All taxes/fees included: 1) 2010 Prius Basic (1) - 57k miles, $20,100 2) 2010 Prius Technology Package (5) - 24k miles, $26,500 3) 2011 Prius (I don't know which trim level but it does have Navigation and leather seats + push button start) - 40k miles, $21,250 4) 2012 Prius (no info on trim yet) - 36k miles, $23,600 5) 2013 Prius C (2) - brand new, $24,500
Do you like the Options a lot or a little or not at all? Don't like options pick #1 Like options a little pick #3 Over the top with Options the gadgets pick #2 #4 not enough info to make a decision #5 new warranty and new car is worry free but it is a C. You already have a 2012C. Not understanding why this is a selection. If you had no car this would be a front runner. That my opinion. I'm assuming interior and exterior color are acceptable for all cars Assuming budget is fine for all cars. Assuming all cars are Toyota Certified with extended warranty.
Thanks for your reply! I don't actually have a C yet, I had to select a car type when I joined. The c with 2 trim was the front runner at the time (yesterday) but now I am considering the regular Prius as well because the c felt very small when I test drove it. I wouldn't mind leather seats, Nav etc but I wouldn't call them deal breakers either. It's not like I was getting any of that on the c. I'm going back and forth between new car (I will make sure it's well maintained) vs. roomier car (used and you can't always trust car history reports). I could afford any of them but it will take me a near equal amount of time to pay them off and when that time comes, the regular Prius will be up to 3 years older than if I were to get the c. Anyway what I meant was (I should have been clearer sorry), which car seems the most worth it in terms of the cost/mileage/trim combo? I have zero experience with the Prius.
Is the cost really an issue? If yes, get the least expensive...they are all good. If cost is not really an issue, get the one with the most options that you care about. Mike
This is my opinion. You have 2 typical buyers. 1) Keep the car a few years sell it and buy another and roll the equity of the first into the second purchase. 2) The buy and hold drive it to the ground type and get the most out of the car. A Prius Lifespan is about 12-15 years and 200,000 miles. Many have exceeded that and others never reach it mostly from car accidents. You don't drive that many miles per year. The car tends to not have expensive repairs the first 100,000 miles and than a few things start to crop up. Even if you purchased the 3 year old car with 40,000 miles and drove the car another 6 years and added 90,000 miles you are at about 130,000 miles on a 9 year old car when stuff starts to go wrong. New is good since you will buy another 2 years of additional lifespan but you're also not getting the car you enjoy. If you can get any of the used Prius with a Toyota Platinum Warranty that is good. Take it than. I like the gadgets but when they break they are expensive to repair unless under warranty. It is all your personal decision. Sort it out in your head and enjoy the car. The Prius Hatchback is a good car to grow into if you plan of getting married and starting a family. It is a mid size car. Prius is known to be a safe and reliable car. Buying a used car with low miles is a great investment. You save about 1/3 the cost of the car because the previous owner paid most of the depreciation. Get the Toyota Platinum Warranty to protect yourself if you can. Best of luck ! Happy Motoring.
Thanks so much, this was very helpful! One of my hesitations with the c is that I am a drive it to the ground type and it doesn't seem practical for the long term if I ever choose to marry/have kids (esp. if the guy is tall!). I am definitely leaning more towards regular Prius now. Thanks again!
None. About 3 months ago, I paid around $22,500 for my 2013 Gen 3, Prius Two, brand new, with 5 miles on the odometer and of course the basic brand new car Toyota warranty. None of those scenario's seem particularly great to me. To be 100% honest, this summer and as fall approaches I kind of regret not getting the sunroof upgrade. But the cost difference would of been very significant. On all other levels? The base Prius is fine for me. The Prius is well equipped even at entry level. And if I'm going to pay near new vehicle prices, for a used car, the deal has to be great. Otherwise, I'd rather just get the new car.
Note: The NAV on the Prius is mediocre at best. And depending on the vintage, you might not get leather, but Softex.
thanks for your reply! I didn't mention that I am in Ontario and our prices are much higher than in the States. For example, yesterday my research was mainly Prius C based. People in the States were quoting 21-24k out the door for the level 4 trim. In Ontario, the best price I've gotten for level 2 trim is 25k with a few hundred in service credits. Level 4 would be well above that. It is super hard to find Canadian info online. I would love to pay US prices but unfortunately it is not an option.
I wonder how the rate of exchange plays into that. Google estimates $25000 CAN is a 24290 USD. About a $800 delta.
Ahh...that does make a difference. Since I don't live in Canada, I'm probably unqualified to offer too much of an opinion here. I would agree with and stress two things. #1. the navigation option in The Prius is generally at best considered underwhelming. #2. In my opinon, compared to most other vehicles, The base Prius is very well equipped. So if moving up the ladder, you really have to ask yourself how much you value Softex seats, and a few of the specific bells and whistles. This can be important. But only you can really answer how much you value or do not value the perks the higher rungs on the ladder provide.
Thanks! I will have to look into the trim levels in more detail but I'm generally not too fussy about extra features. I like a good sound system and need A/C, but beyond that I am more concerned with safety/fuel efficiency. My current vehicle has a moon roof and I almost never use it so that sort of thing doesn't matter to me either way. Leather or an easily cleanable material for the interior is preferred but not necessary. Thanks for your input!