Great deal on a '15 or wait for the '16

Wow--I have a 2008 Pri, and have been anxiously awaiting the 2016. However, I do also like the 2015 styling better than the pictures of the 2016. Maybe I will feel different when I see the new one--still waiting........

 

Wait for Gen V, your Prius should last the 5-6 year wait. As for me, just got my Prius a few months ago, hopefully I won't be upgrading till Gen V gets heavily discounted right before Gen VI arrives...that's how I got my current one

 

If you want more content like a power seat and fake leather+++, now is the time for a 15, however if that's not a priority, stick with what you got until you are closing in on 100K.

 

Because of 1, you should get the 2015.

Because of 2, you should get a 2016. Lithium has been used by the Japanese Prius v since 2012, it is not new tech. I can't say for others but Prius drivers like screwdrivers are better with lithium.

Because of 3, it's actually a whole lot easier on your wallet to buy a 2016 next year, 12 months from now when they become available because you will be saving money on monthly payments you don't have to do now. In effect, you're driving your 2011 longer and amortizing the cost of your current car longer.

4 and 5 have no clear distinctions for new or old.

 

no point to trading a 2011 with 44k, for a 2015, that would be a huge money waste. wait until next summer/fall. the 2016's will be on sale, and someone will really want your '11. there are too many improvements to the gen IV to list, but first, you have to drive one.

 

be sure to look at the 2016 in person before writing off its styling.

I disliked the car from photos, but it looks waaaay better in person and makes the 2015 look frankly dated.

toyota would not be releasing li-ion unless the tech is finally as durable as the nimh batts. they are methodical about things like that.

 

Whoever can't figure out the 2016 apparently has 'less rearseat legroom' because it simply allows the front seats to slide back farther ....
needs help.

Good gawd, just slide the front seat a little forward and problem solved. Gen2 had 'tons of rear seat legroom' because the front seats didn't slide back for nothing. Duhhhh

 

Wait until next year and get a 2016 when sales are struggling due to gas being under a buck a gallon and purchase then.

 

We're in the same boat. For us, the 2016 was almost 100% dead on arrival. The 2015's are heavily discounted but might take a peak at the '16 Volt.

 

Both options are bad. Keep driving the 2011. What's wrong with your 2011? Yes, maybe it is getting boring, but if you are concerned about cost, wait a year or two. If you really want the 2016, buy one when the 2017 models come out.

 

Keep the 2011. All you are gaining by up grading to a 2015 is more car payments. Any features you might get that your current ride doesn't have truly aren't worth that. Some might be able to add to your car now for much lower price. At 11,000 miles a year, your 2011 should have a long life.

Most of your cons against the 2016 are perceptual, and final judgement should wait until you can see the car in person. I don't see all the 2015's being one by the time the 2016's arrive in this market. As for the battery, Li-ion isn't a brand spanking new technology, even in hybrids. The Sonata hybrid has gone a generation using it without any news worthy issues, and same with Ford's current hybrids. Toyota uses it in the 7 seater Prius v available over seas.

If you are still concerned about Li-ion, I don't see Toyota dropping the NiMH trims in the next couple years. I think you should wait until the mid-cycle refresh of the gen4. By then, there will be new models and redesigns of other hybrids and plug ins to look at.

 

Thank you for your service protecting the free flow of commerce. I think most of us here are trying to protect US citizens from needing to sign up to protect the free flow of oil in the future.

 

Well we know what NiMH performance looks like and its not perfect...there is some failure rate. One school of thought is the lithium is more reliable but we gotta wait another 4 or 5 years to see that, as the NiMH had a head start.

 

Gen 4 Prius is a far better car than Gen 3 Prius, as Toyota has substantially improved handling and styling -- apples vs. oranges. You get what you pay for.

 

Styling is a subjective reason for saying the gen 4 is better. Better handling is nice and welcomed but could be easily accomplished with aftermarket parts for previous gens.

 

I decided to upgrade today. I had a one owner 2007 pkg 3 and decided to take the deal on a 2015 four w/solar roof pkg. Whoever buys my gen 2 will get a great car. Before her I never kept a car longer than a couple of years and I had her for 9.

I'm sure the gen 4s will grow on me but I really preferred the look of the 3s and I wanted heated seats and a spare tire at the same time.

 

congrats, all the best!

 

To the OP?
I really have little doubt that the Gen 4 will be a significant improvement in many area's to the Gen 3.

And I say that as a Gen 3 owner that DOESN'T plan to run out and buy a Gen 4.

That being said? The tone of your original post seems to be really looking for validation for upgrading to a new Gen 3.
I'm kind of in the camp that say's if you own a Gen 3 Prius Two, with only 44,000 miles, why bother?

Sure it would be a "upgrade" but only from Gen 3 trim level-2 to Gen 3 trim level 3-4. In my opinion 44,000 miles on a Prius is nearly nothing.

If I wanted to upgrade, I'd really want it to be to the Next Generation, not just a newer chronological aged same Generation.

But it would reset your Hybrid Battery warranty, as well as offering the nicer amenities available in a Prius Three or Prius Four.
But I still don't think I'd do it unless I was absolutely getting a "Golden" deal on the New Gen 3 Prius.