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Looking at buying a 2012, 2013, or 2014 Prius...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by SouthBayTB, Aug 20, 2015.

  1. SouthBayTB

    SouthBayTB New Member

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    IV
    I'm looking at buying a 2012, 2013, or 2014 Prius. I'm looking for low miles and something that could be used to drive for Uber or Lyft. Is there any differences or things to look out for among those model years? Also, I'm looking at probably buying from a Toyota dealer in the San Jose area. Hopefully a car under 30K miles. Any other advice or things to look out for?
     
  2. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Your best bet would be to buy a "Certified Pre Owned" from Toyota if you are buying used from Toyota. Also I would not buy a base model. At minimum I would chose Model Three or higher.

    Best of luck to you,
    Ron (dorunron)
     
    TC400 likes this.
  3. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    I agree w/ the above. Def want CPO. You may pay a bit more but it would be worth it.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree with above, find the best bang for your buck. i don't think you can go wrong with any of them. research the different packages to see if there are any must haves for options.
     
  5. PoPoPlatter

    PoPoPlatter Junior Member

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    QUOTE: "Your best bet would be to buy a "Certified Pre Owned" from Toyota if you are buying used from Toyota. Also I would not buy a base model. At minimum I would chose Model Three or higher.

    Best of luck to you,
    Ron (dorunron)
    " UNQUOTE



    Sorry to jump in, but could you expound as to why NOT choosing a base Prius II?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #5 PoPoPlatter, Aug 20, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2015
  6. SouthBayTB

    SouthBayTB New Member

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    I saw a 2013 Prius 5 with 27K miles. I can probably get it for $23K. Sound like a good deal?
     
    TC400 likes this.
  7. TC400

    TC400 Active Member

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    Three
    Do you have a link to it? I'd like to see it.
     
  8. PoPoPlatter

    PoPoPlatter Junior Member

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    Just doings edmunds as a good condition and silver, I come up with $17,620 for the car. I don't know what options are on it.
     
  9. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Unless you are happy with no nav and no back up camera, the base model will be fine. However, all the time I personally looked at the third generation (2010 and above) Prius while driving a second generation 2009 Package #2 Prius, I continually preferred the minimum of the model Three. Everyone has their preferences in vehicles, that is why there are many different models and brands out there.

    Considering the fact that the OP is wanting a Prius for commercial use (Uber and Lyft) is all the more reason to have the added bells and whistles. I am referring more so to the built in back up cam and less so to the built in nav. Many including myself prefer a decent Garmin over the built in navigation unit.
     
  10. SouthBayTB

    SouthBayTB New Member

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    Edmunds doesn't give you an option to put the various option levels. It's a model 5 (or V). The price seems to be OK (even low) when I look on the Kbb web site.
     
  11. sillylilwabbit

    sillylilwabbit Active Member

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    Thanks for the explanation.

    Toyota makes it so confusing with all the car versions and packages. It drives me nuts.




    iPhone ?
     
    #11 sillylilwabbit, Aug 20, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2015
  12. sillylilwabbit

    sillylilwabbit Active Member

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    Just looked at truecar for a new 2015 Prius five. It came about to $25,300, which is not much more for brand new vs the one you are looking at. I am just guessing that Toyota may increase their incentives soon to clear remaining inventory to make room for 2016.

    The 2016 is going to be unveiled on sept 8, so you may want to wait until at least that date and coincidently, the current incentives expire on that same date. Timed that way on purpose?

    As for options, I just did whatever the default came up with.




    iPhone ?