Morning everyone, My girlfriend had been driving a 2002 Ford Explorer 4WD a little over 100 miles roundtrip to work several times a week. This became quite pricey, especially with major engine repairs in the future (Ford SOHC timing chain issues). She wanted to trade her motorycle in for a moped for around-town driving, but I was able to convince her to trade in the truck. She's always wanted a Prius because she thinks "they're crazy cat-lady cars", and she is absolutely obsessed with cats. Searched around a bit and happened to find a local dealer with a 2004 model, 122k miles, for $6,300. It has a few issues that we're working through and I'm hoping these forums can be helpful -- this is the only import vehicle I've ever spent any appreciable time around. I have no idea what the different option packages are, but hers has foglamps, Smart key, and HID lamps.
You probably shouldn't buy an 11 year old hybrid with problems to work through, just to save gas. It could end up costing you more than the gas savings
I understand, but considering her old truck was costing her $250+/month in fuel, had nearly 200k miles with a failing timing chain, and rusting away... the Prius is a gamble that I am willing to bet on. The 'problems to work through' sounded dramatic... they're minor by comparison -- needs a clockspring ($40), battery ($150), HID lamps ($50), and there's a couple interior trim bits missing. The fogs appear to be the wrong model but that doesn't affect driveability. As long as she doesn't leave the headlamps on with the car off for more than 3 minutes, her car is perfectly driveable. New lamps are already installed, clockspring is ordered, and I'm talking to the dealership tomorrow about the battery. Worst case, Amazon has the Optimas on sale for $150 right now. I told her to look at it as a $7,000 car rather than $6,300. Plan to spend a couple hundred replacing the parts that wore out recently.
Well I would prepare another $3000 for a replacement hv battery, being a 2004, that won't be too far away. So $10000 should be good enough, assuming nothing else fails later on an 11 year old car
congrats and welcome, all the best! my neighbor has my old '04. at 135,000 miles, it's running like a top and still getting 50-60 mpg. the 04's were built like tanks!
Do not let everyone scare you. Many owners have not touched the HV battery. Even then it is not the end of the world as the modules can be replaced and not need the $3000 full replacement. Even a new replacement is now about $1500. They are reliable cars and drive with a smile. TomK
I got '05 here and she's running like champ, good thing she's very well maintained by PO. Keep her very well tuned and don't worry much.
