Why are people even buying used 2010 Priuses??

Japan doesn't like Australia for anything nut importing wood pulp too process into paper. Trade policies can really hurt a country. Didn't Australia try too prevent Asian migration into the country at one point?

 

Yes, that was back in the late 80s with Mr Johnny Howard... but he eventually became Australia's second longest servicing PM and done some deal with the Asian community, and they really love Johnny for some reason. But I think some political groups (e.g. the Hansons) have moved to try to stop other ethnic groups, i.e. African, since Asian migration has becoming a non issue... But that should have nothing to do with the increased price paid between us and the US!

Back to the topic, we always get ripped off by oversea companies. Tell me one car company that does not charge us at least 1.5 times of what our US counterpart pays for cars. Lexus, BMW, Merc, VW, etc etc... even Great Wall and the soon to be released Tata.

 

I have no idea, except I wud sell my III with all the goodies (& only 5K miles) I don't use in a New York minute for another Avalon if I wouldn't loose a ton of $$$ on the sale. Although Yes, I am very happy when I fill up at the pump. But I prefer a quiet smooth ride without all the rattles, etc. Very uncomfortable car. It is in the garage most of the time - has never been left "out in the weather".
To me it is just a form of basic local transportation to get from point A to B; a high tech toy. My advice: buy a "real" car.

 

it is same everywhere due to duties, customs as well as simply huge market in usa making it cheaper.

 

I've owned plenty of so-called real cars yet I would choose the Prius over all of them. Some people want to do the best they can for everyone, not just their wallet.

 

The Prius is very economical in a personal finance sense. I read Laplante to be saying that his Prius is noisier than e.g. an Avalon.

Probably true. Personally, I'm glad that Toyota is trying out eco plastics, but I'm the first to agree that the product in my '04 is less than good. Ah well, one cannot have everything; and the Prius is only great, not perfect.

I actually have wondered a couple of times if I could replace my front dash (the large expanse of plastic under the windshield) with a secondary market piece from a late MY year G2 car.

 

I bought my 2010 (used rental w/30,000 miles on it) from Enterprise Car Sales; WHY? Because I needed it immediately to replace my 2004 that was totalled.

So: reason? Immediate need.

 

In my area, the SE US, Priuses are in high demand. We were fortunate to find a 2010 w/ 43k under $20k, and we jumped on it. Although only because it was in very, very good condition. Here there are very few used Priuses and the waiting list on new is 2 months and the price is sticker. Most new are selling in the 25k range. Back 6 months ago I think Toyota was still in the limelight with the brake pedal issue and there was no issue with supply.

We have been on the other side as well, as the car it is replacing was bought 6 years ago and sold for only 1k less than we bought it for, in 1 hour. It also had 55k more miles on it. This is due to the lack of quality, low priced, used cars out there.

I would've liked to wait another 6 months but we needed a car now. I am jealous of those who paid less with half as many miles, but that is life. I do like the car and perhaps when the plug in Priuses come out I will replace my own car with a 2011 model since there should be many more on the market by then.

 

Sold my 2010 black model 2 with 12k miles for $24,500 just after japan earthquake, purshased new 2011 a two months ago for 25k.

Was a great price on sale but damn i hated driving my old 94 volvo 850, just waiting at a light and hearing the motor running would put me in a bad mood.

 

I too own an 850, and I like that it is a simple car. 30 MPG highway, which is great for such a heavy car, and very simple in operation. Not much to fail. My stomach gets sick thinking about the issues the Prius could have with the engine, tranny, or inverter.

I have pulled the engine/tranny out of an 850 and it's an easy affair. I do not want to even attempt to think about doing that on a Prius. Rebuilding the 850's engine? A set of rings is cheap. A new head, if you don't want to fuss with the valves, is around $350. You've got yourself a new engine for another 200k...

Trannies? The tried and trusted Toyota built AW50-42LEs. Available all over, in many many different cars, and still being produced. Lots of rebuilders if you want to go that route.

Not taking anything from the Prius, I really like the car, but there are so many things that could fail on it, costing ARMS and LEGS (many sets) to fix.

 

Looking right now at 2010 vs new 2011s. The prices on the 2010s seem to be pretty set and only 10% off the price of a new one (at best). The big driver is availability and hassle. With the shortages around here, the dealers are being *&^%s and the prices are climbing on any 2011s on the lot. Saving sales tax is nice too, but it looks like the 2010s are doing well holding their value because of the 2011 shortages. Not sure if this will continue with the 2012s on the horizon, but I'm guessing this is the way it will be for a while.