Opinions Welcome: Gen 2 and 3 Buying Options

Well, I went to see the 2009 supposedly Touring green Prius today. It was a mess. Poor thing, I actually took it on a test drive just to get it out and driven! The "needs gas" light went on as I was driving it....I will spare the details, but needless to say, I passed, and it made the 2007 Touring Prius I looked at that is actually fairly loaded as well, and blue, with 73091 miles, look really, really good. I took everyone's advice to avoid the high mileage 2011. I know the HID headlights are best avoided, because I had them and they did go out and have to be replaced. The Touring models do seem to drive better though. Anyway, I called the dealership from the other dealership parking lot, and they were willing to drop to $8,250 from original $8,995 (they had said they would only go down to $8,500), so that is what I am going to do. Unfortunately, by the time you get taxes, tags, and "fees," the total is $9,300. I'm going to ask about the "fees." I'll be paying an additional $2,800 over what the insurance company gave me for mine, but mine had 144,xxx miles, cloth seats, and no navigation.

Then, upon leaving the dealership with the battered 2009 Prius, I pulled into the Toyota lot just to see what they had (and update my spouse). I parked next to a silver Prius and as I was getting out of my rental, I saw what looked like a salesman check the mileage, so I asked him if it was for sale, learning it was being traded in at the moment. It looked very much like the one I was replacing. It turned out to be another one owner car with only about 52,000 miles, 2008, without bluetooth (boo). I had lunch to give the salesguy time to complete the sale. A man in his 70's traded it in for a new Prius, and he had bought the 2008 there and had it serviced there. So I will be going back to that dealership in the morning with our 2010 Town and Country van to possibly trade it in and replace it with this low mileage 2008 Prius. The van is starting to act up, and the teen drivers are griping about its gas mileage (they buy their own gas). They are asking $9,500 for it, but of course I am going to try to get that down. I have been shopping for a couple weeks, however, and these are actually decent deals around here, considering the low mileage, the condition of the cars, the one-owner status with service histories. I think I will try $9,500 out the door. It's a standard model, but I think they are making it a certified pre-owned car, if possible. If not, I will try $9,200 out the door. Wish me luck, and thanks so much for your input!

 

Good point, and I noticed that Edmunds puts it at $8203. I was thinking possibly $9,500 out the door, which would make the car itself closer to $8,500. This car is not loaded with features; it's pretty basic without bluetooth even, cloth seats. Has backup camera and fog lights, but that's about it that I could tell. The 2007 I am planning to get for $8,250 is loaded with features and leather seats and low miles, and it's the Touring so they really sock it to you more for that, though I agree the headlights are a minus rather than a plus. Perhaps I am wrong to pay more for this one than the 2007. It's a year older with about 20,000 more miles, but it's a Touring and loaded. $9,200 out the door would put it at Edmunds True Market Value of around $8,200, though I came up with 8,700 when I reran it with options included. KBB.com put it at Fair Market Range of $8,071-9,782! This does not seem to be the best market price-wise. There are major price additions with the low mileage. Opinions welcome.

 

Well, I am definitely getting the 2007 to replace the 2007 that was wrecked by my stepdaughter. So this morning, I am looking at trading in our van and replacing it with the 2008. I am the kind of person willing to haggle and want a great price, but I am feeling like I can't succeed at that in this market.

 

I once had a 2000 Nissan Sentra, and it was a very good car, except for the paint not holding up, which made it look like a beater. I have read, at least back then, that is an issue with Nissan's, or used to be. Fortunately, these cars are up to date on maintenance and have been taken care of quite well. I must have gotten used to the Prius drive quality or lack thereof. I really enjoyed my rental Hyundai Sonata and have gotten it up to 32 mpg, but the fun wore off and I miss my Prius. And I am really tired of the gas station!

 

One down, one to go tomorrow. I purchased the silver 2008 with just under 52,000 miles, one owner, etc. New brakes and previous owner had put new tires on, so that's nice. Drove great, with 53 mpg on 30" drive home. No HID headlights, so that's a plus.

 

Okay, I bought the 2007 Touring and the 2008; combined they have less mileage than my wrecked 2007 (144,xxx). A new hybrid battery installed costs about $2,500, but I will keep my fingers crossed I never need a new one. Condition on both excellent. Got rid of 2010 Town and Country Touring van that was starting to act up and had miles on it.