Suggestions needed

Bear with me as I recite the circumstances.

I was in an accident in my 2009 Prius...other driver's fault. It had just under 100,000 miles. The insurance company said it was valued at $14,211. The repair estimate was $9200. They totalled it. Today I received a call from them and they said if I want to keep it the salvage value was $5068. (do not know why they wouldn't just pay to have it repaired since the difference is so close.)

Anyway, we went today and looked at new Priuses. I can get a 2012 #2 for around $24,000...probably less since it's been there awhile the salesman said.

The advice I'd like is ....

Does the 2012 get the same miles per gallon. The window sticker said 50 and I'm fairly certain my 2009 said 55 mpg when I bought it. Mileage is big to me...gives me something to do while my wife and I do our travels, which we do a lot. I'll get 58 on the display but calculated is around 55.

The tires aren't the same size and I still have snow tires and wheels for my 2009 which I wouldn't be able to use. The 2012 doesn't have a rear camera like my 2009.

Those 3 points are the deciders whether I keep my old one, have it fixed, and then get a salvage title. (bad.) Or use the check for $14,211 toward a brand new one. I'm up in the air about this. I loved my old one but the new one suuuurrrrrre is nice....lol.

Opinions please .... and I reiterate...mileage is big to me. Thanks.

 

Thanks...glad to hear the 2012 gets better mileage. That kinda makes it for me. So the wheels must be the same lug pattern as I'm certain my 2009 tires were 16" and the 2012 are 15". As to the camera ... it isn't a big deal to me.

Think I might be getting a new car. And it's my favorite color ... Barcelona Red.

Markabele ... We have zero debt. House paid off, paid cash for my 2009 and cash for my wife's 2012 Camry. We are cash people...grew up in an age when you saved up for something, not used credit. (Read ... old.) Thanks for the suggestion though.

Yeldogt ... that's kinda what my son was saying. And another big negative is the salvage title. So despite feeling the insurance company low balled me the loss of value with a salvage title may just make up for it. This is the first "major" accident I've been involved in and I sure learned about insurance. Must be nice to have the government require us the buy their product then set your own values and payouts. Really pisses me off that I was simply an innocent party to the whole mess that resulted from some 19 year old not paying attention.

Sadly I really really loved my 2009. Hopefully the 2012 will bring as much pleasure.

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply.

 

Thanks ETC...sorry I didn't notice your reply until just now.

Appreciate the tips. I don't like debt so won't be financing it. We have the cash. And NOT having debt is more important to us than saving a few dollars.

We bought my wife a new Camry 6 months back and got a super deal. I had gotten Consumer Reports New Car Report ($15.) .... not worth it in my opinion since all it does is give a range of prices. I not only worked on the alledged invoice price I worked on the Dealer holdback and Financial Reserve. I knocked off the documents fee, which in my opinion shouldn't even exist. I TOLD them what I'd give them ... and it was a great low price. But here's where this particular dealer got me as a customer for life. After I had told them what I'd give them ... I repeat AFTER, they gave me a coupon for another $350 off that price. I still don't know why they did that but it sure left a warm fuzzy feeling towards them. Now we're going back to buy another one so maybe that's why...simply future sales.

I'm going to use the same low balling method this time also, and tell them what I'll give them after applying the above. And the power is with me since they want to rid their lot of the "old" 2012's in order to make room for the 2013's coming in.

I'll keep everyone informed of the results.

Oh, one more thing. F8L, if you're still around, I'd like to talk to you. How can I send you a personal msg on this site? If there's no PM's allowed on here, can you email me .... buickguy at gmail dot com. Thanks.

 

I hope so. The 2009 was my "first." And we all remember our first you-know-what with awe. So I'm hoping you're right about this second one.

Glad to hear that. It seems in this day and age good customer service doesn't exist. It's not all the fault of the business since we as consumers demand this and that ad naseum. I feel sorry for those that have to deal with we the public.

Thanks. I did see that but wondered what it meant. Guess you've now educated me.

 

Fantastic. Glad you (and F8L) told me about the better mileage of the newer cars. My wife and I travel a lot (retired) via car and it always made me smile when I'd see the higher instant mpg. Such as when driving on a many laned freeway which creates such a wonderful tail wind. Or getting behind an 18 wheeler and "drafting." (But just until the driver of said 18 wheeler gets pissed and lets me know he doesn't appreciate it. )

Thanks.

 

I assume you're talking about drafting so close it's dangerous. I don't do that. If you stand on the side of the highway and feel how far back the wind is behind an 18 wheeler you'll see you don't have to be that close. That's what I meant....I'm too old to be part of the rear bumper of an 18 wheeler.

 

Oooo, can I join the "what if " game.

What if the blown out tire pieces bounced off the railing and hit the pickup right behind me, that by the Grace of God could have been me, and flew out of control hitting the trooper giving a ticket to a guy who was speeding and unluckily was standing right in the only spot in the universe that the angle of the front fender of the pickup could possibly push the trooper's hand, knocking the pen out of his hand and into the one remaining good eye of the pulled over driver who immediately screamed, which scared the cop so much he stepped back and into the lane of oncoming traffic whereby creating an obstacle for the said oncoming traffic to swerve around, blowing out all their front tires and bouncing the tire pieces back onto the guard rail where the whole scene is deja vued until we all vomit.

Thanks for your wonderful thoughts.