What should I do if I have been waiting for GEN5?

You could shop around for a Gen3 or 4? Than hope 5 comes out next year, like most of the rest of us are.

 

perhaps get a short term lease car in the mean time until gen 5 comes out.

 

These are not normal times, you're not going to find a normal deal. But that's how it is for everyone who replaces a car this year.

If you wind up feeling a little burned by the timing of buying a '22 now and then a '23 next year, you're still doing okay. You can always keep the '22 an extra year to reduce the sting of depreciation. And maybe you'll need to- that chick hasn't hatched yet.

 

To add to that....always heard wise to not buy the first year of a new production or new gen vehicle.
Sure it is a Toyota but still. Kinks have to be worked out and takes real world sometimes.

OP,
Could a cheap old beater suffice? Not sure what commute or drive patterns and distances you need it for.
Maybe a few thousand for an older Corolla or Camry can hold over for a year or two.

 

If you have to get a car now, then you have very little wiggle room to search and strike a good deal. Under the current seller's market, the situation is even worse. Yeah, if you want to get into the Gen5 PP in near future, I second the idea of leasing for two or three years or a cheap used car to bridge the gap. Who knows, by then, you may have more choices than just Gen5 PP or better tax incentives.

 

but another car and wait until the right 23pp deal comes along

 

Simply buy any PHEV that you can, with a decent Federal tax credit, state/local utility incentives, and manufacturer incentive.
Currently Toyota is $1500 on a Prius Prime and $750 Uber (search). I don't think that can be beat.
Find whatever Prius Prime at MSRP, use the above discounts, and you can sell/trade the vehicle in 1-2 years and you'll be way better off than buying a used anything right now. The tax credit and other incentives will easily offset the new car depreciation and if the market is still crazy high for used cars, you might actually MAKE money on the deal.

If you can't take advantage of any of the above - sorry, you'll have to find another deal to work.

(edit) Also, while annoying, the fact that your 2012 is totaled in this market means that your insurance company should be offering top dollar/value for it - it has to be $3k higher than it was a year ago. Make sure they do not undercut you on the value - input the vehicle info into Carvana, Vroom, Shift, CarMax online sites (wihout the accident) and get comparison values, along with searching for used car listings to ensure they aren't short changing you.

 

Gas prices skyrocket as the global energy crisis worsens - CNN

^
CNN is banging the drum a little loudly because they're trying to draw the eye away from some other things - BUT the fact remains that gas prices are going to remain quite high for the foreseeable future.

If gas prices are already above $3 a gallon where you live, then this will make the gas sipper that's available to buy NOW even more attractive than the "perfect" vehicle that's off in a dim, far distant future.

Me?
I'd get a base model G4 (eco) and drive it for a few years, waiting for Congress Critters to figure out if "Build Back Better" is three lies for the price of one.....or will even happen at all.

The relatively spartan base model G4 will still be gobbs more efficient than most other wireless cars, AND the money that you save by not over-paying for an already high-priced PHEV at the top of the market, and (probably) before a pretty massive economic downturn might serve you better in 2023.

Your call.
Good Luck!

 

Considering the supply issues going on, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a delay for the 5th gen's release.

 

seeing that toyota has recalled the 20022's, i would find a way to wait for gen5

 

I've probably been overthinking or thinking ahead too much about 4's resale value when 5 gets here.
4's value has held up fairly well so far

 

Delay further? It's been 6 years "traditionally" for the Prius, not that long of a tradition, but...

Anyway, it's (very) tentatively 7 years now. Maybe they're a little stung by the lackluster reception for fourth gen styling, outside and in? Or maybe just me.

I recall when the first of the 4th gen spy pics started, it was "oh no..." for me, did NOT like it. And IIRC there had been a late-in-the-day admonition, from Toyota management to the designers, to "edge it up" more?

 

As I understand it the Gen 5 will have the ability to hover but only on electricity.

 

20022?

 

perhaps with the state of the world regarding shortages and etc., it makes sense not to rush gen5. 20,000 years ought to be enough time

 

Having just recently dealt with a totaled prius and needing to find a new ride...Man, I am sorry for you! I ended up picking up a 2022 Prime XLE even though I was hoping to be able to pay off my old car and save up for a couple of years for a BEV. Some exciting stuff is coming in the next few years.

But if you need a ride now I don't think waiting on an unannounced new version of the prius is going to work out for you. They didn't announce the 2022's until, what, April? May? Can you go 6+ months plus how ever long it takes for stock to get to dealers? I don't think I saw any 2022's on lots in July so you're already looking at close to a whole year before you can get your hands on a new car. Heck the new Tundra wasn't announced until a month ago. With delays and the pandemic I don't think you can count on any announcements happening on time.

And speaking from experience with a first model year of a new gen: I had a 2016 Prius Four. I loved it but it had some quirks. If you don't want to be a beta tester for a new model you probably want to avoid the first year it comes out.

My advice: Find something you can live with to hold you over for a year or 2. There are no guarantees until you see the cars on the dealer's lot. Could be a 2021/22 Prius or Prime. Could be a cheap beater to hold you over. Could be another brand. Look at what you're willing to spend and take a look at what's available (unfortunately it won't be much). But I think it would save you heartache to find something you can take home reasonably soon. It took me about 2 weeks to find the right car that wasn't already sold or in transit or both. And when I did, it was 3 hours away.

Good luck.