Buying Used Prius Agonizing over Details : }

Best of luck with your Prius purchase. We bought our 2nd in May this year. Had a 2012 gold 2 that we bought with 76 miles on her and traded in on a 2015 white 4 with 9 miles on her. I also have a 2009 Pontiac vibe base 2.4l optioned out that I just rolled 85k trouble free miles on.

 

Go for it! Low miles are always a plus. Do you like the Gen3 (2010-2015)?

 

The gen 3 (2010) is a good deal. More power, better MPG (slightly). A couple years' worth of less miles. However, I personally would not want to lose the backup camera. If that or any of the other additional toys from the 2009 pkg 6 aren't a big deal to you, I would do the 2010. However, if they are, I don't think you will go wrong with the 2009. The Prius is a reliable car from everything I have heard and the 2nd gen in particular has a proven track record of good reliability. The certified is nice on the 2010 though. At the same price it's going to come down to less miles vs more features - you have to decide which is more important to you.

 

Everyone will have their own personal preference for sure, but I have a 2005 package 1 and a 2007 package 6. I drive the package 6 because my wife doesn't like leather. I don't even have to use one hand to count the number of times I have used the backup cam.

Zero. Zilch. Nada.

If you have a ton of problems with spatial recognition (and some people do, I'm not faulting you for that. My wife has terrible depth perception), then a backup cam might be useful to you, but you can certainly live without it. I would rate a backup cam *very* lowly in my list of priorities.

If I were you and the prices were equal (seems like they are), I would go with the one with fewer miles and the newer generation. Either one seems like a good car, but that's my personal preference.

 

I did not like the interior. I was feels too encapsulated to me.

Gen 2 feels more open and airy. The Gen 3 2010 most likely is stiffer and has less flex.

 

I have the third gen back-up camera. At least for me, I relegate it to the same category as auto headlights and fog lights, both of which I also have, but rarely/never use. Mainly 'cause they're good idea, but the implementation sucks.

My issue with the third gen back-up camera: it's insanely wide field-of-view, objects appear about 10 fold further away than they actually are. Our version, not having the Multi Function Display (an idea I'm not enamoured of), displays the back up camera in left corner of rear view mirror, fwiw.

 

The backup camera is on the 6 inch screen in my 2012 and it is very wide angle also. But it has helped me a ton in my parking garage at work. I'm always nervous backing up since, well to be honest I suck at it. I have had 4 accidents in my life and all were in reverse at less than 5 mph. The camera helps enough for me to give me peace of mind since I can see from the perspective of the back of the car. I haven't hit anything in a vehicle that had one.

For me personally if I liked both the features and handling of one car better, that would be an easy decision. Yes it has more miles but a Prius will still go a long time in most cases.

 

Based on the fundamentals the 2010 is a better car. But gizmos sell cars. You give up the MFD but the functionality is there in the MID.

The scrapes on the spoiler most likely indicate owner opened hatch in a garage with a low ceiling. If the scrapes are down to the white then Toyota's black touchup paint is a perfect match. If needed, I'll look in the garage for the color code.

Any of the gizmos (except 3 door SKS) that are missing can be added with third party parts inexpensively. GPS units are cheap. Cameras are cheap. On the plus side, no ornamental fog lights to break.

You know the drill so I'll skip that part. There were three stages to MY2010 production. Early production does not have the USB port in the center armrest. Middle production has the USB port but doesn't have Safety Connect. Late production has the Safety Connect panel by the rear view mirror. All of these changes happened in 2009.

There are two recalls on the car. The first was reprogramming the Brake ECU to reduce the sensation between regen & friction braking. The second reflashed the Intelligent Power Module in the inverter. Maybe these were done. If you are buying from a Toyota dealer they are most likely done. If they aren't done then it is your decision when & if you want to do them. For the record, I'm running stock 2009 electronics without incident.

In 2009 those who bought 2009s were happy with their cars. Those who bought 2010s were happy with their cars.

I'm hoping the 2010 works out just so you can call the other dealer to say no, thank you.

In NJ, insurance doesn't get involved until you are signing the papers at the dealership. They may take the VIN over the phone or have the dealer fax some form. The current policy automatically covers the new car for a short period. All I remember was that Dyslexic Dan got involved and I had to get the VIN straight with the insurance company over the phone--not a big deal, just an annoyance.

I can understand someone at the bank being annoyed or amused with you. You aren't the first one to pull this stunt and you won't be the last one. I'm sure you are a topic of conversation in the office.

 

I thought the backup camera was a gimmick--until I had to parallel park in a crowded Secaucus parking lot. I find it very useful as I can see exactly where my bumper is. It's great for maneuvering in tight spaces but don't forget to watch your sides.

It is not good for trying to drive in reverse. I know because I tried it on the track at AAA driving school.

 

Don't worry I laugh at my own parking nearly on a daily basis.

 

Having had a gen 3 without backup cam and one with, I'd be fine either way since it is easy enough to judge distance using the mirrors. I really only use the camera for its wide angle letting me see cars coming up the lane in parking lots that I can't see because of giant suv or pickup trucks beside me.

The stiffness is one thing I really enjoy about our Prius. It feels solid even at triple digit speeds and handles nicely (even nicer than my vibe.) My friend had a 2007 and on certain turns I didn't feel very comfortable with the body roll of his Prius but could take it at the same speed or faster in ours and still have confidence in the handling.

As far as the center console. I hated it at first and thought of it as wasted space, but found out quickly that the cubby under the shifter makes for a great place to toss your wallet, keys, sunglasses (if you are like me and have a pair that isn't flat and won't fit in the overhead) and even can fit a 1 liter bottle of water for easy access.

Like with everything else, it comes down to YOUR preference.

 

km/hr, of course?

 

Um, ok. Yeah that works. Lol. Definitely not in MPH and I most definitely did not go 115-120MPH on a long straight stretch of Georgia back roads at 1am.

 

Yes ma'am. Hopefully, you can get your Prius before the weekend.