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From: als on 23 Aug 2007 17:31
I am about to buy a used 2004 Prius with 69,554 miles on it for
$14000. Is this price too low? I checked the carfax report and it was
clean but I am nervous still that there might be something wrong with
the car. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I'm going to pick
it up in two days so any feedback would help.

Thanks!

From: Bob H on 23 Aug 2007 22:49

"als" <alisonsmith424(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1187904668.433981.290940(a)e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I am about to buy a used 2004 Prius with 69,554 miles on it for
> $14000. Is this price too low? I checked the carfax report and it was
> clean but I am nervous still that there might be something wrong with
> the car. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I'm going to pick
> it up in two days so any feedback would help.
>
> Thanks!
>

Have a competent shop ck it out before you lay out your money. Good
bodywork can be hard to spot. As can small leaks etc etc.

From: Michael Pardee on 24 Aug 2007 08:30
"als" <alisonsmith424(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1187904668.433981.290940(a)e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
>I am about to buy a used 2004 Prius with 69,554 miles on it for
> $14000. Is this price too low? I checked the carfax report and it was
> clean but I am nervous still that there might be something wrong with
> the car. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I'm going to pick
> it up in two days so any feedback would help.
>
> Thanks!
>
>
It could be a great deal or the owner may know something you don't. In that
vein, two things come to mind. A good look at the undercarriage - especially
the catalytic and muffler - for damage is a good idea. It isn't hard to hit
either of those on a road hazard or even a large speed bump and do damage
that costs a couple thousand to fix.

The other area of concern is the transaxle. Failures are rare but are very
costly; I understand the part itself is $6000 US. Listen for whines or howls
and pass it up if you hear any. It may not be the transaxle but that isn't a
chance I'd take unnecessarily. There are other transaxle failure symptoms
but those are hard to miss and hard to hide; serious loss of power (like
just enough to get off the road) and big warning lights on the speedometer
area.

Beyond that, the Prius has fewer trouble areas than most cars. I don't think
I've ever heard of head gasket trouble. Do check the coolants (there are
two) for traces of rust and walk away if you see any - that's my advice for
any car. The radiator is normal but there is also a translucent reservoir at
the top of the engine near the firewall for the inverter coolant. Both
should be pink and clean.

There is a service record booklet called "Passport to Performance" that
comes with the car. It should be up to date and I would hope the 60K mile
service was done. The 30K mile intervals are extensive checkups and deeper
maintenance. (There is no timing belt to be concerned about as there is on
many other cars.)

Mike



From: als on 24 Aug 2007 11:28
On Aug 24, 8:30 am, "Michael Pardee" <michaeltn...(a)cybertrails.com>
wrote:
> "als" <alisonsmith...(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1187904668.433981.290940(a)e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...>I am about to buy a used 2004 Prius with 69,554 miles on it for
> > $14000. Is this price too low? I checked the carfax report and it was
> > clean but I am nervous still that there might be something wrong with
> > the car. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I'm going to pick
> > it up in two days so any feedback would help.
>
> > Thanks!
>
> It could be a great deal or the owner may know something you don't. In that
> vein, two things come to mind. A good look at the undercarriage - especially
> the catalytic and muffler - for damage is a good idea. It isn't hard to hit
> either of those on a road hazard or even a large speed bump and do damage
> that costs a couple thousand to fix.
>
> The other area of concern is the transaxle. Failures are rare but are very
> costly; I understand the part itself is $6000 US. Listen for whines or howls
> and pass it up if you hear any. It may not be the transaxle but that isn't a
> chance I'd take unnecessarily. There are other transaxle failure symptoms
> but those are hard to miss and hard to hide; serious loss of power (like
> just enough to get off the road) and big warning lights on the speedometer
> area.
>
> Beyond that, the Prius has fewer trouble areas than most cars. I don't think
> I've ever heard of head gasket trouble. Do check the coolants (there are
> two) for traces of rust and walk away if you see any - that's my advice for
> any car. The radiator is normal but there is also a translucent reservoir at
> the top of the engine near the firewall for the inverter coolant. Both
> should be pink and clean.
>
> There is a service record booklet called "Passport to Performance" that
> comes with the car. It should be up to date and I would hope the 60K mile
> service was done. The 30K mile intervals are extensive checkups and deeper
> maintenance. (There is no timing belt to be concerned about as there is on
> many other cars.)
>
> Mike

Thank you so much!
I am going to pick it up tomorrow and I am going to print out your
message and take it with me.
The carfax has showed no problems but you never know. The dealership
that has the car is in Knoxville and I am in Atlanta. The guy that is
helping me said that it is their policy to lower the price on cars if
the have been on the lot for more than 25 days. The car was listed at
16k but now its 14k. He said that there is not a huge demand for the
Prius in Knoxville like there is in other cities (esp. Atlanta). If
you would like to take a look and let me know what you think here is a
link to where I found it.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=223390270&dealer_id=100007440&default_sort=priceDESC&model3=&end_year=2008&address=30316&make2=&start_year=2003&fuel=&certified=&keywordsrep=&color2=&search_type=both&max_mileage=&drive=&min_price=&distance=300&engine=&transmission=&make=TOYOTA&model2=&keywordsfyc=&color3=&doors=&style_flag=1&max_price=&advanced=&make3=&model=PRIUS&color=

Thanks again for your comments! I really appreciate it!!!
alison

From: Piper on 24 Aug 2007 13:20
On Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:28:06 -0000, als <alisonsmith424(a)gmail.com>
wrote:

>On Aug 24, 8:30 am, "Michael Pardee" <michaeltn...(a)cybertrails.com>
>wrote:
>> "als" <alisonsmith...(a)gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1187904668.433981.290940(a)e9g2000prf.googlegroups.com...>I am about to buy a used 2004 Prius with 69,554 miles on it for
>> > $14000. Is this price too low? I checked the carfax report and it was
>> > clean but I am nervous still that there might be something wrong with
>> > the car. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? I'm going to pick
>> > it up in two days so any feedback would help.
>>
>> > Thanks!
>>
>> It could be a great deal or the owner may know something you don't. In that
>> vein, two things come to mind. A good look at the undercarriage - especially
>> the catalytic and muffler - for damage is a good idea. It isn't hard to hit
>> either of those on a road hazard or even a large speed bump and do damage
>> that costs a couple thousand to fix.
>>
>> The other area of concern is the transaxle. Failures are rare but are very
>> costly; I understand the part itself is $6000 US. Listen for whines or howls
>> and pass it up if you hear any. It may not be the transaxle but that isn't a
>> chance I'd take unnecessarily. There are other transaxle failure symptoms
>> but those are hard to miss and hard to hide; serious loss of power (like
>> just enough to get off the road) and big warning lights on the speedometer
>> area.
>>
>> Beyond that, the Prius has fewer trouble areas than most cars. I don't think
>> I've ever heard of head gasket trouble. Do check the coolants (there are
>> two) for traces of rust and walk away if you see any - that's my advice for
>> any car. The radiator is normal but there is also a translucent reservoir at
>> the top of the engine near the firewall for the inverter coolant. Both
>> should be pink and clean.
>>
>> There is a service record booklet called "Passport to Performance" that
>> comes with the car. It should be up to date and I would hope the 60K mile
>> service was done. The 30K mile intervals are extensive checkups and deeper
>> maintenance. (There is no timing belt to be concerned about as there is on
>> many other cars.)
>>
>> Mike
>
>Thank you so much!
>I am going to pick it up tomorrow and I am going to print out your
>message and take it with me.
>The carfax has showed no problems but you never know. The dealership
>that has the car is in Knoxville and I am in Atlanta. The guy that is
>helping me said that it is their policy to lower the price on cars if
>the have been on the lot for more than 25 days. The car was listed at
>16k but now its 14k. He said that there is not a huge demand for the
>Prius in Knoxville like there is in other cities (esp. Atlanta). If
>you would like to take a look and let me know what you think here is a
>link to where I found it.
>http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=223390270&dealer_id=100007440&default_sort=priceDESC&model3=&end_year=2008&address=30316&make2=&start_year=2003&fuel=&certified=&keywordsrep=&color2=&search_type=both&max_mileage=&drive=&min_price=&distance=300&engine=&transmission=&make=TOYOTA&model2=&keywordsfyc=&color3=&doors=&style_flag=1&max_price=&advanced=&make3=&model=PRIUS&color=
>
>Thanks again for your comments! I really appreciate it!!!
>alison

Since you are buying from a dealership, ask about a warranty. They
probably offer one on used vehicles.

Good luck. Looks like a good deal.
-
Piper
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