A newbie Wannabe...my head is spinning...

Ewwww, MACS! Yucky
I use to love macs, then fell in love with Windows and will NEVER look back!

But Prius..now we're talkin!
Either way, you will make a good decision with a 09 or 10.
I have a 06 Prius, 100,000 kms as of today and not a single problem!
Costs under $25 cnd bucks to drive about 700-800 kms per tank.
My uncle across the street owns a 08 Prius and a 08 Hylander Hybrid and loves them both...wants to give the Prius to his daughter and buy a 10 now lol.

Personally owning a 2G, I'd be all over a 3G. Nothing wrong with the 2G at all, but I do like the 10's.

I think you'd be happier with the 10 as it seems more "user friendly" in terms of regular cars. Ie: shifter location

 

One concern with the 2010 is that usually there are small glitches when a new model comes out.

 

There's going to be a wait for the 2010, pre-orders have already been taken, and with this price I'm sure more will be added. But it does have some cool new features (Eco mode/Power mode for one), and removes the coolant thermos, which is the only part I've had any problem with.

Hopefully the 2009 price will be dropped now that people know what the 2010 price is. I think that's the only way dealers will be able to move the inventory. So you might be able to get a bargain there. I don't think there will be too many problems on the 2010, the 2004 was pretty good and it was a lot more revolutionary than the 2010 is.

In your case, I think the time frame is your decider. The 2010 likely won't be in your hands for several months, even if you order one today. Wait a week or two and then talk to a dealer about a 2009, they'll be a little more desperate then, probably.

BTW, there's a strong Mac community here on PriusChat. I think Prius owners tend to think outside the box more than the general community. And more tech-oriented too. If it wasn't for the Mac, Microsoft would be busy releasing DOS 3.28 about now.
(I'm running Leopard on a late 2003-vintage iMac, using it for my video editing with FCE and it's been great.)

 

Another factor to consider is what options you really want.

For example, if you really want the back-up camera, it's available in a bulletproof 2009 in the relatively low priced package 2. But it's only available in the 2010 in the relatively high priced packages with navigation.

For the options I want, I can get a 2009 for $5000 MSRP less than a 2010 --- and maybe $7000 to $8000 less than a 2010 given the $1000 cash back and heavy discount pricing now available for the 2009s.

 

Frank:

I'm in the same boat as you. I've researched this car so much I think my head is spinning (in green, no less). MSRP for the 2010s are pretty much neck-in-neck with the 2009's with rebate, and then some.

Here's my dilemma. I love the multifunction display on the 2009s that serve as a control panel for your audio & climate, as well as a notification method for your power. That's a huge plus, for me. (I currently drive a 2003 Civic LX, so almost anything is an update at this point.)

The 2010s--more car for your money. They may not bargain, but you've seen the prices on those, and that's MSRP! No display, however... (sad) and to have that feature, you have to get a Prius III and THEN upgrade with the Navigation package.

Right now, no one's offering lower prices. I still have dealers calling me with offers of 2009s with option package 2 and leather for $24K-25K!!

So, you and I are probably going to wait a while for our cars. (Or, at least, I know I am.) I wanted to get one by the end of March, but that was operating under the impression that the 2010s were going to be priced higher than the current models. Today, however, changed the game entirely, and to our advantage, I believe.

Toyota reported it's first losses in about 30 years or so the other day, and the economy is still working in the red. Yes, gas prices will go up in a month, but the economic slump is still hanging around, and not that many people will be buying cars. At the very worst, we'll be maintain status quo, really.

 

Backup camera is handy for a quick look to make sure no little kid or animal is immediately behind your car or to help knowing when to stop when backing (When the bumper on the screen seems to be touching an object you are 1 foot away). Other than those two things not real useful.

 

Frank, :welcome: to Prius chat!

You might wait until you have the chance to drive a 2010 Prius Gen 3, before you make your decision. How do you feel about the sporty cockpit idea? Have you looked at the videos and photos available showing the difference in the interior? It's possible that you would find one or the other more comfortable for long trips, with the differences in seat adjustments, telescoping steering, etc.
The Gen 3 has a slightly larger engine to provide better MPG at highway speeds. Do you do mostly highway/freeway, or in-town driving? If you drive more than 60% highway, I'm guessing you'd have better MPG with the Gen 3, while if you drive mostly 45 mph and below, such as in town/rural driving, you'd do as well with the Gen 2.
The Gen 3 has a sportier look to the exterior. How important is that to you?

We have a Gen 2 (2007), and I won't actually consider trading him in for the Gen 3 (I got to see the Gen 3 in January), as the improvements, while very nice, are not substantial enough to make changing worthwhile for us.

Hope you enjoy the forum!

 

Some things to watch out for in the 2009 (well, things I would like to have tuned into in your position) ...

Pay particular attention to the driver's seat in the 2009 - do you like the legroom? Are they comfortable? The Honda Civic is a good comparison since in my not so humble opinion, the Civic driver's seat blows a 2009 Prius seat away in comfort.

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The 2010 is obviously going to be a much better car. The chassis is stiffer on it which gives it more confidence on twisty roads. My 2009 does not make me want to push it on twisty roads - it feels a little tender in that regard.

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In my not so humble opinion ....

It is much better to buy the latest design (the 2010) than buying a 6 year old design. Sure, you may have a few small issues that will be fixed anyway.

Just man up and get the 2010, that's it. Toyota doesn't put junk on the market to beta test it. The 10 has been thoroughly tested already.

 

What do you mean, "other than those two things"----those are super, super important things!! Also, the camera is very helpful in backup parking, backing into oncoming traffic in parking lots, etc.
In the short time that I've had my Prii (late November) it had become indispensible, even when backing up and out of a parking space close to a curb---it really shows you exactly how close you are to the curb.

 

Back up camera is really nice to have. i would hate to not have it. That's a safety item ... important.

What was your other question .... oh yeah,

I think 'staying away from first year models' is a fallacy that some like to sling around (as was told to me last year). We are talking about Toyota here. The Prius is incredibly important to them. Of course, they are going to stand behind the car and fix it 100%.

It will be under full warranty for at least 3 years. I wouldn't worry about buying a first year model 1 iota. I was just ready to buy last Summer, hence the 09 in August.

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About the paint ... I think the paint on the 09 is very good. I got a tiny rock chip in the paint on a road trip, but easily preventable with a front bra on the next road trip. I detail the car with the appropriate gear, and it looks great.

My niece's boyfriend complains about the paint on his Scion and Toyotas in general. I don't know what he's talking about. Like I said, I think the paint is of high quality. That said, need to know how to avoid scratching the clear coat, what to do and not do.

 

Ehh, mostly but not always... The '04 MFD had a design error, plain and simple, but if it breaks out of warranty you're out of luck. And it appears that the '06 HID headlights are a real PITA also and not warrantied. And even for the items Toyota will correct it's still a bother to, well, bother with them.

 

Yea, but THAT display is WAY more slick than our ol original 2004.

 

Frank,
I think if you wait another month when they get the first couple 10s in the dealership might be the "sweet" time. People who come into Toyota looking at a Prius (and not on here first) might buy an 09 right now, not knowing the 2010 is going to be about the same price. But when they have 2010s out and about more, the public will be more educated and probably wanting to wait the few weeks it will take to get that one instead. So if you want the 09, you can sneak in and say "I'll take that package #2 now for $20k. thank you."
Cause if you get the 2010 package #2, it's only $22k. Why pay more for an older model?? yes, you lose the touch screen display and won't get color you want, but with all the new upgrades and better mpg, is the screen/color worth $2k? Or can you wait and get the 09 in a month for $20k?
You might even try it now. Go to a dealer and test the waters. "Why would I buy this 09 for $2k more than the new one? Can you beat MSRP on the 2010?" See if they'll deal. can't hurt!

Also, check to see if any dealers near you rent the prius. My husband and I were wanting to make sure this was THE car we were going to get. We got to rent it for $75 for the weekend (an 09, of course) and it would be fully refunded if we bought one. Test drove it and LOVED it.
My comments from driving it for a weekend (as a newbie):
**Didn't really like touch screen for my radio, climate, etc. controls. used the ones on steering wheel a lot more.
**liked the back up camera ALOT more than I thought. Test driving it I thought I'd never really use it but when we were in tight parking areas or where kids/toys/bikes/animals were around, it was so nice to see easily!
**seat height was very awkward for my 6ft 1in husband. One of main reason we are waiting for the 10 so we get height adjustment. The mirror was RIGHT in his line of vision.

So now I am getting a package #3 with solar/nav package. I needed the nav package to get back-up camera (which comes standard in the 09) and I wanted to spoil myself with sunroof.

~lauren

 

I bought a 2009 pkg 2 ten days ago...paid $22500 tax tags title delivered in Va...already have put 1K miles on the silver pine mica-colored little jewel...spent a total of $33 in gas...hitting 50.6 hypermiles per gallon. Best car experience ever...and btw, I traded a Jaguar XJ8L and still have a Porsche Boxster in my garage, so I do have some experience with autos. My obvious advice, buy an 09 for a song...its a helluva car and there are no unanswered questions about what you are getting...

 

FRANK - i'm not sure about the warranty, but if you're talking about buying a used 08 let's say, with 20K+ miles, the battery is covered for whatever toyota says it's covered for.

i've not read every post, but along with HILL and a few others here, i've personally driven the new PRIUS at the prius connection in sunny socal. i have an 08, i LOVE the moonroof and solar panel, YES, the back up cam is a MUST IMHO, YES, i have a MAC, so here's what i can say to you.

in all other "relaxed" forms of driving, the gen 2 and 3 drive about the same. however, the gen 3 is considerably faster. it also gets better mileage and has a lot more modern tech's to boot.

wait for the 10s to come, then if you still want an 09, they should be "bargaining" them even more.