2010 vs. 2011?

Prius stock varies quite a bit at different dealers. For instance, Fremont Toyota has a lot of Prius', like about 60 units. As of 3 weeks ago, most of those were 2010's. Reason, they don't sell a whole lot of Prius'.

10 miles down the road, Piercey had some '10s left, but most were 2011's - they do sell a lot of Prius'.

Sunnyvale had quite a few 2010 Prius' 3 weeks ago, but they happened to have a glut of Prius' with sunroof. I saw them, 2010's, rows and rows, most of them with sunroofs. but they sold like 100 Prius in < 2 weeks, probly mostly non-sunroof units. I'm sure they've had a bunch of 2011's come in the last 2 weeks.

 

If you can, it's always better to buy a car the year after the first model year. Anyway who knows anything about cars know the first year of a new model is when all the bugs, problems, improvements are discovered/needed. Generally most of these problems discovered are small but the time wasted to get them fixed can be a hassle to many.

 

Unless there's some under the hood improvement, a prospective buyer thinking about getting a 2010 at this point can have the dealer apply all the relevant TSBs at once before they pick up the car and it'd be the same as a 2011 with the TSB fixes applied at the factory.

 

According to Edmunds.com there isn't any engine difference at least in terms of size, HP, etc. Now it's possible that the engine component layout and/or wiring is repositioned slightly, but I doubt it. The only difference I find between 2010 and 2011 is the VIN.

Happy Motoring,

Tom

 

The only difference is the availability of bisque interior with the black color for 2011.

 

There are brand new base Prius 2010's selling for 20k.

 

I don't know about you but I know many including myself included would prefer not to have a new car taken apart after purchase for something that should had been done correctly the first time at the factory. And do you think the dealership will openly embrace your with access to all their TSBs for your car? Good luck with that.

 

If they are keen to get 2010s off their lot they may be very happy to do TSBs, particularly if Toyota pays them for doing the TSBs.

If it were me, it would depend on what sort of a deal they offered on the 2010 compared to the to11

 

So never buy a new car then? What if the 2011 comes out with a TSB that also applies to the 2010, like the violent shaking/rough engine at startup and grabby brakes while reversing syndromes?

They're required to honor all TSBs if they apply to your VIN while under warranty. It's also a moneymaker for them (labor paid by Toyota headquarter, etc.) so they're happy to volunteer these.

 

wha wha wth is TSB?

 

TSB - Technical Service Bulletins
You can find them here:
http://www.nhtsa.gov

 

thanks wifey.

 

I doubt there's much difference, if any, between a 2010 manufactured in Sept 2010 and a 2011 manufactured in say, Nov 2010. Aside from some possible depreciation because one is a 2010 and the other is a 2011.