Prius Shopping

Our car's engine siezed up last Sunday (dropped valve seat).

So, on the advice of our mechanic, we're shopping for a new car...a Toyota Prius.

Previously.

NOTES

• PriusChat glossary
• Getting rid of the previous car
• Donate Your Car to KDFC
• JunkMyCar--instant quotes
• California DMV: How to Change Vehicle Ownership
• "In most states you should remove the license plates once the tower arrives and return them to the DMV. However, in the following states the license plates need to remain on the car: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisianna, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington.In the states of California and Arizona you must also turn in a release of liability as well." (via)
• Research
• Sellers
• Top 10 Best Places to Find Used Cars (via; recommends AutoTempest)
• Craigslist
• "People who sell cars on craigslist generally sell lower end or salvaged cars because the people who look there are looking for that type of junk...." (via) 
• "...it's also a place where really smart people buy and sell quality cars without any additional costs that cars.com and other dealers would add to the sale." (via)
• Options
• 3M Paint Protection Film seems like a good investment, but only on new cars
• Solar roof available on 2012+ models
• Toyota options, by year
• More, plus video outlining Gen 3 changes
• Colors
• Prius colors through the years
• Salsa Red Pearl (2004, 2005)
• Navigation
• "...have heard the nav. is not what it is cracked up to be plus a Garmin is cheaper and able to go in different cars." (via)
• Touring differences (2007-2009)
• Shipping 
• From AR to CA costs about $1,100 (via)
• More discussion
• What's the best way to ship a car? (link)
• Buying a car in Deleware (link)
• Tips for a long cross-country drive (link)
• Electric cars
• DIY Electric Car
• EvalBum - compare electric conversions
• List of electric cars eligible for California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project refund
• Third party inspections
• 
  
• Test drives
• Things to look for
• Checklist
• Prius Maintenance
• Video: Second-generation Toyota Prius still reliable, efficient after 200,000 miles
• DIY maintenance 
• Scheduled maintenance guides
• Toyota's Owners Site lists all service history and recalls
• Fluids
• Transaxle oil
• "...that goes at 100,000 miles give or take and costs another $3,000...." (via)
• Transmission 
• "...transaxle fluid change, so I had that done at the dealer for $100." (via)
• "At 3 years, some will change their transaxle fluid (you can diy or my dealer charged $144 for it but that's cheap) despite Toyota's claims of it being a 100,000 mile product. There are oil analyses indicating that's a really good idea." (via)
• Analysis of replacements
• Catalytic converter
• 
  
• Inverter
•  "... the Inverter is another $1,500 to $2,000." (via)
• Batteries
• HV traction battery
• "If you are in the market for an HV battery replacement, outside of warranty, the absolute best use of your money is a brand new unit from Toyota." (via)
• "...main traction battery costs $3,500..." (via)
• "The main traction battery lifespan is about 10 years. Many have exceeded that and others have not. Much is determined by abuse and environment (via) 
• "Traction batteries from wrecks are still plentiful. Saw a couple on car-part.com, each for $700 from a 2008 and a 2009 each with less than 30K miles on them." (via)
• "I have read on PC that if a Salvage Battery has been in the yard awhile the battery is most likely completely depleted which brings on many other issues if you decide to install this in your Prius. It may require a charge from Toyota which is chargeable. This may also not work. Evidently if the battery is not in constant use problems occur. " (via)
• 12V battery
• "The 12V battery...powers the computer and there are many horror stories of bizarre car behavior with a low 12V battery. The battery exchange cost was about $120 at my dealer, but again they're usually more expensive. There are way to check the battery voltage by accessing the car's MFD service menu." (via)
• New 12V battery (expected life of 4 years - 2006 prius would require new one soon) http://priuschat.com/threads/questions-to-ask-when-looking-at-a-used-high-mileage-prius.88426/#ixzz2cyZDPf1v 
• Testing the battery
• Spark plugs
• Serviced at 100K-120K miles (via)
• PCV valve
• Serviced at 100K-120K miles (via)
• Shocks/Struts
• "...probably getting towards end of life [at 100K-120K miles] .. That is probably $1k to replace...." (via)
• Coolant pump
• Ensure recall work done...for 2005 (via)
• Water pumps
• Inverter
• "It failed at 185K miles on my car." (via)
• Engine
• "It failed at 195K miles on my car." (via)
• Filters
• Engine filter
• "Hold the filter up to sunlight. When you can't see light coming through, it's time to change the filter." (via)
• Brake pads
• "...most changed brake pads after 150k...." (via)
• Oil change
• "From my nearly 50 years of changing oil, this is the best method that I discovered."(via)
• Polish/Paint protectant
• Nu-Finish, semi-annually (via)
• Salvage titles:
• "However, if someone tells you why it was totaled for some minor reason, they are almost 100% lying and the car was probably in a horrible accident and badly repaired (but has a new paint job)." (via)
• "Salvage title cars have essentially no warranty (you can confirm it yourself in the warranty book)." (via)
• "it ... sounds like a good deal to me IF you have an inspection done by a body shop as well as the one already done by the dealer." (via)
• "The main test for a Prius is the full-works drive through car wash. If it passes that, then you can be assured that all connectors are water tight and you are very unlikely to have a problem...." (via)
• "You will lose almost all your "savings" when you sell a Salvage title car..." (via)
• AutoBeYours rebuilds Prius, Leaf, and so forth
• The Primo II, the Pruck
• Tips on buying a salvage Prius
• Financing
• Tax, title, tags, and fees calculator (link)
• Handling payment for used car sales (link)
• California DMV Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator (link)
• $15,000, purchased in Placerville, CA (local/one-time fees highlighted):
• $1,200 in Use/Sales Tax
• $195 in fees 
• $1,396 total
• $10,000 car:
• $800 in use/sales tax
• $195 in fees
• $995 total
• $5,000 car
• $400
• $195
• $595 total
• "KBB tends to overvalue, if anything." (via)
• CARB electric car refunds
• LightStream loans
• Residuals of leased cars, from a Toyota dealership employee (link)
• 2012 Prius Plug-in (blue book): ~$25,335 (21K mi)
• 2010 Prius (blue book) $9,304 (110K mi, p#1)
• 2009 Prius (blue book) $18,860 (14K mi; touring); ~$9,095 (100K mi); $12,840 (93K mi, p#6)
• 2008 Prius (blue book) ~$8,300 (132K mi); $9,814 (103K mi); $9,250 (90K mi); $14,614 (76K mi, touring, p#6); $12,714 (63K mi, p#3)
• 2007 Prius (blue book): $8,728 (91K mi); ~$11,400 (53K mi); $8,980 (124K mi; p#6); ~$9,119 (123K mi; touring); ~$7,364 (157K mi); $5,790 (160K mi); $5,621 (173K mi)
• 2006 Prius (blue book): ~$8,494 (99K mi); $7,361 (149K mi); $6,023 (145K mi)
• 2005 Prius (blue book): ~$8,548 (75K mi) ~$7,435 (95K mi); $7,247 (100K mi); $6,186 (133K mi; p#6); $5,100 (164K mi); $4,618 (174K mi; base); $4,583 (179K mi)
• 2004 Prius (blue book):$8,035 (56K mi; p#1); ~$6,359 (100K mi; p#9)
• 2001 Prius (blue book): $4,491 (72K mi)
• "0% APR is a great way to purchase a vehicle if you can get it.....simply put....you're paying cash for the vehicle.....the general rule of thumb is.....for every 10 thousand dollars financed under normal APRs you will pay about 200 to 250 a month......so with no money down and no trade a 30 thousand dollar vehicle would cost about 6-7 hundred a month.....with 0% APR that same vehicle would cost you 500 a month for 60 months.....basically the bank will make no money off of you....and if you have this chance....take it now while it lasts...dealerships usually dont do it for long." (via)
• Insurance
• Looks like financing a 2010 Toyota Prius will add $243.00-$620.53 to my insurance bill each six months : o \
• So, for five years of financing, this will add somewhere between $2430.00-$6205.30
• I currently pay $245 every six months (~$40/month)
• All quotes, below, via Esurance.com 
• Selecting Ownership = Financed seems to trigger some Esurance coverage requirements:
• Comprehensive Coverage & Deductibles
• Collision Coverage & Deductibles
• "THE SPLASH OUT"
• Bodily Injury Limits: 250K/500K
• Property Damage Limit: 100K
• Medical and Funeral Services Payments: I decline
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Limits: 100K/300K
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Limits: I accept
• Comprehensive Coverage & Deductibles: $100
• Collision Coverage & Deductibles: $100
• Towing and Labor: I decline
• Rental Reimbursement: I decline
• Customized Parts and Equipment Coverage Limits: I decline
• Auto Loan/Lease Coverage: I decline
• 2010 Toyota Prius
• If financed: $878.53 (six months, or $146/month)
• If not financed: same as above...this is "the splash out," after all....
• "THE MINIMUM"
• Bodily Injury Limits: 15K/30K
• Property Damage Limit: 5K
• Medical and Funeral Services Payments: I decline
• Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury Limits: I decline
• Uninsured Motorist Property Damage Limits: I decline
• Comprehensive Coverage & Deductibles: No coverage
• Collision Coverage & Deductibles: No coverage
• Towing and Labor: I decline
• Rental Reimbursement: I decline
• Customized Parts and Equipment Coverage Limits: I decline
• Auto Loan/Lease Coverage: I decline
• 2010 Toyota Prius
• If financed: $501.00 (six months, or $83.50/month)
• If not financed: $258.00 (six months, or $43/month)