2008 Prius Touring may have been sitting

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Napalm Breath, Feb 27, 2015.

  1. Napalm Breath

    Napalm Breath New Member

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    Hi all. First post. Hopefully, more to come. I am looking at a 2008 Prius Touring this weekend. Carfax shows a single owner, the vehicle purchased and maintained at a local Toyota dealership, good condition. Oil changes every 5k or so. It has low miles for it's production year (50k), but the car may have been sitting for periods of time unused.
    The battery is under warranty for about another year and a half. The owner retired, moved to Florida back in June (I think), and left the car to his son to sell for him. The seller (the son) told me he drove it periodically, but I don't know how often and it can't be proven either way. I will have the vehicle inspected by my local Toyota dealership soon. I know HV batteries don't like to sit. Is this a potential problem? How long can an HV battery sit before it begins to lose it's ability to recharge? I am not looking to low-ball the seller, but he is already over value by at least a few hundred ($13,000 asking price vs. $12,800 KBB) and I will need to talk him down. Is this something I should take issue with in negotiation...the possibility that I will need a new battery in the next five years? Is there anything you would recommend I look for in this situation? Thank you for any and all responses.
     
    #1 Napalm Breath, Feb 27, 2015
  2. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Concern about it not being driven much would have more to do with the 12v rather than the traction battery. I think you should make your buying decision after the dealer inspection.
     
    #2 Munpot42, Feb 27, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds like a great car if you can get a deal. all the best!(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Feb 27, 2015
  4. rifis

    rifis Junior Member

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    Britprius noted this just yesterday:

    The high voltage battery may be discharged, but this does not harm NiMh batteries if it is through self discharge. They are not damaged in the way lead acid batteries are. NiMh batteries can be stored completely discharged. You may well find it still has a reasonable charge if not it is worthwhile grid charging it before condemning it.

    Read more: Prius sat for 2 years | PriusChat
    Follow us: @PriusChat on Twitter | PriusChat on Facebook
     
    #4 rifis, Feb 27, 2015
  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    if the price is good and the dealer finds no hidden structural damage which didn't get reported to carfax, should be a great car.
     
    #5 69shovlhed, Feb 27, 2015
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Did you verify it's a Touring? A Touring has 16" wheels, larger spoiler & different suspension.
     
    #6 JimN, Feb 28, 2015
  7. Napalm Breath

    Napalm Breath New Member

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    Thank you for the responses. I saw the '2 year' post after I made this one!

    The car looked like it had the larger spolier. I forgot to check the wheel size. We are meeting at the dealership this morning. I will be sure to ask about the stripe color on the struts.

    I do like to keep my cars 10 years or more when I am happy with them. My Saab turned 17 years old in 2015! If I buy this car and kep it 10 years, I should expect to replace the battery unit at some point?
     
    #7 Napalm Breath, Feb 28, 2015
  8. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    As stated in some of the above posts the 12 volt battery is the battery that could give problem so no big deal there. The HV battery should not be a problem although obviously there can be no guarantee. At the millage stated the car should be reliable for a long time yet.
    Make sure at the dealers all the recalls have been carried out, if not they can still be done after purchase free of charge. From the UK I cannot help you price wise, but it does seem somewhat high.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #8 Britprius, Feb 28, 2015
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    See if you can get a decent test drive, see how the hybrid battery performs, the state-of-charge and what not.

    FWIW, our 2010 was manufactured in Aug, 2009. We bought in November, 2010, with about 10 km's (not 10,000, just 10) on the odometer. The 12 volt was a writeoff, but the hybrid battery has been just fine, to date. Didn't notice the manufacture date until a few months later, in the door jamb.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Feb 28, 2015
  10. Napalm Breath

    Napalm Breath New Member

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    Ha, ha! PriusChat saved me at least $1000. It was NOT the Touring model. 15" wheels gave it away. It was an honest mistake. Do your homework, folks! The seller and I immediately worked up a revised Kelly Blue Book value on his tablet while we waited for the inspection to finish. The car came back with a clean bill of health, except for a seeping water pump. I factored in the cost for replacement and we settled on a purchase price of $11,600. I bought the car. It's a very clean car with all recalls up to date and complete service records, nice rubber floor mats and leather. I am happy so far.

    Does the Prius have two water pumps? The Prius I bought had the electric water pump replaced under recall in 2013. I didn't know enough to ask the dealer tech if this was leaking. Does the ICE have it's own pump? I am trying to figure out if the seeping pump would be under any type of warranty..

    Thanks, laides and gents. You have been a great help. I think I'll stick around
     
    #10 Napalm Breath, Feb 28, 2015
  11. Napalm Breath

    Napalm Breath New Member

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    A new 12v battery was put in last year. Charging on the HV seems fine, but I don't really know what I am looking for. I was hoping the dealer checked its status.
     
    #11 Napalm Breath, Feb 28, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats!(y) do expect a new hybrid battery within ten years, it's best to be prepared.
     
    #12 bisco, Feb 28, 2015
  13. Napalm Breath

    Napalm Breath New Member

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    Thank you! I fully expect that. I would not have a problem replacing it the 8th year of ownership.
     
    #13 Napalm Breath, Feb 28, 2015
  14. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    The US Prius has 4 coolant pumps.
    (1) The normal belt driven engine pump.
    (2) A pump that saves the hot engine coolant to the thermos tank, and returns it to the engine at startup.
    (3) An electric pump that pumps the hot coolant into the cabin heater when the engine is not running, but the car is moving on electricity.
    (4) A coolant pump for the inverter and transmission.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #14 Britprius, Feb 28, 2015
  15. Napalm Breath

    Napalm Breath New Member

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    Ok. I will need to follow up with the dealership to see which one.
     
    #15 Napalm Breath, Feb 28, 2015
  16. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Undoubtedly the pump that is leaking will be the normal belt driven engine pump.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #16 Britprius, Feb 28, 2015
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