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Do early gen1s have any 'cachet'?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by pmc, Oct 31, 2024.

  1. pmc

    pmc Junior Member

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    In December 2001 I bought an early 2002 Prius. It's been my daily for nearly 23 years because I still really like it and it hasn't shown any terminal problem yet. But it's time to move on. At this age I don't know when the next little irregularity will pop up and I dodn't want my wife to have to deal with that.

    Are these early outside-Japan Prii "vintage" enough to be interesting to some interested interest group, or is it just another old car?
     
    #1 pmc, Oct 31, 2024
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  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    They've a following . But these kinda folks generally in decent standing with wants needs and desires. So generally they won't become collectibles like old American Iron is somewhat.so there's always that.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Oct 31, 2024
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Oct 31, 2024
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Getting rid of a Cressida and a Prius for crushing purposes how stupid can they be maybe they're non-runners they're just frames and skins who knows I had a 2000 GT for quite a while was a really cool car
     
    #4 Tombukt2, Oct 31, 2024
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, they're even less desirable than gen 3
     
    #5 bisco, Oct 31, 2024
  6. Trombone

    Trombone Member

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    I'm keeping my '02 until I can't get parts. ( In PA, you can get "classic" license plate at 25 yrs.)
     
    #6 Trombone, Oct 31, 2024
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's a great car for knowledgeable owners
     
    #7 bisco, Oct 31, 2024
  8. ronlewis

    ronlewis Active Member

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    Who knows? The downside to collectability is not knowing how long you'll be able to find replacement HV batteries. Otherwise, i don't get it - great cars, innovative tech, early owners took great care of some cars - you can still find beautiful cherries with low miles that run great. Why not value them?

    IDK whether all of mine will be collectors, but IDK why they can't sell for the base value of any car in good shape with low miles and +40mpg. That's all I shoot for. Why is a Prius with <100k miles not worth $5000? I see people paying a lot more for newer Prii with twice the mileage or more. Seems crazy to me.

    I just have so little money in each car that I can recycle the cat and crush the rest to break even. I just keep driving them and get my ROI that way.

    How many miles on yours, OP?
     
    #8 ronlewis, Nov 1, 2024
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    certainly, everyone's museum should have one
     
    #9 bisco, Nov 1, 2024
  10. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I think a pristine gen2 with advanced safety features may be worth something in 20 years. Gen1 and 3, nope.
     
    #10 rjparker, Nov 1, 2024
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many people collect early examples of transportation technology?
     
    #11 bisco, Nov 1, 2024
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