1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Getting new used car insight? Opinions?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Wraiththe, Dec 6, 2021.

  1. Wraiththe

    Wraiththe Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2017
    266
    49
    0
    Location:
    Charlotte NC
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Any helpful opinions??? I really value this website and everyone in it.

    Looking at two cars that are ridiculously expensive:
    My two best choices seem to be.

    1) 2013 Prius 5 w/tech package (no sunroof)
    $19,995, Grey, 39K miles
    Pristine shape inside and out except for excessive rust on under carriage and parts.
    20211202_121127.jpg 20211202_123712.jpg 20211202_123715.jpg

    2) 2017 Prius with tech package and convenience package (Moonroof)
    $19,900, Pearl white, 73K miles
    Pristine, except for two deep scratches
    Whole car from FB.jpg DOor.jpg Hood.jpg middle is 4 pics of same scratch, last is three pics of same scratch.
    The car is dirty... so just the scratch (gouge) on the door... no other damage.

    The repairs on the paint is expensive.


    I will be doing uber....
    Most likely I will drive these cars for 200K or try to.
    I really liked driving the 2017 better. (even has wicked looking independent suspension in back.)
    The Radar cruise works better and it has BSM... which i would have had to install in the other cars.

    Any helpful opinions??? I really value this website and everyone in it.

    While I have done a bit of research, but am aware that I am not aware of stuff and maybe I have not asked all the right or necessary questions.

    There was a black car, but it turned out to be scratched to hell, needed a new door panel and wing on the back... I keep thinking of ruined gel coats. Car was a 2013 prius 4 with tech package for 14K and 136K miles... needed another 1K for repairs... and the paint!!!
    20211204_160011.jpg The whole car looks like this... and three dimples in one of the doors.
     
    #1 Wraiththe, Dec 6, 2021
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,044
    7,587
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Have you driven both - they are drastically different to drive on the road.
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, Dec 6, 2021
    pilotgrrl likes this.
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,433
    6,916
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    2017, no contest. Better car overall, battery is four years newer and it's $95 cheaper.

    I give almost no weight to the 40k mileage difference between those candidates- it just isn't a big deal to a Prius. I still say time is much harder on these cars than miles.

    Good luck!

    EDIT: price fix thanks dig!
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 6, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2021
    pilotgrrl, krmcg, Tande and 2 others like this.
  4. dig4dirt

    dig4dirt MoonGlow

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2012
    1,150
    741
    0
    Location:
    Lancaster Co PA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    +1 for the 2017

    actually $95 cheaper.
    Not a bad price in today terms.
     
    #4 dig4dirt, Dec 6, 2021
    pilotgrrl, krmcg and Tande like this.
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,433
    6,916
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Oh yeah, read it wrong! and I have to agree with that even before you get to anything Prius-specific, $20k for a 2017 sounds "a bit high" while $20k for a 2013 sounds like sheer lunacy.
     
    #5 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 6, 2021
    pilotgrrl and Tande like this.
  6. Lefty Red

    Lefty Red New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2021
    1
    1
    0
    Location:
    SE Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    new Prius owner as well. And was in your position last week. I went with a 2017 Three with 62k on it and very jealous of your price! Mine was $23k. But it was CPO, I keep telling myself it’s ok…….

    I have been looking and studying Prius cars for the last six months and I gave to agree with the sage advice of getting a newer version over an older one. I looked at a 2019 XLE awd-e and really wanted it, but the two tone interior and very light grey color was not going to work hauling my service dogs and other items. So I went with the slightly older one with the darker grey interior, completely going against the given advice. But I don’t see two years that big of a technology gap as it is between the two you are looking at.

    Goog luck,
    Jerry
     
    #6 Lefty Red, Dec 6, 2021
    pilotgrrl likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,144
    50,055
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i would buy new, at those prices
     
    #7 bisco, Dec 6, 2021
  8. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2021
    307
    202
    8
    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius
    Model:
    LE AWD-e
    Rust is always a deal-breaker...run away from a rusty car! (Plus, always go with Gen 4 over a Gen 3, many problematic areas were fixed.)

    I agree with those prices being too high....gosh, my wife's 2017 Prius LE was $21K brand new and I just paid $27 for my 2021 AWD Prius in July...might want to shop around for new in your area, first.
     
    #8 Colorado Boo, Dec 6, 2021
    pilotgrrl likes this.
  9. orangecones

    orangecones Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2016
    46
    28
    0
    Location:
    NZ
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    No question 2017. But mostly I just can't imagine paying $20k for a 2013! Mostly because I still remember paying $17k for a mint condition 2014, in 2016. That's almost peak head gasket era. Rust is also a blocker. Obviously the 2017 is also better equipped - specifically features that you want like BSM. Gen 4s are also somewhat better to drive, and a bit more pleasant to be in. That mileage difference is not worth the price premium on the Gen 3.
     
    #9 orangecones, Dec 7, 2021
    pilotgrrl likes this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)