everyone! Could I get some help deciding which Prius to buy? Here are my options. Option 1: 2006, 84k miles, Grey, backup cam, keyless start, new tires, usb/aux input. Was in fender bender at 65k miles and had main battery replaced by Toyota dealer. Title is CLEAN, not rebuilt. Owner has all paperwork regarding battery replacement. Asking 7000, but can probably talk down 500 at least. Option 2: 2008, 111k miles, blue, backup cam, keyless start, new tires at 85k. Original battery, no accidents. Price is $6,000 and no less. The body and interior on both are equally nice.
thanks for replying! The owner had it replaced by the main Toyota dealer in town, so it's not aftermarket or anything. He said he made the insurance replace it because it has shifted in the accident.
that's a good thing. but this accident worries me. that's a big hit to move the battery. either way, the 2008 was a great year. i had one, but i'm not biased.
The 2008 has more miles and will be approx. $9,000 with new battery which it will need eventually. In the AZ heat, I would suspect sooner rather than later. Word. If you have the VIN's, you can enter them here Log into Your Toyota Owners Account | Toyota Owners and see their history with Toyota dealers. It's not as comprehensive as a carfax or similar but it's better than nothing or relying completely on sellers. GOOD LUCK.
I like the 2008 better. We had a fender bender and it is the rear small 12v battery that I would think he is probably talking about. It got nearly crunched in our case, not bad we still have the 12v, but I should have insisted they replace it. It is right by the back bumper in the rear of the trunk. New HV battery is $3500 with labor they probably would have totaled the car in that case considering the other damage, and we've never heard about a HV batt being replaced due to it shifted. Although if the 2006 has a new HV battery that is more interesting. Note that both vehicles are over the standard 8-yr 100k mile hybrid system warranty. It sometimes seems like people unload them after that if they think the big battery is weak. Ideally I'd like to get one with a little warranty left in the tank.
There is no accident that can shift the hv battery, it would need a seriously bad side impact to do so
If the HV (hybrid) battery is what was replaced on the 2006 after the accident, then I'd be inclined to go with that one. If it was just the 12V battery that was replaced on the 2006 (check receipts -- would have been about $200 vs $3500) then I'd go with the 2008. Assuming the maintenance/condition is comparable on both cars.
