Hello everyone, as the title suggests I am looking at a 2004 Toyota Prius with 145k miles for $3.8k. Any hints, tips or advice would much appreciated. Thanks! Here is the link for those who would like to inquire: AUTO EXCHANGE USA: 2004 Toyota Prius - Miami, FL It includes the CarFax history, and I can provide any maintenance history from the Toyota Owners site. The most notable being the removal and replacement of the hybrid battery in 2013 at 138k miles.
The other finds I made is the front brakes worn 2-3mm and this: "CHECK ENG.LIGHT ~|~C/S THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. INSPECT & ADVISE CUSTOMER IN TRANSIT MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ~|~CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. RAN HEALTH CHECK. CURRENT DTC,S P3000 P1151,C1234,C1241. CODES FOR HYBRID BATTERY AND COOLANT STORAGE TANK. - ~|~INSPECTED COOLING SYSTEM. FOUND COOLANT LEVEL TO BE VERY LOW FIRST INSPECTED FOR INTERNAL LEAKS, NONE. NEXT PERFORMED HYDROCARBON TEST TO CHECK FOR POSSIBLE INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUES, GOOD. DETERMINED COOLING SYSTEM NOT BLED PROPERLY. AIR POCKETS THROUGHOUT" As for the hybrid battery R&R, I'm well aware of the aforementioned. However, if I want to go about checking its integrity, how should I go about it?
sounds like a decent car. my neighbor has my old 2004 with 140k. but i sold it to him 4 years ago with 95k for $5500. what's the book value?
Look for the additional stickers that only a new/replacement battery has. Here is a picture of a new/replacement battery(front) and an old original one (rear)
Assuming the battery was really replaced by toyota that recently and the coolant issue was fixed this is a hot deal. That is maybe 1k more than the battery alone. I would buy two of them and give one to my sister if it weren't for 1 it is too far and 2 there is only one of it.
I actually think you can do a little better on the price. I have the same car but with much more mileage (263,000).
Fair Purchase Price from KBB is $4,809, but the dealership's going price is $3,827. It really does sound like a great buy! But I'm hesitating in regards to what you've mentioned. If and when I get it inspected, hopefully that will determine its true condition. Well, I got the hybrid battery R&R info off of the Toyota Owners site and it describes being completed at a Toyota dealership. But otherwise, I have no way of knowing until it's inspected. I thought it was an okay deal as mentioned above. How much more should I try to get shaved off the price?
