I suggested the same thing, to my husband, about the leather. He want a III or a IV with nav. I think he is just going to end up with a new one. All the cars we find that he really likes are in VA, OH, NY, etc. nothing in Alabama and maybe 1 in GA.
So all those financial experts that say that the moment you drive a new car off the lot the car has already depreciated (upwards of 20%) are full of it then. Because looking at used prices for a 2010, they are most certainly not selling for more than a few % lower. Now on a 2 yr old Prius, maybe 10% lower...maybe 15%? One financial expert (Dave Ramsey) says that a new car depreciates 60% in its first 4 years. I doubt that applies to a Prius though.
It all depends on the car (demand vs. supply), and the economy. Back in the height of the internet bubble, I sold an 18 month old Porsche for exactly what I paid for it--the dealers couldn't get enough new cars from the factory to meet the demand.
I ran the KBB on my new Prius and Private Party Sale Price was $22,710! I paid $22,086! Maybe I should start flipping cars... Point is, right now you can actually buy a new Prius here in GA cheaper than you can buy a used one!