Hi all, I just sold my SUV and is looking to buy a hybrid ASAP! only thing is that i really don't want to spend 30k for a brand new one. so..the question is ..... is an 05 prius just as good? I found one for sale. its package 5 (or comparable for that year since it has Nav). or should i suck it up and get a new Prius? its about 10k difference. I know there has not been too many changes but i do like new shiny things thanks! James
James, WELCOME!!! You don't have to spend 30 grand on a new Prius..... You can easily get a new one for around 23 grand. I paid 23,000 for my package 2 and even if you want a more developed package you will pay a bit more. But you cant still get a great deal for under 30 grand. My reasoning was, why buy a used Prius when I can get a brand new one for just about the same price.. they are holding their value strong for obvious reasons, and I would rather have a brand new one. Congrats by the way on turning in your SUV. I did the same thing, got rid of that sucker before it was worthless. I just read an article in our local Sun-Times here in Chicago that some private used car dealers in the Florida area are now refusing to accept SUV as trade ins, they just won't buy them because they are just sitting on the lots and nobody is buying them. I think you were wise to offload your SUV before the value dropped drastically. Welcome aboard!, I am still a newbie here, but I LOVE my Prius.... If stock is low in your area of Prius, you just might want to grab that 05 but still look for a new one since you can get a decent Prius for under 30 grand.
I'm in LA so... no deal to be had here as of now. the lowest quote i have is around 29k OTD for a package 5. Dang it!!! anyone else out there with an opinion on 05 prius? I don't have car right now so i need to buy something today.
I would have preferred to buy a used Gen II Prius, but I couldn't find any that had low enough mileage to be acceptable, so I bought a new one. Buying used is a great idea because you dodge the years where depreciation is the heaviest, while still getting a nice car (only three years old!) You'll have saved a lot of money, and can use that to upgrade to a plug-in in 5 years.
I have an 05 and am happy with it. The NAV is in package #6, BTW. It has some nice features and you have the ability to enter information on the NAV while in motion (using an override); something that's harder to do with 06 on. However, starting in 06, there are many more features available. Things such as rear camera, enhanced display, AUX audio input and tire sensors. You can find 3rd party parts for the rear camera and tire sensors and can use a cassette adapter for the AUX, but that can be a hassle (as opposed to having these items already installed).
the package 2 is the best value new about $22,000 - $23,000, if you want all the options like the Nav and Blue Tooth you'd might be better off going used.
Assuming what makes the decision for you is money, only you can decide. Just one precautionary note on the 2005: There has been a rash of multi-function display failures on the 2004 and early 2005 models. The cause was pinned down by PC member Hobbit to an apparent (and ever-so-subtle) manufacturing defect. Toyota never has publicly acknowledged it, but they do appear to have resolved it sometime during the 2005 model year. See this thread for substantial discussion, including in post 46 Hobbit's report of a definitive diagnosis. Depending on when the car was actually manufactured, that would be my only concern about the 2005 model year.
My '05 is at the dealer as I write for a 55k workup. So far I have only replaced the tires -- and the floor mats. Ted
My '05 is at 83K with no problems of any kind so far. Would like to have the rear camera that came on the '06, but not enough to trade. Art
