Need help with purchase process

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by markabele, Apr 22, 2013.

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  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Hello all,
    I recently lost my 2012 for reasons I won't go into here, but I'm dying without a Prius and I basically want a cheap GenII to tide me over until I get a Gen4 in a year or two. The most important things I want/need separate from the hybrid technology would be cruise control, automatic climate control, and storage space. This is what led me to a cheap GenII.

    Just yesterday I came across this ad on craigslist for a 2007 with 145k for $6800.
    2007 Prius (Hail damage)
    I have yet to see it in person (live about an hour away) but the hail damage doesn't bother me at all. I would probably just keep it like that. Here are some other details I've learned through various email exchanges so far:
    has touch screen with backup cam
    audio controls/climate controls can be adjusted from steering wheel
    he is the second owner (bought in 2009 with 89k as a certified pre own) and he has done all the maintenance since himself
    has been garage kept most of the time since he has owned it and never smoked in during his ownership
    no GPS
    he calls it "base model"
    front window has a crack

    Would love some more ideas about what to ask and just your general overall opinion of the price and value of this vehicle. Thanks so much in advance for any and all help you guys can provide!
     
    #1 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  2. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Have him give you money off so you can repair the windshield, that is a safety issue.
     
    #2 JMD, Apr 22, 2013
  3. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    It sounds like a Package #2 Gen II Prius. There were quite a few of those made. Ours is the same thing, but two years newer.

    If you like the car and if it drives right, get it checked out by your trusted mechanic. Then make the decision. You already know what to look for and what to expect.

    Sorry to hear you had a problem you don't want to talk about. S*&t happens.

    Good luck to you.
     
    #3 dorunron, Apr 22, 2013
    HaroldW and JMD like this.
  4. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Thanks for all the responses so far, keep em coming. ;)

    Just found out that this owner just replaced the hybrid battery with a salvaged one from a 2009 with 59k on it. He did the work himself. Is this a red flag...or not?
     
    #4 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    Hard to say. Maybe a Mechanic can chime in. Salvage car is a car that was totaled by insurance, and sold for parts in a salvage yard. He probably got a good deal. Maybe he paid $500 for the salvage HV battery versus $2,500 new one at the dealer.

    When cars get old it is common to replace expensive parts with salvage to save money.
     
    #5 JMD, Apr 22, 2013
  6. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Ask the seller if he will let you get the car checked out. If he says yes, take it to your trusted mechanic and ask him to check it out. If he says NO, then the red flag goes up.

    It is common to put salvage traction batteries in (swap). Folks do that to save money when they can't afford the new one from Toyota or a rebuild from ReInvolt or someone similar. Did the seller give you any reason why he is selling it?
     
    #6 dorunron, Apr 22, 2013
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #7 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2013
  8. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Just talked to him on the phone. He said he originally lost it in a divorce but then got it back when the battery failed on his ex. He then found a salvage for about 500 bucks and replaced it himself. He said he is a mechanic by trade in the military. He also said he replaced the brakes about 5-10k ago.

    Another question then is...even if I'm ok with all this stuff, what about the next buyer in a few years? Will this seriously reduce the value of it upon resale?
     
    #8 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  9. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I'd imagine the hail damage would seriously reduce its value, but we can't see how bad it is.
     
    #9 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2013
  10. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    The seller has pinned it at only about $200 in body work. But then again that's coming from the seller.
     
    #10 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  11. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    That sounds like a lowball figure. Is that just to pull/knock out dents?

    If repainting needs to be done on anything, I could see it being thousands to repaint multiple pieces. (I can speak from experience from having to get the front bumper cover repainted on my former Z and getting a plastic lip replaced. See Lowering the Prius: problems? | PriusChat.)
     
    #11 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2013
  12. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I agree with cwerdna, paint work can get real expensive. Most quality oriented shops figure about a $1000 per panel. If we are talking, hood, roof, and hatchback it would be considerably more than $200.00
     
    #12 dorunron, Apr 22, 2013
  13. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    He also said the front window should cost less than $100 to replace. That sounds way low.
     
    #13 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  14. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Agree. It cost almost $200 to replace my smashed (due to break in) passenger's side rear window a few years ago.

    If you haven't gotten them yet, I'd go ask for pictures of the hail damage, since you seem concerned about resale value down the road. If large market in your area for people to buy hail damaged cars, then I guess you don't need to be too concerned.
     
    #14 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2013
  15. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Also, if this makes any difference...the inside is kind of a pit (likes stains all over the seat and floors). He said he is planning on taking to a detail place before he shows it to anyone. Is this a red flag? Or are some people just not near as clean as others?
     
    #15 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  16. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    ^^^
    Seems like a red flag. Maybe he should've had that done before advertising/showing it to anyone.

    I have to admit, I don't keep my car that clean (esp. the outside) but it's easier to keep in the inside of my car clean than where I live.
     
    #16 cwerdna, Apr 22, 2013
  17. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    If he is willing to clean it up and have it detailed is it still worth checking it out in person?
     
    #17 markabele, Apr 22, 2013
  18. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I'd personally get exterior pics first. IMHO, he's going to need to clean it up anyway to show to anyone else.

    If someone showed me a really messy used car inside and out, that gives a bad impression that they don't take good care of it.
     
    #18 cwerdna, Apr 23, 2013
  19. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Ya, definitely good call. The more I'm reading around the site though the more it seems like a pretty good deal, especially with a "younger" traction battery. I will keep you all posted and ask questions as they come up. Thanks a ton guys!
     
    #19 markabele, Apr 23, 2013
  20. B2FiNiTY

    B2FiNiTY Active Member

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    If you have so many concerns with the vehicle, especially the history of it I would pass and keep looking. There are so many out there. Why get one that won't let you sleep at night?
     
    #20 B2FiNiTY, Apr 23, 2013
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