Hi All, I'm looking at a 2012 Prius Three at 96,000 miles from a California franchise dealership (non-Toyota) for $10000. Clean Carfax, although there are no service records at any Toyota dealership. I'll be getting a pre-purchase inspection done at a Toyota dealership before finalizing the deal. Just wondering if anyone has advice on issues to look out for and whether this looks like a good deal or if I should target a better price? Thanks, Newbie
That is a good deal for a 2010, let alone a 2012. No service history at a dealership means the oil wasn't overfilled every oil change. My 2012 with 118k miles has no particular issues. So just check the standard used car things like leaking oil or signs of accident repair.
Check for an oil leak from the timing chain cover. Timing Chain Cover Oil Leak 2013 Prius Plugin | PriusChat Some can live with this without fixing it, so, if found gives something to use to negotiate the price down.
Thank you! Could you elaborate on "no service history at a dealership means the oil wasn't overfilled every oil change"? I though that no service history on Carfax just meant they took it to an independent mechanic?
The first 6 oil changes I did were at the dealer and every one of them was overfilled. I started doing my own changes afterwards. So not having service history at the dealer isn't necessarily a bad thing. (Double negative, sorry)
I say buy buy buy! And overfilled per full line on diappstick is layperson terms. Ignore rookies. It's not an issue unless the rods are splashing and frothing the oil. Ignore what most say. Popular belief isn't right, it's just popular.
An oil overfill is easily solved. Just get a syringe with a long hose attached to the end and now you have some top off oil for later. This also can be used as bonfire starter fluid.
I think the dealers are told to overfill a little because these cars are known to consume oil. My toyota dealer does 10k oil change intervals although I prefer 5-7k myself. My next oil change I will be doing myself @ 7500. Full synthetic 0w20
I just bought a 2008 Prius with $95400 miles for $3800. So far I drove about $1000 miles without any issue detected.
