Unpleasant experience today trying to buy a 2014 Prius v, VIN# JTDZN3EU1E3293659, from Pure Car Buying of Dumfries, VA. The car was a good price, about $19,000, with only about 9,000 miles on it. The CARFAX report was clean. I was assured over the phone that the car was fresh off a lease, it had been in no accidents, and there would be no unpleasant surprises if I drove an hour+ to go see it.
I drove to Dumfries and I picked up the car, which seemed very nice. I took it to my mechanic, who checked it out carefully and told me: "This car has been in a major accident, and the whole front end has been rebuilt. It has some of the worst repainting we've ever seen. Do not buy it under any circumstances." I did not.
Just wanted to get this little story, and the VIN number, out onto the Internet so no one who Googles it runs the risk of buying this car. Write to me at tom@moores.org if you have any questions.