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Purchasing a Used GenII - At what point should I let miles be a primary concern?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by bryanv, Jun 24, 2015.

  1. bryanv

    bryanv New Member

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    Repairing my Gen 1 would cost half of the price of buying a used Gen II with higher mileage. So here I am.

    I have a few options right now -- all comfortably within budget. As in, not at the top end of my budget, so I'd be able to afford the car. Hopefully *crosses fingers*

    I know what to look for on the Gen I's now (trial by fire) but I'm wondering how different is that for Gen II's.


    Any help / tips / pointers would be very welcome. I'll be driving both of these tomorrow.
     
    #1 bryanv, Jun 24, 2015
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    impossible to answer. if you're non carb, than your hybrid warranty is 8/100, so that's one concern. after that, they tend to start having problems all the way along as you build miles, especially the battery. but the percentages grow, and most are trouble free for 150k or so. many for 2-300k, but we have no actual numbers. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Jun 24, 2015
  3. bryanv

    bryanv New Member

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    One is an 04 with 245k, new battery (1 year warranty -- I assume it's a rebuilt)

    Should this be setting off alarm bells?
     
    #3 bryanv, Jun 24, 2015
  4. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    Anything with a rebuilt battery sets alarm bells off.
     
    #4 Avi's Advanced Automotive, Jun 24, 2015
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  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    New batteries from Toyota only have a one year Warranty.
     
    #5 xpcman, Jun 24, 2015
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at 250k, you should be fully equipped to do serious maintenance, or be ready to pay for it.
     
    #6 bisco, Jun 24, 2015
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  7. bryanv

    bryanv New Member

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    Ah Hah! Thanks for the input. The 245k vehicle is probably out then. (I'm not sad about that)

    I'll be looking at a 2006 base model with 137k on the odometer. At that mileage, what should I be looking for?
     
    #7 bryanv, Jun 24, 2015
  8. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Apart from all the normal stuff you would check on a regular gas powered car (fluids, oil, test drive, service history, carfax, etc), check the inverter reservoir is at the full mark and that you can see turbulence detected when the car is ready.

    Using your newly acquired, M-VCI, if they will permit you, you can do a basic check on the HV, to see if it is exhibiting any thing unusual. See this link for how to do this:

    Predictive Battery Failure Analysis For The Prius Hybrid | Art's Automotive

    hope this helps.

    [Edit] While you have the M-VCI connected, do a health check and see what codes, if any, it has. It may not show anything, especially if someone with no morals has been in and cleared them. Not to worry, anything serious should come back on the test drive.
     
    #8 dolj, Jun 25, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2015
  9. bryanv

    bryanv New Member

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    That totally helps, thanks!

    These Gen II's move like hotcakes when they're in good shape. Two of the three I was going to look at this morning sold last night.

    I drove the one with 245k on it -- I'm not buying it, new battery or not, at the price they want for it. The HV system doesn't scare me as much as the ICE, drive train & associated parts at 245k... If it were priced a few thousand less, I may be willing to take the gamble, but as is, no.

    Driving that car (and inspecting it) confirmed my suspicions on my current Gen 1 though. Bad coolant pump, bad power steering, bad master cylinder. :-( Such a shame. 44.5 MPG was the average over the last 4k miles on that car.
     
    #9 bryanv, Jun 25, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    when i look at a used prius, (which i never do:cool:) i like to reset the average mpg's, take it for a good long test drive under various conditions, and see how it does.
     
    #10 bisco, Jun 25, 2015
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