Greetings, My girlfriend and I are currently driving a Hyundai Tuscon, it's about a decade old. Suddenly, problem after problem. We're planning on selling it since a friend has offered to sell her Prius (an adult and professional if that helps my future questions) to us for only $900. She recently put a new transmission in the Prius and bought a new vehicle. In other words, she wants it out of her driveway. So, I'm moderately mechanically aware of things and I've heard about certain problems with the Prius. Such as if the battery goes bad it could cost 4-5 grand. What should I look for on these vehicles? What should I tell the mechanic to do to make sure the car runs safely after we purchase it? We'll end up with approximately $2500 profit to make sure this vehicle is reliable. And I want to make sure it's RELIABLE. P.S. I don't know the year yet, we're waiting to get a text message back. I'm guessing a 2003-2007.
welcome! of course, year and mileage are important. for $900., i suspect reliability is going to be a problem. if you can diy, you can buy a new battery for under $2,500. they are not difficult to install. the engine might be a problem, air conditioning, braking system, fuel injectors, so many things on an old car, and hybrids are more expensive than regular cars in certain instances. but at least you're starting with a new tranny!
Does it drive well? Is there anything which seems to not be working properly, no accident, glass damage? Are the tyres OK. Has it been serviced regularly (service book or record? At that age, I'd probably have a mechanic who knows Prius have a look at it. But then, $900 isn't a big gamble to make as far as vehicles are concerned, and if you get a year or 2 out of it, it will owe you slightly less than nothing.
I would go to a Toyota Dealer and look for a program car. That is a car that went out as a lease two years ago. I saw one the other day for 15,000 ... year 2014 Toyota will inspect it and give it a 100,000 mile drive train warranty. The HV battery is under a different warranty. That is 80,000 miles or 10 years. Good Luck in your search
