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Buying a used Prius looking for advice

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Stacied., Dec 8, 2016.

  1. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Assuming all are 5 Doors, aka Traditional Jelly Bean types....

    The 2011 is an $8500 car, a good bet if you can purchase locally.

    Second 2012 car is worth about $9300, so WAY over priced considering distance.

    Lastly the 2012 with 75k books for about $8900, but indy dealers often hold out for more $$$, especially "buy here - pay here" types :(

    You should know that ALL Dealers use the NADA Price guide, KBB and others only if they want to show a customer the INFLATED price; therefore you should us NADA as well.

    Finally, 4 Door Sedans (Prius, Fusion, etc) are selling for TRADE right now due to cheap gas, while P/Us and SUVs are selling for more than retail in most areas. If the CarFax report is good and you can get #1 for closer to trade $ than retail $$, it should be a good deal if you like it and it drives well.

    A trusted LOCAL dealer is worth a lot, god forbid you have questions or concerns in the future.
     
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    disney now gives amphicar rides on lake buena vista. not sure about alligators though.:eek:
     
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  3. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Nah, alligators have to ride in different old croc's. :cool:
     
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  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    You would want an alligator ride ??? :eek:
    I assume you meant Amphicar | The Boathouse Orlando
     
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  5. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    You forgot Crocodile Dundee. He seemed partial to occasional vicious amphibian rides!:ROFLMAO:
     
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  6. Stacied.

    Stacied. Junior Member

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    Thank you for your insights everyone. I really appreciate feedback!
     
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  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    And I apologize for taking this thread off track onto a rabbit trail.
     
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  8. Stacied.

    Stacied. Junior Member

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    Thx 05 for advice. Here's an update on car shopping. Went to lrgst Toyota dealer in Boise. Drove 2013 Prius loved solid feel. Negotiated price of 2011 Prius Frm $1299 to 11k dealer didn't want to go lower & I only have 9k + my Subaru. So i left.

    I'm lowering my sites to more affordable priced priuses.
    There's a 2010 Prius for $10,990 with 59573 miles at same dealership.

    Other option 2013 Prius $11,762 wi 87,619 miles at dealer in nampa short distance Frm Boise.

    Question-Since I only drive about 3500 miles per year of in town driving, not taking long distance trips or mountain passes. Would a 2010 battery with lower mileage last longer with my infrequent driving than a high mileage 2013 with longer battery warranty?
    I'm going to stay away from independent car lot wi Prius that had commercial use. Will stick wi dealers.
    Also not in position to donate my Subaru. It needs transmission work plus body work so my thought is to trade into dealer rather than sell on Craigslist.
    Because of comments here I'm going to stay away from out of state cars. Thanks again for advice
    I really appreciate it. I hope to get in on a year end close out but prices at dealers aren't coming down as much as I'd like. I heard Dec is best month to buy a car. I hope so.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles a year do you drive? is it even worth the hybrid premium?
     
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  10. Stacied.

    Stacied. Junior Member

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    Bisco yes it is. I may be driving more in the future if my work circumstances change. I still want a green car for environmental reasons in the meantime.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    to answer your question, depending on the mileage, low mile 2010 may not be better than high mile 2013, because time can be as big a factor as miles. so if i were faced with a 2010 with 60,000 miles, or a 2013 with 80,000 miles, all else being equal, i would take the 2013.
    but every example is different, and we need to know what you're looking at.
     
  12. Stacied.

    Stacied. Junior Member

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    Someone requested to see the cars I’m considering, here are 5 options from car guru: Sorry there’s so many but remember I only have $9K + 1999 Subaru Legacy wagon wi 91K miles for trade. What are most realistic choices to go after? I really want to get a new car this month but dealers don’t seem to be offering year end close out prices yet. Thanks again for all the help.

    1- 2010 Prius $10,990 wi 59,573 mils at dealership.

    2010 Toyota Prius For Sale in Boise, ID - CarGurus

    2- 2013 Prius $11,762 wi 87,619 miles at dealership

    2010 Toyota Prius For Sale in Boise, ID - CarGurus

    3- 2011 Prius $12,999 wi 76,045 mi at dealers…said I could have car for $11K + my 1999 subaru trade in. I left without car.

    2010 Toyota Prius For Sale in Boise, ID - CarGurus


    4- 2010 no price wi 47,506 mi at dealership where above car is. 2010 Toyota Prius For Sale in Boise, ID - CarGurus


    5- 2010 Prius $12,998. Wi 44,307 mi dealership – beautiful color way over priced!

    2010 Toyota Prius For Sale in Boise, ID - CarGurus
     
  13. Got2bHam

    Got2bHam Member

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    Number one. The other two sound like they may have been handled roughly (especially the one who discouraged a mechanical inspection)
     
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  14. Got2bHam

    Got2bHam Member

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    It's a crap shoot on the battery life. The ones that I have heard of had about 200,000 plus miles on them (one C owner this forum replaced one at 212,000)
     
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  15. Got2bHam

    Got2bHam Member

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    Number one or the no price on this list. One will most likely trade for your Sub and go for the amount you want to spend since utes are hot right now. Happy hunting!
     
    #35 Got2bHam, Dec 13, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2016
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