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Weird corrosion/rust on this 2018 Eco I might buy

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Tardis Blue, Jul 6, 2021.

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  1. Tardis Blue

    Tardis Blue Junior Member

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    Was looking to get this 2018 Eco, but I noticed some weird corrosion that is not on anything like my current 2010. I first spotted it on the cargo tie-downs and the rear deck lift handle, then a bit on the jack itself and spots here and there. I unzipped the two back seats and found some more, then also under the driver seat rail.

    This is a one-owner Florida car with only 33K miles and a clean carfax. Maybe a surfer or fisherman that just threw saltwater stuff in the back a lot? Car seems fine otherwise.

    Anyone think this is something to worry about? Could the battery pack be affected? Just surface rust that probably won't get any worse? Or are these 10-foot-pole marks (as in, wouldn't touch it with a 10-ft pole)?

    Cargo Tiedowns.jpg



    DeckHandle.jpg

    Rear Seats.jpg
    Jack storage area.jpg

    Clean Under Deck.jpg

    DriversSeat.jpg
     
    #1 Tardis Blue, Jul 6, 2021
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    What country are you in?

    What are the bolts under the bonnet like? And - climb underneath and check the bolts/nuts on suspension etc.
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, Jul 7, 2021
  3. Tardis Blue

    Tardis Blue Junior Member

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    This is Atlantic coast of Florida, USA. Engine compartment is spotless, undercarriage seems fine, and no other signs of corrosion that I could see anywhere else.
    Car is being sold through a dealership at toyotaofmelbourne website, VIN is JTDKARFU2J3063685
     
    #3 Tardis Blue, Jul 7, 2021
  4. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Did you buy this use car sight unseen from an internet web site?
     
    #4 Georgina Rudkus, Jul 7, 2021
  5. Tardis Blue

    Tardis Blue Junior Member

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    I have not bought it. It's for sale at the local dealership now. I would take it, but not sure how concerned I should be about this corrosion.
     
    #5 Tardis Blue, Jul 7, 2021
  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I think he/she is only considering it at this stage?
     
    #6 alanclarkeau, Jul 7, 2021
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  7. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    Looks like that rust that occurs from people who live next to the ocean. The salty air, alone, causes everything to rust like that over time.

    But, yes, I used to exercise next to the ocean. My Shield 9mm rusted like nobody's business from putting it back on after being out there.

    Your Prius could have been used by a scuba diver. The drainage from ocean scuba diving rusted out two truck tailgates on me.
     
    #7 Mambo Dave, Jul 7, 2021
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  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Hmm....I recently bought a 2008 Prius that spent it's entire 280k mile life in Myrtle Beach. It has nothing like that. Maybe it wasn't close enough to the waves........unless I was extremely confident of that car's history, I would pass..

    maybe find another similar age model and inspect it to see if it's rusted in the same manner.
     
    #8 TMR-JWAP, Jul 7, 2021
  9. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Flood damage???
     
    #9 RRxing, Jul 7, 2021
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  10. Tardis Blue

    Tardis Blue Junior Member

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    Yes, definitely looks like a scuba diver or some other ocean sport. It's a pretty good deal, certified pre-owned from the dealer, and only 3 years old, so I wonder if I should just consider that rust cosmetic or a sign of more trouble than I want to deal with.
     
    #10 Tardis Blue, Jul 7, 2021
  11. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

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    Looked cosmetic to me. You may want to clean and protect/paint the cross-bar behind the rear seat, and spray some dry type of rust protectant on the items you've pictured.

    With it in that area, perhaps pull up on the rear seat's base to check the battery compartment.
     
    #11 Mambo Dave, Jul 7, 2021
  12. MPGboss

    MPGboss Member

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    walk away, too many other priuses that don't have that problem for sale. who knows how far the rusting has sneaked in.
     
    #12 MPGboss, Jul 9, 2021
  13. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Worse yet, if the electrical connectors have or are starting to corrode. That would become a never ending nightmare.
     
    #13 Georgina Rudkus, Jul 9, 2021
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