Buy 2011 Prius or not?

I hear many people who have "heard" the batteries don't last... do you know of anyone specifically or just heard rumors? Put it this way, the hybrid system is warrantied for 100k while the gas engine is only covered for 60k.
As a sales person in AZ, I can tell you I have met several people with 200-300k on their 1st gen Prius and original battery. I met someone last Wed. who had 685k, yes 685k on a 2002 Prius that had just replaced the gas engine at 670k. He is a courier and loves his Prius and wouldn't trade it!

 

I think a lot of people confuse battery life with battery warranty! Last I checked crystal balls were still mythical objects, and I don't think even Toyota engineers (as good as they are) can engineer a battery destined to fail the day after it comes off warranty!

 

What was the base price without tax/lic?

Welcome aboard T!

 

Depreciation is hard to predict, but, in 2006, Consumer Reports did put the Prius at #1 for lack of depreciation over 3 years. It really depends on supply and demand at the time of sale.

 

I paid $21,400 after $1500 incentive for my new 2010, so your price sounds decent to me. Mine has tinting and floor mats, and that's it. Are you getting any incentives (e.g. low interest loan)? Check truecar.com for an idea of what would consitute a good price in your area.

I'm not worried about the battery. Eight year warranty, and it should last much longer than that.

 

Far as resale goes, it was pretty good for me. I sold my 2009 Prius package 5 for $18,500 to private party. Buyers said 'we heard gas will hit $5 next summer'. Plus you might get 'more mature' and smart buyers to look at your used car which means they're more likely established and have money. Not going to offer low ball.

Considering the 2009 is 2nd gen. Prius and 2010 Prius III/nav (roughly comparable) was advertising for $24,800 (IIRC) in local paper, I think $18.5k was good. btw, it had only 14.5k miles on it and was like new condition. Buyers kept saying, wow, it looks like new. That really helps in resale.

For the hybrid battery, check to see if you're in 'CA' state where battery is 10yrs/150k warranty. You can easily save $400+ / year on gas which will offset cost of battery replacement anyway.

Toyota's price to replace the pack is ~ $3,500 parts and labor. But, like others said, battery can last much longer.

In my opinion, the 3rd gen Prius is one of the best cars you can buy. Hybrid Synergy Drive is awesome. There is no automatic transmission and there is no shifting of gears, it's all 1 speed.

Electronic shifting is fantastic. Never any clunks shifting through reverse gear like in an auto transmission. Push button start, smart key system save you time.

Think of 50 MPG average. Conventional cars cannot touch that. Roughly comparable car would be like a Toyota Matrix. base is ~ $3.5k less, but it's much less car and can only average about 29 MPG.

Get the Prius. Make sure you're cool with the sound system, cause for $1k more for the Three w/o nav, the JBL audio is quite a bit better. And comes with bluetooth for phone too.

 

Yes, good deal.

Don't worry about the battery... IF it should crap out after the 100K (150K CA) warranty there will likely be used battery for a fraction of the price available. Just like there are for the GenII now. Search ebay...

 

Call up your local Toyota service dept. for their total price for battery replacement.

Here, it was about $3,500 parts and labor. Might be different there.

 

Think about this with the Prius or any full hybrid compared to a regular car:

The more you are stuck in traffic in traffic in a regular car, the lower your fuel economy goes. If you are stopping and going over and over, idling gas away at lights, fuel economy tanks.

Prius is almost unaffected by city driving, being stuck in traffic. That's why the city fuel economy is 51 MPG whereas a conventional with 48 highway would be about low 30's in city or less.

 

Consumer Reports recently did an article comparing a 10 year old Prius with a 2010 model. The 10 year old Prius was still performing just as if it were brand new in most respects. The hybrid battery was still in excellent condition with no signs of it failing any time soon.

The battery should be the least of your concerns.

 

And with gas prices going up a little almost every day now, your window of a good purchase opportunity is getting smaller fast. (if gas prices are important to you)

 

Ahh...don't worry about it. Once the Traction Battery dies you can simply tie a Mule up to the front and keep going....

Sorry...just kidding. Plenty of Information about potential cost, lifespan and options. And I've NEVER heard even in rare occasions of needed replacement, of a 8 Grand replacement cost...

Your best bet is simply to hunt around this site...

 

I have a 2001 Prius with 255,000 km and the original battery is just petering out now. I am going to buy a remanufactured battery from Re-InVolt as soon as I can figure out the shipping method & cost. As I learned, this won't be over two grand.

I would buy a used Prius with 160,000km (100,000 m)... Good luck!

 

Good time to buy a Prius. Gas prices are not going down, probably not ever. The car is very dependable and I predict it will hold its value. When gas prices are over $5 or $6 a gallon we will all be glad we have them.

If you decide to go ahead be careful of dealer "extras". I would steer clear of maintenance plans, paint protection, upholstery protection, etc. You have 3 years to decide on an extended warranty if you want one. Toyota's extended warranty is available through this site for less than any dealer will sell it.

 

I am thinking about buying, so I thought I would check my 2005 Corolla mileage. I drive about 65 mi a day (90% Highway @ 75+ MPH), my avg MPG over the last 5 tanks was 37.2. I have about 82,000 mi or about 12,000 per year. How can I pay out the $ 6,500 price difference? Gasoline has averaged only about $ 2.60 over the last 6 years. So I only spend about $ 850 per year in gasoline.

 

Prius Battery Change is No Big Deal - Newsroom : Our Point of View Post / Toyota

For your state, the HV battery is warranted for 8 years/100K miles. It's 10 years/150K miles for California and other CARB states. I'm fairly sure FL is NOT a CARB state.

These might also be insightful:
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...ility_110125/20110125?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
http://avt.inl.gov/hev.shtml
http://john1701a.com/prius/owners/jesse4.htm

 

Are you confident that gas will average $2.60 over the next 6 years?
Part of the value of a Prius is that it insures you against the consequences of $5 gas.

Where does the $6500 come from? If its the difference in purchase price, where are you accounting for the difference in resale value?

You should also pick up something in reduced maintenance. eg brakes

If the numbers are even close, it should be an easy decision. The Prius has more room, is more versatile and in my opinion feels a lot better on the road