I saw the Prius C the other day and absolutely love the interior compared to my 2011 Prius III. I decided that I want to trade in and get it. My car is 9 months old with 11,500 miles. I paid $26,500 for it in July (when demand was super high with supplies low). The dealership is only offering me $19,300 for the trade in. That seems ridiculously low. Kelly Blue Book is saying I should be getting $23-24k for the trade. Does it sound like I am getting ripped off?
Compare to craigslist and check out other dealers for the trade. I went in to look at the '12C and left with a '11 gen 3. I liked the extra space but that C sure is cute. My '11 was about $23k new (march 2012) so you may be expecting too much.
I could not imagine taking a $6,000 loss because I like the interior better on a newer car. In order to cover a $6,000 loss you need to earn $9,000 to cover taxes, SS and Medicare. I do not know what your yearly income is but look at these numbers If you make $30,000 you would have to work 3 months just to pay for that loss. If you make $120,000 you would have to work 1 month just to pay for that loss.
You should always sell it in a private sale instead if you find someone who will buy it and chances are you will.
And if you can sell it for high enough to make up the tax savings you would get when trading it in. Sometimes we forget about that. And depending on the trade-in offer, that tax savings and not having to hassle with a private sale could make it worth it just to trade it in. As an example, I was thinking of trading mine in. The offer I was able to get them to agree on for my trade was 16k. I would have had to sell the car privately for 17k just to break even with the trade offer. But I ended up selling it privately for 18k so I made out in my favor to the tune of 1k.
I wouldn't love the smaller interior space and less robustness of c on highway. Plus, no PWR MODE in c.
I think the Prius C will be best for someone doing more city driving or that they want a Prius but can't afford the extra money.
The problem you have with a late model, newer low mile car is that folks will immediately compare to to a new one. If I sell a new 2012 with 0 miles for $24,500 to $25K, I as a dealership cannot pay anywhere near 22K for yours, no matter what Kelley or any other internet source says. Once we pay all that $$ to certify and service and clean, we couldn't even break even after we sell it.
I wouldn't do that ... I own a C and a Prius 3rd gen. They have very similar gas mileage ... the 3rd gen can actually do better on the highway than the C. You will lose more than you can possibly gain. Don't get me wrong, both cars are fantastic but that is the point ... both are fantastic. There is no upgrade going to a C. Wait for the 100% electric Prius ...
I will be frank here. Why would you do this ?? Seriously ! It is crazy. Why would you buy an inferior car and take a bath on the trade in ? Dianne is spot on. A late model car - cant be priced like new. Folks always will then buy a new car. Trading in a car in the first 3 years is always always a losing scenario unless suddenly your metal turns into gold. So , my sincere and honest advice - keep driving your Prius till the wheels fall off !!
