Purchasing Question, Gen 2 vs Gen 3

Aside from cost, to me the Gen 3 is so different, I wouldn't even conisder a G2.

Oh top of that.. for a Gen 3 for less than $2k more than Gen 2.. I think the answer is simple.. key thing is newer battery too!

 

I think when in your initial statement you say " I really like the interior of the 3rd Gen vs. 2nd Gen"- that kind of answers your question. All things being equal, you have to go with what you like.

Also while the cost swing between your examples is significant, the mileage differences between your examples IMO really isn't.

So if you "Can afford any of them".....you've got to go with the interior and vehicle you really like. Therefore I would at least decide to narrow your search down to Generation 3 Prius. At that point it probably starts with tangible, physical looks at the vehicles.

The oft repeated advice of Carfax's, Pre-Purchase Inspections applies as per usual. But if I'm reading what you are saying carefully? I think you want a Gen 3.

 

I would get the III or IV

 

For me the improvement in fuel economy between the 2006 & 2010 V-AT on OEM tires was not significant. A Gen 3 (which you prefer) on 15" wheels and LRR tires will be cheaper to operate because the FE will be even higher although I don't know if it will be significant.

Those are all high mileage cars except for the 2005. If a Gen2 base means "no package" I'd pass as "nice" things are missing because this is a fleet car. Don't know where you live so you may be just about out of warranty.

 

I love math.

50 miles a day / 50 mpg Gen 3 x $4 a gallon = $4 per day -> $20 per week -> $1040 per year.

50 miles a day / 46 mpg Gen 2 x $4 a gallon = $4.35 per day -> $21.74 per week -> $1130 per year.

It's a difference of $90 per year. Round up to $100 because you drive the car on weekends also. Couple that with higher depreciation on the Gen 3 and your lowest cost is the 2005 Prius despite lower fuel economy.

However, if you can afford it, Gen 3 is better in terms of safety and reliability. It'll cost you more but safety is important and reliability has a cost that is different for everyone.

If it were me, I'd go for the 2005 because my wife drives the safer family car. I just commute. And since I have a 2nd car to fall back on, reliability is not as much a concern either. I assume Gen 3 is more reliable but not enough to tilt cost in its favor. Lower cost for me means wifey gets an even safer and more reliable car. It's a balancing act and different for everyone.

 

If you already have a car in good condition, I'd continue searching for good deals. It's not about the Gen 1 trunk being too small or not. It will still fit a stroller and some bags. My friend owns one. It's that the Gen 2 & 3 are so much larger due to the hatchback style.

With 1 child, my Civic trunk and interior has plenty of space. My second arrived 3 months ago. I doubt the double stroller would fit in the trunk with any space leftover. Also, instead of one child seat in the middle position for safety and room to slide the seats back, we now have to put a child seat on each side. My wife can't recline to a comfortable position with the newborn in the rear-facing seat behind her. We chose to put the front facing seat behind the driver but even then there's not a lot of extra room. We barely made it work in our 3rd Gen Prius. A Gen 1 Prius would not work for us with two babies needing child seats.

So if you do plan on 2 kids, there might be some occurrence where you have to drive both kids and an adult. No reason to limit yourself for just a $1500 savings not to mention an even older less reliable car. If you found an 05 for $7000, another one will come along eventually.

 

Do you have idea what a great price that is? I'd jump on it for being such a good deal. The lowest 2010 I see on Craigslist in my area is $13500 with same mileage. At least go take a look at it.

 

Statistically, extended warranties do not save you money. There are threads about it on here all the time. Do a search. Here is the latest:
traded my '07 in. should i get extended warranty from dealer ? | PriusChat
Extended warranties are also riddled with fine print. "Radiator leak? Sorry extended warranty is limited to the power train only. AC compressor, exhaust, struts, axles are not covered." Extended warranties buy you peace if mind. It's not likely to save you money.

 

I'm considering purchasing a 2007 one-owner with almost 150k miles for $200 under KBB. The high mileage doesn't bother me too much but I'm wondering about big ticket stuff like exhaust or timing chain/belt IF the seller hasn't done them yet.
Will get a Carfax and check his maintenance records (if any).
I'll have a dealer look it over...any other suggestions?

 

Congrats on the buy. Do the math with the mpg and compare your total cost of ownership with lower priced vehicles. Keep in mind that the oil change intervals are longer and brake parts wear less bc of the hybrid system, so you would pay less on regular maintenance as well. Plus the 5 door lift back style with folding rear seats should provide versatility with an expected baby.

 

Looking through my manual, there are no big ticket maintenance items. Exhausts don't get maintenance on any model car unless there is a problem. No timing belt on the Prius. I don't know if there is a chain either but no maintenance there. The only big ticket item I see is the battery. I personally don't know of any batteries lasting longer than 250k miles. But there are those lucky ones that have gone 300k and more.

Killer deal. Great job! (I never understood why people say congratulations on buying a car. It's not like you won it or anything, anyway...) this forum is a fantastic resource for new owners. My PiP is my first hybrid as well and it took awhile to get used to it.

One nugget of information I can give you is that driving really slow by staying in EV mode is worse for your fuel economy than just driving normally. The reason being that it takes more energy to charge up your battery than you get out of it because you lose some of that energy to heat in the conversion.