Prius Prime - official prices paid thread

Why aren't you driving your PP? My PP is in a shop right now but mine started fine at -16F no problem last week when our SUV did not start. It was -26F this morning. I am going to see if our SUV will start. The highest temp in the next 10 days forecast is 19F. Will be in sub-zero temp next 7 days.

EDIT: The temp is now -17F. Our SUV did not start. I am charging the 12v battery now. I wonder how my PP would have behaved?

 

Plowed in. A pile of snow that could possibly reach two stories at the end of my unit. We were only supposed to get a little snow then rain, but we got a lot more snow and I didn't move it in time. I suppose I could spend an entire day shoveling but I just need a couple 45+ degrees days or so.

 

Just an hour south here, and we barely got a few inches.

 

It was -27f and the prime started fine, my tundra had to try starting twice but reluctantly started and my Kubota tractor started but stalled after a few minutes. I'm hoping just a clogged fuel line because of the cold. Going to wait for a thaw to check that out.

 

Yeah, our PathHy did not start on its own. But after connecting to a 5A charger and starting it did the trick. It is an OEM battery, so now in its 8th year of use. It was not drained, the voltage was reading at 12.6v, but it just did not have enough cold cranking to start the engine. For our PathHy, I don't know which of the batteries, the 12v or hybrid, does the cranking nomally. Even if the traction battery usually starts the engine, it was probably not available at -26F.

Now shopping for a new replacement 12v battery. Luckily, it is a fairly common 51R size battery. There are many stores around that have that size battery in stock. I can just pick it up at a local auto shop, Walmart, or even at HomeDeport in a pinch.

 

Thanks to those of you posting where you've been checking prices for selling your vehicle. I've been thinking about doing the same with our 2021 Limited. We have about 7,500 miles right now. Not as large of a market here in Nebraska for a Prime, but may drive it somewhere it's worth more. I'm assuming California or the like? Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Online.
Carvana, Shift, Vroom, CarMax, Driveway - I think those are about all of them. Takes a couple minutes at each website, and then you'll have an offer, or have to wait for an email / follow-up sometimes. Much easier than trying to sell it yourself (something I always did with used cars to maximize selling price).
(of note, my Rav4 Prime is "worth" $1900 more to Carvana if I used a Nashville zip code, vs my SoCal one)

 

Thanks for the list. After getting disappointing offers from Carvana and Vroom, I was thinking not to bother with selling my 2021 PP. But I just checked the others you have listed. Shift is only for the western regions, they don't operate in my area. CarMax needs to see my car in person with an appointment, but the nearest location is too far away for me. Then came Driveway. It operates nationwide. They responded to me with an offer of $32,000 without looking at the car. That's over $6K more than Vroom or Carvana offers.

 

Wow - that's nuts. I've heard of people getting the run-around when trying to purchase a Rav4 Prime with Driveway - so I'd be more wary of them, but as long as the check clears... (or maybe car insurance would cover it as "theft"?)
https://en.everybodywiki.com/Driveway.com - interesting - funded by Lithia. That makes me less nervous to sell to them.

 

Yeah, I have never heard of Driveway (or Shift) until I read your comment. Then again, I did not know about Carvana or Vroom until just a few years ago. There are definitely more options to sell a car nowadays than the old methods of a trade-in at a dealer or selling by yourself locally.

 

I just wish any of the easy ways would offer a "reasonable" amount for our Gen 2. It's still in great shape but due to its age (it's an 04, with 130k miles) all the services offer about 25% of what I should be able to get via a private sale.

Good to know about Driveway, I hadn't heard of them either--might need to sell my parents PP so it's always good to have more options.

 

Well, I had to go pick up my 2021 PP that was in a dealer shop for a minor body repair. I had time to kill, so stopped at a sales and asked to give me an appraisal on my 2021 PP. They came back with $30500. Now, in a state where trade-in value does not decrease the sales tax, like CA, whoever gives a higher offer is the best deal. But in a state where trade-in value decreases the sales tax on the new purchase made at the time of trade-in, the saving on the tax can be substantial. In my case, $30,500 and saving on the sales tax will be a better deal than selling to Driveway for $32,000 and paying full sales tax at a dealer.

The only problem is... the dealer did not have a car I want to buy. I will check a few more dealers later to see if trading-in makes any sense.

 

My understanding is that most of these car "services" prefer later models, and may just send the older cars to auction so they're not really motivated. CarMax might even have a 8 year limit (seems like I read this somewhere).

 

Yes, some of them have an age limit (I think it's closer to 10-12 years), and I completely understand--a lot more risk with older cars and also less opportunity to make a profit.

 

I am working on selling my car to Driveway right now ... same offer. This car technically cost me $29,684 - $4,502 tax credit + $1,650 sales tax = $26,832 + cost to fly, drive it home, hotels so I suppose I'll be making $4000+ minimum on this car. I bought it in July in Massachusetts. Kinda hate to part with it, but for that price and given the changing dynamics of our needs and the insane market ... but not trying to count my chickens before they hatch. For the record ... 2021 Limited in Wind Chill with 8,000 miles.

 

I just received an offer from Shift.com for $33,000 but would have to get the car to them in Texas.

 

Those of you who have sold to VROOM.... what was your experience like? Good or bad? I've heard mixed. I've bought and sold 2 cars to Carvana and it was easy peasy - however someone on the Miata forum said selling to Vroom was like a dumpster fire. Lol

 

I have sold several PP toVroom. Very easy no issues transactions.

As soon as they receive the title you get a fedex check the next day.

As far as I am concerned perfect transactions….

But you have to get check multiple online dealers to get the best price as it is not always the same vender.

I also sold to Carvana and it was easy also.

 

Carvana was so easy, I just signed a paper and they handed me a check and towed it away.

 

All these places I put in requests to keep outbidding each other and remind me to contact them if someone beats their offer. I think I may be driving the car to Texas and selling it for $1500 more than I’m being offered in Nebraska. I am heading there anyhow.