I was looking into buying a 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid for $10,995 for sale. V6, 3.3L. It has 193K miles on it. I have had that old and older 4Runners in the past, but the 4Runners around here are going for much more than that (like $15,000). If I have a good mechanic look it over and say it's good, would that likely be a good and long lasting car for me? I don't know much about hybrids, so I wanted to ask some folks that would know. Thanks!
Stick to a regular gas Highlander. They will last longer than a hybrid version and total cost of ownership (includes repairs) will be less, and more mechanics can work on regular gas vehicles over hybrids. Regular gas vehicles have enough complexity as it is; going hybrid adds to that. Usually Toyota Hybrids can go 150,000 to 200,000 miles (generally, even a little more than that) before battery replacement, generator, and/or something else in the hybrid system needs repair and that will cost $$$ (easily several thousand dollars). Also, finding a competent mechanic that knows how to work on hybrids will be a challenge and being a specialty expect to pay more; going to a dealer would be very expensive as well. I would stick to a regular gas version if you plan to keep the vehicle for a long time and put lots of mileage on it.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p0F5e-lrlWQ&feature=youtu.be
All of that is very informative! Thank you very much. I can't find a regular gas Toyota SUV around here for less than $15k (in any year unless it's been salvaged or was at one point a rental, or something else that makes it iffy). I will definitely not be buying used hybrid though! I appreciate you passing the info on. I really didn't know just how many problems could occur. I had looked through some reviews (the recent ones so they would be more relevant) and it made me have doubts. I just need something reliable that will last a long time since I drive 100-200 miles a day for work. Again, thank you very much!
Way overpriced
Sadly, everything around here has been lately.
But this one made me reread the question to see if I read the model year wrong. If it was $7000 or $8000 I would say the price is a joke. The price on this is literal bankrupcy. No more than $3500 for such a vehicle, and even so it wouldn't have much life left because its a hybrid.
Yeah, I realize that now! lol. I really, when I posted this, new nothing about hybrids, thats why I came here to ask, but after the responses here and the reviews I read on Edmonds, I realize just how right you are. I still don't know much about hybrids, but I know enough now at least to know I don't want to buy one, especially used! Thanks! (:
A fifteen year old hybrid? No, take a pass, if you don't want to get stuck with a $6K bill for a new lithium ion battery. Scotty's right: These Toyota hybrids are good to buy new, expensive and troublesome to buy used.
I have a friend who just bought a 2020 RAV4 on Saturday. But that thing only has 5K miles, so it's pretty new, and costly, to boot, these days. (I don't have the $$$ that he has). Along the way, my friend saw the error of his prior ways and traded in one disastrous vehicle: A 2017 Jeep Renegade.
I had nothing but old Toyotas my whole life: Camry and 2 4Runners, and a Rav4. The Rav4 was an 07-newest car I had every had. I hit a deer with the Rav and the body shop welded the cooling fan so it wouldn't blow anymore, and some other crap. I couldn't afford the repairs, so I traded it for an 08 Grand Cherokee. I'd have been better off walking or taking the bus. I was left stranded with the Jeep so many times. Nobody could figure out what was wrong with the Jeep. Guess after guess from all kinds of shops. I gave it back to the bank in the end. (As much trash talk that Scotty does about Chrysler, I still don't think it's enough.) Bought an 07 Impreza 2.5i when I got rid of the Jeep. It's a good little car so far. I've had it a little over a year, but I work in courier services and would like a back up in case this one is rendered undrivable at some point for whatever reason. It's got 175k miles on it. Thank you for your wisdom. I appreciate it!