Hi everyone, I am a newbie! I am looking at carguru and other sites to find a prius in the price range of 10k. I found one (2007, 68,430m, and $10,990). I read a previous post about going to a Toyota dealership or a prius expert to get it checked first. The dealer is Acura, what can I expect from a non-Toyota dealer is my first question. But if it were you, how would you choose a used car for the budget I have. How many miles is too many miles on the car? Is around 100k acceptable for my budget? What criteria should I take into consideration? How do we charge a Prius batery? Thanks and thanks again in advance for your help!
You don't charge the battery, the car's engine does and when and how is determined by the car's computer. In buying a used Prius, a service history will be very valuable, and having a Carfax is a good (although not foolproof) idea. No matter what kind of dealership you might buy from, I would feel better having it checked out by a Toyota dealer (you will have to pay for the inspection). If your Acura dealer won't allow a Toyota Dealer to inspect the unit, I would walk. To my mind neither the lack of a Cafax or the lack of a service history would be a deal breeaker, but I sure would feel better if I had them. Hope this helps, good luck.
It does help. Thanks! I think I will make the Toyota dealer as a criteria to take into consideration. In terms of mileage, after how many miles is too many though?
AAA has a no cost service where you tell them what you want & your budget & they'll find the car, buy it wholesale & sell it to you for way cheaper than any dealer. You don't even have to be a member.
Well cared for miles (that's where a service history is valuable), you're probably ok with one of these things up to about 130k or more, me I'd prefer under 80. That said, I'm a guy who only buys new now, but in the past I've bought a lot of used cars.
OK, thanks for sharing. I am looking and the less miles the more expansive it is (obvious!) but I really want a dependable, reliable car that I won't have to worry about fixing X, Y, Z after a year or what not. And less miles means more reliable...? Thanks again!
Had a friend how ran a used car lot, his phrase was, you are buying miles. As a general rule the less miles on the car, the more miles you will get out of it--but that depends a lot on the care given by the previous owner hence again the services history is good to have.
