deciding between Gen II (08) and III (10)

Nice, enjoy the new hybrid car. Keep moving forward.

 

I stopped by the Toyota dealer thats on my way home from work yesterday to look through the window of a 2010 Prius. I wasn't impressed with the interior design. What! No more touch screen computer? I wasn't too happy with looks of the raised controls over a large stash bin either. I have never driven a 2010 or even sat in the seat. I will still buy the Gen III. I just don't like what I see in used Priuses. I'm sure I will get used to it.

The certified used Prius' on the lot were priced way too high IMO. The price difference to get a new one was hardly anything. I looked at ads for used ones in the $12k to $14K range but they were mostly from used car lots which makes me question the vehicle's history. I am aware that vehicle history can be sanitized.

I will wait for the 2011's since I'm not leasing or using dealer financing. There's just no incentives that I'm aware of to buy a 2010 right now. My Toyota pickup still gets me around. I can wait the month or two for the new models or possibly better incentives on a 2010. I'm glad my pickup is a Toyota. Its easy to re-sell those older trucks with the 22RE engine.

 

I just went through the same thing, our OP made the right call!. The Gen 3 is superior on the highway. I put 77K on my 07 Gen 2 and liked it very much, the Gen 3 is a truly superior car. My 07 was totaled, with the Ins. Co. money and even some personal connections it's tough to find a bargain on a good used lo mile Gen 2. This tough economy has assured that fact.

No incentives?? 2.9% financing + an Addl. 1K on your trade allowed me to make a great deal on my new one.

I'm a road warrior @ about 1K miles per week. My car has to be a nice place to be, the Gen 3 V with ATP is all that!

 

We own both an '06 and a '10, and I would take the '06 in a heartbeat. The Smart Key opens both front doors and the Hatch door, the '10 opens only the front driver door. Others are opened by pressing the "unlock" button. The '06 has more room in the front, the '10 has that crazy storage area under the center console. And as a minor point, the '06 has storage room in the front two doors for maps and other material. The '10 doesn't. Slightly fewer miles per gallon in the '06, but no appreciable difference in the front seat room (I'm 6'1", and have no difficulty with room in the '06.)

 

Go lease a 2010, great deals on lease right now, if you still like it in 3 years, then buy the car. You can get a Type II at invoice right now. Plus, you also have a 2 year maintenance contract with a new car, plus the warranty.

 

I have had 2 Gen IIs and have been driving a Gen III for nearly a year now. A day doesn't go by that I don't miss my Gen II. There are improvements with safety features that might make me still go with the Gen III but those are things that aren't part of the daily experience.

Here are some changes that I can think of of the top of my head that make be prefer my old Gen II over my Gen III.

1) Much less usable storage space in the Gen III front cabin.

The Gen II had several unique storage spots/drawers that aren't missing from the Gen III. Gen III has a lip on the center floor making somewhat of a storage spot but it doesn't make up for what is lost.

Top Glove Box - no shelf in the Gen III

Bottom Glove Box - over all seems smaller, and lacks the slot in the back that conveniently held the manual etc.

Center Console - less storage

2) Cupholders

Gen III Front Cupholders are less convenient. The most forward is located such that I bump my water bottle trying to get to the shifter. The second front cupholder is in the console necessitating the console be at least partially open to use it. This obviously takes away from the console storage room (although it can be removed).

Rear Cupholders - Are in the rear armrest of the Gen III. Since the rear armrest has to be in the down position to get to the cupholders you can either have rear cupholders or 3 rear passengers you can't have both at the same time. In the Gen II they were at the backend of the console and easily reachable by either the front or rear passengers. If I am traveling with one passenger we frequently have a large refillable water bottle each (that won't fit in door pocket) and a cup of coffee or tea. Now we are limited to water or coffee (inconvenient when heading out on a long drive) or try and juggle one between my legs.

3) Interior materials/plastics in the Gen III have a cheaper, less sturdy, feel than in the Gen II. Particularly the glove box and rear retractable cargo cover.

4) The shift lever was moved from the dash to the center area. This takes up room that could have been used for something else (maybe the seat heater buttons!!!) and causes the above mentioned conflict with the cupholder. The whole layout of this new central area is attractive but doesn't add convenience and reduces possible storage options.

5) The Energy Flow and Consumption displays have moved from the Central MFD and are now up near the windshield on the Gen III. These displays are much harder to read, toggle between and reset Trip counters on.

6) The MFD in the Gen II was more in line of sight, it is a little too low in the Gen III. All the controls (radio, map etc.) that surround the MFD are a bit difficult to see and the old system was actually much easier to work with while driving.

7) My gas mileage seems to be more variable. I think it averages out about the same but there are more highs and lows from tank to tank (say 47-53 now, was 49-50)

8) One minor thing I like better on the Gen III is the rear cargo mat. It is lighter weight and does feel a bit cheaper but in being lighter, and more importantly has some scoring detail, it is easier to bend back in order to access the compartments underneath.

9) The tracer and the power modes are interesting but I don't find them as useful as a thought they would be.