Should I buy 2008 with 7200 Miles or 2010 with 93000?

General rule with car buying if money is not factor is always to buy the newer model. Given that they are equally same in condition. Also remember, lower miles doesn't mean the car is always better. Cars needs to be driven, I generally find cars with little pampered miles to have more problems with oil leaks and other issues.

 

Have you driven them? I recently became a new 2012 Prius owner, last Sept. Was pleasantly surprised with the performance of the Gen III (2010-later). I think a lot of the Prius driving complaints (typically from the SUV and tailgating crowd) about it being slow come from the smaller engine. If you want to, the Gen III can be driven like the Honda Accord. But the mileage will drop accordingly. Also it has a redesigned PSD that better controls the speed of MG1. The earlier gens had a tendency to push the upper limits of MG1. I have not had the pleasure of experiencing the prior generations but highly recommend the Gen III. My past life is electrical engineer. You don't list models. Mine is a Two that I added a backup camera to. (On another forum here.) Also has other incremental improvements in many functions. So compare carefully. I'm waiting for the components to add the "Torque" monitoring system.

Cheers.

 

I'd go with the newest from battery life and body corrosion life standpoints.

 

If I remember correctly the model designation was changed in 2012. So the best advice I have is to ask (and trust) your dealer. The model may appear on the serial number label on the (I think) driver door latch post. Or there's also a label under the hood. It is also coded in the serial number which a competent dealer can look up. You may also be able to do a website lookup.

The 2010 should still have some warranty time left. The older ones are probably time expired on some of the warranties even though lower mileage. Batteries also degrade over time so I like the newer unless the olders have had replacement batteries. I would guess they have original batteries. Current 2012 warranty is 36000 miles or 3 years; 100,000 miles or 8 years on the hybrid system which includes the battery. Power train (mechanical from engine/motor to wheels) is 5 years or 60,000 miles. This passes on to subsequent owners. I only know about the 2012 which is what I have. Ask about the pass through warranty at your local Toyota dealer if the seller is not one.

From what I have picked up on these forums, batteries last at least 5-7 years, and most are much longer, well beyond the 8 year warranty. Cost is around US$3-4000 currently.

Hope this is not info overload.

Dan