deciding between Gen II (08) and III (10)

If you're willing to pay more for a Gen III and can afford it, I'd say go for it. It's overall a superior car from many points of view such as features, power, mileage, and handling.

There are so many new and available features and improvements on the gen 3, such as no more (fuel tank) bladder, height adjust on the seats, heated seats, LED headlights (no more HIDs available), touch tracer controls, more power, remote AC, solar roof, intelligent park assist, dynamic radar cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, 17" wheels, 4-wheel disc brakes (US 2nd gens had rear drums), exhaust gas heat recovery system, EV, power and eco buttons, etc.

But, going for something w/a lot of the gadgets can make the car real expensive.

These links might help:
http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html
Toyota Vehicles : Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius / Toyota
Most fuel-efficient cars - had 3rd gen
http://web.archive.org/web/20080618...-advice/most-fuelefficient-cars-206/index.htm - has 2nd gen

Apparently, CR got worse city mileage on the 3rd gen than the 2nd gen and the same overall mileage. Do keep in mind that Toyota, starting w/gen 3, forces you to get a pretty expensive model in order to get 3 door smart key system or the backup camera.

Regardless of which you buy, you're looking at a 3 year/36K basic warranty, 5 year/60K powertrain and 8 year/100K mile HV battery warranty, from the time the car was bought new.

 

Gen 2s came with either 0-door SKS (no SKS) or 3-door SKS. Gen 3s have 1-door or 3-door SKS. Model II has only 1-door SKS. Rather than me retyping the explanation of the difference, see http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...door-smart-key-in-prius-ii-6.html#post1060417.

On the 08 you're considering, if it has no black buttons on the two front doors, the doors don't unlock when you touch the black strips on the back of the 2 front door handles w/key fob on you and you MUST put the key in the slot to start the car, that means it does NOT have SKS/has "0-door" SKS.

One more set of links that you might find interesting: http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...s-best-worst-lists-april-2010-auto-issue.html

 

Based only on MPG, for your situation a Gen III will be better.

Wayne

 

But the 08 Gen 2 at half the price, or $12K in savings, it will buy you a lot of gas and save alot of money even at about 3 less mpg.

 

With highway, gen 3 is more comfy (less road noise)...and more power.

 

Both are good cars but drivers over 6 ft tall are likely to be a lot happier in the Gen III.
I believe that Gen III has some significant safety advantages, particularly if base models are compared.
Traction control is better in Gen III.
When you are comparing prices make sure you are comparing real prices including all discounts and add ons rather than asking prices.

If both are in good shape, Gen III will look 6 years newer.

On Colour: Black and while both look great when they are clean. For rural use I would suggest either Silver or Sand colors. Light colour tends to be cooler too

 

If you can score a 08 with 35K on the odometer for 1/2 the price of a 2010 II you would be a fool to pass it up.

$12,000 or so is a bargain on the 2008.

I own my 2010 due to that fact they were selling 2008's last year for $19,995 with 35K on the clock.

 

I'm 6'2" also and with my long legs, the Gen II simply was not an option. The Gen III is fine.

If you want to pursue the Gen II further I would make sure you take a long drive in it first. Some people rent one to do this.

 

200 miles is a long way to go to rent a car for test drive purposes.

A local test drive of the Gen II that is for sale (assuming that it is local) while paying attention to this issue might tell you that it won't work. What it can't tell you is how you will feel after a few hours in the car.

 

I have an 09 and have put about 40,000 miles on it - mainly highway. I really like the car and at this point would imagine that it will eventually be replaced with another Prius in a number of years.

My father bought an 2010 a while back (an II without nav) and I have driven it a few times. The only thing that I miss is the back-up camera as the visibility out of the Prius is pretty bad. I find on my car I use the camera only infrequently, but it is nice to have when it is needed. The 2010 seems like it is a far superior car to my 09 - in just about every area.

So - in my opinion it would come down to $'s. If you can find a good price on a used one and price is a big factor then I'd strongly consider it. Otherwise I'd get a 2010.

 

Congratulations!

My Canadian model came with a mirror that has back-up image, auto dimming, and 3 garage door remotes. I recall people have installed something similar in US models and a search should find something useful

It also has daytime running lights and auto head lights so if you can find a Canadian wiring schematic and a few parts it might be helpful. I recall some discussion of doing this on US mdels but I can't remamber a post from someone who has done it

 

The real question is to buy it new or used. You have been buying used cars so why not get a used Prius. It gives the best bang for your buck.

If you are tired of buying used cars and really love the Gen3 Prius, buy it new.

Also consider a PHV Prius is coming as a 2012 model. Your 15 mile trips can be covered mostly by the plug. If you want to get a PHV Prius later, get a used Prius now.