In reply to Dusterbd13 :
I take it that Mr Untuchable's name is John also. I just want to deflect that your complement was not directed to me...
Mr DeadSled,
I fully endorse this purchase. Welcome to the fold. We'll keep this car going strong for/with you.
With that said, addressing the few items. Mr Untuchable wrote:
Known issues are 1. AC doesn't blow cold 2. Gas door doesn't like to pop open 3. Can only get 5 gallons or so in the tank when gauge shows empty and that gets it back to full.
1. AC, written about above
2. Gas door: it is a weak door hinge. I have seen them get over extended when opened and then "out of square." It is easy to force/bend them back into submission. The door has a lever on the driver's floor as a security measure to keep the gas door locked. The tab at the door can be bent to defeat this lock and then it is generally just a manual opening door. Furthermore, the door hinge is riveted on. Those rivets can be drilled out and a replacement door re-riveted in its place if that much is needed.
A pic of mine:
3. Only takes 5 gallons of gas. I've had one Prius that I'd buy gas when it said empty and then it would only take 8 gallons (should be an 11 gallon tank.) Some say that this is caused by a sagging blatter in the tank. Imagine like a sagging headliner in a cars interior. Others say its a mis-reading gauge. I have not tried but I suggest a 1 gallon gas jug in the trunk. When the gauge says empty, make a note of miles and then drive until the tank is dry (with the 1 gal gas can as your safety.)
If is is the tank blatter, a used plastic gas tank is cheap. I have a parts car that could donate one.
Being a 2005 you will have one quirk that only '04 & '05 had. That is that the odometer on those two years stops at 299,999. In your specific case you have 39k miles before you experience this phenomemon. But, for most people that would be at least a few years of service before it happens. When you do hit that mark, the "repair" is to swap in a cluster, known as the combination meter, from one of less than 299,999. My parts car is a '05 and has a cluster of less than 200k. Plug and play, easy swap. I'll help you do it.
You'll now have a car of True Miles Unknown but at 300k that really wont matter. But, with the lesser odo swapped in you will be able to easily tell when its time for an oil change.
Here is the link to my preferred Prius dismantler in Ravenna, OH with a nice list of cheap parts pricing
For your further reading, here is the link to my Gen 2 Prius Buyers Guide
. More on that later.
