Unsure what to do about getting a new Prius

Toyota Camry Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid. Then again, I bought a Prius knowing of all the issues.

 

If you enjoyed your first one, you'll enjoy your next. I've only had my 2010 for a couple weeks, but I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to the Gen IV in 2014 when my lease is up

Keep up to date with the media, but don't get worried about the hype. Try to focus on facts instead of hysteria.

Whichever car you decide to purchase, I wish you the best of luck.

 

Buy a new Prius. They are as safe as they have always been, which is to say very safe. Now is a great time to get a deal.

Tom

 

It's a blessing in disguise. The situation has been blown out proportion. We'll end up with a few improvements as a result. You'll have a nice choice of new Prius available on the lot that would have otherwise been in short supply.

The 2010 is great. I've owned all 3 models, so I know...
.

 

Yup!...What he said!...:nod:

 

I love my 2010. It's only been little over a month, but I seriously look forward to every drive. If mine got totalled today, I'd be in line for another.

The media survives because of fear and hype. The chances of you dying in a Prius is the same as any other car. Did you get the H1N1 shot when it was all the rage? I didn't.

 

We're pretty much sure this is just Fear Uncertainty and Doubt versus a real safety risk. For example, I looked at 2001-2007 Prius Fatalities and found our cars had half the national fatality rate. This is a hard fact that few news organizations have picked up.

The 2010 Prius has substantial improvements with a larger 1.8L engine, stiffer frame for better handling, more air-bags standard, and even improved pedestrian safety bumper, hood and quarter panels. Many of us have tried every way we can think of to recreate the reported problems of the earlier Prius without success:

• We've always found shifting out of "D" to "N", "R" or pushing the "P" button always cuts engine power at any speed, safely, with the accelerator floored.
• The brakes "win" in a fight with a floored accelerator.

Certainly, it makes sense to try these procedures on a test drive ... just let the salesman know it is coming up.

Bob Wilson

 

I agree with john1701a, also having owned all 3 generations.

The only thing I can add is, if you can wait 8 months to a year, you could possibly wait for the Nissan Leaf (100 miles range EV, estimated to be about $30K, but no one knows), or if you really want a crap shoot, wait for the Chevy Volt, but that might be an infinite wait.

a 2010 Prius is a good choice in the meantime, and if the Leaf wouldn't have enough EV range for your daily driving (less than 100 miles)

 

The media reoprts about the safety of Toyota cars have about the same validity as the media weather reports. If you believe news reports, we experience either a flood or a drought every year. I can't remember the news media solving a single problem; they just move on to sensationalize the next story.

Ocassionally a Prius will experience a major mechanical problem and some will crash, but most spend their lives as the most economical cars on the road. Like most owners, we have never had any problems with our Gen III Prius, but that will never be reported on the news. Be careful, the next media hype may be about the 100,000 deaths in the US each year from medical errors. I'll be watching to see how the media "solves" this one.

 

Don't buy it, lease it. Lease rates are awesome. However, you must take the mileage into account. I wasn't sure if you were saying you drive an extra 400 mile trip every three weeks.

Definitely, it's a bad time to buy. I would wait until everything shakes out. Who knows what they will find out next?

Anyway, the 2012 Prius is the way to go since it is a plugin hybrid and drives in full electric mode (according to reports) at high speed. In 2012 you can replace your lease with the cool new model.

Good luck.

 

I just helped my mother buy a 2010 Prius three weeks ago. She wanted the Ford Fusion (it's very nice) but the dealers in our area wouldn't let them go except for the sticker price $31K (model 501A). Her back-up plan was to get a Pkg 4 Prius without Nav and got it close to invoice. Just remember if one dealership isn't willing to deal, just walk and go to another one. We did that with the first Toyota dealer and got an excellent deal at the second Toyota dealership. Once you get the car...you won't be disappointed.

 

This is the first Toyota I have ever purchased and I almost got the Fusion but another 10mpg's when I'm doing a 125 mile commute each day adds up. If mine got wrecked I would buy another one in an instant.

 

The prcing on the Leaf is unknown, but rumored/guessed to be about $30K, then you have the $7,500 federal tax credit, which in theory brings the price down to $22.5K

Might be worth getting a short term lease for 2-3 years, then trade it in just make sure you get enough mileage on the lease.

 

Bob--this is the bottom line fact that we've all wanted to know. Put it up as the first post in a new thread, so it will be there for all to notice. Thanks!

To the original poster: I say if you liked your last Prius this should calm your fears. Now may be a better time to deal than when I dealt last november.

 

I'm going to echo the others here. I currently have a 2008 Prius Touring, Package #6. I've been looking around for a 2010 and plan to keep my 2008 and get a 2010.

When I first started looking (a few months ago) it was the same story as with the 2008, no one really wanted to deal and you really had to search to get exactly what you wanted.

Today, while I haven't yet talked with a dealer recently, there are several Toyota dealers around where I live, and they are all over the place.

One dealer has 8 of them another has 16 and another has 59!

You aren't going to find the car your looking for at the price you want better than you will now.

I absolutely love my Prius. Best car purchase I have ever made!

 

I knew about the 'brake' issue in November from this forum, prior to my G3 purchase on 12/31/09. My car now has 2500+ miles, and has always run perfectly, and could not even get the brakes to miss when trying on a bumpy road.

The media is bashing Toyota & Prius, and oil is only $81 a barrel. I'd plan on another great Prius while the prices are low. My II was only $21,500 (I emailed a bunch of dealers to narrow it down), and I've seen news ads lately at $21,995. These prices will not last. This is Toyota's #1 car in Japan for a reason.

Good luck with the Pelvis .... that must hurt, bigtime.

How'd the airbags do??

Bart in SoCal

 

Negotiate your hart out and get a 2010 Prius. With all the media hype the dealers may have softer pencils. If you are really not sure look at the, hate to say, FORD Hybrid. They may be fine cars but no track record.