Generally when you are purchasing a used car, you are just purchasing other peoples problems. Toyota makes some really great cars, and generally when they break, a short trip to the auto parts store and your problems are over. But the Prius is a little different story.

With a Prius, you are basically driving around a computer system with wheels. And therefore you are more likely to have problems that a trip to a auto parts store can't fix.

Now if I am wrong, please correct me, but the batteries are warrantied for upto 100,000 miles, and the batteries cost $3000 to $4000 to have replaced. You cannot replace them safely.

Also the Prius has a 207 volt electrical system running through it, and that is voltage you cannot mess with.

If you are in a small town or far from nowhere, finding a mechanic to work on your prius will not be easy, or maybe even impossible.

Needless to say, if you can only get your car fixrd at a Toyota dealership, than you can bet that repairs are going to be very costly. The laws of supply and demand clearly state that if you need (need is a very important word) my parts and my service and you cannot get the parts or service from anyone else, I can charge what I want and you have no choice but to pay... Well I guess you could start walking.