Prius Future Resale Value

[patsparks]

I bought my Prius for $24900, the new price is about $37000 and has been about that since 2004. The price of my 2004 was about 33% less than the new price at 3 years old.

[Ichabod]

And do I have to point out that Mr. Brown makes the common mistake of quoting the down-graded EPA estimates and stating it as if this only affects hybrids? 30% drop in the estimate for a Prius sure looks like a lot compared to a 30% drop from a vehicle estimated to get 15mpg...

[richard schumacher]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nerfer @ Oct 22 2007, 12:20 PM) [snapback]528914[/snapback]</div>

This is a point other hybrid critics have made, and when the 2004 model Prius came out, the prices on the U.S. Gen I Prius did drop (probably in line with standard depreciation, instead of below-normal depreciation for the current style?). The infamous Art Spinella invokes this argument as well, that a lot of people are buying this for the gadgets, and as newer, gadgetier vehicles come out, they'll drop this one like yesterday's hula hoops.[/b]

I may be rationalizing, but this does seem to be a good argumnet against buying bells-and-whistles in a car. Car gadgets are always overpriced. Buy a minimal car instead and add your own portable better-priced gadgets.

[MarinJohn]

When/if it becomes necessary to replace the batteries in my '04 I should think my choice would be to sell the car or purchase newer technology batteries at a fraction the cost of a new car and keep on ticking. Meanwhile, I'm doing the right thing for the environment NOW, supporting the new technology going into ever better cars NOW, and for you cheapskates...I'm saving gas money NOW. In short, we're living the future NOW, not wasting our time debasing other's decisions because PERHAPS SOMETIME in the future there MAY be better technology (duh).

This avowed liberal has two hopes...Iraq surge works enough to get us out of there and that US car companies get it together to help strengthen our economy all the while providing a LIVING wage to their workers which will mean cutting CEO obscene income down to a reasonable % of the lowest-paid-worker.

[mikepaul]

I'd like to think I'll still have a working 2004 when I go looking for my 2014. At my current pace it'll have less than 200,000 on it.

Now, I wouldn't mind a better battery upgrade if one comes along before I need one, but the odds of 2004's being considered upgrade targets are slim. I'll be lucky if a used battery is handy...