Hello all, Noob question here: A local guy is selling a 2008 Prius with a few bad batteries - he doesn't want to pay dealer big bucks to replace it. He is asking $4k for a 2008 with 155k miles, clean inside and out. assuming the engine or transaxle isn't toast is $4k reasonable for a 2008? I can take care of the battery issue and other mechanical stuff but I don't want to sink a lot of cash into it as I have a tacoma with suspension issues that I am going to fix. I will exercise do diligence and check it out, may even take it to the dealer. I was thinking of offering $3k to the guy. Any sage opinions...? Cheers
Welcome to Priuschat!! First check the VIN at https://www.toyota.com/owners Have you already looked up the suggested pricing at Kelley Blue Book | New and Used Car Price Values, Expert Car Reviews or New Car Prices and Used Car Book Values - NADAguides ?
Offer him $3k and let it cook for a while. The fact that he's admitting a problem is honorable. Most do all they can to keep the problem secret and get warning lights to not come on just long enough to sell it. If you have the mechanical ability and have done enough reading on here, you already have a sense of the work to be done and you know we'll do all we can to help you out and walk you through it. Somewhere between $3-4K seems reasonable, especially if the problems don't have many miles on them. If you find out the problems have been around for a long time and they've been ignoring it for too long, it's likely more expensive and you oughta look for something better.
welcome! find the cost of a new battery, deduct it from kbb value and make him an offer. but be prepared for a bad brake actuator, combo meter and other expensive repairs
Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I pulled a carfax report. Seems it has had 3 owners and was just traded in to the local dealer. I was thinking $3k was around the right price for it. From the pics the interior and body are super clean and carfax shows it has mostly been serviced at toyota dealers. Makes me wonder why the dealer didn't want to effect any repairs and then resell it... It actually has 188k miles on it, I misread his text. Aside from the battery are there any very common failures on these gen2 nearing 200k miles I should look for?
If the battery is known bad, $1500 - $2000 sounds more like correct price. New battery will cost you around $1600 - $3000. Replacing modules in the bad battery is no longer a good option as most of the used modules out there are nearing end of life and the fix will not last. Good luck and keep us posted. I am looking to buy my second Gen 2 right now and am also on a lookout for a car with a bad battery so I can replace with new. I would not pay $3K for a car with a bad battery, though. Carfax indicates that in my area a Gen 2 with close to 200K miles in good condition (that means GOOD battery) is worth around $3K retail and $2.2K in private sale. Subtract the cost of new battery and your $3K offer will be generous.
Thanks VFerdman... gen2's are going for $5-$6k with 125-150k miles in my area. I am prepared to drop cash for a new battery, I just wonder how long the engines last.
Reading between the lines: I don't think this would be a good buy for you. Regardless of price. Maybe just pick up a comparable Matrix, something like that.
$4k it is too much. $1600-$2500 defines "a lot of cash". $3k for a dead car is still wishful thinking. Betcha the brakes and tires are shot, too.
What are the symptoms of a bad, or going bad brake actuator please? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Will the vehicle 'Ready' and drive? You need to be able to listen to the engine (at the very least), as the dealer will be no help. Grab a mini-vci cable and a copy of techstream, then scan it for codes to see what you're working with
i have never experienced it. iirc, it starts by making funny noises, and can go quite a long time with no braking issues. then the buzzing sound from pressuring gets longer and more frequent due to leakage, then the pedal gets funky and the dash lights up with associated trouble codes. these may not all happen, or there may be more. don't quote me
Project car: Yes. IF you can cash flow parts and are handy with tools and YouTube wisdom, have a place to work on it.....etc. Something that you depend on for turn-key transportation? Nope. YMMV
The answer is quite simple. The dealer could not make a profit on a car with 188,000 miles after putting in a new battery. The dealer probably gave 1000 bucks for the trade in max. Have you seen the car in person yet, or just pictures? Could need new tires, brakes, who knows what else. Is this a dealer or a private sale? If it’s private how did he get the car?
Carfax shows the seller just acquired it from the dealer. I grilled him on it. I low-balled him with an offer. I'll see how far he comes down. I haven't seen it in person yet. I'm ready to pass on it if he is stuck on a high price. Tires and brakes I can live with... those things are regular maintenance on any car. I'm concerned with stuff that will kill it like inverter and other hybrid drive stuff.
So a private seller then? My guess is he works at the dealer or knows someone who does and got the car for 1000 bucks or so. Just remember tires 500 Installed? Brakes 150 for a full set? (Don’t get aftermarket for a Prius) little things add up. You made an offer without even seeing the car? If I sold a car and someone lowballed me without even seeing the car I would put him on ignore and move on.
Plenty of Prius in you area for around 4000. flagstaff for sale "prius" - craigslist Unless it’s so good sparks fly out of your A$$ when you drive it, I would not offer over 2500 if the tires and brakes are near new. Less if they are not.
$500 to $2000 would be fair price for an 08 with 155k with a bad hybrid battery. They are very hard to sell in the 4 to 5000 range when everything is perfect.
