Looking at a Prius from a private owner: 2007 158,000 miles Rebuilt title -- exterior color is now blue, Toyota's record is Pearl White Headlights are very dim, no high beams Current owner has driven it the past 3 years w/ no problems, she says lights have been this way entire time Current owner says she was told hybrid battery has been replaced but she does not have any records Test drove very well, nice alignment Opinions on what a fair price is?
KBB says $3,500 in good condition. Since it's a salvage title I'd say half that. With no proof of a replacement battery, you will assume that in the next 50,000 mikes you may need to replace the battery. ($2,800). If it has HID headlights, the bulbs are over $180 apiece. Check with your local dealer to confirm. Call Toyota with the VIN and they may be able to see if they have a battery replacement on file. If it wasn't replaced with NEW battery then all bets are off. If it's been more than 3 years, then there is no warranty on it if it was a professional rebuild. And beyond that, you could have a cobbled together battery pack, or a junkyard special. Also, check with your insurer to see how they handle salvage vehicles.
Thanks. I put the VIN in the Toyota website and it didn't show anything about the big battery. If I took it in for an inspection, would they be able to give me an accurate description of the battery w/out having the records?
Search for and download the sales booklet so you can see what was & wasn't included in the option packages. There's a reason why an insurance company totaled it. Flood? Collision? Hail? Unless you have a garage, the skills, the time, and the money for a project car this "bargain" is almost guaranteed to be a money pit. If a "good" car is worth $3500 subtract a battery and headlight bulbs and you get $340. If the headlights are weak the 12v battery needs to be replaced or there is an electrical problem. My bet is on "other electrical problem". Knock off the price of a 12v battery say $100-$150. What would a salvage yard pay for the car? I would not insult the seller with a $200 offer and just walk away.
I would say it's worth a max $500. You don't want a salvage/rebuilt title car unless you are going to use it for demolition derby.
Well, we knew it wasn't worth the 4K she was asking, but you've talked us into passing all together. Thanks!
