2006 Buying Advice

2 owners in 5 years doesn't seem at all a concern to me. As long as the car checks out and all maint records are there....
I like that color

 

no problems with a 2 owner car, but the real question is.....why 2 owners on a 5 year old car with only 24k? sure it wasn't wrecked and rebuilt? I would check on that....
(look for obvious or not obvious overspray, panels that don't quite line up right)

 

at 24k, besides oil changes, there really isn't much to maintain.....but I would still look over that car carefully and proceed with caution....

 

Chances are that the second owner did everything that the dealer asked. There are a few things that you need to do to this car: change the oil+filter, engine air filter, cabin air filter, 12V battery unless it was obviously replaced, and have a dealer perform SSC A0N, which is a recall for the inverter cooling pump. Do not wait to have the recall performed, as it is a hot-weather related problem that can leave you stranded.

As long as the tires are good, you can expect 10s of thousands of miles with low chance of problems. There are very few reports here of major problems before 100K miles. The only thing that might cause you trouble are the accursed HID headlight bulbs, which are of a mercury-free type that fail much sooner than they should. Your car has HIDs if it has fog lights. Hybrid battery is covered to 100K. Change your transaxle fluid sometime between now and 60K for added insurance.

 

I'm the 2nd owner of my car and if I sold it I'd hate for them to worry that something's wrong with it because there isn't. The good news is that cars don't have feelings. They don't know who is driving them so being a 3rd owner is fine, if not common.

I'd be more worried about the ext color that you don't like. If you don't like it, don't force yourself to get it. Used Priuses are a dime a dozen.

 

With that kind of mileage my car would have had 3 oil changes--not much of a service record. Register the VIN at Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website to see the dealer history & verify that it is a Touring.

 

that is a great website, Jim. i just checked out all the maintenance on the car i just got.

 

In Lieu of starting a new thread, I am posting some questions here. I am looking buying my first Prius and may have found my deal.
A local dealer has an '06 with 113K mi. 1 owner. The internet had it 9900 but when called, they said that was wrong and its $11,600. I still think its good.

I went to the toyota owners site and its been regularly service by a dealer till now. It got new tires at 90K miles. Good for me. I don't know what model or package it is, just that it has leather (installed by dealer). SO i think its stock with added leather.

So my question is, is this a good deal? I think it was all highway miles, judging between the carfax and toyota history and where its was purchased and the registered. I am going to look at it tonight. OF course, I won't pay what they are asking, but if I can get it below 11K, i think I am good.

THere were two things in the service records that may be a minor concern:

At only 1000 miles this event occured:
MALFUNC - TESTED AND RECHARGED BATTERY. NO PARASITIC DRAWS AND AL ~|~TOW IN - WILL NOT POWER UP ~|~CHARGING ~|~MALFUNC - TESTED AND RECHARGED BATTERY. NO PARASITIC DRAWS AND AL


And this one at 56K miles: (This one worries me more)
CODE C2318 IS STORED FOR LOW VOLTAGE TO POWER SUPPLY - TESTED SYSTEM & ALL OPERA ~|~CUSTOMER STATES THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR HAS COME ON A FEW DIFFERNET TIMES 5-6 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR WHEN STARTING & WHEN IT DOES THE VEHICLE DOESN'T START- ALL LIGHTS ON DASH ARE ON & HE MUST HOLD START BUTTON DOWN UNTIL LIGHTS GO OUT THEN IT STARTS AD ~|~ ~|~CODE C2318 IS STORED FOR LOW VOLTAGE TO POWER SUPPLY - TESTED SYSTEM & ALL OPERATIONS NORMAL AT THIS TIME

I hate the thought of a car not starting in the morining. My 97 Maxima with 200K miles always started. Never left me stranded. Infact, having it since 67K miles, never had to be towed, not once.

But from what I've been reading, the Prius is really reliable, except maybe some wheel bearings...lol. Never had to do those on the max, not even coolant..just usual...

I just hope the HV battery doesn't conk out after a year or so.

I drive about 100 miles a day commuting 70% highway. Looking to reduce fuel costs

 

If you have such long commute, that's a perfect car for you. You will save at least $2000/year just on fuel, compare to other similar size cars.

I think $11K is a reasonable price, but it is possible to get it for around $10K.

Cars for Sale: 2006 Toyota Prius in Melrose Park, IL 60164: Hatchback Details - 304721883 - AutoTrader.com

 

Bought it for 10,800. Very very clean and loaded with leather, navigation, 6cd, JBL, backup cam, phone.
I think I did well.

Btw, Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking of posting a I just bought Prius thread.... With some pics.

 

Congratulations!

Three items to verify would be, has the 12V battery ever been replaced? Has the inverter cooling pump recall been performed (LSC A0N)? If the engine water pump has not been replaced, does it leak?

There, that describes the main weaknesses in a 2006. At 120,000 miles, replace spark plugs, PCV, clean the MAF sensor + throttle body, and do a drain/fill of the engine cooling system. The inverter cooling system also requires periodic drain/fill, but that would have been covered by the recall of the cooling pump. Most of us recommend changing the transmission fluid every 60,000 miles as well, which is not a common practice by dealers.

 

Seilerts is right on the money. If your 12v battery has required recharging multiple times then definitely have it checked out or better yet do it yourself. If it cannot hold a charge over 12.4v after 8 hrs with vehicle off then it's time for a new battery. Not only will a weak battery fail to boot up your car, it can also reduce fuel economy because the hybrid battery system will be working to keep the 12v battery charged. The engine will run more often to maintain them charge levels and your end up wasting fuel.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the info. Im at the dealer now. I'll ask about the inverter pump. Not too woried about battery, I can check that.

Did I read that Toyota extended the warranty on the hybrid system in certain states? I'm in NJ. Car was originally sold in NJ. Sales person is checking with finance about it. He didn't know.

 

The CARB states like California extended the hybrid system warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles.