Back in May I was very excited about getting a used Prius. I was actually planning to get a 2005 Salvage/Repair w/120,000 miles for 10K. I thought it would be the perfect car. For months I kept hearing it would only take a week or two to get it ready. I thought the deal was made but here it is November and no car. I passed by numerous other Prius because of this supposed deal. It just made me sick. I should have listened to Patrick Wong's advice. The only positive is that when I initially planned to buy gas was nearly $4/gal. and demand for the Prius was driving prices to incredible heights. I have finally purchased a used 2004 Prius package # 9 with leather 70K mi. It is a beautiful car. This one I will pick up on Saturday. The salvage incident and the one I describe below have really tested my faith in man. Yesterday there were a couple of kids riding bikes in my neighborhood. When I pulled up to my house they asked if they could rake my leaves (in the front yard). $35 seemed very reasonable. I was impressed that they had taken initiative to make some money. They started doing a great job. I had to leave and paid them on the way out. I said, "Gentlemen, you are on your honor." My wife said the minute I they were on their bikes and gone. Because of this my standard answer will be no to any pitch offerred at my door. I really want to trust who I am dealing with and I no longer feel that this is a viable option. What has happened to honesty and hard work?
Honesty and Hard-Work hopped a train with Decency and Trust. Last we've heard from them, they were passed out in a bar after a hard night with Decadence and Lasciviousness.
Don't recall what advice I provided, but I'm glad you found it reasonable. $10K seems high given the odometer reading and salvage title, so I would say it is good that you did not purchase that particular vehicle. What price did you settle on for the 2004? Congratulations on that pending purchase. I suggest that after you assume ownership, you have your Toyota dealer verify that all applicable SSCs have been applied, such as the intermediate steering shaft replacement and engine/hybrid vehicle ECU firmware updating. SSCs are recalls so they will be performed at no charge to you regardless of warranty status. Regarding the behavior of the kids - by definition they are immature. Providing them with the reward before the work was completed may have been too much for them to handle. Don't let that incident color your view of human nature.
$14,800 was the price. Car-fax clean and Toyota Certified Pre-owned. I probably won't let it really have an effect on my views of human nature. It was just damn disappointing.
That second paragraph would have been more fitting in the "Freds House of Pancakes" forum. Anyway, with regards to salvage Prius', I have one, and I have not had any problems with it over 8,000 miles so far. The only thing that sucks about it, is that if I were to sell it, simply having "salvage" on the title reduces its prices by 20-50%, or so I've heard.
I think salvage is a viable option. I would have bought it if it was delivered. I really liked the guy I was buying from (and still do). I just wasn't a priority. I'm happy the way things worked out though.
This is a great price! KBB shows suggested dealer pricing at $19.5K in my area (OC, CA), private party value at $16.8K. 2004 Toyota Prius - Private Party Pricing Report - Official Kelley Blue Book Site I believe that the Toyota certification is equivalent to extended warranty coverage, and that is probably worth $700 or more considering your odometer reading. Good luck with your new purchase.
When the word Salvage appears on the title, I personally will not spend a single dime on that car. There are too many cars out there that will make me feel better buying it used and not Salvaged. Congrats on your '04.
