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Help needed with possible used PIP purchase

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by summit123, Apr 2, 2018.

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  1. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

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    Need some assistance from the experts on this forum. Currently interested in a private sale on a salvage title PIP that was in an accident and repaired. Accident occurred in the passenger side rear fender and panel where the charging cover is located.

    Everythin looked fine. The current owner has been driving the car for over a year without any issues after he bought the car as a salvage. I went under the car in the rear and saw the area under the trunk where the battery pack resides on the pssenger side. The tailpipe and muffler is located on the same side. I noticed this area where there was a seam between the battery well and a flat panel and it was sealed together with what looked like those rubber soundproofing spray. A good amount of the rubber seam had cracked open. I could not tell what was beneath the rubber foam spray.

    My concern is whether there was damage to this battery pack well underneath the trunk, and whether the rubber spray was applied at the factory, or by the repair shop after the accident. Does anyone know if the flat panel at the rear of the well is actually welded to the well itself, and the rubber joint is more cosmetic, or could there now be a gap/crack where water can actually intrude into the well and short the battery?

    Attached are pictures of the area in question. Just for frame of reference, the red arrow is pointing up, blue forward, and green towards the rear of the car.

    Thanks in advance!
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 summit123, Apr 2, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, i don't know, but be very careful with salvage, there can be a lot of hidden damage.
    many people who repair salvage cars will tell you anything to sell them.
    have you pulled car fax and plugged the vin into the owners website for service history?
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 2, 2018
    Pluggo and Prodigyplace like this.
  3. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

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    Not yet. Just wanted some info about this strange looking rubber seal before I even proceeded to that step.

    Just came back from the Toyota dealer. Talked to an service advisor who showed the pics to one of the techs. Tech said the rubber seal application is definitely not something the factory applied, and that wet looking area by the seal almost looks like water infiltration weeping through the metal. Recommended a full top-to-bottom once over by them to get their blessing before putchasing.
     
    #3 summit123, Apr 2, 2018
    bisco likes this.
  4. Rmay635703

    Rmay635703 Senior Member

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    If the car is under $4000 and passes your sniff test and a good strong flogging while you drive
    Just never spend much on salvage.
     
    #4 Rmay635703, Apr 2, 2018
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Drive it out to California and sell for gold price. It is eligible for Ca. HOV to 2022. Not sure if salvage thing effects that.
     
    #5 wjtracy, Apr 2, 2018
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Salvage cars are really hard to sell. And everyone that is selling one says they've never had any issues with them. Not sure why they have such bad reputation.....
     
    #6 JC91006, Apr 2, 2018
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  7. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

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    I guess that answers the question. Thanks to all.
     
    #7 summit123, Apr 3, 2018
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  8. potatoesLOL

    potatoesLOL Active Member

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    Skip the salvage title. There are significant risks beyond financial with a structurally damaged vehicle. Compounded with the price of a PiP battery... just no lol.
     
    #8 potatoesLOL, Apr 3, 2018
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how much is a non salvage pip, are there none for sale?
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 3, 2018
  10. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I don't know what Toyota does, but there's no warranty on a GM car with a salvage title.
     
    #10 El Dobro, Apr 3, 2018
  11. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Run away, and don't look back.
     
    #11 se-riously, Apr 4, 2018
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  12. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

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    There are several non salvage PIPs in the area, but this was quite cheap, likely due to the salvage status.

    2014 with about 30k miles asking $9500. Something like this without an accident history is probably many thousands more easily.
     
    #12 summit123, Apr 6, 2018
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    So I attached a visual aid on what a salvage car looks like before the new paint Screenshot_2018-04-06-17-55-17.jpg
     
    #13 JC91006, Apr 6, 2018
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    was it base, or advanced?
     
    #14 bisco, Apr 6, 2018
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    kbb says my mint 2012 base with 57,000 miles is worth $12,000. private sale.
     
    #15 bisco, Apr 6, 2018
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'll buy it
     
    #16 JC91006, Apr 6, 2018
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Looks like you found a good unstickered PIP:).

    Just don’t believe the “mint” claim;).

    I don’t think that duct tape on the rear bumper cover was stock :whistle:.
     
    #17 Raytheeagle, Apr 6, 2018
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  18. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Bisco isn't really selling, he's just trying to get people's hopes up
     
    #18 JC91006, Apr 6, 2018
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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The same with his rims:whistle:.
     
    #19 Raytheeagle, Apr 6, 2018
  20. summit123

    summit123 Junior Member

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    Pretty sure it was base as it had cloth seats
     
    #20 summit123, Apr 6, 2018
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