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

Buy now or wait until next year

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by echeng66, Mar 20, 2017.

  1. echeng66

    echeng66 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2007
    20
    3
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My current car is a 2008 Prius with about 140,000 miles. So far the only repair bill, other than regular maintenance, is the cost of replacing the ball joints for the front wheels a few months ago. I am interested in replacing it with the new Prius Prime. However, there are very few available in my state (Midwest) and Edmunds' data indicate that buyers are paying full price in my zip code. Last night Toyota showed 1 in inventory in the area. My dilemma is whether to buy now or wait as I do not wait to wait too long and lose the $4,500 credit or my car suddenly dies on me. Which of the following options is best?

    1) Current car is likely to last a few more years and the $4,500 is likely to not expire so soon. Wait until 2019 to get better pricing.
    2) Since it is likely that I have to pay full price this year, go in to order one at the dealer and wait for delivery.

    Thanks.
     
  2. Anthny

    Anthny New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2017
    12
    5
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta, GA 30329
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'm in the same boat- My 2008 has 187K and never any issues- have not even replaced the brakes. I just ordered my new Prime this weekend here in Atlanta. There are no cars on any of the lots here. I paid MSRP and thats it- No dealer fees of any kind. I found that dealers won't budge on pricing and walked away from 3 of them because I did not want to pay any ridiculous fees. I decided to pull the trigger now due to longevity concerns of my current set up- Why push my luck at 200K- Car has served me well which is why I'm sticking with the brand. If you know that this is what you want why roll the dice with the credit to save a potential $2K? 3 to 4 months is my wait- just in time for the nice weather.
     
    HPrimeAdvanced likes this.
  3. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    2,542
    2,485
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I would not count on the $4500 lasting into next year. Looks like all of these kinds of programs are on the chopping block. If they are getting rid of "meals on wheels" do you think these fuel saving cars won't be next?
     
    kenoarto, ShenmueTacos, vegan and 2 others like this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i myself, am waiting. these things should be a dime a dozen in a few years.
     
  5. Db17

    Db17 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2017
    188
    91
    0
    Location:
    Visalia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Yep, unless the price goes up instead ;)
     
  6. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    2,542
    2,485
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    That is less than a penny a car. I am not trading mine in for less than a quarter.
     
  7. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2004
    929
    774
    1
    Location:
    Northeastern IL
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    This was my decision as well. But I have a 2014 liftback with 45,000 miles. Lots of life in this one. With advances in battery tech and lower battery costs coming, I'm not going to rush into my next purchase. I'm going to wait and see how the charging infrastructure develops and how quickly the latest battery tech hits the streets. I'd hate to buy one now and have it obsolete/old tech in a couple years. But that's based on my circumstances.

    my 2004 liftback had 193,000 miles when it got totalled and it was like new.
     
    Data Daedalus and bisco like this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i can only go by my own experience. 2012 pip, paid 30k, 5 years and 50,000 miles later = 10k.
    and almost all plug ins have been hit like that, except maybe cali.
     
  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
    could happen, but with hyundai and others starting to come into the picture, unlikely.
     
    bowang likes this.
  10. Sandollars

    Sandollars Prius Maven

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2009
    134
    156
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced

    Unless they're not...
     
    HPrimeAdvanced likes this.
  11. mdhare

    mdhare Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2017
    58
    33
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I came from an '05 Accord that probably could have lasted another year or two. My advice, don't think of the $4500 as a handout, think of it as an offset for taking a risk (emerging technologies, loss of value on trade in, etc). At least, that's how I justified paying a few hundred over MSRP to get one delivered to me in Wisconsin. That and assuming the $4500 comes in for what I paid it is still better equipped than the Prius three (about the same price)

    In 4 years when the pack either is twice is big (kwh) or half the price the $4500 will likely be gone; to that end the price probably won't be much different. And you'll still have an efficient way to get around when those model 3's batteries are out of juice.

    By ratio of sales we're still at the birth of EV's, so ignoring CARB; if no one buys EV cars, will they be affordable (built in mass) in the future?
     
  12. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I'm trading in (or possibly selling) a 2009 Prius with only 52,000 miles. I don't need a new car but I want one - primarily for the new safety features that weren't available back in 2009. The option to plug in is icing on the cake.
     
  13. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    2,542
    2,485
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Wow. That is like 500 miles a month. Incredible.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  14. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
    549
    577
    0
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Yeah, I live close to work & tend to not drive much if not necessary. I try to walk or use public transportation when possible. Comes from living in Europe for 7 years.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  15. bluzfan35

    bluzfan35 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2017
    50
    55
    0
    Location:
    missouri
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    N/A
    I was thinking this same thing, but i have a 2004 Saturn. Only 105000 miles on it and nothing wrong with it. I'm sure i could get a few more years out of it but sooner or later things are going to start going wrong and im not going to wait for it. Although when i ordered mine i did tell the dealer if it isn't in my hands before July 1st ill wait until the 2018 comes out.
     
  16. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    2,301
    3,517
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Har, har, har! Do you realize that the 2017 Prius Prime Advanced is at least $6,000 cheaper than the 2012 Prius Plug-In Advanced! I saw both sticker prices back in 2012. And it has a MUCH better hybrid system, more features and better quality. I paid full Monroney sticker for Prime Advanced, but Toyota did give me $1,000 instant rebate. With all the current rebates available, at least in California, it's a terrific buy right now. Watch president Chump stop Federal incentives; he doesn't believe in climate change, do I'd buy my Prime now, and I did! Get those incentives while you still can.


    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  17. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    2,301
    3,517
    0
    Location:
    Anaheim, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    I sold my 2012 plug in Prius with 103,000 miles on it to a dealer for $10,000, in California. He's selling it for $13,000.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yep, as i said, cali is a little different. but your prime will only be worth 5k in 5 years, when the next model is twice as good.
     
  19. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    2,542
    2,485
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Bisco. You must become one with the Prime. Resistance is futile.
     
  20. James Wells

    James Wells Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2016
    35
    28
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I'd wait. The two improvements I'd like to see for my prime are longer EV (50 miles) and Android Auto (the 11.6" display and Nav suck). Maybe get the milage, 11.6 improvements very unlikely.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.