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Should I Keep my 2009 or trade in for 2010?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by smartalec89, Mar 29, 2009.

  1. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    Hi Everyone,

    I am looking at trading in my pretty much brand new 2009 Prius with 2500 miles on it (that I purchased in November 2008) for a 2010 Prius:). My original plan was to wait until the 2010 came out but I got in a car wreck and just bought a 2009 right then. So, I am looking for any thoughts on this, they would be greatly appreciated.

    Thank you,
    Smartalec89
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Would the depreciation hit be rather large? Are you ok with that?
     
  3. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    I know this sounds funny but in Alaska the demand is so high I could probably end up selling it for more than what I paid for it. Not like I would anyways. Even if I don't I would not mind a loss.
     
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The only way selling an '09 & buying a '10 makes sense to me is if you can turn a profit or make an even trade.
     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Ahh I see. Well then, your choice lol. Do you want/need the new stuff?
     
  6. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    Overall I think the upgrades like the engine warming up faster are definitely important in Alaska. I was really just trying to find out what everyone else would do.
     
  7. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    If I could come out even on depreciation, I would trade in a second. When I say even, I don't mean a free year of driving, only that you pay for a year's worth of driving, resetting the depreciation clock.

    Tom
     
  8. M8s

    M8s Retired and Lovin' It

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    I daydream about this issue as well. I love my '09 but the '10 seems better in some important ways. But I know that if I were to buy the '10, then the even newer lithium battery model would come out in a year or two and it would have an even better set of features. It's probably best to be patient and wait until then. Or maybe wait until the second year of the lithium model so I don't become an uncompensated (and frustrated) a beta tester. Just my 2 cents.
     
  9. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    That line of thinking will cause you to never buy anything related to technology. Whatever is new and great now will be replaced in six months by something even better. You end up waiting for an idealized endpoint that never arrives.

    On the other hand, I do agree that you have to be careful about when you jump into new technology, unless you want to be a beta tester. It's expensive and frustrating to live on the bleeding edge of technology.

    Navigating between doing nothing and getting burned is a narrow line.

    Tom
     
  10. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    I don't want to be a beta tester. Don't get me wrong though I love my 09 but it doesn't handle the cold as well as I want it to. The -20deg weather is tough on a car and thats why I like a faster warming engine. I am also a tech guy though and love getting new toys. That's where I am stuck.
     
  11. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The heat exchanger on the 2010 should help.

    As far as beta testing goes, Toyota is building a 2010 for me even as we speak.

    Tom
     
  12. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    My local dealer claims they don't start building until April. There isn't even a waiting list at my dealer. Which is the best part.
     
  13. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The actual start of building is a bit of a mystery. Those of us that are part of the Prius Priority Program are ahead of the dealers, but Toyota won't say exactly when the cars will roll off the line, at least at this point.

    Tom
     
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  14. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    That make sense. I will have look into it more.
     
  15. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    If I wasn't worried about depreciation costs or anything financially-related, I would definitely upgrade to the 2010. After the 2010 is released, the next "big thing" coming to the Prius are the lithium ion batteries, and I wouldn't expect those for 3 years.
     
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  16. auricchio

    auricchio Member

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    The same demand that keeps your resale price high also allows the dealers to keep their new prices high. You're unlikely to find a great deal on a new Prius.
     
  17. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    It's unlikely I will have to pay more than MSRP. My local dealer is pretty good about not doing mark ups on new cars. I actually paid less than MSRP for my 2009. :)
     
  18. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    Only being 20 right now I feel as though I am very financially stable. So I think a loss won't hurt me. I definietly want to upgrade so I probably will. As for Lithium ion batteries I remember reading that Toyota designed the new pack to hold either type. This was in the same post as the one about the available packages on the 2010. Right??? Probably 2 years away is my guess.
     
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Good point about the 3 min faster warmup time. That is crucial in Alaska.
     
  20. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    I wish it was faster than that but it will do.