Cheap used (C.R.A.P.) Prius hunting adventure - UPDATE: got one!

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

The best advantage any car buyer can give themself is time IMO.

Absolutely! The ideal time to shop for a car is when you don't need one.

And in the unlikely event nothing turns up before fall, I have a Plan B: pick up a relatively efficient, cheap beater. Lots of those around by comparison.

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The ones that got away

In order of appearance...

1)



2005, 300k km (186k miles), $3500 asking price. Sold within a couple of days. This was my first inkling the cheap ones may sell quickly. But I was just starting to get a sense of pricing in general.

2)



2004, 250k km (155k miles), damaged rocker panel (drove over a curb), $3000 asking price. Sold within hours.

3)



2005, 300k km (186k miles), dealer sale, $3000 asking. Sold within 2 days.

4)



2003, 220k km (137k miles), needed exhaust & wheel bearing, $1400 asking. Gave up because seller was useless at returning calls/messages. Ad was gone in a week.

5)



2003, 220k kms (137k miles), asking price dropped from $3500 to $2500, sold the next day.

6)



2008, extra winter wheels/tires, 300k km (186k miles) damage to the driver's seat & arm rest, $3000 asking. Sold within an hour.

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One big disadvantage is I live in a small city and there aren't many of these around. Of the 30+ cars or so I've made notes on, they've all been between 1-2 hours away.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Gave up because seller was useless at returning calls/messages.

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Do you want to sell the car or not!?!?! Just get back to me, call, email whatever. I see ads up weeks after I say I'm interested and want to come look at it... no reply.

Here is one that 'got away' because he simply never replied. I had the cash in hand ready to go:

2002 toyota prius

2002 Toyota prius , runs and drives, new aux battery, does need some work struts, exhaust. tire , car has lein on title great for parts or just drive it $1100/offer 186k green

[MetroMPG]

Gen 1:

8 .......... number of cars I've kept notes on
$2800 ... average price
223k ..... average kms (139k miles)

Gen 2:

25 ......... number of cars I've kept notes on
$4800 ... average price
225k ..... average kms (140k miles)
2005 ..... average year

1.5 ....... number of cars per month where I have actually contacted the seller. In other words, the screaming deals don't come up often.

0 .......... number of cars I've gotten to see.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Daox

This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Do you want to sell the car or not!?!?!

Agreed!

Last summer I gave up on a nice, super low kms 2000 Metro (autotragic, though would have done a 5-speed conversion) for the same reason. I made contact with the seller, confirmed car was still available, said I wanted to see it (cash in hand). "I'll get back to you." And then! Nada. And no reply after that to multiple messages/e-mails.

[nimblemotors]

I like the people who post the car for sale, and then leave town. brilliant.

[nimblemotors]

How about $500 obo ?
I have a good engine to swap in, the only good thing left on my parts car.

2001 Toyota Prius

[MetroMPG]

That's a good price.

The 2nd best price I've seen so far was for a 2005 with 500,000 km (300k miles), asking $750. "Runs, but not very well. Toyota dealer can't figure it out."

[nimblemotors]

That $500 car already sold, no surprise, as you said, really good deals are sold within hours. There was a 2005 for $2000 a while back, it was listed and then listing was taken down 2 hours later, and my calls never returned.

[BabyDiesel]

Subbed for the nerdiness

Hope that your search goes well Darin! It sounds like it is quite the challenge.

[dirtydave]

So can you drive one with a dead battery?