I got a letter today in the mail from the dealer, offering to buy my 2002 prius for $6000 cash. The car's got 100k+ miles on it. Should I take it? I'm located in the San Francisco bay area, if that makes a difference
Who sent the letter, and do they explain why they want to buy it? According to KBB, assuming good condition, 180000 miles, basic options, and you live in the NE, you should expect to get around $3000.
Earlier this year, I got 3-4 letters from Toyota and non-Toyota dealers claiming there is a shortage of our 2010 Prius and offering to buy it for their used car inventory. Several came with fake checks. In all cases, I tore them in half and tossed them into the 'GM' file. If you get an offer for a free oil or other service, take care. It is a come-on to get you on their lot and in front of a salesman. Whatever the service offered, it will take hours and may require 'sign-off' by a salesman on the 'voucher.' Just remember to wear old clothes and suggest 'this is the only service you can afford.' <grins> I suspect the dealers are buying a copy of the vehicle registration lists from the State and using it to identify potential sales leads. These letters are just the bait used to bring in 'the prospect.' Of course, if you want a new car . . . car-pe diem. Bob Wilson
Of course if you look at the fine print... you'll see a notice a disclaimer that the offer is reduced by the mileage, enough so that if you calculate it through you're paying them to take your car. ^_~
Got one for my minivan said they were looking for 2009 minivans like mine with low miles (since the Prius does most the work in our house). But it was interesting they know my minivan was low miles
