Should I wait for the 2010 Prius or get one now?

Gokhan said it well..... the technology that really counts isn't in the 2010. Wait for the improved battery technology and a plug-in version (the two could go hand-in-hand).

 

I'd hold out for a Volt if I were you!

Actually, I'd have to say that if I were in the market for a Prius right now I'd probably go with an '09. You can actually get moderate deals on them now, as opposed to just a few months ago when they were selling at a premium or you had to go on a waiting-list. I think you can get them for better than $1000 under MSRP in some places, but try doing that for the first six months or more after the new ones come out. With gas cheap now isn't a bad time to buy, because I doubt that it's going to get cheaper and suspect that, come Memorial Day, we'll be paying over $2 per gallon again.

 

If your in the market for a Hybrid (you know driving a SUV or aging Saturn) and built like Michael Phelps (short legs, and narrow hips), I was say go for the 2010 Prius !!

 

I don't find right rear visibility to be a problem at all in my 2 gen Prius.

The problems for a tall person, like I am, and this goes for all with long legs and tall sitting height -

1) The driver's seat is non-height adjustable, can't lower /tilt seat bottom. With long legs, you'll find your thighs dangling above front edge of seat.

2) Even with rear-view mirror pushed all the way up, it will still block your road-level sightline. Especially the Homelink mirror.

I'm 6ft2 in with about 35in inseam. I overcame both problems by -

1a) putting a wedge of foam 5"x1.5"x19" on front edge of seat, covering with seat cover

2a) Inverting the rearview mirror to get the thing out of my sightline.

Only you can discern how well you fit into the current Prius. It's a big issue, because if you can't fit into a car and function well in it, doesn't matter how good the car is or how many bells and whistles it has, it's not going to work for you.

 

Except that the Lithium Ion battery car may be very expensive.

 

Now that I have some idea what the Gen 3 Prius will be, I am still inclined to look for a bargain in an `07 or `08 this spring. Don't get me wrong--the new one is formidable, indeed. However, when fuel prices cratered last fall, I read how new Prius sales plummeted. The web sites of the Toyota dealers near me show a dozen or so new `09 Prii each in stock. Who knows how many more of those Toyota USA has standing behind chain link fence someplace? Since low fuel prices and lack of public awareness about what an all-around good product the Prius is will tend to blunt interest, I expect Toyota to keep the Gen 3 scarce, so as to preserve waiting lists and sales at full MSRP. But there will have to be bargains in the last new `09s that would have been unthinkable a few weeks ago. If they are discounted deeply enough, maybe I will go for one of those.

Already I detect softening in the prices of "pre-owned" Prii on the used car sites, and in the auction sales of Prii I follow on Ebay. Discounted sales of new `09s will push those down quickly. All of this is happening so rapidly that bluebook prices lag behind the present reality on the ground.

Because I see the cone-and-belt transmission as a weakness in all other hybrids, I will not be looking seriously at the Insight--even though I expect that it will be quite a good ride. To me, a car with no friction coupling and no mechanical ratio changing of any kind is a masterpiece of elegance. I want one!

 

The spy shots, sneak peeks pics and Bossdowner's videos came out during those time as well. Those should attribute to people to hold off their purchase until they see or hear more about the 2010 model.

 

I don't quite understand this. Narrow hips? Dude, I am so NOT narrow! The driver's seat comfort is noticeably better in the 2010 Gen 3 Prius, over the previous Iconic model.
That, and the Driver's seat slides back about 2 or 3 inches further than the Iconic... you might ask Hill about long legged Prius owners, or ask Tom Stangl, he's pretty darned tall! Plus, the steering wheel telescopes, as well as adjusts up and down, so you can slide the seat back (oh, and adjust height on it, too), and still reach the wheel.
There's even optional, adjustable lumbar support now.

 

and heated seat, don't forget the heated seats. Nothing like a warm butt on the way to work in the mornings.

 

Hi Rae Vin,

Wait till you bounce down the road with the knee recoiling off that center console for a year.

 

I've looked up the 2010 prius and saw nice things about it. I hope it comes out soon so i can get one. :usa2:

 

These only 5 more days to wait I would wait to get this car.

 

I'd say go with the Toyota prius 2009 Let somebody else take the hit with all the problems of the new model before you decide on one.

Thats what I always do!!!!

Just like Windows Vista ;-)

 

i agree lol sometimes its not good to get something that hasnt been tested by consumers. I would wait if i were you to see if 2010 prius really lives up to it's hype.

 

Personally, I'd buy one right now, today, if I had the money for it.
I've seen it... crawled under it... sat in the front, back, and the hatch!
This isn't "new technology"... this is better Hybrid technology, built from the experience of two iterations of Hybrid technology.

We just cannot justify giving up Rudy (which we'd have to do, to buy a new one).

 

Seeing some of the preliminary MPG #s coming out of the 2010s I'm getting very jealous. I'd get a 2010 if I could afford a car payment right now. Since my car is paid off it doesn't make sense for me to do so..... So I'll just remain jealous.

 

True story.. Even all prettied up she didn't hesitate to plop onto the ground and crawl under the front of the new Prius for a real inspection! It was a classic moment for sure.

 

I have 2008 prius with 18,000 miles in excellent condition, package #2.
i LOVE this car.


I am thinking of getting it traded in for 2010 model.
what should i expect as far as trade in price goes?
I paid 23K including tax and everything.
I own the car free and clear.

should i look into selling it to a private party if dealer trade in value is too low?

and, what benefits would i get by owning 2010 vs 2008 model?