Looking to buy first car...used 2008 prius

A legitimate concern might be that if you disappear with the car for 4 hours, you might have a friend remove an expensive part (like the inverter) and replace with a failing part from another G3 Prius.

Or, in four hours you could be in Ensenada, Mexico or points further south in Baja, California; and the dealer won't ever see the car again.

 

IMHO Gen II (2007-2009) offer better value for money I think there are couple of cheaper than $12K Gen II cars (less than 150K miles) from private sellers on Craigslist.

You can run VIN check and go thru car service history on toyota.com website (after you register). If you are a AAA member you can get full inspection of car donefor a discount.

Regards,
Kishore

 

Use the fact that they will not let you take it to a Toyota dealer for an inspection and that it has an open SAFETY recall as a way to lower the price $1,500. Then settle for $1,000 off.
This magical vehicle inspection is only as good as the dealer wants it to be. They might attach the diagnostic computer and to see it it has some outstanding codes and pull the wheels to check the tires and brakes. They are not going to find an engine that is about to fail or an air conditioning compressor that bad.

 

Along with what xpcman just said, DONT take the first offer they show you as far as cost, payments, etc. There is always room for haggling.

When I bought the new one last Friday, originally the payment was going to be almost $400 a month with the 4K down and the trade in. After two rounds of negotiations I was able to lower the payment to the $326 a month that I agreed upon. I did that simply by requesting more money for my trade in. I had done my homework and knew what the values are. What they gave me was about $600 less than a perfect car would be worth. It is very rare to get "Perfect Car" trade in value.

Even when they say things like "I am not making anything on this deal", don't believe it. A car dealer will never sell you a car if they can't make money on them.

When I first started this process with this dealer I was able to adjust roughly $2500 on the price. I might could have went one more time, but did not want to push my luck.

Bottom line, don't buy any car with the first price they say. There is always room for negotiation.

 

As well as always remain emotionally detached enough so that you can just walk away; and, walk away if necessary - there is no greater power than that as a buyer.

 

+1 I could not have said it any better!

 

i know exactly how you feel, that's why i do all my negotiating by email, it saves a lot of pressure and confrontation. all the best!

 

You started off right by walking out of the dealer without buying the car. You need to make them aware that you will buy the car on your terms and your terms only. You can walk out again and perhaps give them your email address never give them you phone number!

 

Very true- but if the seller does not offer documentation of non-dealer service records, I would stay away from buying those In my hunt (I bought my 2007 recently) I shortlisted folks had service records or they had done it thru toyota dealer (hence all records were online). I bought one from a seller who also had a recent carmax report-saved me inspection/dealer visit (though I wish I could have paid as low).

Good luck in your hunt!

Regards,
Kishore

 

All cars are sold depending on the supply and demand. Remember the gas prices are creeping up in CA and when prices of gas are high, Prius cars will sell fast. I'm sure you will encounter this during your search, but no fear, there will be plenty of others that will come up. Cars are traded in daily and dealers inventory changes constantly.

Do your research before going to the dealership. Have a good idea of what price you wish to pay and you can be prepared to negotiate for the car if everything suits your needs. Don't go to a dealer unprepared and have to make an offer that's higher than the actual value of the car.

 

I think that you may to think about buying new. I got my 2013 8 months ago for 20,700 out the door with license and registration. I got 0% intrest for 5 years, that makes my payment $345/month. If you buy this car for lets say 13000 for 4 years with 10% intrest your payment would be $325 if I figured correctly. I guess if you would be stretched in your finances the older car is cheaper in the short run, but in the long run the newer car will likely cost less in repairs, the warrenty would last 10/150k in hybrid stuff if I understand the warrenty stuff. If you have some $ to put down you could save that and use toward the payment so if you have 2000 to put down keep this in savings and add 33 a month to make your payment easier. at the end of your 60 month contract the savings is gone but the car is free and clear. that is a great feeling.

 

Take your time and work within your own schedule and timeline. Don't let them push you around. It's your money, and you decide what is the amount you are willing to part with it.

Remember how long I looked and I ended up saving a good $5000 after all the fees were paid just by having good timing and good negotiating skills. I can't say you can do that on a used one, but the more you buy the more you can save if the timing is right and all that other jazz.

FWIW, Best time to buy a car is at the end of the month. Even better is if it is the end of the quarter.

Be patient. Not worth getting stressed over. All that does is give you grey hairs.

Ron (dorunron)

 

Wow, now that is more like it. If it checks out, you like it, and it fits your budget as long as you have money for repairs if needed go for it. Too bad the mileage is as high as it is, but it is what is. The good part is what you said about being maintained. That probably means that it was also repaired if repairs were ever needed.

Model Four is higher than the new 2013 Model Three I just got. If you do get it, have the transaxle fluid drained and refilled.

Also if all four tires are the Ecopia's like what is pictured, those are excellent Low Rolling Resistance Tires. Those are what you want on a Prius. Those particular tires are HIGHLY recommended here on Prius Chat.

I am not going to say anything else.

Let's see what the others say after me.

Best of luck to you Violet!
Ron (dorunron)

 

It is only required for 3G Prius engine oil/oil filter changes to be performed at 10K mile intervals since the engine uses full synthetic oW-20 oil. So if the maintenance really was done at 5K mile intervals, that seems to show the prior owner really cared about the car.

When the car is serviced, if the Toyota dealer tech sees any problems, s/he will inform the customer and suggest the problem be fixed. That should be recorded in the Toyota repair record, so if you don't see any mention of problems that are not fixed, that would be good.

Make sure the car is a California car that has remained in CA so that there is no issue with the longer hybrid vehicle, traction battery, and emissions controls warranties remaining in effect.

If the engine oil/oil filter has been properly serviced then the engine should be in reasonable condition. Then the only remaining major issue would be the transaxle, make sure it performs smoothly. Make sure the air conditioner and all electrical accessories function, during the test drive.

Run the CARFAX report so you can determine if any serious accidents happened. Or at minimum, look for the VIN stickers on the hood, four doors, hatch, front fenders, and rear fenders which will show you those are original equipment parts. If you don't find a sticker then you will know that at minimum, the part was repainted - and it may have been replaced.

The stickers can be seen when you open something - for example if you open a rear door you should then be able to see the VIN sticker on the rear inside edge of the door and a corresponding VIN sticker on the rear fender at the rear of the door opening.

I know that dealer (near Palm Springs) and their service department did a good job for me when I was passing through with the 2001 and had a problem, several years ago. The car looks very good in the photos, the leather and nav are elegant options. Good luck with your car shopping.

 

I agree with Ron and Patrick. That definitely looks more promising and worth a road trip. Remember to haggle on the price, it is, after all, only a starting point.

Hope it turns out well, best of luck.

 

Looks like a nice car to me.