In the next three weeks I need to purchase a car that is <= $18,000. I originally thought I would buy a new Ford Fiesta, a subcompact, and be done with this ordeal of finding a reliable vehicle for transportation but the truth is that since the Prius came out I've always wanted one and have decided that there is no reason - or excuse - to go against this desire. From searching through Edmunds, KBB, and Carmax I see that I can at least afford an 08 Prius, although if there isn't too much difference between this and an 01-07 I may as well save my money and get an earlier model. On the other hand if perhaps for each year there really has been drastic improvements I should attempt to get an 09. Here's some context. I've lived in So. California and for about three years I've done without an automobile using a bicycle, public transportation, two feet, and occasionally bumming rides with friends and family but demands on my time have forced me to the decision that I need to purchase a car, and for my needs before January 31. If you can try to shed light on what you think my best bet would be in purchasing a Prius in the price range aforementioned I would be very grateful.
If you can try to shed light on what you think my best bet would be in purchasing a Prius in the price range aforementioned I would be very grateful.[/QUOTE] Look for a certified used Prius.......buy it from a good dealer. There are many Prius owners on this forum. Try to get them to help locate a good dealer for you.
There IS a significant difference between Priuses prior to the 04 model year. 04 was the start of the 2nd gen. Since your budget is sufficiently high and no 03s are worth $18K, I'd rule out 1st gens immediately. Since you're in CA, (to be on the safe side) I recommend sticking w/one that was bought and always registered in a CARB state. See http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/88505-advice-guidance-requested.html#post1241513 and the other info and links posted there. https://priuschat.com/forums/knowle...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html should help. Note that the 06 model year was the mark of significant changes such as it being the 1st year that one could get an aux input jack and backup camera along w/the higher res LCD w/newer UI. Personally, if you think the paying for nav (nav update discs thru legit sources are expensive) and leather is overpriced/not worth it, go for one that's more lightly equipped but still has the aux input jack, is in better shape and has fewer miles. In this day and age, many folks use iPods or other portable music players or streaming audio from their phones (e.g. Pandora). It would be a huge bummer to me to buy a Prius w/o input jack or at least a tape deck to use w/a tape adapter. (Tape deck was ditched after model year 05.) FM transmitters suck, in comparison.
I wholeheartedly agree with a 2004-09 base Prius. Add a sound deck later if you want to. More important, stay away from flood cars or salvage titles. I'm guessing a little here, but $10-13k for a car with 50-70k miles I think is ballpark. I would choose the higher mileage car so long as a mechanic inspection was ok. As for CPO -- nah.
Minimal - I got my 2010 Prius V w/nav from a mom and pop dealer for $19,900. It only had 20,000 miles on it. For $18,000 I think you should be able to find a good deal on a 2009 or even a 2010. As stated above, you're doing well with the 2004-2009 bunch. Look through cars.com and craigslist (just search prius in the cities near you). A lot of the smaller dealers aren't on cars.com but may post on craigslist. I test drove the Fiesta and found it way too small.
You might want to checkout Hertz rent2buy. It is a newer concept and they had many 09's and 10's in your price range. Buy Used Cars for Sale, Used Car, Second hand cars for sale. Used rental cars by Hertz Rent2Buy.
I have our previous TRAC (loander/rental cars) that come out of service from time to time. If I have your contact information, I can alert you to when one of these is comingout of service. They are all II package 2010's and run in the high 19's and very low 20's. Dianne
This car is advertised at the dealerhip where I just bought my car for $16,990.00. One owner, certified, traded on a new Prius. Looks like all the maintenance was done based on the carfax. Used 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid For Sale | Phoenix AZ Heres a link to the ad. http://www.camelbacktoyota.com/newspaper_ad.htm
Thank you all for such useful and fast advice. Right now I'm looking at a number of options, 2009 primarily but also a well used - for the amount of time they've been out - Gen III. After a bit more of a search options really do open up. I'll let you know what I decided on and again thank you all so very much.
Since Gen IIIs are an option, do look at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/88583-prius-versions.html#post1242903 regarding the changes and improvements.
So after considering my options and realizing that for me the most important aspect of purchasing a Prius was to have a reliable fuel efficient car I went with a used 2005 Prius, as none of the bells and whistles that went with later additions to the Prius Gen II really matter to me and this is even more true for the Gen III. So for $11k (+2k for lojac & two years of insurance) I have a very well preserved Prius. I have a radio transmitter on my smart phone so I use this to play my collection of music, ~10gb, use the Prius' speakers for calls and I use the phone's GPS for navigation. The only thing I want to install to make this beauty a bit more enjoyable are better speakers and when I have the time I'll follow the Gen II guide for that. I'm so proud to be a Prius owner and driver now. best
Cool! Welcome on board! If your 05 has a tape deck, I'd strongly suggest using a tape adapter over an FM transmitter.
********AS of today 7/22/12, here on the east Fl. Coast--Prices are high-'08's for $16,688 & up. An '07 V selling for $16,900. Anyone have suggestions , I mean POSITIVE experience w/ dealers in Ft. Lauderdale ??? I'll let u all know what happenes--I still have to finsih reading the dissertation (more like a thesis) from Cars.com. Thanks, DJ
(11:34pm 7-23-12) lefat1, wow, earlier today I spent a few hrs. on the phone trying to get a dealer to come down on several '08s-he did but, then there were doc fees, a $600dealer fee, elec. filing fee; nose-picking fee; manhole cover fee etc. S0...I cked out the net and it caused this happene: TOMORROW is "P-DAY". I'm testing a leather-loaded '07 w/60,010miles-1-owner in 5 yrs-same state-etc. wait, the deal-closer is NO DEALER FEES, NO DOC FEES. NO B.S. but tx, tag and...that's it tx & tag +$15,000 for what i pray will be the car of my dreams that will #$%^ big oil. I'll let u folks know...wait i better delete most of this--i don't wanna JINX ANYTHING. I'll be doing a Dionne Warwick & saying lots of "little Prayers". OH it's hopefully a GOOD OMEN that July 24th is my wife (of 25yrs) birthday. Thanks for posting me lefat1--maybe we could meet for coffee @ Denny's & "Chat Prius" ??? Keep in touch, OK ? DJ
did you have any luck finding my listing or the car of ur dreams...if still interested email me at [email protected]
I WAS able to find an '07 in MINT, really MINT condition w/ everything but the touring 16" tires on my wife's birthday-July 24th ! so far, only driven 295.2 miles w/ 4 cliks <?> remaining. Thanks for your time & best of luck selling yours. Regards, DJ
