I got an email at lunch time today that I just purchased a vehicle that I had forgotten about:
Last week I entered what I thought was a ridiculously low bid on the car and forgot all about it until a few minutes ago. The bid amount was $275. I think this will be the # 13th Prius I've bought.
I'll have to get it here to evaluate if it's getting put back together, or if I just part it out. Here's my all in cost with fees and delivery:
A few more pics from the auction site:
It has a salvage title and 172,204 miles.
Pic #1 says, "This is a great deal!"
Pic #2 says, "Oh, that's a big hit!"
The real question is how much damage to the shock tower? If it's undamaged then you likely have the front end parts to rebuild with used parts.
Look for trans case damage or cracking too.
Either way, more there in usable parts than $700.
Score.
In reply to John Welsh :
The hood looks like its still intact and usable, so I'm hoping a lesser hit & a tie rod end & or steering rack took most of the hit. Note: coolant can looks fairly good still too.
I always love seeing a thread that starts "I accidentally bought x."
I feel like it's a GRM thing. 
Wow they have fees upon fees! Nothing like bidding $275 only to end up paying more than double that because of fee fees haha.
Nonetheless a great score! Good luck!
PLEASE let me know if you part it out!!!
if the hood is near-perfect, I'd like to see how much it would cost to get it to me, along with the rear spoiler and maybe a few other bits!!!
you should have my email, but if not, user name at yarhoo. Thanks!!
Yeah, F-the internet fee. In the days before Covid you could attend the auction in-person and avoid the Internet Bid Fee. Then ala Covid and to this day they went to internet only...the fee remained.
The real bone to the fees is the seller. I suspect the insurance companies bear little to no cost in the actual sale but also, the seller (insurance company) will only see $275.
I bought a charity car once through IAA. Similar situation. I had $600 into the real purchase expense but all the charity got was $275. Said another way, the person who donated it got a tax deduction for $275. From there that deduction at best netted them a 35% real cash savings so $275 deduction might have brought them a real dollar benefit of $96.25. A junkyard would have likely given them a quick $150 for the car and even picked it from them for free.
I have two targets for this upcoming Tues. I'd like to be less than $1200 real dollars into each. But, here on the first week for both of them I'll bet they both have a reserve of more like $2,400 each.
https://www.iaai.com/VehicleDetail/40713038~US
https://www.iaai.com/VehicleDetail/40664156~US
SWMBO'd just sent me this pic:
John Welsh said:
I have two targets for this upcoming Tues. I'd like to be less than $1200 real dollars into each. But, here on the first week for both of them I'll bet they both have a reserve of more like $2,400 each.
https://www.iaai.com/VehicleDetail/40713038~US
https://www.iaai.com/VehicleDetail/40664156~US
Pretty minor / superficial damage on both of those. Should be an easy fix.
Just be aware, I see the Red Triangle on the white one. Are you willing to swap batteries if needed? (could also be something minor, no way of knowing without hooking up a scanner)
I have a good, used HV battery on a shelf, ready to go. I also have Torque Pro and Tech Stream ready to go. I have a 2005 dark red parts car from California. That would give me a rust free thermos canister mounting too.
In reply to John Welsh :
You weren't able to get the red California one going? Bummer 😕
Brief examination looks good:
As suspected, busted inner tie rod end.
Tires look good and are name brand: Bridgestone
WOW ! Is this thing dusty!
So a quick rinse from one of my teammates:
Spent five more minutes looking it over this morning.
Interior needs a good cleaning, but there are no offensive doors and no rips in the seat.
Looks really clean and very Midwest rust free underneath:
I was disappointed to see this surface rust going deeper:
The important part, OEM Cats intact and the impact side factory frame rail is straight:
Is there anything in the hidden center console drawer? It's always a spot I check.
Also get behind the glove box, where the cabin filter is. I've found previous owner receipts back there before.
In reply to John Welsh :
Nothing in the hidden compartment. Previous owners identity is known to me due to some medical paperwork that I found in the back of the car.
Is it ok if I post this one in here as well? I drug it home Tuesday night for $800:
Red needs a 12V battery and a wheel & tire:
I have no idea how this is holding air.
Yes, that's a crack in the rim. 😳
Plus it needs a lot of work cleaning up the interior and a few surfaces recovered.
Threw some parts and time at the Blue one today:
Getting the old outta there
Jumped it and took it for a quick spin. 👍👍👍
Coolant can is going to be okay, there's a pair of wires that need protected, but are not severed.
"Trunk" & battery area look good too
Took a peak at the hybrid battery with the Torque Pro app. Looks good:
Found this in the car:
Someone was selling this car for $5,400 recently.
Edit: 🔵 Bluey is also going to need the rear hatch repaired. I'll document the permanent repair I've discovered on these when I get to it
I gave Red some lovin' too.
Desperately needed a new driver door arm rest, so that's what I threw at it:
Amazon said it was grey. But it's not. More tan than anything.
Also gave it a power wash:
I shampooed a different driver seat and I'm going to swap that in as soon as it's dry enough. Also on the to do list is center counsel recovering (as soon as Amazon delivers it) and a new wheel and tire. Then sell it (has clean title)
Edit: Red has a year old "green 🫛 bean" battery:
johndej
UltraDork
9/28/24 5:40 p.m.
Watch out or you're going to wake up to a purple prius that's going to just appear between them.
Two of these hatch/latch trim pieces arrived for me today.
$48 each for the fortified version
Red got some more lovin' tonight. I dropped off a good wheel with bad tire and a bad wheel with good tire at the shop, asked them to swap 'em out.
Then pulled the driver seat.
This dude musta' been wipin' buggers in these two spots for the last 100k miles. Gross.
Also the dash stopped working last night, so Indy-kid#3 and I pulled it. It's a common failure in these.
Except for labor and time, it's a super cheap fix. Just a new capacitor needs soldered on.
Be sure to get the positive side and negative sides lined up .
Awesome thread. Love seeing you guys save these cars!
