Advice on Buying Used Prius - minimize TCO - in Atlanta

Hi all,

Inspired by posts here & elsewhere, looking to buy a used Prius for longer weekend trips (including camping, where the climate control in ready mode is valued) & short weekday errand drives. But am definitely not that knowledgeable about cars...in fact, I’ve never had to buy a car before, though I’ve heard from friends about bad purchase experiences.

So, after doing some research, was hoping for some advice from this experienced community:

1. Given the good reputation/reviews (integrity, knowledge, quality, value) of Tampa Hybrids on here & elsewhere, thought I could take a bus there, then drive the ~500 miles back to my home in Atlanta. Does that make sense, or better to buy locally in Atlanta (in case there’s any issues post-purchase)?
   1. If buying from Tampa Hybrids, is there any flexibility/negotiating on pricing, or are list prices basically what you get (any other purchase costs besides dealer fee, Georgia registration/vehicle tax?)
   2. For near Atlanta, any specific sellers, maintenance/repair places, hybrid battery replacers you’d recommend? E.g. I found "Atlanta Hybrid Repair" on Yelp that seems to specialize in Toyota Hybrid repairs, but not sales.
2. To minimize expected Annualized Total Cost of Ownership (All-in purchase, maintenance/repair, gas, etc.), what kind of Prius would you recommend?
   1. Currently, I’m thinking of prioritizing
      1. Price: lower
      2. Hybrid Battery: newer (within last few years?)
      3. Mileage: lower (<120K?)
      4. Model Year: Gen 2 or later, exclude 2010 (due to oil burning issues)
      5. Fold Flat: yes from back to trunk, so no Eco & Prime (anyways can’t charge where I park). Seems like plug-in also doesn’t fold flat?
      6. History: clean Carfax, service history
   2. E.g. at Tampa Hybrids, I’ve narrowed down the online inventory listings to the following w/ these criteria, but not sure how to tradeoff further, or whether I’m off-base with my criteria.
      1. $5.5K: 2015 battery just installed, 110K miles, 2005 model
      2. $11K: 70K miles, 2013 model III
      3. $18K: 13K miles, 2015 model II
      4. $18K: 18k miles, 2015 model III w/ solar sunroof package
      5. Non-Prius Hybrids, for price comparison:
         1. $14K: 23K miles, 2015 Chevy Volt, on TampaHybrids
         2. $18K: 12k miles, 2018 Kia Niro, on Carvana

-Thanks for your help!

 

Appreciate the advice! Follow-ups below...

Re: The Critic
Good point on my ambiguity on value, budget, & ownership length. I'm thinking of value in terms of annualized total cost per year, plan to own/drive until it no longer makes economic sense or is unreliable, at which point hopefully I'd replace with another used Prius! I have the savings to buy new (or put into recommended maintenance/repair as needed) so don't have a set budget, but am trying to be thrifty in terms of long-term average yearly living expenses in general, as I'm expecting to need ongoing $ for multiple family members' medical issues down the line.

Related to that, surprised no one has voted for the $5.5K 2005 Prius w/ 2015 Hybrid Battery just installed & 110K miles? Thought that with newer hybrid battery, one potential large $ repair is covered, and mileage hopefully isn't too high yet for other major issues? Perhaps that's overly optimistic / penny-wise while pound foolish though, given the old 2005 model & 6-digit mileage? Would any of the other lower price point Tampa Hybrids inventory listings make sense?

Re: bisco
*Nod* on Todd & trying to find a local trustworthy shop. Thanks for pointing out that 2015 gen 3 has updated pistons/rings...didn't realize that, but educated myself more through a forum search.

You're right, probably Volt doesn't make sense for my current situation, especially since I don't have regular access to electric charging right now, even for the short weekday errands. Guess interest was piqued due to what seems like a low price point for relatively new used, perhaps because the Volt is being discontinued?

Kia Niro's mpg, combined with roominess, looks interesting.

Re; Tideland Prius
True, hadn't thought about sunroof glass & solar panel as other things that could break. Tempted by potential starry sky views & ventilation for camping for same price as other 2015 =P (seems I made a typo, and both are actually listed at $18K)

 

Thanks Jerry, as a 5-time loyal customer with Todd/Tampa Hybrids, for your insight on pricing & battery practices! You definitely deserve a personal punch card. Have any hand me downs? - or I guess they already recirculated through Todd's lot

Hmm...out of the discussed options, I guess I'm narrowing down to:

1. $18K: 2015 model III w/ solar sunroof package, 18k miles
   • My wife votes for sunroof over other 2015 model
2. $5.5K: 2005 model w/ 2015 battery just installed, 110K miles
   
   • Guess this depends how many years/miles I can get out of it, before it's unreliable/doesn't make economic sense.
   • Sounds like most of you suggest the 2015s as the better long-term better value vs. the 2005 though?

Also, found a 2016 (gen 4) about 30 minutes from me, for ~$1K more than the 2015s. Thoughts?:

• $18,780: 2016 model II, 24k miles, Toyota Dealer Certified Pre-Owned, 30 minutes away
  • For upgrades vs gen 3 (mpg, interior volume, etc.), maybe worth it.