Where do I Begin?

If you are on a budget, I would search for a used Prius with already a replacement HV battery from "Toyota". Try not to be suckered by batteries that were "rebuilt". The original Toyota batteries tend to last about 8 to 10 years and if you buy a 2005 with an original battery, you may need another battery sooner or later. Since you have a budget of $9000, you should be able to find one in your price range.

You can also buy the 2005 for $6999 and budget in about $3000 for when the battery fails. If you move up to a 2006-2009 model, there are a few exterior changes/modifications and most models come with a very desirable backup camera.

 

wow, excellent deal. I would jump on this deal before it gets away. With only 120k miles and a brand new battery from Toyota, this should easily last you another 100k trouble free miles.

 

X100...better get it before someone else sees this.

 

Except that $7K is a lot for a student still in school.
How did you arrive at your $9K top price ??
In addition to your Engineering studies, now is a good time to learn about making good economic decisions too.
For instance, do you also have any student loans to worry about ??

 

For pity sake papa smurf, he's buying a Prius. Doesn't get any better economics than that.

If he buys a $2000 coffin on wheels, he won't make much use of his education, would he?

 

Taking a chance on a junker isn't so much a lesson in economics, as it's a lesson in automotive mechanics.

 

That's a rather unique position to be in; some good and some bad.
Given that, I agree with the others who said it appears to be a good deal.
Only time will tell for sure.
Good luck.

 

Save your money for a better car.

 

Where do I Begin?
At the beginning.

It sounds like this will be a pretty good college car based on the info that you provided, and I commend your choice in getting a base model (fewer things to fix.)
There are a ton on vids for DIY maintenance on G2's.

Watch them.
Read tips on this forum.
Don't get wrapped around the axle about trying to do a bunch of preventative maintenance right now, since it sounds like the previous owner kept on top of things. The maintenance records should be available from the mother ship.
If you have $100 worth of tools and some free time you should be able to drive this car for another 120,000 miles without breaking a sweat.

THE most important thing for this car will be oil volume.
Priuses have tiny sumps, and looooooong oil change intervals.

Start off by checking your oil every time you get gas and thence every other if the car isn't a chronic drinker or smoker.

Best of luck!
Keep in touch.

 

Gas consumption means a tune-up. Oil consumption means a new engine.