Trade-in on 2008 to 2011 Wow

Are you confusing a 2012 GenIII with the 2012 Geniii Plug In version? You post doesn't make much sense.

 

With power mode, the 2011 will feel more responsive, but ultimately, it's not much quicker. There is 24 more HP, but the car weighs another 100 lbs.

You could get a few more thousand selling your 2008 private. I got $18.5 selling my 2009 private party ... in January before the earthquake and gas prices hitting the roof. You might need to rent a car for a few days until you get the new one though.

 

If she drives the '11 in power mode all the time, she will probably be ok with it, and I do think the gen III is a solid improvement on the gen II. Your 08 =+ 7K for an 11 sounds good to me. Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

2008 was a great model year. I like the Prius II better than the Prius III for the dash and lack of a center console. More spacy feel inside--and better knee room. As for pickup, I came out of a 5speed Porsche Boxster. Who the hell cares? The CVT is a dream compared to a stick--if you've driven a stick for 35 years.

 

I have both. She won't notice any perfromance improvement of the Gen 3 over the previous Gen 2 model. The car is more powerful but it is also heavier. The power to weight ratios are similar.

Personally, I think I pefer the Gen 2 to the Gen 3 :shocked:

 

Personally, I prefer the Gen III

 

Oh brother ... the 3rd gen non-five model feels more solid and screwed together better than the non-touring 2nd gen Prius.

That is agreed upon by pretty much ... everyone.

3rd gen gas engine is quieter ..

3rd gen EV's better at low speeds. 2nd gen gas engine is much more likely to kick on getting from the parking lot to the street.

3rd gen has its 'info' seperate from the navigation screen

3rd gen has different power modes.

all indications show me 3rd gen does indeed get better fuel economy than 2nd.

2nd gen is like sitting in a freakin' Toyota Echo driver's seatwise ... YUCK. It's good for seeing about straight into the sun visors and down onto the hood if you're over ... 5'10".

and so on.

Funny though ... 3rd gen Prius to 2nd gen Prius kinda reminds me of the 2nd gen Yamaha FZ1 ... it came out, and a lot of people were not sure the 2nd gen was really better than the first.

I guess there'll always be someone who like the old gen better than the new. Usually that's because they own one.

 

Cool to hear a bike fanatic and that too a FZ1 one that owns a prius too, LOL. I have the 2nd gen FZ1 and with all the mods it is well sorted out and is the bike I always wanted for a long time.

 

Uhh ohh, you got cycledrum started on his GenII seating rant.

I'm 6'3" and perfectly comfortable in the GenII. I can even wear my Resistol straw hat without and issue. Maybe it's the gangstalean..... lol

 

To the OP : I recently (three weeks ago) made a similiar trade - 2009 Touring for 2011 II. I got a great trade-in ($22K) but very little "deal" on the 2011 because of supply, but I paid only $3500 out-of-pocket. For me, there were only a few noticeable differences:
1) mileage for me in the 2011 is better, about 5mpg.
2) overall performance is about the same (I don't need to blow away the Mustang at the light).
3) The driver arrangement is a bit better in the 2011. 2009 seats were really pretty bad, 2011 seats are better and the telescoping steering wheel adjust makes a difference too.
4) Standard radio is in the 2011 II, and it's disappointing. I'm doing an aftermarket HU/Nav install which should solve this problem.
5) Biggest issue for me in the 2011 is rear visibility, especially on the highway. The rear pillars are badly placed, and the rear headrests are larger and more obstructive than in the 2009. I often can't see traffic to the side-rear and have to make major effort to check multiple times before changing lanes.

Dan

 

With regard to the seat on a 2008 Prius...my -rather tall- buddy swapped out the seat in his Prius with the seat (height adjustable) from a 2008 Corolla. There were a couple of modifications that had to be made to the seat frame, then it had to be reskinned with the leather from his Prius. Looking at the seat, you can't tell that anything is different. But it is WAY more adjustable now.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...rius-adjustable-drivers-seat.html#post1301751

 

mesa speka anglais, but really $7000 to upgrade I'd probably do it.

 

I just did the same today, traded a 2008 (47k miles) for a 2011 Prius Three. First time I've been able to use the "high market value" of an older car to both pay off the loan and to cover the down payment on the new one. Monthly payment is 9 bucks more (although I got a much better % as well because the rates weren't nearly as favorable before).

It definitely seems to me that the Power Mode is effective. I left the dealer with 2 kids in the back, and the Power Mode accelerated noticeably better than the 2008 IMO (I don't mean to the point of being a high hp car, of course). And the interior is far better IMO. I'm surprised to see many who think it looks cheap. The black cloth on the doors and center console doesn't seem so great, but otherwise it seems nice. My other car is a 07 Nissan Altima, so I'm not comparing it with an expensive or luxury car, but the 2011 is much nicer.

 

Those wheels look great with the black. :thumb:

 

Thanks. I had new tires put on today (since the rims were from my old Prius). And as they were putting them on, I thought ... this Prius would look better with 17s and lowered a little. hwell:

 

op, your post is so funny, sounds just like my wife... I remember when it used to be reversed, when i was going to fast for her and she would want me to slow down, now it's the opposite... she never glides and when she uses my car (the prius) it makes me cringe to see my MPG spiral down... (I SAY NOTHING EXCEPT IN POSTS!!!).

I have the 2010 Solar roof option and it does help cool the car down. I almost always keep the vent open on top (not rained on me yet). Finally got some benefit from the remote ac option.

Let us know what happens with the car hunting...

 

Tipping the side headrests forward when the seats are not in use improves things. Taking them out is a further option for any rear seats that are never used.

Also, setting the mirrors wide also helps a lot in multilane traffic. Set them so that you have to move slightly to be able to just see the side of the car and its amazing how it helps get rid of the blind spots.