Got an 07 Prius Wednesday... Help!

Welcome!

Unfortunately, I'd call a lawyer and return that car, it sounds like it has more problems than you need.

 

So you do need new/rebuild hybrid battery. If old battery is rebuild good it can be OK for long time but many times there not. If the guy just replaces 2 cells it won’t last that long. Other options include buying rebuild hybrid battery from somewhere. When buying rebuild you pretty much just have to go with the reputation of the rebuilder. Or you can buy new one from Toyota dealer.

Unfortunately ILuvMyPriusToo has good advice although I have no idea on how US laws are regarding car sales. There’s no knowing how many other problems this Prius is going to have.

And next time you buy a car take somebody how is more knowledgeable with you.

 

Can we ask what the car cost? I'm 99.99% sure he knew that car had problems when he sold it to you. I think I would take it back like @ILuvMyPriusToo said. I don't like involving lawyers, but it might be necessary here.

 

This probably is bad advice.
In most all states, a private sale of a used vehicle is "AS IS" unless stated otherwise in writing.
The seller is legally obligated to do: NOTHING.

By all means, check the law in your area but this is the chance you take when you buy anything used......ESPECIALLY if you let the seller get away with "It only needs......(anything)".
I wish there was an easy way out of this but there probably isn't.

Him trying to sell it with a dead battery should have been a HUGE red flag.

 

@Sam Spade may very well be right. But there's too much at stake to walk away without checking your options each state has its own laws. I did a quick google and thought this looked like it might be encouraging:

Sometimes, however, labeling a car "as is" isn't going to protect the seller from any potential responsibility. Some states won't allow "as is" transactions for car sales. In still others, there are limits imposed. For example, a seller may have a duty to disclose when a car has a salvage title (has previously been declared a total loss) even when he sells it "as is." In addition, state lemon laws may apply to govern the sale as well, and may take precedence over an "as is" agreement between the parties. ​

It's from: What Does it Mean to Buy a Car As-Is?

I would do some checking on NC law in this case. And either way, before involving a lawyer, I'd give the seller a chance to do the right thing first.

 

1. You'll need a new hv battery pack.
2. Try the AC when you first start the car, see if it'll get cold. If it does, then you probably have a failed inverter pump. When the inverter overheats, AC operations are usually lost.
3. Check the VIN history at Toyota.com and make sure all the recalls have been completed. The inverter pump is a recalled item
4. I'm not sure if you did or did not charge Freon, is it possible to charge without the compressor turning on?

 

This is sounding better, whichever route you take. Me, I'd cut my losses, hand it back to the dealership for refund . Something doesn't add up, the jump start needed with new battery, for one.

 

run, don't walk. welcome to priuschat.

 

It's pretty encouraging that he will put his wallet behind the car. At least that he says he will. I do not know. Based on what you've told us, I still don't know that I'd trust him to do a good job. But I hate to say anything too strong one way or the other. It's a bit of a gamble which ever way you go.

 

Wait......he said he just replaced the battery but yet it needed a jumpstart?
And you drive away? Didn't put that 2 & 2 together? Total lie and chain jerk there.

Take the 320 loss and run. if you already have a good lawyer then yeah it will cost you at least that much for a few phone calls.if you don't already have a lawyer forget it. Run.

Stay away from high mileage Prius. They can be tough unless you already have a good mechanic or electronics guy which you obviously don't.

And they all have that bingo in the trunk may need a new hybrid battery.

 

Get your money back Lisa. Cut your losses here, now. There are more fish in the sea.

 

I would get the money back as well. I hate snake oil salesman and God knows what else he is not telling you. For $3,250 you should be able to get a car that works well. If the seller knew that the car needed to be jump started because of the dead battery; why didn't he change the battery before your test drive. He probably knew the battery didn't fix the problem and cleared all the engine codes with an OBDII before letting you test drive it. Sleazy way of selling a car.

 

Stay away from high mileage 2nd gens...


2016 Prius 4T Premium Convenience Pkg
2016 NX200t F Sport

 

3250 gets you not much around here. Whatever it is it's got 150+k miles and is less than an 07
And usually needs a $1000 worth of work immediately at least tires and engine or trans work or full tune up then when your done you have a high mileage 12 year old car from who knows where that's been hung up wet & beat to death. That's expensive as the majority of people on the road now don't even own a socket set anymore. Given that combo last thing you need is a 3000 dollar hybrid battery on its last legs. But if your good with tools and electronics a used high mileage Prius is not scary. If your recourse is dealer only forget it.

 

I agree, I would return the car for refund. I hope you update us with what happened with this. I was relieved and surprised to read he even offered to take it back. Best of luck! I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I hope it works out for you, and you are able to find something better.

 

You should test everything before leaving the dealer. They also shouldn't be releasing a car back to the customer if the car is not fixed