Someone in my neighbourhood is selling a Prius for $900. I’ve been messaging the seller to find out more — asked about the year, model, mileage and so on. The only info I’ve gotten is that it has 135k miles, it runs a little rough, and they used it for short trips to the beach. They didn’t answer when I asked about the year.
The price feels suspiciously low for a car with that mileage, unless there’s something big wrong with it. I’ve been thinking of getting something that saves more fuel since I drive 80 miles round trip to work, 3 to 5 times a week. My current car gets around 22 MPG, so I have to fuel up twice a week.
Not sure if this is a good deal or a trap. Seller did offer a test drive though.
Micah said:
Ask the seller for the VIN. If they won’t give it to you, skip the car.
Also, do you have a picture of the car? We might be able to help figure out the year range.
I only have a quick photo of the back windshield — it has their phone number on it. I was just passing by on my way to the gym. I’ll be near it again in about 4 hours so I’ll take a proper picture then.
@Pat
For used cars, unless you’re good at checking cars yourself, it’s always smart to pay a mechanic to look it over before buying. Make sure it’s someone who knows hybrids. If you can’t afford that, maybe you shouldn’t be buying it at all.
@Flynn
What if it’s a newer car like 2024 or 2025, and you’re buying from a dealership? Is it okay to skip the inspection if it’s still under warranty? I’m guessing they check it before putting it on sale, even if it’s not certified.
@Whitney
That’s a fair point. If the miles are low and it’s still covered under warranty, it’s a bit different. But keep in mind it’s still a used car, so lemon laws might not apply in the same way.
I’d still say have a mechanic check it, someone who doesn’t work for the dealership. You might be able to do that after you buy it though. Just depends how risky you want to be and how much hassle you’re ready to handle if there’s a problem.
Aldrin said:
If you can’t fix it yourself, I wouldn’t buy it.
Yeah, but I’d like to know what might be wrong with it first… then I can figure out if I can fix it or not.
These Priuses are known for engine issues, especially if they weren’t maintained. Hybrid parts can be expensive and some are only available as original parts.
There might be more going on here. The seller isn’t being open. Could be stolen, no title, or something else shady. Get the VIN, look it up, and definitely take clear photos.