I've been wanting to buy a Prius V for quite some time now. Not being in any rush, I've been mainly a looker, mostly postponing due to high used car prices over the past couple of years. Now that prices have come down, I'm seriously thinking about buying a Prius V, model 5 I saw locally listed by a private seller in Southern California. More information, you ask? Sure, here goes: It's a silver 2015, model 5 with a black interior. It is a one owner car that has 104K mileage, has the technology package, no accidents and no mechanical problems. Comes with both key fobs. From the pictures, it appears to have been detailed and looks really nice. Service records are available from the dealer and a hybrid specialty garage. The price was too high and was reduced $600.00 to $14,900.00 about 10 days ago. It's still too high, I think. What I'm looking for, interested reader is buying advice - what is a fair price, what is a good deal for me? I could also use some negotiating advice. I was thinking about offering $13k and going up to maybe 13.5k maximum. Is that reasonable? I know it should get an inspection. What about using the Toyota dealer (which, I'm sure would cost more) or the hybrid specialist the owner has been using for servicing? I know the 2015 is a good year to buy and the Technology Package is desirable. The battery should still be under warranty for 10 years or 150K. It was purchased in Oct, 2015. Thanks for reading this far. I really do appreciate any and all advice you have. Thanks very much!
I would agree that the price is too high for what it is, but in the LA market they are likely to get it from somebody if not you. The market is just that hot, and a clean v with the good option packages is in very high demand coast-to-coast. Any given mechanic can do an inspection and spot current problems. A hybrid specialist is better, and Toyota is pretty good when the problem (if any) is the sort that involves their diagnostic computer. If the car doesn't have any current problems, the inspection can feel like a waste of money. If the car is not expected or believed to have any, it can make sense to use the cheaper inspector. As far as negotiating advice? Have the whole $15k in your pocket when you offer $13k. There's probably going to be somebody standing behind you with the whole $15k ready to go, so if it doesn't work right away you need to be ready. Edit: adding: Just a minor thing: A Prius v (lower case) is the big station wagon. A Prius V (capital; roman numeral for five) is a fancy trim package available on the liftback Prius. Toyota didn't make that easy.
These cars have a lot of problems, so do your due diligence and learn what you might be in for, before going ahead with a purchase
That's a lot of money for an eight year old car, but that's what they are getting for them within a 100 mile radius of Glendale. This could turn into a money pit very quickly, especially if you don't know how to wrench on cars. IMHO, If you really don't need the car, I'd pass and wait for the prices to go down even more. As we dig out of COVID, factories will be in full production and car makers will be piling on the incentives to move their inventory - late next year. Your already seeing some of the results now. Dealerships actually has new cars to sell - not just used. But what do I know - I'm just too cheap to drop that kind of cash on a car. I rather drive a clunker that everyone on the highway stays away from, because they think something is going to fall off or that rust is contagious.
Hi Everyone, Thanks so much for your insightful replies. While I still want to buy a Prius v, the advice of waiting may not be such a bad idea. I think used car prices will continue to drop in the coming year. Plus, I learned something when I was at the Toyota dealer yesterday while doing some research on this car: In California, a Toyota Prius battery has a 10 year, 150,000 mile warranty. So far, so good. However, a Prius v only has an 8 year, 100,000 mile warranty, which is Toyota's standard battery warranty. I learned that from the Toyota service advisor I spoke to yesterday. He showed me on his computer screen, the car I was interested in had a 96 month battery warranty. Interesting! So, there's nothing under warranty with this car. Toyota also told me a car inspection was $220.00. To add to all of this, I'm thinking of moving back East in the coming year so paying a premium price for this California car might not be the best use of my money. After all, a 2015 car for sale with an asking price of $14,900 is a LOT of money. Add to that, sales tax, registration and title transfer, around $1500.00 plus the cost of car insurance. It really starts to add up, doesn't it? At any rate, I don't know what this Prius v would really sell for, but either way, it is a lot of money. So, that's where things stand. Thank you all for your advice and help. I'll continue to hang out here and learn more about the Toyota Prius.
You know, you might be right. That did not occur to me. I'll have to check on that the next time I'm near the Toyota dealer. It appears the car has been sold. I went to check on it and it's no longer listed. I can't help but wonder what it really sold for.
