The hybrid allure - my quest to learn about and acquire a Prius

[SVOboy]

Buy the 3rd gen! It comes in a sweet variety of colours that remind me of Easter.

[stevey_frac]

When it comes times to replace the cobalt 330k km's and 6 years from now, I'm gonna go after a 2010. I hear i fit in it without modification. Let us know how your Prius Hunt goes today!!

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by Daox

For about a month now, I've been looking into possibly replacing the Matrix with a 04-09 Prius. . . .

In September 2005 I had to replace a crashed Camry and bought a used, 2003 Prius. Take these suggestions for what its worth:

• Ebay completed sales - unlike Kelly Blue Book, the Ebay completed sales show what vehicles with different ages and milage have been going for.
• Dealer trade-in, one owner vehicles - there is no guarantee in life but a single owner vehicle taken as a trade-in will not have passed through the usual 'wholesale' sales lots. You also have a reasonable chance of getting at least a limited warranty.
• Try to sell your own - the dealer offed $2,700 but I found a co-worker who bought our 29,500 mile, 2001 Echo for $3,000. Mostly it was just letting folks know it was available. If you can, sell the older car soon rather than later when there may be more financial pressure.

You are right to go after the 2006 and later Prius but don't discount a good 2004-05. Just be aware of the warranty limits:

• 3/3600 - the standard bumper-to-bumper, primarily used for infantile problems.
• 6/60000 - drive system, ordinary
• 8/100000 - hybrid system including the traction battery. Understand that the 2004-09 Prius have a redesigned traction battery module that is much improved over the 2001-03, the NHW11.

I always expect to replace the tires in the first year and the 12 VDC lead acid battery is good for 3-4 years. It is the way of the world so don't be surprised.

In my case, what was a two year old, 03 Prius came in at $17,300. After adding 70,000 miles, and now on my second set of tires and an Odyssey battery, I've been happy with my 52.1 MPG. It now has 120,000 miles and continues to do excellent service. In fact my first modification, a 1 kW inverter has given us over 24 hours of emergency power service ... we camp out in our home.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

ps. This chart was accurate in 2005 when I bought my 2003 Prius. Use it as a suggested approach for buying a used Prius:

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

Scam perhaps?

Scam indeed! Getta load of this:

The car is in Halifax, (is already on the container complete with keys, title, service records
and original manuals). Is safety and e-tested, has been checked all lights, breaks, wheels, tires, how the engine runs, hoses, belts, shocks, stabalizer arms, other componente and systems blah blah windshield wipers, etc.
You will get the Transfer of Ownership Document, filled up with your name, address,odometer reading, date and signed by me. You will sign too and than get it notarized at a law office.
The transaction will be handle trough eBay, they act as a third party between us.
- You make the payment to eBay, your money will remain in their account, until you receive and inspect the car.
- Shipping will take within 24-48 hours.
- You will receive the vehicle with all the documents for a 5-day inspection period. After the
inspection period ends, if there are issues with the car, they will send you a full refund
within 3 business days. In this case, you will ship the car back to me at my expense.
If all is good with the car, which I'm sure it will, and you want to keep it, you will have to
give approval to eBay to release the payment to me.
To start the official transaction, I need your full name, shipping address and your phone
number.

[bwilson4web]

Legitimate Ebay sales may require some 'ernest money.' In my case, it was $1,000 to a Toyota dealer in Fort Worth Texas. The actual sale price was $17,300 so I only had to bring papers for $16,300.

Bob Wilson

[Daox]

Well, the quest has pretty much ended. I found an 04 with 38,000 miles on it for a very reasonable price. I should be picking it up tomorrow. I'll post pics when I get em.

[MetroMPG]

Woo. First one to mod a Prius wins. :P

[Daox]

Well, I forgot the dealer's site had pics up. So, here we are. Its black to replace the black Matrix. The wife is tolerant of other colors, but really likes black.

Mega Motorworks, Inc : 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS

[stevey_frac]

Originally Posted by Daox

Well, the quest has pretty much ended. I found an 04 with 38,000 miles on it for a very reasonable price. I should be picking it up tomorrow. I'll post pics when I get em.

./Jealous

Good on ya man. Best of luck with it!

[Matt Herring]

That's awesome bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats on completing your quest! Can't wait to see what you mod and get for mpg's. I might ride your coat tails if I see something cool and get enough courage to try it out.

Congrats again bro...that's great!!!