Where can i find a used prius in Calif with a carpool lane sticker?

Question

Where can i find a used prius in Calif with a carpool lane sticker?

Answer 1

I used to live in NorCal until this past Feb. I never heard anything about a Carpool Lane Sticker.

Although Prius's were allowed to use the Carpool lanes in that area.

Perhaps down in SoCal it's different.

Answer 2

To travel in the CA HOV lanes, you either need the required number of passengers, or have a Clean Air Vehicle sticker (set of 4).  2004 or later hybrids with at least 45mpg EPA highway ratings could qualify for the stickers.  However, the limit of 85,000 stickers was reached in Feb. 2007, so the only way to get a hybrid with these stickers is to purchase a used one (a 2004-2007 model year).  (The stickers stay with the vehicle.  If a sticker is damaged, an owner can get replacement stickers, though.)  The stickers are valid until Jan. 1, 2011.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/decal.htm

http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/car...

Be aware that if you do find a used hybrid (Toyota Prius or Honda Civic Hybrid) with the CA HOV lane stickers, that the stickers add about a $4000 premium to the used selling price.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story...

Considering that ANY used Prius right now, because of the high demand and short supply, is selling for near or over new MSRP.  Add in the HOV sticker premium, and that used Prius with HOV stickers will easily be more expensive than a new Prius.  (However, a new Prius will not get you the reduced commute time as a single-occupant traveler that you are probably looking for...)

Basically, you'll have to keep checking the main used vehicle selling sites, like:

http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/ca

http://www.autotrader.com/

http://www.cars.com/go/index.jsp

You may also want to check into some Prius owner's lists that allow for-sale listings to see if anyone is offering, or knows of someone who may be offering theirs for sale, such as:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyo...

http://www.priusonline.com/

http://www.priuschat.com/

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure carpool lane stickers will eventually need to be renewed, etc. with the DOT, so trying to buy a prius with one already on it will only buy you between 6 months and a year of time/money.

Good luck on your quest for a used prius; i'm sure you'll find one that fits your needs. :)