My 2011 died today. I found a 2013 with <90,000. Things to look out for? I think it should go another 200k - am I dreaming?
How many miles did the 2011 have and how did it "die"? Expecting a 2013 to go 300k miles without having major repairs along the way is pretty much a dream.
If you are looking for a good value in a low cost used car with a low cost of ownership going forward, I would get a conventional Corolla or Civic. Another gen3 is very likely to have a hg fail in the next 100k. As the gen3s get older, hg fails have been seen with far less miles. They also are very likely to have a brake booster fail which is another $2500 or more. Best to move up to a gen4 or newer or go with a conventional.
The whole trick to getting a lot of miles out of a Prius is to slam them on in a hurry. If you're only driving 15-20k a year it'll die before the odometer hits the big numbers.
the only problem is that you bought the 2011 new, and you have no idea how this one has been treated for the past 90,000 miles. could be great, could have expensive problems
Thank you for the help and advice. The 2011 I thoroughly beat it it's whole life, but it was interstate 84 miles 5 days a week. Probably easier on the battery. I have opened up my search to a 2022 Prius prime. < 40k on it. Thoughts on the prime? I really don't like working on ICE engines any longer. My thought is with prime the engine would run rarely in the spring and fall so maintenance and wear would be stretched? Thinking either I could get the title and switch NY plates over fairly quickly. Can that be done in CA? Thanks again!
The prime has a lithium battery instead of nickel-based. Those seem to last longer overall. Against it? it's a higher-tech car that is rarer, so owning it for a long time is probably a bad move. ...But I bet you could enjoy the heck out of it between now and its 15th birthday, and then go back and get another 3-4 year old, rinse, repeat. I would already be doing that if it were the right size for my family.
Backstory: 2011 NY owned rust bucket blew a HG in Calif. Therefore op wants to buy something else and take it back to NY. You need to check with your NY dmv and consider if paying taxes in California can be credited in NY. From google: A New York resident buying a car in California will generally not pay California sales tax if the vehicle is not registered in California and is shipped out of state. However, the buyer will be responsible for paying New York sales tax and any applicable registration fees when they register the vehicle in New York. Here's a more detailed breakdown: California Sales Tax: California generally taxes vehicle sales based on where the vehicle is registered. If a New York resident buys a car in California and has it shipped to New York, they will not pay California sales tax. New York Sales Tax: The New York resident will be required to pay New York sales tax on the vehicle purchase when they register it with the New York DMV. Shipping vs. Driving: If the New York resident drives the car off the lot in California, they will likely be charged California sales tax. To avoid this, it's recommended to have the car shipped directly to New York. Reciprocal Tax Credit: New York offers a reciprocal credit for sales or use taxes paid to another state. This means the New York resident can claim a credit for the amount of sales tax paid in California (if any) when registering the vehicle in New York, potentially reducing their overall tax burden. Registration in NY: The buyer will need to complete the New York vehicle registration process, which includes providing proof of purchase, paying applicable sales tax, and any other required fees. Consult with NY DMV: It's always recommended to consult the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the most accurate and up-to-date information on vehicle registration and sales tax requirements.
Great info, Thanks! Yeah the sales tax thing is a complication. I wish it were possible to talk with competent DMV employees, but it is ridiculously impossible. It has been like that for years. We used to race and questions regarding GVW and trailers were never answered the same. Ask 4 DMV guys- get 5 different answers. Ask the troopers and get even more different answers. And don't even start with hauling fuel.... Nobody ever agreed on that. 5gal vs 55gal drum and on and on..... I will give a look at the DMV site and hopefully can make some sense of it. I had asked a CA dealer a few weeks ago and they said the car had to be physically trucked over the border, then you could drive it back in to avoid the tax. What I read at the time was NY would allow the tax paid to stand, but I think it is more than NY so.....