Buyer beware
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Prius 2009
- Toyota Prius 2006
- Toyota Prius 2007
- Toyota Prius 2008
- Toyota Prius 2010
- Toyota Prius 2011
- Toyota Prius 2012
- Toyota Prius 2013
- Toyota Prius 2014
- Toyota Prius 2016
- Toyota Prius 2015
- Toyota Prius 2001
- Toyota Prius 2002
- Toyota Prius 2003
- Toyota Prius 2004
- Toyota Prius 2005
- Toyota Advice
- Toyota Prius Reviews
- Toyota Hatchback Range
- Toyota Sedan Range
- Toyota
- Buying tips
Asked by Cheryl Orange
IN JULY last year, my husband bought a 1999 Toyota Prius for $10,000 at auction. Though it wasn't stated at the time, it turns out to be a Japanese model and not an Australian-delivered car. It now has a problem and we can't drive it at all. We've taken it to a couple of dealers who say they can't fix it. Do you know anyone in Melbourne who can help?
Answered by CarsGuide
13 Sep 2007BUYING from auction leaves you little room to move if something goes wrong. It's a ``buyer beware'' scenario, and unfortunately you didn't show enough caution. The fact that it was a 1999 model -- when Toyota didn't start selling the Prius here until 2001 -- and the price was $10,000 should have tipped you off that something was amiss. Toyota's technical people say the earlier Prius is quite different to the car they sell here, with a different ECU and battery pack. The result is that Toyota dealers don't have the diagnostic equipment to determine what might be wrong with your car. Even though this is a grey import, Toyota is willing to help out if you call their customer hotline.
Other Toyota Prius problems
- I'm in the market to buy a new car and not too sure whether I should go with an electric car or a hybrid?
- Toyota Prius: Key fob replacement
- Prius slow to accelerate
- Toyota Prius park brake and spark noise
- Rusty Prius
- Toyota Prius rust problems
- Hybrid or diesel?
- Plugged in to hybrids
