I've started looking into buying a used Prius to replace my current daily driver (2000 Echo with 235k miles). I found this local 2007 model with 85k miles and seller asking $14k OBO. This is the touring model with package 6 (leather seats, backup camera, 6 disk CD changer, GPS navigation, auxiliary hookup for iPhone, iPhone charger). Other than the regular carfax and service history details what else should I be looking for? Also, does $14k seem to be a good price? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! 2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid
That looks like a nice car. I believe the price is a little high. Don't be afraid of higher miles as these cars will last a long time. Drive the car and make sure everything works the way it should and there are no lights on. If you are not mechanical it may be worth paying your local Toyota dealer $100 to do a pre-purchase inspection.
After doing a little more research I too think it is over priced. I think I really want a Gen III model and since my Echo is still going strong I'm in no rush to buy right now.
These cars will easily go 500k+ miles. You can find many nice cars with 100-150k miles in great shape with all of the options for $7-8k. Depending on how many miles you drive you can save $100-$150 per month on gas with a Prius vs Echo. Any Prius that you purchase in the $7-8k range will not depreciate much over the next 3-4 years even if you put another 75-100k miles on it.
Gorilla, I bought a 2007 Base Model - Package 6, here in Vermont for $ 8,000, a month ago. It has 135,000 miles on it. It came with brand new Hancooks and a very good set of snows. I put $1,000 into it for various repairs, including front shocks and struts, and swapping out the radio/cd for an identical unit from Ebay for $75. (Had Toyota put it in for $60) The car had everything recommended done at 120,000 miles and it rides like a dream. The Toyota web site showed me that it was dealer serviced every 2 months for the last year and dealer serviced at all the major mileages for the first 4 years. (I'm the 3rd owner - the second owner only had it for a year.) Car Fax was clean. No rust, very clean, quiet and one of the 3 colors I found acceptable. Purchased from a private party on Craig's List. I watched Craigslist closely for Vermont, New Hampshire, Upstate New York and Central Massachusetts, for 3 months. I knew what I wanted and had the cash to offer and close quickly. Took it up to a nearby ski resort for the test drive. I had been studying PriusChat for a year or so and kind of knew what to expect. Knowledge (and luck) are great things to have. I think that I was very fortunate. I've put 1,000 miles on it and everything seems to work perfectly, now. Getting 54 MPG. Good luck in your hunt! cliff in the Champlain Valley
It has a lot of miles, but if it has the options you want - why not look at it? The price gives you some fix-it-up money. It looks like it's in very good shape and the driveway / garage pictured might indicate that the car has been garaged. I think being garaged is a huge benefit. Especially with the OK climate (no offence - Ours is harsh here in Vermont also. I mean 30 below is 30 below.) If you can get the VIN and look at the Toyota maintenance records - you might find that you have a winner. Here, dealers document their attempt to find anything wrong and the results of their searches. good luck! cliff
I ended up finding a 2008 Touring model package 6 with 88k miles for only $10.5k! Best deal I could find hands down and I'm very happy I kept looking until I found it.
Congratulations!! Nice mileage number and a good color. You should enjoy it a lot. Thanks for letting us know what you bought!
Thanks I'm loving it so far. Much nicer ride than my previous Echo. Had my brother in law who is a Toyota mechanic check it out and he gave it the clean bill of health!
