Which to buy!?

How tall are you PriusLover09?

Is ask because the 09- Prius can be a challenge to fit in if much over 6ft. Headroom is fine for me at 6ft2in, but legroom a bit tight and rearview mirror hangs low.

Big issue with the current Prius is price. It is expensive for a small car no matter how you slice it.

Last Summer, I wanted an 08. The JBL audio was must have. Package 3's (lowest pack with JBL) were said to be discontinued, pack 4's were scarce (plus a several month waiting list to get any Prius last Summer).

So, a package 5 came in late August and I paid full sticker price. Full sticker price is something you want to avoid on any brand new car purchase.

By October, the 2009's came in, and package 3's were again available here. Pack3's are $1200 less than pack5's.

Right now, pack3's would easily go out the door for $3k less than a pack5 back in August.

Even with this economy, you might pay more for any new Prius in the Summer.

I believe more people buy cars near the Summer than any Winter - kids out of school for vacations, driving weather, etc...

I think the waiting list for a 2010 might be long this Summer.

 

I had the same question;2009 or 2010? Yesterday I bought a pkg 2 blue mica for $3000 under sticker for $21538. I figure it was a great deal and I can wait a few years and take my pick of phevs.

 

PriusLover09 - I lve in Fortuna, CA. That's about 300 miles north of San Francisco. I had two dealers, one in Eureka (20 miles north) and one in Santa Rosa (250 miles south) competing with each other. They eventually matched each other, but I commited to Freeman Toyota in Santa Rosa first. They both had about a dozen on their lots.

I highly recommend Bob Lang and Freeman. I bought the 05 there too. Honest, knowlegeable and friendly.

 

Go to a Toyota dealer where they have a new Prius, 2009 Corolla and/or 09 Matrix. It's easier when they're in showroom - can take your time.

Adjust your seat and rearview mirror which has 2 pivot points. Look out at other cars or people nearby. Can you see them or are they blocked?

Do the same with a Corolla or Matrix. Their height adjuster is the handle on left side, forward. With seat cranked all the way down, you won't have any issues with rearview mirror blocking your view. Also check out their telescoping steering wheel.

The 2010 Prius will have the height adjuster and telescoping wheel.

I like to have good legroom to work the pedals, be firmly in the seat with headrest 'right there' and arms slightly bent when holding top of the steering wheel (driving twisty backroads, my hands are top of wheel).

Really need to test drive a car to know, or if you want to spend $40 and have a day with a Prius, you ought to be able to rent one.

 

I second the advice on renting. I rented a Prius for a week and drove about 500 miles before I bought my '08. It was all the convincing I needed. This was back in May, so the challenge then was to find a car to buy, which took 8 weeks at the time. Paid MSRP at the time, but even with today's lower prices I don't regret my purchase a bit.

Who knew gas was gonna drop like a stone in July?

 

Without a doubt, the Camry is a much quieter and comfortable car than the Prius, particularly for long highway driving. The pricing just depends how you option them out. Just decide which features are more important to you (comfort or MPG). Also, the 2010 Prius is supposed to have an improved ride and better handling than the 2009 Prius. If people want to same money on 2009 deals, fine, but I personally would not even consider it. The 2010 fixes almost all people's complaints about the Gen II.

 

My wife and I were in the same boat a couple of weeks ago and we have since found out that the 2010 will be a much higher price(starting around 26,000) but they will still be selling the old model at a lower price but they will have less features. We decided to go with the current model because it is tried and true and thousands love it. We have a 2009 Black Prius and could not be happier. However, the prices will likely go down even further on the 09 before the 10 comes out, so it might be a good idea to wait another month. They had a $750 rebate last month, but you have already missed it. Wait around until they at least announce the final price of the 2010 and then make your decision.

 

Hi everyone...this is a first time post so i am hoping i can get some good feedback from those with a little more in the know.....I am curios to know what people have bought their new 2009 prius for with in the last month or two ...for a package #5 pretty well loaded (less the leather trimmed seats and steering wheel), with carpet floor and cargo mats, and cargo net, in the new york, pennsylvania, ohio, massachusetts area.... your best MSRP discounted price before taxes....have an offer of $26,000.00 before taxes etc and was wondering if i can do or expect a better price...thanks for any help and info....bob

 

One of our local dealers was offering the package #6 at $24,888 several weeks ago but keep in mind that some dealers have 50+ in stock right now and are dropping prices accordingly. Hopefully you can get a lower price on a package #5 .

 

Hmmm, let's see how that works..

Edmunds is listing the base 2010 price starting at $23,500 ...

2010 Toyota Prius Pricing and Information

This price might be equiv. to an 09 'package 0' which is the $22k figure. *Very few pack 0's are made or sold*

So, adding the standard equipment options in this list ...
http://priuschat.com/forums/2010-toyota-prius/57726-2010-prius-option-packages-naias.html

might add ~ $2k to the Edmunds base price. Add on the carpet floor mats and destination charge and *maybe*

Standard 2010 Prius, 'sticker priced' (the bottom line asked to pay (MSRP is not the bottom line)) ... at

$26,420

I was 1 off in guessing HP of 2010 model, let's see how close this turns out.

 

The survey that really matters is the survey of dealers within reach for you. Have them each fax you their best out-the-door price for the car you want. A single dealer isn't going to care much what a few random netizens told you.

 

Prices are based on supply and demand for the cars.

Right now, supply of 2009 Prius's is high (compared to last Summer when buyers were searching in other states to buy one) I waited 3 months to get mine)).

Gas prices creeping up (which they are), better weather, folks getting a tax refund or economic stimulus check possibly, more strength in economy, etc... will all contribute to higher demand for cars and 2009 Prius's.

There might be a hefty waiting list to get a 2010 this Summer, whereas one can get a 2009 for possibly more $$ than right now, but we'll see. All speculation.