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New Owner of 2012 Prius!!!

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Superleaf444, Jul 27, 2020.

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  1. Superleaf444

    Superleaf444 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2020
    25
    12
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I finally did it. I moved out of a city and finally bought a car after swearing off cars. This entire coronavirus thing pretty much changed how we all live, so whatcha gonna do?!


    Anyway, I've done a load of research (thanks so much to everyone on this forum), and think I got a solid deal. $5,000 for a 2012 Prius Three with around 147k miles. It has the solar roof option, which I didn't care about, but still mentioning it.

    Little bumper damage on the back, no wreck though according to carfax and local mechanics. The read brake line might need to be replaced and the exhaust is a bit loose. I def need an oil change, but can't make it in for a week, so I'll probably just top it off for the time being.


    Despite my reservations of being overcharged from a dealer, I'm going to take it into one, because it needs two recalls serviced. She mainly took it to her local mechanic, who I spoke with and he said she kept it well maintained for the most part, but wouldn't say he followed the book exactly. Since that is the case, figured it is worth just paying the upfront cost of a dealer to doing a look over.


    I'm debating getting it detailed, I've never done for any previous cars I've owned. I’m aggressively frugal tbh. But it needs a good clean, not that it is in bad shape at all, but a deep clean would def help out.

    Anything else I might be missing or things you all suggest? Any advice? Anything worth keeping my eye for? Like I said, I did a lot of research, but wanted to just ask to see if I was missing anything. Read all the intro posts and all that. So much good info here y’all.

    P.s. would post pics but I’m having issues with my camera on my phone -_-
     
    #1 Superleaf444, Jul 27, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2020
    Burna J likes this.
  2. ETC(SS)

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

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
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    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    When you take it in for the recall, JUST do the recall.
    Plead poverty if they tell you you HAVE to have ______ done and get back with us in the forum.

    See if you can get a copy of the service records to see if there are any items on the maintenance schedule that need attending to or if there were any unusual dealer visits right before you bought the car.

    Read the 10 longest threads with EGR or head gasket in the title.

    Good Luck!
     
    #2 ETC(SS), Jul 28, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  3. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,241
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    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hi Superleaf444,

    Based on what you have wrote, is this your first Prius? If so, welcome to the world of Hybrid driving! Anyway, I have a few concerns, which, may not be anything, but I thought I would post them. You noted that the car has a little bumper damage in the back, and, you stated the rear brake line might need to be replaced and the exhaust is loose. From your description, it sounds like only the cosmetic (visibly seen) damage was fixed and it may still need some structural work.

    My second concern is the car is in need of two service recalls. How was the vehicle sold without them being completed? I just had a recall done on my car and the dealership had to give me a form to give to the DMV so that when I sell the car, it shows the recall was done.

    Lastly, don't worry about detailing the car now. I would get it to the dealer for the recall items. And, I would expect they will find some other items of concern that may need to be fixed.

    Wishing you the best!
     
    #3 Montgomery, Jul 28, 2020
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats and welcome!

    moving out of the city, where have i heard that before?(n)

    toyota.co/owners

    egr,egr,egr

    all the best!(y)
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 28, 2020
    Montgomery likes this.
  5. Superleaf444

    Superleaf444 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2020
    25
    12
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks so much! I did try to get service records, but I wouldn't say the mechanic was the most organized guy. So, I only got a handful.

    There weren't any unusual dealer visits at least according to the carfax.

    So you would suggest skipping the 120,000mile inspection and just doing the recalls?

    Also, good call on the longest threads. And I've read my fair share of head gasket threads, I'm so paranoid about those as a former Subaru owner, which maybe have the worst head gaskets ever?

    The brake line has become rusty. The exhaust has brackets that have been fixed, but the fix is starting to give. I let two mechanics see it and they both said it didn't come from a wreck.

    I bought it private party. The owner almost exclusively went to her local mechanic, because a dealership was fairly far away from her rural area. I suspect anytime I take it to a dealer they are going to have concerns with something, lol.

    Also, fair enough on detailing it. It isn't something I've ever paid for before, so I have a hard time even justifying it, but tbh just being kinda lazy.
     
    #5 Superleaf444, Jul 28, 2020
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    11,330
    4,614
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Congrats on joining our group... Let us know what part of the US you're in so whoever lives near by who works on these cars can more easily get in touch and answer questions, provide advice, maybe get hired by you to do the work?

    I know if you lived near me I'd give you a ridiculously low price to do all the battery maintenance and car detailing work because I'm an enthusiast who doesn't have the overhead cost of running a shop and employees, I just like to work on hybrid cars on the side and so very much enjoy turning Toyota Stealership repair quotes that are in the $5K range down into the $500 range.

    There's others like myself around the US who are on PriusChat who do the same, so let us know what region in the US you live?
     
    #6 PriusCamper, Jul 28, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2020
    Montgomery likes this.
  7. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
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    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    As usual, with more details regarding your purchase, my answer changes considerably. You should do the 120,000 inspection, and the recall issues will come up anyway with the inspection. Enjoy your car!
     
    #7 Montgomery, Jul 28, 2020
    Superleaf444 likes this.
  8. Superleaf444

    Superleaf444 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2020
    25
    12
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I’m in Northern VT/NH border.


    Yeah that is what I thinking was safe. Spoke with the service department and they told me to come in for the recall, which already includes inspection. Said it probably won’t be great for time to do the 120k service. Because the sheer amount of hours from
    The recall alone.
    Weird nearly all but 2 of the recalls weren’t done. Whatever.
     
    #8 Superleaf444, Jul 28, 2020
  9. JeyPriusC3

    JeyPriusC3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2020
    7
    6
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    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Welcome to the party! It's such a nifty car! (y)
     
    #9 JeyPriusC3, Jul 30, 2020
    Superleaf444 likes this.
  10. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
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    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    It is widely known that Coronaviruses bounce right off the paint on a Prius.
     
    #10 kenmce, Aug 10, 2020
    PriusCamper likes this.
  11. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
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    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It's true, and the less you test, the more it starts to go away... If it's one thing the virus can't handle is people not testing for it... You can make it go away if you do that.... Or at least that's what the leaders of the US and Texas think: Texas coronavirus testing plummets as schools plan reopening | The Texas Tribune
     
    #11 PriusCamper, Aug 10, 2020
  12. Peter Verhoeven

    Peter Verhoeven Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 1, 2018
    3
    0
    0
    Location:
    Brockville, ON, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----Canada----
    Hi Montgomery,
    I am a new 2012 Prius owner and could use some guidance about the Audio, Navigation, Bluetooth capabilities. We can’t access the second Bluetooth screen after pushing Settings/ Bluetooth so that we can find and pair a phone. Also the Apps button and Phone button do nothing yet the Audio and Vehicle work.
    Any advice?
    Peter V

     
    #12 Peter Verhoeven, Aug 18, 2020
  13. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,241
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Sounds like you have a different head unit than mine. I don't have the same functions as yours so I am not familiar with your situation. However, you question is still here and there are a few in here with extensive knowledge on all head units that will see your question and be able to answer it. Sorry I could not.
     
    #13 Montgomery, Aug 19, 2020
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