u/Melodious_Mags

I found a 2015 Used Prius C three that I really like BUT after test driving it (and talking with some family who work on cars for a living) I'm pretty sure it's going to need a new hybrid battery.

It's at about 102.5k miles and rides really well on both eco and standard mode (might need brakes too but thats irrelevant to this specific question) But from what I've read - its around the timing that it would need the battery replaced or rebuilt - plus the car did have an alert that battery was getting/was low.

So!

Question is - if I can negotiate the price down so I can afford to get the battery replaced/rebuilt, is it safe to assume that with good and approriate upkeep that it would last me another 100k-200k miles? And is a good rebuild (or cell replacement or whatever it is - im not super hybrid-smart) a smart/decent alternative getting a replacement if the replacement is out of my budget?

I'm planning on trading in or selling my current vehicle (est ~8k-11k value) and have ~2-3k more in savings i can dip into if I absolutely have to - but I don't want to go through all this trouble if its likely that the battery fix won't solve the problem long-term.. The car is listed at 9500$ which is way too much imo if it need battery work + brakes - but im happy to negotiate/argue the price down - just not sure what all feels reasonable in this situation. Should I just wait and find another car 😅

I've been shopping around for a new (to me) car to replace my current 2018 Ford Edge Titanium and really want something on the smaller side - but not quite standard-sedan. I used to have a 2011 Ford Escape and loved that year+model combo a lot, big fan of the slightly boxier feel SUVs. Used to spend a lot of time looking at Honda CRVs, particularly the older models (like pre 2012 ish) but since coming across a lot of the MINI Coop Countrymans online and in person too I really love the look, size, shape and vibe of it

Don't get me wrong I know coops can be unreliable, especially 2nd Gen ones, but i'm prepared to stay on top of oil changes and maintenance check-ins as needed - no matter what car I end up with. One of my main complaints with the Edge I've got now is the milage. I do mostly city driving and it always sits at about 19mpg and I dont want to get anything to replace it that won't get me a solid 22 (ideally closer to 25 if possible, yes I know thats high for an suv).

I guess the generally question/advice is, would a 2013-2016 mini w/ 90k-120k miles but w/ good maintenance records be a reasonable thing to go for? Or am I insane?

KBB trade in for my Edge is ranging $7k-8k, and I'd love to pay as close to nothing out of pocket for my next vehicle as possible. I have the funds to keep a car maintained well, just not to fish out an extra 2-4k for a replacement. Mostly trying to save on gas, and have something that'll fit in parking spots better than my mini-tank im saddled w/ at the moment. Would looking into something like a Kia soul be a better alternative?