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Should I buy a 2009 w/ 105,000?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018.

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  1. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

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    Hi all,

    Lurked here for years, barely ever post, but I'd love to get some advice:

    Through a family friend, I have a chance to buy an 09' with 105,000, for something in the area of $3000.
    I believe (but am not positive) it's all standard equipment, and has been regularly maintained, no accidents, etc.
    I have a great Prius mechanic who I'll have inspect it, but assuming he says it's fine, is this a good deal? Seems about average for Blue Book, but I'd be more interested in what owners of this car have to say.
    Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
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  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    #2 TMR-JWAP, Dec 3, 2018
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  3. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    The price seems reasonable, especially given that you would expect to be able to get a more accurate maintenance history on the car from your family friend than if you were buying from a stranger. If you've spent years following the threads on this forum, I'm sure you are aware of the most common issues with the Gen 2 Prius, but knowing a good Prius mechanic allows you to approach such a purchase more confidently than those who would be dealing with those issues on their own. By all means, have it inspected before you decide to buy, but if everything checks out, why not?
     
    #3 davecook89t, Dec 3, 2018
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  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Good price, go for it.
     
    #4 padroo, Dec 3, 2018
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  5. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    #5 SFO, Dec 3, 2018
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  6. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

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    No, but I will get the VIN # and check it. Thanks for that.
     
    #6 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
  7. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

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    #7 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
  8. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

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    I'd call it a huge bargain. That car would retail for twice that figure on a car lot.
     
    #8 egg_salad, Dec 3, 2018
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  9. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    The three things that are *most* important to the value of an older Prius are:
    1) Condition
    2) Condition
    3) Maintenance records (was is maintained, especially brake fluid and cooling system) and by whom?

    It will need HV battery work at some point, presuming it has not been replaced with an OEM pack yet, that might be tomorrow or three years down the road.
     
    #9 05PreeUs, Dec 3, 2018
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  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Brake fluid is the least maintenance item on this car.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Dec 3, 2018
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  11. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Potentially this is a great deal - depending on how it would impact your relationship with the family friend if the car's engine sucked a valve two weeks after you started driving it.

    A ten year old Prius makes all kinds of sense FOR ME because:
    I can write a check for the car.
    I can write a check for anything that has to be fixed for the car.
    I can perform all of the routine maintenance items on the car and many of the minor repairs.
    I have other cars.
    I have a 3 mile commute to work.
    I have AAA.
    I have reasonable expectations for the car.

    If you've lurked here for very long you've read threads detailing all of the reasons that a 2009 Corolla might be a better car for some people....but the G2 may be a really great deal for you because of the fact that you know the car - AND you never mentioned being on a specific budget.

    You may be able to afford to buy a cheap car. ;)

    The G2 is a phenomenally reliable car.
     
    #11 ETC(SS), Dec 3, 2018
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  12. TomB985

    TomB985 Member

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    Duuude...that’s an awesome deal. I just paid $3,800 for an immaculate ‘06 with 171K.
     
    #12 TomB985, Dec 3, 2018
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  13. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    Sounds like a bargain, and, being a Toyota, @ 105,000 miles it's only just run in! Go for it! Good luck! :)
     
    #13 WilDavis, Dec 3, 2018
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  14. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

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    Thanks for your reply. Can I ask you what is involved in maintaining the cooling system? I currently have an 05' (the '09 would replace our older Hyundai that's not much longer for this world) that I regularly bring in for maintenance, but I'm not sure we've done anything with the cooling system. We haven't had a problem with it, but if there are preventative measure to take, I'd like to know about them.
     
    #14 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
  15. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

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    Yeah, I've followed the Corolla vs. Prius threads on here, but both my wife and I have long enough commutes, and enjoy the one Prius we currently have enough to tip the scale in the direction of a second. We currently share an '05 Prius that we love, and an older Hyundai that's going to kick the bucket any day now. We were planning on buying something newer, but the '09 offer just landed in our laps, so I'm thinking that even if something major goes wrong with the car, we'd have paid little enough that fixing it wouldn't be the end of the world...
     
    #15 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
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  16. DMC-5180

    DMC-5180 Active Member

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    That price is way below market value for that age and mileage and is helluva deal, IMO, assuming the car is in otherwise nice condition.




    iPhone X ?
     
    #16 DMC-5180, Dec 3, 2018
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  17. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Great price!! Don't let JC snag it out from under you:cautious:...
     
    #17 m.wynn, Dec 3, 2018
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  18. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Price sounds very good if the car is in good condition. I would recommend getting the prolong battery system and a second cable if you are going to own 2 gen 2 prii. The lower mileage 2009 could use a balance
     
    #18 Skibob, Dec 3, 2018
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  19. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Both the HSD and engine cooling systems need fluid replacements, every 6 years as I recall. Using the CORRECT fluid and getting ALL the air out is very important.
     
    #19 05PreeUs, Dec 3, 2018
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  20. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

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    Blue book is way off on Priuses. That car could fetch as high as $8500 if in superior condition.
     
    #20 MilkyWay, Dec 3, 2018
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