2012 vs 2014 PIP Advance

Just check Carfax for repair history and details.

I have a 2012 and I love it.

 

assuming they are both the same model (base or advanced) the only difference i can think of is the 14 got updated rings or pistons, can't remember which, and 15 got the other.

if you're going to keep it awhile, depending on the mileage, your biggest concern is the egr circuit clogging and a blown head gasket.
not sure if the piston/ring update helps at all.

 

The traction battery in the 2014 is two years newer. That and the ring updates I've read about would make it a no-brainer for me.

 

2014 for sure. Two years newer and struts are easy to Change out

 

I should of added that I drive a 2012 pip and the egr metal tube thing I took off a few months ago and it has 140k and it was clean clean clean. I was shocked with that many miles.

 

A 2012 that needed new struts?
Could be normal wear.....could be aggressive driving....or a car driven in a state with roads normally found in a third-world country.

I'm not finding many Priuses in this forum that are in need of new struts....so that kinda narrows it down a little for me.
All other things being equal, I'd take the 2014 and lay the 1,000 bucks.

"Dealer maintained" is not always WELL maintained but you will have the advantage of records to peruse for irregular dealer visits.

...examine those carefully.
Look for out-of-periodicity oil changes (indicating a "sudden" oil use event)
Look also for things like brake pad replacements which should not be necessary in the first 100,000 miles or more for an adult driver.
Early tire wear or a lot of wheel alignments are also clues of a rough upbringing.

Good Luck!