Looking at 2008 Prius with 205,000k

Prius is only one that is reputable. Mazda/Fiat are both junk.

 

Oh there are a few million loyal Mazda owners that would argue with that statement. While I am not a Mazda "fan", the MX-5, Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 have been very good cars overall. Of course, the RX-8, 7, etc, not so much, at least in terms of reliability.

 

If it was a local vehicle, it should have another year or two of battery life in it. Heat kills and being parked outside at high ambient temps (100*F+) REALLY hurts.

 

I'd walk away after you said the check engine light is on. That can mean a million different things, engine running too lean... Don't buy a fiat as those are money pit lemons. Mercedes Benz already destroyed Chrysler's quality control and now Fiat owning the company just drove the company into the ground.

 

You forgot Dallas, PA in your rant.

 

At that budget you'd have to look at salvages honestly, or a different non hybrid car.

 

That is not true AT ALL. We bought our '05 for significantly less than that and all it required was two new tires for it to be a really great car.

 

Those are some crazy high prices for the age and miles!

 

If this is also in the $4000 ballpark, I'd gravitate to the newest model year you can afford. On a 2004, the HV battery is 13 yo and does need to be seriously considered (in the 3-15% stat, would be gravitating to the 15% end), especially with the low miles. Low miles are not necessarily good for the HV battery.

 

The trade in value is around $2,300, so the owners wisely prefer to make more money selling themselves. The private party selling price is in line for a car that is in good or very good condition. However, it's not in good/very good condition with the check engine light on. That's should be a walk away and the cause of the check engine light is possibly what has caused the owners to purchase a new Prius.

I'm guessing that one cannot even get a car to pass smog check with a check engine light on, which means that you'll have to pay to fix whatever is causing the light to come on. I'd pass.

While the OP's budget is around $4k, if one doesn't have a reserve fund for a major repair (like a new battery), then I'd look to a non hybrid vehicle with much lower miles.

 

Less than two months ago I bought my 2009 with 103,000 miles, no accidents for $3K. Deals are out there. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first car you see, but have cash with you, and ready to leave work if needed for the right car.

 

For me in Colorado I would not be able to register the car with the check engine light on. Also we only have a Day or two to that.

 

Wow, that's an incredible price! I got my 2009 with 105,000 miles on it from a Toyota dealer last year for $7600.

 

In california that's impossible, and I would know since i've been looking for another prius for 5k with under 110k miles 2007+. Just isn't happening here, people are crazy for their prius. Guessing other states aren't so crazy about them.

 

You're right, that price isn't possible in California- at least I wasn't able to find one. Coopers ST purchased his for around 20% below trade in for a car in good condition, which is very rare.

I wonder if California Prii hold their values because the batteries are under warranty for 10/150k miles?

 

I'd like to randomly chime in. Bought my 04 in aug 2011 with 113k mi. Today I have 245k mi and only major repairs where front wheels bearings. And tires. Oh and one rear wheel bearing I did. Other might be nearing time.

Oh and I had to clean the throttle body once and replace the mass air flow sensor. It was running crappy last summer, codes, engine wouldn't shut off.
I don't even think I have put brakes on it.
Absolutely most solid, dependable, reliable car I have ever owned or known. Avg mileage was around 52 when I got it, now it's about 45-46. (Right after I change tires around 160k mi, it was never the same)



iPhone ?

 

I disagree with that contention. Older Prius, are getting old. But the Gen 2 Prius was the Iconic Prius. Generation 2 Prius have great reputations for reliability.
In fact, starting to see some Posts of early Gen 3 Prius burning oil prematurely. So it's all "relative". But to say Prius "aren't good until 2012? I think is false.

That unfortunately, without definition, would be a HUGE red flag to me. Absolutely a deal breaker.
Even if the seller is being totally sincere...and maybe they are totally telling the truth, as the used car buyer, the purchaser, do you want to buy a used car that is pre-purchase- giving you what could be a pretty serious warning light?
I just can't make that recommendation.
You'd be buying basically hoping a warning light is lying or erroneous. And that is a gamble I just wouldn't take.

.

 

Not only that why 2012 and not 2010-2015 (all gen 3s)? Love when people say the 2010 is a bad motor but when you go to car-part.com and type in 2010 it will bring back results for 2010-2015 meaning they are all the exact same motor and interchangeable (i.e., if your 2015 motor blows you can put a 2010 motor in ---- and if your 2010 motor blows you can drop a 2015 in).

From what I have experienced the oil burning is worse in gen 3s than in gen 2s.

 

Gen 2 is highly reliable as has been said several times. And it has more nifty little places to stow things.

As for the "check engine light," that's not questionable at all. It's a giant flashing neon sign that says, "Do not buy me!!!!!!" I find that life provides plenty of trouble for free without me knowingly going out and buying extra.