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

Gen 3 used vs. Gen 4 new - which is the better option

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by SSmith, Jun 16, 2016.

  1. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    1,014
    485
    0
    Location:
    Nh
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    A used hybrid is different than a used non-hybrid, the hybrid battery is used, get a new one, the 2 eco has the lighter battery and get's outstanding mpg's, (4) more than the others, the 16's drive more sporty, but, it's your money.
     
    FuelMiser and PriUncut like this.
  2. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2015
    199
    151
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Buy used Gen 3 if money is a concern, gas prices are still fairly low and it's a great time to buy used Hybrids, I've seen used 2013-2015 Prii with 20-30K Miles go for around $16,500; an incredible bargain, the changes for Gen IV is not enough to make up such a large difference in pricing.
     
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    It has a steadier, lower ride and flatter cornering than gen3, but the steering response even with the Touring and 17" tires is fairly light and docile. Hybrid / engine is really quiet not like sportier cars that have some exhaust note.

    Maybe it's about time to look forward to a Model 3, see what it takes to own a Tesla. Prius is a bust for me.
     
    #23 cycledrum, Jun 17, 2016
    Last edited: Jun 17, 2016
    MrMischief likes this.
  4. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    2,592
    2,388
    0
    Location:
    Whittier, CA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Tesla?
     
    MrMischief likes this.
  5. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Tesla S scored like perfect 100 on Consumer Reports road test. Aside from quiet, model S drives like primo luxury sports sedan.
     
  6. MrMischief

    MrMischief Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    426
    443
    0
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    cycledrum likes this.
  7. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I remember a quote or discussion from, I think, Elon Musk years something like, 'the things you know about that you don't know the solution yet is not so bothersome. But the problems you don't even know about, that's what makes serious challenges in auto mfg ... '
     
  8. vince22

    vince22 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2011
    205
    249
    0
    Location:
    califorinia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    if you can wait at the end of the year, 2016 Prius 2 will likely price around 18k after rebates.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you can always add electronic noise like mustang.;)
     
    MrMischief likes this.
  10. SSmith

    SSmith Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 21, 2007
    20
    2
    0
    Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I will probably keep on eye on prices and if a screaming deal on a 2014 or 2015 shows up go with used. Otherwise I will wait for the 2017s to come out and then try to pick up a new 2016 at a better price.
     
    Sierralar likes this.
  11. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    2,404
    2,773
    47
    Location:
    South Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    The v is a nice vehicle, but there is a premium over the gen 3 hatch price for the same year.
     
  12. Starship_Enterprius

    Starship_Enterprius Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2014
    312
    152
    0
    Location:
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Premium
    G4 improved more on performance and driving dynamics.

    Mechanically and maintenance wise I think G2 to G3 was the bigger improvement. G3 got a bigger engine and went mostly electric.... lost all of its belts, lost the thermos bottle, and lost the tank bladder (those were a lot of maintenance headaches eliminated right there).

    Unless G4 addressed G3 weak points like the inverter (which doesn't look like it), they should be around the same maintenance wise. I don't think the G4 active grill shutters will become a maintenance problem.
     
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Based on MPG reports, sounds like 2016 Prius improvement is more than 2 MPG over gen3 (excluding eco).
    Don't those grill shutters allow cold engine to warm up lot faster?

    My 2011 engine always kicked on some seconds after Ready from cold start. 2016 rental did not kick on right away. Went slowly down block in EV from a cold start then engine came on pulling onto main road.
    I never like the engine kicking on from a cold start, was annoying.in the morning.
     
  14. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,302
    295
    0
    Location:
    California - SF Bay area
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My understanding is the inverter is an all new design on the gen 4.
     
    Starship_Enterprius likes this.
  15. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2009
    905
    339
    0
    Location:
    Victoria BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    FWIW, Fuelly is showing a big difference in average mpg between Gen 3 (47) and Gen 4 (55).

    While the EPA numbers don't reflect this degree of improvement, my understanding is that something about the EPA's testing or reporting rules changed around 2015 to a degree that 2016 numbers can't be directly compared with earlier numbers.
     
  16. Sarge

    Sarge Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2005
    1,298
    757
    1
    Location:
    Milton, Ontario, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XSE Premium
    My take is the following, as I was recently in a similar situation;

    First, what are your priorities?
    - latest technology?
    - budget friendly?
    - is cargo space important?
    - are you mechanically inclined or have a reliable mechanic?
    - is plug-in important to you?
    - how long do you expect to keep the car?

    I was debating between a used PiP vs a new 2016 (wanted to wait for the Prime, but ran out of time, and not crazy about the 4-seats anyway). Personally, I really wanted a plug in, partly for HOV privileges, and also because we already have a L2 for our Leaf.

    I also wanted something versatile that can take 5 passengers (2 kids + dog), and given we already have a car payment on the Leaf, buying used allowed us to lessen the financial burden.

    I also have a great hybrid/EV mechanic in whom I have clear trust, and with the track record I have had with my Gen 2, I know the maintenance (should/will) be minimal anyway.

    Further, any financial professional will tell you that buying a good used car is a much wiser decision from a financial perspective, given the premium and high depreciation associated with brand new vehicles.

    So, in a sense, it comes down to wants vs needs. The 2016 by most accounts is a 'great' vehicle, however, I am sure a budgetary gen 3 would fit your 'need' perfectly well, at a significantly lower price. But how much is the improved performance and toys worth to you?

    Given all of the above, we went for a 2014 used PiP which I pick up this weekend. :cool: I expect I will likely keep it for 4-5 years, then maybe trade up to a next-gen plugin, like the 5-seat Prime that Toyota should come to their senses about, by then... :LOL:

    Good luck with your decision!
     
    energyandair and krmcg like this.
  17. jbkendrick

    jbkendrick Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2016
    232
    197
    4
    Location:
    Baltimore, MD
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I would have to agree. With only a week and 650 miles under my belt, my mpg has been outstanding. 646 miles on 10.1 gal of fuel. This has surpassed what I used to get in my 2006 Insight with two seats and next to no cargo room. And we won't even talk about the performance difference. It was all I could do, not to not get run over by trucks while driving the Insight over smallish mountains in the eastern US. J
     
    douglasjre and krmcg like this.