[elhigh]

At 220K miles the example in question is well beyond the date I'd expect it to start throwing codes for any/all of the 3 O2 sensors. Your CEL may be nothing more than O2 sensors needing replaced. Two are kind of affordable, one is a bit pricey.

My car throws the IMA once in a while, more if the wife drives (she doesn't stay out of the battery at all). Treat it gently and a grid charge for balancing will make the IMA go away for weeks and weeks, hammer on it and it won't last a day. New battery packs aren't cheap but it is awfully nice to have the light stay off.

No suggestions re: CVT. No experience.

The price makes me wonder. My HCH I bought last year, admittedly from an independent dealership so they had their markup, but still - it cost one hell of a lot more than just $1500. Good friend or not, the seller is taking a bath on this car at that price. Mine was $6000 once all the papers filled out and I ran like a thief when it was done. Edmunds says private party price on an HCH like the one you're looking at should be about $3400, he's awfully motivated to let it go for such a discount.