2004 Prius, 66k miles, one owner, $6,000 obo, Houston

It's been a year since we got our new 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, and my wife is finally ready to let her baby go out into the world to someone who will love it as much as she has. We have sold all of our previous cars over the years using Craigslist, and that may be an option too if this is not successful. We didn't want to trade it in at the time we bought the new CCH, and selling it outright to a dealer may be another option if no takers here. Since joining this forum, it seems like there are many loyal Prius owners out there, so hoping this one goes to someone who is as enthusiastic about hybrids as are we. Now for the listing, which I have been fine tuning for months ...

2004 Toyota Prius (Hybrid), 4 door Hatchback VIN JTDKB20U840058977

Metallic silver exterior paint, grey fabric interior. Approximately 66,000 miles. Came equipped with Package #6, which included Rear Intermittent Wiper, Driver and Passenger Side and Curtain Air Bags, Smart Entry & Start.

Other features include 4 cyl, 1.5 liter engine, Automatic transmission, Front Wheel Drive (FWD), Traction Control, ABS, Power Steering, Tilt Wheel, AM/FM Stereo, CD Player (single disc), Air Conditioning (A/C), Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Cruise Control, Rear Window Defogger, Carpet Floor Mat Set (5 pieces), Cargo Net, Fabric Guard, Rear Cargo Cover. Two remote key fobs included (one has been in wife’s purse practically the whole time, so in much better shape) and one emergency plastic key to unlock door only.

One owner, two drivers, non-smokers, no children, no pets. Seats covers have been installed on all seats since purchased. Front passenger seat cover was removed for pictures of original upholstery, and has since been reinstalled. Seat covers included. Items in storage tray (above spare tire) are NOT included.

Always kept in garage at night from 2004 until 2010 while it was a daily driver to and from work, and kept in garage full time (except when driving, travelling, or parked at airport) from 2010 to 2023. Since October 2023, has been parked in open air carport, as our newest car (a Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid) gets the garage.

Original high voltage “traction” battery (the battery used to propel the front wheels). Have had no issues with this battery.

Auxiliary 12V battery was replaced 12/29/2021, and then it was replaced under warranty in July, 2024. Warranty replacement battery does not extend warranty, which is 3 years from date of purchase, or until 12/29/2024.

All 4 tires replaced 6/27/2020 @ 56,421 miles. Original compact spare.

Drive belt replaced 3/31/2020 @ 55,647 miles after annual State Safety Inspection noted some cracking.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) module replaced 11/9/2022 @ 61,966 miles by Benson’s Wheel and Tire in Webster, TX.

DC-DC Converter Inverter Assembly was replaced on 9/12/2024 @ 65,785 miles with a used unit, salvaged from a wrecked car. Unit had to be replaced because it was no longer charging the 12V auxiliary battery like it is designed to do. Hybrid vehicles typically do NOT have alternators like gas only vehicles.

Multi Function Display unit was replaced on 10/1/2024 with a used unit, also salvaged from a wrecked car. The original unit was still completely functional, but the LCD screen had become clouded or fogged, making it difficult to read under certain lighting conditions. After removing a few pieces of the dash, it was a simple matter of unbolting the unit and disconnecting three wire connectors. “New” unit is much improved over original with its damaged screen.

Oil and filter changed on average once every year, usually less than 4k miles between oil changes.

Our driving has been a mix of relatively short trips on side streets, highways, and freeways. Our lifetime gas mileage average is 45.7 mpg.

Never in an accident or flooded. Air bags never deployed . Original paint*. A few minor parking lot dings and scrapes. Clean title.

Known issues:

One very small chip in windshield (passenger side) that hasn’t changed in almost 20 years, after a home DIY repair kit was used to seal it. (See pictures)

Air damper that switches between fresh air and re-circulated air makes slight noise as it tries to fully close.

*One recent scratch on right front fender was repainted using rattle can DupliColor Touch Up Paint and looks reasonably good. And, for a lot less than the $500 to $600 quoted by two local shops. (See pictures)

KBB estimates the Private Party Value in Very Good condition between $4,770 and $6,889. Asking $6,000.00 OBO.

Willing to let a certified, qualified mechanic of your choice inspect the vehicle at your expense before you purchase. Car is being sold “AS-IS”, with no warranty, written or implied.

Reasonable Best Offers will be considered. Certified check only, and prefer to meet at local courthouse to transfer title at time of sale.

Please Note:

Hybrid vehicles have been proven to be very reliable, but can also be expensive to repair when repairs are needed, unless you are a DIY auto enthusiast and don’t mind tackling some larger or more complex issues. Modern cars in general are complex machines to start with, and hybrids even more so. For example, replacing the DC-DC Converter Inverter Assembly could have cost $5,000 or more, if the work had been done at a dealer or other auto shop. The used part was bought for less than $300 and it took a few hours of my time to research, diagnose, and replace it myself.

The importance of the 12V Auxiliary battery cannot be overstated. If it “dies”, or gets very low on voltage, it can present a lot of different trouble codes, warning lights, etc. If allowed to get too low on voltage, the car will basically begin losing things like power steering, be unable to start, or stay in gear. If you keep a close eye on the 12V battery age, and its health and ability to hold a charge, and replace it before it completely dies, then you can avoid a lot of other potential problems down the road. The voltage of the 12V battery can be easily checked manually (under the hood at a “jump start” location inside of the main fuse box), and also by using built-in on board diagnostic tools.

So, why are we selling?

We are not getting any younger, don’t drive very much (less than 2,000 miles a year since retiring), have no one to “hand-it-down-to”, and are looking to simplify things by having one less car to maintain. This has been a great car that we (and especially my wife) have enjoyed owning and driving, while getting outstanding gas mileage and having a minimal impact on the environment. Hoping it can find a new owner who will enjoy and appreciate it as much as we have.

 

No, no recent jump start attempts before the DC - DC converter failed. Jumper cables were always carried just in case. Not sure why the DC - DC converter failed either, but there are sure a lot of used ones for sale.

 

No, not sold yet. Still only listing here and not on Craigslist or ebay yet.

No real trick to the scratch repair ... just patience and a lot of wet sanding and rubbing compound. And of course, follow paint manufacturer's instructions.