Considering a Prius...

If your commute is mostly freeway get a never wrecked low mile std fastback for the mpg/cost benefit.

 

Things to look for in a used Prius are pretty minimal. These cars are built rock solid, much like Subarus. I had a Subaru Legacy a few cars ago.

If the previous owner had hairy animals, like dogs, that routinely rode in the back seat the traction battery fan should be checked and make sure it is not clogged.

If you will be commuting 100miles a day (50miles round trip), 5days a week, 50 weeks a year (assuming vacation and weekends) you will be driving 100 * 5 * 50 = 25,000 miles a year. Do you plan on purchasing the car and keeping it for a few years, or just a year, or until the wheels fall off?

Reason being that the longer you plan on keeping it the mileage it starts with is more and more irrelevant If it has 40K miles on the clock versus 60K miles, that really doesn't matter if you are going to put 200K more miles on it. But if you only plan on keeping it 1 year, then resale will depend on keeping it below 100K.

Something else to consider is that Prius prices are holding high. You can buy a brand new one for almost nothing extra. In my area a used 2008-2010 is close to 20K USD. A brand new one can be had for mid 20's. We just bought a brand new 2013 C with 11miles (not 11K, but 11) package 4 fully loaded for $22K. Toyota is offering 0% financing on new vehicles, but on used vehicles you will probably be in the 2% to 4% range. Also Toyota is offering a couple thousand cash back (pay your sales tax essentially) on the Prius, but again only new ones. Also you get 2yr/25k, so in your case 1 year, free oil changes and routine maintenance on new vehicles.

The GenIII is probably the better choice for you (2010 to current) because of the larger engine and I assume your 50 miles is highway not backroad or city.

The only option that personally would be a dealbreaker for me is SKS. After having it, I refuse to buy a car without it now. All 3 purchased since have had full 3 door SKS and it is wonderful. If you have back problems, you might want to look at the higher trims that have lumbar support. The touring package with the larger wheels looks nicer, but it rides a little more roughly and the mileage is generally a few percent lower.

Good luck on your search, but I would recommend shopping around for new vehicles as well with the great financing and incentives offered and the high prices of used Prii.

 

If you must have the newest thing, then a Gen III is a better bet. Otherwise, seriously consider a top of the line, low mileage 2009. There's little difference in gas mileage between the two generations (Consumer Reports found NONE when doing their standard test drive) and you'd save several thousands of dollars. Problems I've experienced with the Gen II are oil burning starting around 75K and squeaks and rattles. Also, when doing a vehicle inspection, check the remaining capacity on the auxillary battery. There's a test you can do using the in-dash display. Find a youtube video. Good luck.

 

When I was in the market to buy a Prius, I was on the Internet researching price for over a month! I checked out Carmax, Car Gurus and the local classifieds religiously every day.
I found my 2012 dark Gray gen III base on Car Gurus. The car had 17k miles on the clock and was very clean. I paid $22.5K OTD, trading in my 2007 MBZ GL 450 with 67+K miles ...even swap...was planning on paying cash and selling the GL on my own but the deal was too sweet minus the hassle of showing/selling a used car. I saved about 5k on the deal taking into account taxes etc...
I always buy my cars slightly used with 15-20k miles on the clock and have done very well in terms of price and reliability ..., they have all been trouble free.
Good luck with you decision/search and do come back with pics of your new ride!

 

Are you keeping the Subaru and using the Prius just as a commuter car?

 

I'm not genuinely happy with my 3rd gen purchase because I am 6'2" tall with long legs, 36" inseam. Gambled that I could get used to driving with steering wheel far away, but after a year and a half, I give in, can't reach that far.

So, I've sccoted forward a bit, but awfully close to pedals which makes braking more dicey: I tend to hit the brake too hard. It might reduce my MPGs over time and wear brakes quicker. Time will tell.

Beware if you are very tall, have long legs. If so, forget the gen 2 Prius, it's worse.

 

If you are purchasing a car to commute 26,000 miles per year to and from work then your needs will be better served purchasing a used non hybrid car for this purpose IMHO. I would be looking for good condition 4 cylinder cars that can be had for less than $10,000 because you will just be burning them out. From an econonomic standpoint purchasing a new car doesn't make sense because you will lose your shirt in taxes and depreciation. Used civics and corollas are a dime a dozen. I would get one, drive it till the wheels fall off then take it out back and shoot it and go get another one.

 

I drive about 22k a year and initially had the "used Civic" game plan to replace my Civic. Then I saw how inflated the used Civic prices are. Then one day sitting in traffic I realized I would save time if I could use the HOV lane. For me, some days my entire 43 mile commute home is a jam, so 0-30 mph stop and go on the highway. The Prius will excel in that for fuel economy. So now I'm likely getting a Prius.

 

You do not list where you are, but check local laws where ever in the solar system you are, not all Prius get to use all HOV lanes.

In California, as an example, only the Plug-in Prius can use HOV.

 

In Virginia I still get to use one, the Dulles Toll Road, which I use everyday. If I had a time machine, I could get the old plates which put me on I-66 or I-395, but I didn't commute downtown back then.