Hi there! I am about to pull the trigger on buying a Prius and hoping to get some help from the experts around here! I found a awesome (at least I think) Prius after months of looking, so here are the details! It’s a 2010 Pruis IV hatchback 4D with 117k miles. It’s in the pearl white color so it does have some paint chipping however that isn’t a deal-braker for me as several panels have been replaced. There is little to no body damage besides a few scuffs. The interior is beautifully maintained and it also has the solar/sunroof. The price is listed at $7,500 but due to the paint issues, he did offer $7,000 and possibly lower. I have been looking for a long time and this Prius has the lowest mileage I’ve seen without it being a salvage title. I am taking it to a mechanic tomorrow morning and if all checks out, I will purchase it. Does this sound like a good deal to you? I would really love to hear your thoughts!! Thank you so much.
forget the body and interior, disregard the options, and focus on the mechanicals, head gasket, egr circuit, brake actuator and hybrid battery. could be a great car, could be a money pit. is the mech prius savvy?
$7,000 for a 2010 IV at 117,000 miles with solar roof is a good price. How long do you hope to keep it and how many miles do you expect to put on it?
"Several panels have been replaced" and there's no salvage title?? That's......."interesting." The "white" paint color (BWP) is prone to severe peeling....like leprosy peeling - so if you're the type that goes through the 5 stages of grief over parking lot rash or stone chips - PASS. If you are counting on paying somebody else to do your maintenance and repair? PASS. If you cannot write a check with a comma in it for a sudden vehicle repair? PASS - get a 10 year old Corolla instead. Truthfully.... How often do you check your fluids (oil/coolant/brake/etc...)???? If it's not REGULARLY....like every 1000,2000 miles? PASS. If you are not break-down resistant? (spare car, able to get rides easily, can walk or cycle to work) PASS. Read the 3 longest threads in this forum with the words "Head Gasket" in the title. These cars all have several things in common: 2010-2012 Prius Over 100,000 miles Owners maintained a "closed hood" maintenance philosophy. Good Luck! Let us know how it turns out.
All good points. I’ll also add “exploding glass” on trim 4s. Got my $2,000 glass replacement fund on stand by.