2009 vrs. 2010

[Sleuth]

I have a 2005 with about 50,000 miles. No payments. Trying to decide if I should sell now and buy a 2009 or wait until the 2010 is released. I get about 48 mpg with the 05. Is there supposed to be such a differnce in mpg between the 09 and 10 that it pays to wait? Waiting will of course increase the mileage on my 05 which will in turn decrease what I get for the vehicle. Any thoughts would be most welcomed and appreciated.

[effwitt]

I'd wait until at least 2010 mostly because your car has so few miles on it. At your current miles per year even buying a new car in 2010 doesn't make economic sense, but I fully appreciate the fun of a new car.

[dogfriend]

I would drive your current car until it is no longer viable to repair. I hope to drive mine at least 250,000 miles if I live that long.

[BIGGDOGG]

I see no point in buying a 09 because it is the same model type as yours. Wait till the 3rd generation comes out. At least that way you feel like you bought a new car.

[cairo94507]

Originally Posted by BIGGDOGG

I see no point in buying a 09 because it is the same model type as yours. Wait till the 3rd generation comes out. At least that way you feel like you bought a new car.

Wiser words were never said.

[garyzim]

I was all set to buy a new Prius. Had done my research, gotten quotes, and had my checkbook ready... Unfortunately, I finally made the decision the weekend before Memorial Day, when the demand for Priuses was skyrocketing, as folks were suddenly realizing the gas price skyrocket wasn't about to come down any time soon.

It was almost comical - the dealers weren't used to the demand either, and all swore they could get me what I wanted... because they all saw the same darned car on their computer inventories. Unfortunately, that car just wasn't there anymore, and all the dealers who told me they could get it, couldn't. I even laughed at one who swore up and down he could get the car - it was at a dealer the other side of town, he'd drive over and get it the next morning. I told him to call me when he had the car, and I'd be there that day with my checkbook. He never called.

So I became disgusted with it all, decided it was the Worst time to buy (Toyota had apparently woken up to the demand, and started limiting dealer shipments too, and raised MSRPs). I thought I'd wait for the new Prius I'd heard about, with slightly better mileage and slightly more power. Well now it looks like that's the 2010, and I can't wait that long. (My '88 Celica is limping along.) So I guess I'll opt for a 2009. I know it's not the "new generation", but I'm wondering whether the '09s will be any different at all from the '08s. Is there any point in waiting for the year number to change, or will '09s be identical to '08s?

Thanks for any information or pointers!

-- garyZ

[Stefx]

There are multiple threads that discuss this. The 2009 is a carry-over of the 2008. In one thread someone even added a scan of the 2009 brochure.