Help me choose between two cars

I do not know exactly but the 2015 is where I'd want to be to get 8yr/100k mile warranty and also there were some safety crash test updates on the v that I think 2015 is probably better but I am not sure exactly what model year had the crash test fixes.

 

the lucky get 300k, the rest get the shaft. i'd go with the 2015.

 

are you dumping it after it's paid off?

 

even at 190k, a lot of expensive things can happen. do you feel lucky?

other than that, do you have car fax, ownership, and maintenance records?

 

well, no one can see the future. if the 2012 doesn't have any major issues between now and 190k, it's certainly makes the most financial sense.

 

a/c $2,500., brake actuator $2,500., tranny $5,000., inverter module $1,500., engine $5,000.,
i'm not saying they are likely, just that people do come here with these issues. no way of knowing what percentage of actual cars.

 

Here is how i would look at it. You save $7500 by going with the 2012 (19k - 11.5k). How likely do you think you will be spending $7500 on repairs in the next 4 years? Based on Bisco's numbers above you would have to either have the tranny or the engine go out (5k each according to his numbers) along with something else to go over the $7500 differential.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to sell how much more would you get for the 2015 vs the 2012 with the estimated mileage.If you plan on keeping it then it's a moot point
My sweet spot for used cars is under 70K at the max as that way some one else pays for the depreciation. I would personally look for something between 50k to 70k but if i had to make a decision btw these two i would go for the cheaper option as that way the $7500 saving is guaranteed and I will take my chances on the repairs

 

Definitely the 2015 since you still have a hydrid warranty until 100,000 miles and factory bumper to bumper warranty through three years or 36,000 miles. PLUS the 2012 has a front crash test problem AND many of these 1.8L engines become oil burners past 100,000 miles. Some of the early models had inverter issues, probably programming but semiconductor damage could have already occurred before the firmware was updated if it was updated at all. If you plan to sell at 100,000 you are good with a 2015 or you could buy a factory extended warranty from Toyota before the car hits three years to allow more years of factory warranty.

Remember there is more to car ownership than hard dollars and risk taking. Reliability for you and your family along with safety features makes big differences after you have been stranded miles from home on a Sunday night or your life changes forever due to a crash with inadequate protection.

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2015 has the improved safety rating Before that, I believe they failed the IIHS small overlap test. My son has a 2015 Prius v.

2012 tests: 2012 Toyota Prius v

2015 tests: 2015 Toyota Prius v

 

Thanks for the crash links-
I checked the 2017 v and the standard Prius- of particular interest to me was the frontal crash tests- the 2017 v, with advanced technology pkg had speed reductions, but not enough to avoid hitting - 15mph was reduced to 3mph ( no bumper damage) and 25 mph was reduced to a 18mph crash= file an insurance claim
However, the regular Prius with the now standard tech package avoided a crash in both the 12mph and 25mph tests= no crash and reduced insurance premiums. Something to think about.

 

Was there even such a test in 2012? Keep in mind that IIHS introduces new tests based on several factors including insurance claims (who do you think finances IIHS) and if manufacturers are meeting all the current tests.

As for stopping distances between the hatch and the wagon, just which one is heavier? That tell you the inevitable result unless you substitute bigger brakes and tires and that hurts mileage. Designing a car is making choices between multiple ideals. Cost being one big driver.

How sure are you of your wants being constant over the 5 year period.

And as to depreciation, you can expect drastic hits on both cars as widespread knowledge of the v's US discontinuance becomes a anti-resale factor. The high mileage car has less to lose.

 

That is quite a good price on the 2015, but even with that great price, I think the 2012 makes more sense from the financial point of view.

Let's say you keep car 4 years then sell.

The likely sell price will be something like $7500 for the 2012, and 11,000 for the 2015. In other words, the depreciation cost of owning a newer car is higher, because newer cars deprecate much faster:

19,000 - 11,000 = 8,000

11,500 - 7,500 = 4,000

You'd need $4000 higher repair costs relative to the newer Prius v in order to come out exactly even. Chances are the repair costs will be less than $4000 higher.

Another consideration nobody has mentioned is that it's not good for a battery to be driven very little. The 2015, for whatever reason, was not driven very much and therefore may have been idle for long enough periods to hurt the overall life of the battery. The battery on the 2012 is probably going to be in good shape though at over 15,000 miles/year.

 

Remember that, since you are financing, you would be paying a lot more interest on the 2015 in addition to the higher purchase price. If you could bargain them down somewhat on the 2012, it could be worth the risk. Have you figured out what the payments would be?