Looking into my first Prius, Higher Mileage a problem?

@Robert Holt

Thanks for that info! I had no idea it was so much more involved but it makes sense. I figured 4cyl oh that will be easy! haha

Also, the same guy with the 2011 has a 2005 with 115k miles that already has snow tires and the asking price is $4500. That sounds like a pretty great deal as well.

 

Any input on these deals, going to look at them tomorrow.

2011 Prius III 156k miles for 6k asking price

Vs

2005 Prius unknown trim but has nav in pictures 115k miles and snow tires which I want too for $4500 asking price

Vs

2010 Prius IV 186k miles $4999 asking price

I'm thinking trying to negotiate lower on the 2005 or 2011 sound best. Thoughts? All are in good condition from the pictures.

 

I just pulled the carfax on the 2011. one owner, dealer serviced for it's whole life. Going to look at it today. 2011 with 156k for $6k seems like a great deal. Especially if I can get the seller to go a bit lower. Trim 3 with solar roof + nav as well.

 

Went and drove the vehicle. Drove awesome, everything checked out with multiple scanners. New brakes in the front. Very clean, no apparent leakage in the engine bay. Got the seller down to 5800. Seller seemed very down to earth, not the typical pushy secondhand car salesman. Pretty much everything I will DIY and I already have a 2017 M3 as a daily driver so I think this may be a good deal. Nada clean retail for the same car with options is 9700 and even trade-in is around 6k. I think for 5800 it may be a good deal. Thoughts? Going to see if I can get a mechanic local to the area I know at a speed shop get it up on his lift tomorrow.

That being said, $5800 is a good amount of money and I'm curious as to if there'd be anything else that would be a better purchase at that price point. I think this is a good deal though. Also the seller will take a credit card for the full purchase which is awesome and will net me a good amount a travel points.

 

I added the vehicle to mytoyota and everything checks out in terms of routine maintenance. One thing I did notice is this:

PERFORMED DIAGNOSES OF AC SYSTEM EVAC AND RECHARGED SYSTEM FOUND FAILURE IN AC COMPRESSOR ASSY NEE

It will be primarily driven during winter but having working AC is somewhat important for any longer trips during the summer. The part is not expensive on ebay, can anyone chime in on the AC compressor issue? I also take anything from a dealer with a grain of salt.

 

@bisco

I did consider other alternatives but couldn't find anything local that I really felt was as good a deal as this 2011 for under 6k -- I've owned so many crap cheap "regular" cars, I wanted to do something really different. My Jeep that just blew cost me almost $600/mo over the course of ownership. That's getting close to as much as the lease on my 2017 M3 Competition package!!!!!

Thanks for the info about the AC. AC isn't the biggest concern, my other car is my DD during the nicer weather anyways. If anything I can use it as a negotiation tactic and try to find a local indy to repair it down the road.

I see you're local to Boston, I'm just up in Peabody. Do you know any good indy shops for these cars? The prius is going to 603 Performance up in Londonderry tomorrow for a PPI. I know the owner there but it's a speed shop and he's just going through the mechanics. My normal mechanic, Farley @ EuroTech in Natick is a BMW specialist but a superb mechanic all around.

 

Cool cool, thanks for the info. Techstream access should be no problem. I'm a computer engineer and program tons of BMW's and also have tuned about 50 WRX and STI's in the area. I considered leasing another car as a secondary to have warranty and such but I do like not having to care about a vehicle. I have a 55lb pitbull who loves to play in mud haha.

 

@JC91006

I've definitely been considering it. Checking out CR-V's in my area, at this price point I'd be looking at an 02-05 with ~145k-155k and I'm not sure if a 2011 Prius would be an equally questionable or a better buy haha. My commute is only 9 miles each way right now too but it's likely I'd switch jobs during time of ownership. All that aside, I've had many higher mileage "normal" cars and wanted to try something really different. It seems they all end up costing 300-500$/mo over the course of ownership. Also, I'm pretty confident the Prius at that price point will hold it's value, at least until the HV battery goes. Also being able to put the whole purchase on a credit card is a huge plus since it will net me enough points for a round trip domestic plane ticket to pretty much anywhere.

 

PPI showed that the front brakes actually do need to be done, I thought they had. AC seems to be fine. Needs brake fluid top off. Light oil seepage by pressure sender. Nav screen backlight dead. Everything else checks out fine.

Made a deal for $5555.55

I think I got a good deal. Going to pick it up tonight. I will DIY pretty much everything on it.

 

Yea that's what I thought! I'll have some pics up of the vehicle tonight. It is trim 3 but with Solar Roof and Nav. Interior is immaculate. 156k miles, 1 owner, dealer serviced only @ Toyota Nashua NH.

 

Thanks for the input The Electric Me.

I already bought the vehicle. I figure even at the worst I can flip it and make my money back pretty easy. It's in great condition and I paid well under book for it.

In addition to a winter-ish vehicle, I do longer trips in the summer and want to use the Prius to offset the mileage on my M3 lease.

Reliability was a major issue for me and this seems to be a very well taken care of and very reliable vehicle. I've bough 9 cars in the 4 years since I've had my license. We'll see how long the prius kick lasts. So far I'm really enjoying the vehicle!

For anyone wondering, got my license at 22, I'm 26 now. Car list went like this:
1997 Grand Cherokee
2011 Scoin tC
2007 350z
2007 WRX and 1997 BMW z3
2011 BMW 335xi Coupe M-Sport and 2002 Grand Cherokee
2017 BMW M3 Competition Package and 2011 Prius III