control works great and to accelerate on a slippery surface means holding the gas down till the car gets up to the traction/speed you like (takes care of itself...)...

 

If you don't drive much, then paying a high premium for a Prius in this seller's market is not the best option. If you really like Prius, then you should buy a high mileage Prius, such as 150K or so. Your main cost is on depreciation, which happens even if you don't drive it at all.

If you are worrying about up coming housing cost, then you should be even more conservative on spending money in car. Continue to drive your Camry is the best I think, since it is a dependable car, although old. But I've seen many Camry reach 300K miles before, if you maintain it well.

In a couple month, I think used Prius price will come down a little bit. When time comes to replace your car, Prius is the best option, because gas price will up again, and your Prius will depreciate much less than other cars.

 

I know a couple that has had more trouble with their 02 Camry than with the '93. The early 90's Camry is a million-mile type car. I'd suggest driving that Camry until it either won't go or you just can't stand it. For every month that it keeps going, put the $300 car payment that you would have spent on this Prius into a savings account.

$14,995 is too high for an '05 regardless of options. We paid $12K for our '05 with smart key and HID headlights almost two years ago. Yes, prices have gone up, but not that much.

 

If the Camry is running well (other than lack of AC) why not have the AC fixed so that you can enjoy driving it in the summer months??

 

Sounds High to me. I have an 07 with everything and only 29K miles and I doubt I could get that much. Keep Looking

 

I agree to save for future cars, but not by savings account. $300 now still can buy 7 silver coins (1 oz each). In 3 years I those silver coins might appreciate 100%

Allen

 

Heh. I used to work for a hedge fund. Look for silver to hit $20 in three years.

 

In my experience, KBB is high and Edmunds and NADA tend to be low.

Are you buying from a dealer or private party? Have you checked around on Craigslist, Ebay Motors and Autotrader to do some price comparisons?

I find it pretty unlikely the HV battery will fail before 150K miles. They're warranted for 10 years/150K miles in CARB emission states (8 year/100K miles in the rest of the US).

BTW, you should find http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html helpful.

 

I bought a 2005 Prius with some options and with 75k miles for $11k -- with tax, tag and title came to $12.5 k. I bought it from the largest Toyota dealership in Miami. The car looks like new. I got 54 mpg for the last two tanks. I did a fill up today and averaged 62 mpg for the 22 miles I have driven so far with the new tank of gas. I used to drive a 2000 Acura TL whichngave me around 18 mpg -- so I am saving about $150 per month in gas expenses.

 

Go To Ebay Click Completed Auctions list the make and year. You will see what a Prius has sold at. I think this would give you a pretty good idea.

 

I've got a 2005 Prius for sale for 15,900. Its only got 46,000 miles on it. Contact me if interested.

 

Given your situation I'd pass on that Prius. That seems like quite a bit of money for a 6 year old car. Yes it may be what they are going for, but the likelihood for buyers remorse is high. For that price you could get a lightly used Honda Fit - new they start at just over $15k.