Advantages/disadvantages of buying 2012 v with low mileage vs new v

I'm going through the same. Currently owning a 2013 Outback, I find the steering a bit heavy, and the road noise a bit loud, I recommend test driving as long as you can, through various road conditions. I found test driving a 2013 better for me, and considering an "extended test dive" to firm up my decision. Many dealers will let you do that. The newer Prius has a Traction control override switch, which would be useful when going up a slippery driveway, the older ones do not.

 

I bought my 2015 v through Hertz car sales.
There was a rent to try option. We rented the car for 3 days to try it out.
This let us drive the car in the day, the night, on various roadways, and have our mechanic inspect it.
We love the car and the deal we got.
I'd see what safety equipment is standard on the 2017 v. Safety equipment is the only reason I'd spend the extra for a new car.

 

The 2012 v will be the best value. Not sure the road noise or seat issues would be different. I put a lumbar pad on mine to improve things significantly. I wanted it on a previous Honda, I think it depends on your size and spine. The recalls are all handled well, most even out of warranty. The key difference is a marginal crash test result on the 12 which was improved on the newer model.

 

Unsubstantiated rumor of 200,000 mile head gasket failures on early 2012 v's VRS problem free 2013 +

 

Sample size of 200,000 mile / 50,000 mile per year vehicles? Usage pattern?

 

2012 models had poor front crash test results...Toyota modified the front structure of later models to pass these tests....

 

The traction control off switch that was added to U.S. models for the 2015 model year is a big deal. Our 2012 Prius is horrible in deep snow while our Toyota/Lexus vehicles with trac-off switches do just fine. (We always use Winter tires with the mountain/snowflake certification symbol - Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 on our Prius v.)

There is supposedly a method of turning traction control off on the 2012-2014 Prius v which involves pressing the brake or accelerator pedal, rubbing your stomach while patting the top of your head, etc., but I never got the procedure to work - maybe because ours has the Technology Package with the "Hill Control" brake feature.

According to the specs, the Prius v has 5.7 inches (145 mm) of ground clearance which is quite a lot and more than most of the passenger cars we've had that have done well in deep snow.

Road noise is high but I found that much of the noise was from the original 17" Toyo tires. Replacing the Toyos reduced the noise and improved the ride dramatically. I downsized to 16" wheels for Winter use. The engine noise going up hills is more bothersome than the road noise. The transmission is CVT but the engine still revs up significantly on hills.

If you want a Prius v, I suggest you get a new or newer one that has the Technology Package and Automatic High Beam. IIRC, the Prius v with LED headlights and AHB is the only vehicle model that gets the U.S. IIHS highest rating for headlights. And of course, the Prius v with the Technology Package is the only version that has an emergency automatic braking system (PCS) and adaptive radar cruise control. I'm surprised that headlight washers were discontinued on the 2015-up Prius v but maybe the redesigned headlight shape doesn't collect muck as badly. The headlight washers on our 2012 Prius v are very effective.

Finally, be aware that power adjustable front seats were not available for the first several model years. Some people including me find the driver seat uncomfortable but I'm pretty sure I could increase the comfort level if I could tilt the seat cushion like I can in our vehicles that have power seats.

 

Advantage: Somebody else pays depreciation.
Disadvantage: Sometimes "Low Miles" aren't. There is also the possibility of purchasing a car used for chemistry and physics experimentation.

Examples include:
"How much can I tow?"
"Can I use E85?"
"If the car will go 10,000 miles between oil changes, why not 20,000?"

Your call.
Caveat Emptor

 

I have a '12 with twice your proposed car's miles. It is a great utility vehicle. Not an SUV, not a mini-van, not a plush-mobile.

Performed Santa's sleigh duties admirably and will dispose of the 6' tree when she says it should.

I prefer driving it to my wife's same era Avalon. Wife doesn't.

Gets the mileage expected with no special tricks (I do use ECO and Auto both on 100% of the time). No problems, one recall.

The offset frontal crash test the '12-'14 models didn't do so well on was a new test introduced after the '12 was designed. Lots of cars of the same era had trouble with the test. Make sure you hit whatever dead center and it isn't an issue.

I just ran the costs for owning my v and depreciation was the big factor compared to gas, maintenance , no repairs, insurance, taxes, etc combined. I replaced the wipers, paid for an extra oil change. Period.

Daughter in law just bought one. Don't know of any one around my community who has sold theirs.

Over 65 likes and dislikes accumulated from many folks on the forum can be found here.

 

If ground clearance and snow traction are big concerns, there is also the 4WD Hybrid RAV4 at 34MPG to the v's 42. Endless tradeoffs you have to make.

 

We've never had an issue with snow or winter ground clearance with the 2012 v Five running Dunlop M3 Wintersport tires, nor with the Honda CR-V, also running M3s, albeit that one has far greater ground clearance.

 

Our CR-V is a 2005. Not sure how ground clearance or R/T 4WD aspects differ to the current version.

 

The ground clearance of the RAV4 hybrid at 7" is even more then the ICE RAV4 at 6.1". The v is 5.7".

 

Just picked up a new 2016-2 and love it

We test drove both, a 13 w/44k and the 16 new. We choose the new for 8K more because is was more comfortable and quieter. It may have been the age or the slight design change, the seats were better, or maybe just not as fagged out, but there was a difference.