Should I buy a 2009 w/ 105,000?

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

Page 1 of 2
  1. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2015
    11
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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
    DLC82SV likes this.
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,404
    6,073
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    #2 TMR-JWAP, Dec 3, 2018
    DLC82SV, DelOrso and davecook89t like this.
  3. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2016
    1,076
    804
    0
    Location:
    Washington State, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    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
    DelOrso and DLC82SV like this.
  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2008
    2,763
    2,251
    13
    Location:
    Chesterton, Indiana Another third world country.
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Good price, go for it.
     
    #4 padroo, Dec 3, 2018
    DelOrso and DLC82SV like this.
  5. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    5,302
    4,243
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #5 SFO, Dec 3, 2018
    davecook89t and DelOrso like this.
  6. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2015
    11
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    No, but I will get the VIN # and check it. Thanks for that.
     
    #6 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
  7. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2015
    11
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    #7 DelOrso, Dec 3, 2018
  8. egg_salad

    egg_salad Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2015
    545
    426
    18
    Location:
    Las Vegas, NV
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    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
    DelOrso likes this.
  9. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2016
    1,097
    564
    0
    Location:
    MSP
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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
    DelOrso likes this.
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,827
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Brake fluid is the least maintenance item on this car.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Dec 3, 2018
    Raytheeagle and DelOrso like this.
  11. ETC(SS)

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

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,971
    6,787
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    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
    davecook89t, DelOrso and padroo like this.
  12. TomB985

    TomB985 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2014
    137
    68
    0
    Location:
    Isanti, MN
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Duuude...that’s an awesome deal. I just paid $3,800 for an immaculate ‘06 with 171K.
     
    #12 TomB985, Dec 3, 2018
    DelOrso likes this.
  13. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2014
    2,492
    2,154
    49
    Location:
    Top RH Corner of RH Coast on L side of The Pond
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    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
    DelOrso likes this.
  14. DelOrso

    DelOrso Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2015
    11
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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

    Joined:
    May 1, 2015
    11
    3
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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
    davecook89t likes this.
  16. DMC-5180

    DMC-5180 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2013
    294
    134
    0
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    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
    DelOrso likes this.
  17. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2013
    684
    1,229
    0
    Location:
    Queensbury, NY
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Great price!! Don't let JC snag it out from under you:cautious:...
     
    #17 m.wynn, Dec 3, 2018
    JC91006, Raytheeagle and DelOrso like this.
  18. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2018
    2,912
    1,501
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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
    WilDavis, davecook89t and DelOrso like this.
  19. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2016
    1,097
    564
    0
    Location:
    MSP
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    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
    DelOrso likes this.
  20. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2013
    823
    359
    23
    Location:
    MI
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Blue book is way off on Priuses. That car could fetch as high as $8500 if in superior condition.
     
    #20 MilkyWay, Dec 3, 2018
    DelOrso likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2