Hey all, I'm looking to buy a 2012 Prius v five with 64000 miles for $8500. Apparently it is sold by the family of an old lady because she rear ended someone, side swiped a pedestrian in a parking lot (no one was hurt), and backed into one of her family's other vehicles in a very short period of time so they decided that it is not safe for her to keep driving. Hence it's got a lot of paint damage but I don't really care about those. Is this an OK deal? Anything that I need to be careful about? Many members provided me with their valuable experience and advices regarding vehicle purchases and I am very grateful. Thanks for the help in advance!
Here is the extent of the said paint damage. I will need to drive 7hrs to get to check out this vehicle so any advice on whether this vehicle is worth it would be appreciated!
Your question creates so many more questions. My response is it really depends on what your personal needs are? Do need good interior room? Good gas mileage? Low maintenance? For $8,500, there are a lot of cars that offer this. What would help is to know why the interest in a Pruis V 5?
I do want good interior room, affordable maintenance, and good mileage. I've been looking at Honda Fit as well but I'm worried about Honda's AT. What else would you reccomend?
Personally I think the price is way too high. The damage on the photos doesn't appear to be extensive. I think a fair price would be $6,200. That is as high as I would go.
I offer this opinion and it is only opinion, feel free to ignore it, based on my own experience making BAD used car purchases when I was young. I want to trust people. I want to like/love humanity. BUT...used car purchases are a situation where I abandon that philosophy. I think it's better to be non-trusting, cynical and skeptical. I'd rather lose out on a good deal, because I was skeptical, than buy a used car that turns out to be trouble because I'm being trusting. Everything may very well be on the up and up. But when I hear..Owned by an Old Lady, Several fender benders, all damage cosmetic. My Spidey Sense starts tingling. I don't know the KBB value for that vehicle, but so far nobody seems to think it's a great value. I think the fact that it has been involved in a rear ending, a side swipe, and a back up into another vehicle history of accidents, regardless of how passive they might be, there is visible damage, and I'd want a discount AT THE VERY LEAST. Whether it bothers you or not, those scratches decrease the value of the vehicle. IF you are committed to checking it out? I agree with this: That's the least I would do, get a selling price based on that, then call 1st and see if they would be willing to deal at that number. If they aren't? I'd pass. I might just be cynical and say pass anyway.
Hey folks, thanks for talking me out of this. I failed to come to a price agreement with the buyer and decided the price+damage+drive isn't really worth it. The seller will only go as low as $8000. I'm still looking for a prius in my area but until then the hunt resumes.
Thanks for the advice. I followed that and ended up not even driving down. Honestly they're asking for too much for a vehicle that's pretty banged up.
Well I'm too insecure. It makes me nervous when anyone says they took my advice. But as I said in my post, I'd rather lose out on a good deal because I was being too skeptical/cynical then end up paying too much or buying a problem vehicle because I was being too trusting. The other thing I think I have learned over the years, is there is always another deal around the corner. Best of luck finding that Prius you want, at a fair price.
The Honda Fit is a compact car, which would be comparable to a Prius C. If the smaller size fits your needs, the Prius C is a good vehicle.