1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Help me buy a Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Manhat10ite, Jan 24, 2012.

  1. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I am looking for a 2010+ Prius with lowish miles, under 25k. Blue ribbon metallic, preferably close to NYC. 20k+/-. I don't know much about the cars or options and find it all confusing so want the best deal for available. Would like something my iPhone/iPad can plug into(probably not a big deal, most cars today probably do this) Heated seats would be nice, don't even know if they are offered. I have no clue what else I might want in one. I am an uneducated consumer so feel free to clue me in. I don't mind buying on eBay, cars.com or privately.

    I will be in Western NC in late Feb so could buy one near there and drive it back.
     
  2. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,882
    8,183
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    Yes - Heated seats became an option as of 2010.
    But you need to say more. How fancy / cheep do you want to go?
    The high tech package (starting in 2010) has lane assist (for nodding off) ... collision avoidance (if someone - or a deer jumps in front of you ... the car automatically hits the brakes ... or brakes easy if the car in front is stopping and you don't notice) ... and self parking.

    Below that, is the solar sun roof model

    then there are 3 models progressively with less.
     
  3. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Don't care about any of that fancy stuff, I mean the car weighs more than a deer. Self parking could be nice, unload the crap from Costco with the doorman and let the car park, does it text me where the spot is?

    Sunroof, no way. Every one I have ever had, has leaked eventually, the last run ruined the computer in my Volvo and it will cost me 5k to repair. This is one of the motivating reasons of buying a car, never happened with a 240 or P1800.
     
  4. spalmer

    spalmer Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2011
    16
    3
    0
    Location:
    Melbourne, Au
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yeah, the car texts you a link to google maps for its location, then when you text PICKUP to the car it will return to where you left it and come get you.
     
  5. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    That is cool, I have been using the app, "Dude where the **** is my car?" This feature is much better.
     
  6. GOOSE MAN

    GOOSE MAN New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    18
    3
    0
    Location:
    FL
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    You can actually get 2011s a lot less now for 20k I found a couple for 20,500 and 21,600 OTD for a prius 2 and get on the low interest rates. Since it will even out ifpick up a used one. Also for a full loaded 2011 Prius it can be had for at least 29 OTD. Good luck bro.
     
  7. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2005
    29,110
    8,589
    201
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Thread moved to the correct forum.
     
  8. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2012
    810
    313
    0
    Location:
    NE
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Toyota is offering zero percent for five years in some markets -- getting an 11 with the cheap rates would be the way to go. Some sates are only zero for three years -- NJ is only three and I believe NY -- PA is for five. Worth the drive -- you can purchases the car in any state for the same costs.
     
  9. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    What does OTD stand for? I am in Manhattan and have a house in NJ. So either is fine. I genuinely hate buying cars so any links to deals or what I should be looking would be great.
     
  10. kornkob

    kornkob New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2011
    128
    15
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    OTD = Out The Door

    Generally refers to the amount you'd need to write a check for to take a car with you that day with all taxes, fees and costs included.
     
  11. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    So was he talking new or used ones? I assume used.
     
  12. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The prices he mentioned were for new or used ones? I just went to the Toyota site and they seem to be priced at 24k for a new one.
     
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Sounds like you might need the services of an auto broker. My sister & hubby swear by getting 2 year old cars from their broker. They well him what they want and he finds it.

    In 2010 Prius, heated seats means IV or V (Five) model, but $20k ish for under 25k miles is not likely as IV sold for $30k or high 20's.
     
  14. yeldogt

    yeldogt Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2012
    810
    313
    0
    Location:
    NE
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    You don't need to buy the car in the state it will be registered -- I bought in PA because of the zero for five years -- it is not registered in PA. Even figuring a discounted rate of 2.9 -- Toyota is giving you $2500.00.

    Do a search and call a couple of dealers -- The four's and five's had discounts around 2k off of list.
     
  15. Insight-I Owner

    Insight-I Owner 2006 Insight-I MT + 2011 Prius

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2009
    505
    100
    0
    Location:
    Essex, CT
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Another possibility: get Wet Okole seat covers and add electric heat to them:
    Custom Car Seat Cover Prices - Wet Okole Hawaii
    I have Wet Okole's (without heat) in both my cars and prefer them over either the stock cloth or leather (which I have had in other cars and disliked).
     
  16. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I ended up getting a 2011 two in NJ, I got a very good trade value on my Volvo, much more than it was worth if the dealer put even 10 more minutes into looking at it(touching the soaking wet floor would have been enough) So I didn't want to risk going to any dealers in PA. We did 0% in NJ for 3 years and paid 22995 for the car, not the best or worst price. Barcelona Red, we wanted Ribbon Blue, but they sold their last one in the morning. We were offered a 2012 in blue but the same car would have cost us $4000 more since we would have lost the financing deal at the low rate.
     
  17. kbeck

    kbeck Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2010
    420
    275
    0
    Location:
    Metuchen, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Good thing about you and your commute: The EZ-Pass people will give you a green (no kidding, that's the color) transponder if you show them the receipt for the car. It gets you some off when commuting back and forth across the Hudson, more when it's not rush hour.

    Oh, yeah, the car. II is base level; III gives you a better radio and bluetooth integration so you can do some seriously good phone calls, hands-free, every time you sit in the car. IV gives you a back-up camera, built-in map stuff, and leather seats. V gives you fancy wheels, lane-keeper, self-parking, and all the technology they could think of.

    In December of 2009 I looked all this over and plopped for a III. I wish I had that back-up camera, though: The Prius has the lousiest view out the rear of any car I've ever owned. However, word is around here that a fair number of dealers will put an aftermarket backup camera system on the car using high-grade parts. Turns out the camera is practically a standard and there's a hole for it in the rear near the license plate; the other trick is the replacement rear view mirror which gets the image.

    If I had to do it all over again I'd plop for the III again, but shell out a few hundred for the aftermarket backup camera.

    KBeck.
     
  18. pjay

    pjay New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2011
    99
    5
    0
    Location:
    Westchester, N.Y.
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Is that correct about the green transponder? Interesting! You mean it allows you to pay a lower rate than even the regular EZ Pass transponder? I will have to look into it, even though I don't commute by car.

    If the green transponder's discounts are lower than those with the regular one, I wonder if those deeper discounts also apply to out-of-state electronic toll collections.

    Thanks for the tip!
     
  19. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I was just told today that wasn't true for the green, not sure but will obv contact ezpass next week. I can't really imagine why I would need a back up camera after a week of parallel parking. I grew up driving in NYC and can park a nickel in a spot for a dime.

    My commute is less than 10 inches a day, unless I want a cup of coffee. I do have a country house in NJ on the weekends.
     
  20. Manhat10ite

    Manhat10ite Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2011
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    N/A