About to purchase a Prius. Option 1: We found a Blizzard Pearl 2014 Prius Two brand new for just under $24,000 Option 2: A 2010 Blizzard Pearl Prius model V with 30,000 miles. Leather, but no navigation or reverse camera. No solar roof or moonroof. Asking $18,500. Option 3: A 2010 Blizzard Pearl Prius model V with 65,000 miles. Fully loaded with all options. Some signs of wear due to age and mileage. Asking $15,000. We really are struggling with the choices. The middle ground is a good compromise, but wife wants the extra options (nav, camera, solar roof, moon roof, etc). Thanks for any input and advice!
The 2010's are going to be six model years old in Sept of this year. Even the 2014 will be a model year old in Sept too, but it will still get you the $2,500 Fed tax credit which the 2010's won't. Just something to think about.....
Thanks ny_rob. I've never heard about the $2,500 tax credit for a new Prius. I have heard of a $7,500 for an electric vehicle. I will look into that.
If you are tight for money, go with option 3. If you can afford new, you would have to buy maybe a Prius Four to get the options your wife wants.
Thanks everyone. We haven't had car payments for years, as our vehicles are 10+ years old. With that said, we aren't comfortable with payments on a $20K plus new car. I believe Option 3 suites us best as the payments are half that of a new one. New question: What research is needed to buy a used 2010 Prius? Common issues to look for. What to avoid. Any recalls dealt or not dealt with. Etc etc etc.
No Prius has all the options. If you have to have the solar roof then you need to find a Three-Solar or a Four-Solar. If you only have $15000 then go for the V-AT. Does it have the button on the steering wheel to set the following distance for the Radar Cruise Control, the flat Toyota logo on the nose, the camera on the back side of the rear view mirror, the sensor "rivets" on the front bumper cover? All the above pertain to the upper 49. Hawaii is a special place. Their option packages are unique. If you are buying from a Toyota dealer all the recalls will be done. If you are buying from a private party it is up to you to have the recalls done, or not. Register the VIN at Toyota Owners Official Web Site: Service Coupons, Owner's Manuals, Service Scheduling And More to see the dealer service history & applicable recalls. The first recall was to reflash the Brake ECU because some people didn't like the feel of the brakes. The recent recall also reprograms a computer. Both topics can be found easily and I leave it to each owner to make their own decisions.
If the car has a VIN from Hawaii, it won't show up on the system at Toyota.com. Hawaii is like a foreign country, serviced and sold by Servco
Sure did like our 2010 Prius V. It had all the bells and whistles, bluetooth, satelite radio, navigation system, leather, rear view camera, wider wheel base that I-IV, had over 100,000 miles and ran great. It had temp control on the wheel along with radio volume control. Keep up the oil changes and watch wear and tear on the tires, we never regretted buying this vehicle. Happy priusing!
