22 Year Old Buying First Prius (Used 2009) - What do you think?

[a_gray_prius]

I can't comment on the price, but if it helps, I got my Gray 2008/Gen2 Touring #3 in the Chicagoland area for ~$24,000 (~26,000 out the door) around the same time frame in 2008.

It will be true that you will be in the minority. However, I'm a single male twenty-something and I rock the Prius as my daily driver (although I usually walk to work). I haven't regretted buying it at all - in fact, it has really reduced my stress level in parking-lot like Chicago traffic jams (the silence, as opposed to the low drone of an engine, makes a huge difference). Most people have buyers remorse at some point or another about every large purchase, so there's not much you can do about that.

I should add that a 22/23 year old buying a new/newish car is more the exception than the rule - I'd say that the kind of car a typical 22-year-old would most likely own is an older used one. This goes double if you really just want a car to get in and drive (not big on doing maintenance and tinkering with the car).

I would check the underside of the car, make sure the white plastic shielding covering the HV line is in good condition (I had an issue with one of the pieces coming off - the dealership said that they had seen the issue before, but it's not common). I would also check the weather stripping above the hood (it's probably fine) because some owners have reported issues stemming from water getting though there and into the ignition system (Water on engine. Cowl seam caulked by dealer) and (Ignition coil getting burned out). Just check, it'll probably be fine.

Read this:
Common 2G Problems, and What to Do About Them...

Alternatively, if you really enjoy performance vehicles, a Civic Si, a Mazda(speed ) 3, or maybe a Lancer Ralliart are good options that won't need much maintenance at all. Going used, you can get decent versions of the Lancer Evoution VIII and IX (4G63's (s)old ride), Subaru WRX STi, and Honda S2000. If you're really brave and good with a wrench, you could probably find a 240 or MR2 to work on .

Good luck, have fun.

[a_gray_prius]

Originally Posted by macmaster05

Codyroo, the rims are 16" (6 spoke), so I'm pretty sure it is a touring. You also mentioned finicky HID headlights - I've heard about this problem, and does it extend to 2009 models? I was hoping it'd be fixed.

To everyone, thank you so far! You're opinions that I should not buy a used Rental car are concerning, however, because I don't know if it was a rental or not. I'll go out on a limb and give you the carfax:

CARFAX Vehicle History Report on JTDKB20U493528119

Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks again.

FYI: I wouldn't have 100% faith in Carfax - there are a LOT of stories of important things not showing up.

CARFAX: Friend or foe when buying a used car? - by Mona Gallagher - Helium

Carfax Reports Can Be Unreliable :: Alabama Consumer Law Blog

carfax is unreliable - Honda Car Forum - Accord Parts Civic Tuning Acura Racing

CARFAX: Not Always All the Facts

I've been busy doing me research on this because I'm in the process of buying a used car too.

[macmaster05]

Ok, then if not CarFax, can I trust Toyota's 155 point Inspection/Guarantee completed at the dealership? The salesman said that the car was ordered for the dealership and used there. What does that mean?

EDIT ----------

Ok, I just called the dealer again and asked. Here's what he said. The car was a track car that was put in service for their customers (so only driven by Prius owners) when they needed to use it. He said it was NOT a rental car. According to him, these track cars have to be sold after they reach 9000 miles because they buy a new track car each year (new model). Does this sound right to you? Is this a safe buy? Thanks!!

[eddiehaskell]

I'm in my 20s and I like driving the Prius. Granted, I'm kinda weird. I like to argue and if someone makes negative comments about my car, I see it as a chance to engage in debate. With something like a Civic or Corolla, I would just blend in with everyone else my age. Meh. I don't want to pay for something expensive like a Corvette or Porsche that will also sacrifice room/storage space/ride quality. Thus, the Prius fits the bill. It's polarizing yet extremely affordable and practical. The reduced environmental impact while using less foreign oil is also nice.

I also thought about something like and EVO or STi, but they seem to have the testosterone dripping, tuff guy, trying-to-hard-to-be-cool image. Plus, they get about 20mpg and every punk 17 yr old kid will want to race.

[Bobsprius]

Masmastger05,

Since this was a "loaner Vehicle" I assume for the Dealership, I would ask to review the service records, and also see what they are willing to do with an extended Warranty without added cost to you. They should throw that in to give you what it would be if the car was sold New. Since they would have serviced the car and performed the scheduled maintenance, which granted with those miles is not much, but see if you can get a hold of the service records to review to ensure there was nothing that needed repair as part of the loaner program. And ask for an extended warranty if only to add another year to the end of the regualr warranty. Just good piece of mind.

[Bob.H]

When I was 22 I owned several cars. One for every occasion.
My hot rod, a beater, and a car for parking.

[yardman 49]

Originally Posted by macmaster05

Today my mom and I went to the Toyota dealership to look at the new Prius. We were not too impressed, in fact, the new model is almost a step backward in that the base model (which is what I would want) doesn't come with an LCD screen, and it's missing some more display features too. So we went to the Toyota Certified Pre Owned lot next door to look at the older models. I found a used 2009 Prius that I'm 90% sure about buying...............

Hello Macmaster:

I think that the 2009 Touring is an excellent choicie. I have a 2009 package 5 non-touring, and I really like it. And if I had the situation occur where I had to choose between a new 2009 G2 vs. a 2010 G3 right now, I'd choose the G2 all over again, I like it that much better than the G3.

Additionally, those "early adopters" who have purchased the G3 have started reporting some of those "growing pains" problems that most of us would expect with the release of a brand new model. In fact, there are even some problems cropping up lately that you wouldn't expect with the G3, given that it's a Toyota.

Toyota will probably eventually get it sorted all out, but in the meantime that's where the early adopters are so useful: they get to experience the problems firsthand so that the problems can get reported and fixed. So if you don't want to be a "beta-tester" for the G3, keep in mind that the 2009 G2 is the most "perfected" Prius yet, with all the little niggly things pretty much fixed.

I've known people that have bought rental cars of different makes, and been very happy with them, as those cars came from a "major" rental agency, where they keep up on their required maintenance. I've driven rental Priuses several times, and they work just great. Given the abuse that Priuses take in taxi fleets without major repairs, if I were buying a used car, I would not worry too much about buying a rental, lease, or loaner Prius G2.

Best wishes,