Hello all; Thanks in advance for any help/insight We are thinking of adding a second car and looking at a 2012 Toyota Prius v base model It has 117000 miles on it and the asking price is $9500 use First what do you think? Second these are the questions I've just sent to the dealer - am I missing any? We are going to go look at the car today and make a decision this week. 1.Does it come with 2 working fobs? 2.How old are the tires on it. ie.manufactured date and thread. Are they still good for a while or will they need to be replaced soon? 3.Does it come with the Toyota certified used warranty 4. Has the 12v battery been replaced ever and if so when? 5 Has the hybrid transaxle fluid ever been changed Thanks
Base model 2 or 3? All recalls competed? Any previous damage repaired? Otherwise sounds like a good deal, don't wait too long if you really like it.
Sorry can't edit my original post - maybe because I'm new? The dealers answers were Yes 2 fobs No warranty included No history of a new battery New tires 6 months ago No history of fluid being changed No accidents - got the report myself Good maintenance history at the dealership All recalls up to date Not sure how to check model 2/3 but modl code is ZN3EUP - assuming 3? And is it a big difference? Thanks again
This is a much better deal than can be found in the SF Bay Area, assuming you are quoting US Dollars (I noticed Toronto in your description). We bought a car in mid August of this year and would have jumped at a deal like this and saved nearly $2000 USD, assuming it's in as good shape as you describe. The single biggest thing I wish I had done differently is identifying the best mechanic in my area for Prius models, and getting them to do the inspection, and getting them to be our new mechanic. No matter how much you love your current mechanic, they are likely to not do anywhere near as well with Prius or other Hybrid models as they do regular cars. You are right to check for 2 working key FOBs. When we got our Prius only 1 of the 2 FOBs worked, which we didn't discover until after the purchase was complete.
So what are the tires? Brand and model? Are they Low Rolling Resistance? Look at the 12v and see if it has a date? I like the idea of a pre-purchase inspection by a Prius expert that the buyer selects paid by the buyer.
I believe the Canadian model and trims are different than US models. See link for US trims which shows a 2, 3 and a 5. Basically it looks like 3 gives you navigation while a 5 adds things like homelink garage door opener. Some 5 models also had advanced tech and a higher res nav. 2012 Toyota Prius v - CarGurus
In their profile the model says USA. Perhaps Toronto Ohio? Toronto, Ohio - Wikipedia EDIT It could be any of these. Toronto, an alternate name for Tamo, Arkansas near Lincoln County, Arkansas Toronto, Illinois, located south of Springfield, Illinois and to the west of Lake Springfield Toronto, Indiana Toronto, Iowa Toronto, Kansas Toronto, Missouri Toronto, Ohio Toronto, South Dakota
Here's a good how to buy guide of someone who negotiated a used Prius V. I have one, too, and used this article to buy one the same way the author advised: How to buy a used car like a man – Manly Father
Look at the tires, are they LRR (Low Rolling Resistance)? Date of manufacture (on the sidewall. Must be less than 5 years)? Tread depth measured in three places across the tread on all 4 tires? Feel the tires and check for cupping? Uneven wear = maybe an accident, maybe suspension damage, at best an alignment needed or it could even be a bent rim. Look at the date of the 12v battery?
Thank you all for the replies Actually in Toronto Canada. Changed all the info to USD and miles as I know most are you are our lovely American cousins. Actually going to look at it tonight and will look into the tires and battery date but not too concerned with the tires. Will try to get more $$ off and update this if we purchase or not. Thank you again this forum was an amazing help as we're all of you who kindly responded
Well as I said it is impossible to find a $9500 USD Prius v in the SF Bay Area. An SF Bay resident is doing well to find one in very good condition with that many miles for under $11,500 USD. I don't have any insight into Canadian prices.
@Tideland Prius or @Mendel Leisk my know. Mendel is in BC. Not sure where Tideland is. Personally, I am an old Toronto area (Scarborough) guy in Virginia. Not much help here.
Thanks again everyone Went to look at it tonight Have a conditional deal done with the completion of an independent inspection I'll have done on Friday It's turns out it's the Luxury Package Prius v in Canada which includes the following on top of the base model - leather wrapped steering wheel - integrated XM satellite radio - display audio with navigation - synthetic leather seats - integrated garage door opener - resin panoramic sunroof - front and rear hatch handle touch sensor lock/unlock - driver's footwell lamp - passenger footwell lamp - electrochromic rearview mirror - heated front seats Wouldn't move on the price so I had him include a new 12v battery and a complete detailing of the car. Also the tires were new and manufactured last year and are Michelin defenders I believe. So hopefully everything checks out on Friday and all we have to do now is learn how to drive this thing Thank again for all your help and thanks vforVictory for your post on things to look out for on buying a used Prius. Cheers
