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

[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. Here are some specs;

$24,000 - 2009 Touring Edition; Dark Gray with Gray cloth - Package 5 (Navigation, JBL audio, etc - everything but leather)
Used - 10,000 miles - Loaner car; was only used at the dealership
Originally purchased in Feb 2009

HERE ARE MY QUESTIONs/CONCERNs.

1. Is this a good deal? Any questions I should ask the dealership before I buy it?
2. I am a male, 22 years old (almost 23). I am fresh out of college and just got a new job. I have to pay for this car myself. (My parents could easily buy it for me, but I won't learn responsibility). So, it will take me a couple of years to pay off assuming I keep my job.

Could you see a person like me driving this? I almost think this car looks like it'd belong to my parents. To other people, it might not look like I own it - like a car that a guy in his 20s would buy. What do you guys think?

Thank you so much for your help

[priusincc]

Not knowing the market in SF, the price seems to be OK according to the Blue Book value which comes out to $25550 retail. Average mileage comes in at 12K for a 2009. I'm assuming $24K is not out the door, so they will add a doc fee and tax. Don't let the dealer do any add-on charges; IMO the doc fee is pure mark-up, but it's hard to avoid paying it. As far as I know, there haven't been any particular problems with the 2009 models, and it should have a lot of time remaining on the original factory warranty.
As an almost 23 year old, you will be in the minority as a Pri owner, but it should be a good-performing car for the Bay Area.
Maybe some others will chime in. Good Luck!

[Tinbolas]

You won't regret buying it. I'm 21 and at first i was hesitant about buying a prius, i felt it was more of a family car. But im really enjoying the car, i just got it but so far i like it alot... And actually i also checked out the gen 3 and i ended up buying one of the last new gen 2, i liked it much more...

[4G63]

I think that's a good price. In my area, $24k can only buy a 09' non-touring. Are you sure you want a Prius? To be honest it's a boring car besides all its gadgets. It's slow. It floats. It looks kinda weird. If i'm a 22 year old college graduate and have no children, i'd be looking for something fun like a Civic Si or Mazda3. Just my thought.

[Dirk Lerxst]

I think you're too concerned with what other people think, frankly. If you like it, buy it. I don't know that I'd want a loaner car, as it's basically just a rental and we all know how people treat rentals. Regardless of Toyota's inspections, it's likely still seen a lot of rough action at the hands of people who probably don't know much about the car and don't care about it at all. That's a $24,000 gamble in my book, but I don't buy used, period, so what do I know?

But if you're looking for opinions, I think the pre-2010 Priuses are just unattractive cars while the new Prius is very nice looking. If you're that concerned about losing the LCD screen, save up a bit more and put it toward a model with the nav. I don't consider it that big of a deal, the only thing I'd want the screen for is the back-up camera, which I do find to be a ridiculous loss in a 2010 car when it came in the previous models. The more powerful engine of the 2010 AND increased mpg alone seals the deal for me. I didn't think the test drive I did showed the Prius to be a powerhouse (it was simply perfectly capable,) and I can't imagine it being less powerful than that.

[V8Cobrakid]

it's a good thing you're buying used. i purchased my 04 new.. before financing, it came to 29k... keep in mind the 04's don't have tire pressure monitors or back up cameras while your model does.. plus a re done suspension that's stiffer than mine.. etc...

i'm 25... i also have rims.. so.. everyone loves my rims and doesn't think twice about the car... not to mention, (or to mentions... shrug) some of my friends have "nicer cars".. like old 944 porsche.. my car is as fast and keeps up with it in handling.. so.. really.. what is a car for "your age".. besides a civic? people look up to the fact that i'm young and own such a nice car.

[moss]

Definitely check the carfax to make sure it's not a rental. I found that many used Prius for sale were indeed rentals. If it's not a rental I wouldn't worry at all about how the last person treated it. It's only a year old or so.

Looking around at Prius drivers it seems that most are either females in the 40s + or males in the 50s +. That generation takes better care of cars than a car such as a Scion owner (think high school/college age). I'm 30 and I'm also considering a prius, but the age bracket does bother me.

Be sure to test drive a new Insight. I see younger people driving them & they're a fun spirited drive. For $24,000 you could easily get a new one, even one with navi & leather after negotiations & they're willing to deal. Plus reports of around 50 mpg.

[Grateful11]

I agree if you like it buy it. Personally I would never have bought the pre 2010 model. Just didn't like the styling at all.

[Codyroo]

Originally Posted by macmaster05

$24,000 - 2009 Touring Edition; Dark Gray with Gray cloth - Package 5 (Navigation, JBL audio, etc - everything but leather)
Used - 10,000 miles - Loaner car; was only used at the dealership
Originally purchased in Feb 2009

HERE ARE MY QUESTIONs/CONCERNs.

1. Is this a good deal? Any questions I should ask the dealership before I buy it?
2. I am a male, 22 years old (almost 23). I am fresh out of college and just got a new job. I have to pay for this car myself. (My parents could easily buy it for me, but I won't learn responsibility). So, it will take me a couple of years to pay off assuming I keep my job.

Could you see a person like me driving this? I almost think this car looks like it'd belong to my parents. To other people, it might not look like I own it - like a car that a guy in his 20s would buy. What do you guys think?

Thank you so much for your help

In California, all the touring editions sold here were package 6's (with leather). It could be that this is an "out of state" purchased car. Are the rims correct for a touring edition (15" 6 spokes)? I'd just be concerned that you getting a non touring package 5.

The Prius gets great fuel mileage, reliable, and can seat 4 adults comfortably. You may only be in your early 20's, but I'm sure you end up going places with 3 buddies or on double dates - where seating 4 adults comfortably is a good thing.

According to Consumer Reports, the cost of ownership of the car is among the lowest out there. Excellent news for a recent college grad on a budget.

You can always dump some money into it to "customize" it to the tastes of a 23 year old. Window tinting, new rims, etc. Realize though that tires and rims can and will impact fuel mileage, so consider these long and hard before pulling the trigger.

There have been some issues with the HID headlights, where some folks have had them burn out fairly early in their lifetimes (30,000 miles). They cost a LOT of money to replace ($500 - $700). Many others haven't had that big a problem, but it is something to consider.

Ask the dealer how he got a package 5 touring edition when all the ones sold in CA are package 6's.

Now, comparing to a 2010......

You wanted a base 2010, but it didn't have all the buzzers, bells, and whistles that this one has. It is also a few thousand dollars cheaper. Best/Worst of all is that you are paying for it! The Best part is that YOU get to choose. Prioritize your choices, get what you want! The downside is that you have to pay for it......but such is life.....

Good luck!

[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.