I've taken a new job and am now driving 64 miles round trip 3x a week. Current avg is 24MPG in my '02 Benz C320. I figure a Prius could save me about $700 in fuel costs per year. I've come across a 2005 with 215k miles, highway. They are asking $4,800. I suspect I might be better off to spend a little more and get mileage less than 200K. The seller says she is a teacher who drives 60 miles a day. I've found another '04 same mileage but they have replaced the battery (not the 12v one) and are asking $5800. Prices seem to be all over the place.
Don't know what your budget is so with that said get the newest one with the lowest mileage you can afford. The one for $5800 (replaced traction battery) would probably be Ok, but you should plan for some sort of repair somewhere down the road. I have no doubt others here will give you advice also. Best of luck to you. Welcome to Prius Chat!
I drove the 2004 yesterday see this thread /threads/if-not-a-prius-then-what-car-for-great-mpg.132050/ The 04 itself was rattling tin can, I could barely hear myself think while driving down the road. There were a lot of rattles inside the car and the road noise, oh my, no way. The lady did have an '07 that she let me drive also, not as bad, but noisier than I'm used too. I'm smart enough to not judge all Prius' based on only 2 cars. I'm a newbie here so I can't post links yet. :-(
