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Is a 2018 Prius worth $6000 more than a Prius 2016?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by buck_rogers, Oct 14, 2018.

  1. buck_rogers

    buck_rogers Junior Member

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    I am hoping you can help me. I am going from a 2009 Prius Touring to a 2016+ Prius Two (or whatever I can find.) I know I can get a new one "cheap" for $23k, and I can get a 2016 for around $16k. I haven't done extensive pricing, but it's around that range.

    I've driven a 2018, not the '16 or '17. Is there any reason I would get the '18 over the '16 at the same trim level, Two? The 2018 had all the safety features, nice tech, etc. I haven't driven the '16, and I don't want to go on a trek to do so, if the later years are lots better.

    Thank you for any help on this. I want to get another Prius but the right one.
     
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  2. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    If the mileage was the same I would say no but that is unlikely. My 2016 has 7,000 miles on it but this is not common. Once you start adding trim levels it kind of adds another piece to the puzzle.
     
  3. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    I suggest you do some of your own research, I believe from what I have read that the 18 has a lot more safety systems standard in the 2 model then the 16 or the early 17 model. If true things like trader cruise control blind spot motoring rear cross traffic alert and automatic braking would make the 18 far more attractive to me.
     
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  4. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    Yes. Aside from differences in mileage, condition, and remaining warranty coverage (if any), as @Munpot42 kindly points out, the main difference between model years 2016 and 2018 for the Prius Two is that the 2016 model doesn’t have the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) package with the forward camera and radar system, which provides features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

    For 2016, TSS-P was unavailable on Prius Two, optional on Prius Three and Four, and standard on Prius Three Touring and Four Touring. For 2017 and later, TSS-P was standard on all trim levels. There were other relatively minor changes for 2017 and 2018, but all three model years share the same basic design.
     
  5. buck_rogers

    buck_rogers Junior Member

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    Then '17 is much more comparable to the 2018, nothing major? Unless I can find a 2016 with good miles and a package with TSS-P?
     
  6. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    My '16 has TSS-P, so be sure to do your homework.
     
  7. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Remember even if you are comparing sold 2018 that has no miles on it and brand new unsold 2018 on the lot, the sold one will be at least a few thousand dollars lower price. That's depreciation. As soon as a car is sold, it loose the value. If you compare 2016 and 2018, $6K is minimal depreciation regardless of the miles on it. Question is, is it worth to you to own a brand new car with all the bells and whistles (including better financing rate and longer warranty). Financially, it's always better to buy a car used, but that's not always the only reason to decide on purchasing your next car.
     
    #7 Salamander_King, Oct 14, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2018
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  8. buck_rogers

    buck_rogers Junior Member

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    I actually found a '16 Prius 4 with 30k miles. It seems to have all the safety features, but I don't know if the engine and all that is the same. From reading it's all the same.
     
  9. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    You should be good to go, then, if you can get that car at a good price. Just be sure that any recalls have been addressed. I know the early Gen 4 cars needed a fix for the parking brake that would sometimes not release properly. There may have been other issues that arose in the early production models that were corrected in the later ones. Check the Toyotaowners.com site for any Service Bulletins that might apply to your car.
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    A 2018 Two has TSS-P and also the no charge safety value package which includes BSM/RCTA and Intelligent Clearance Sonar. (Basically all the available safety stuff is now "sorta" standard equipment).

    Repair costs will be higher since there's more stuff but the idea is that you won't hit things in the first place.

    For 2016, you had to go up to a Three to get TSS-P and up to a Four to get BSM/RCTA/ICS.
     
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  11. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...also be aware some Gen4 have spare tires, and some do not.
     
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  12. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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  13. kschramm

    kschramm Junior Member

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    I have almost the exact same question as you. We are nearing the end of our lease of a 2016 Prius Two with 23,000 miles. Our residual value is $14,936.00. So the question we have is... purchase our leased 2016 prius or purchase a new 2018? Looking at both side by side for an additional $6K we would basically be getting the new safety features and 23,000 less miles. I don't the think differences add up to $6,000 worth of value. I am interested to hear what you decide to do.
     
  14. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    You've had it new - you know it's been well looked after, serviced, hasn't been rebuilt after a major crash (assuming that's all correct) ... so it should still be a good car. Probably.

    New car would have the safety features, supposedly better headlights, full warranty - different colour if you want it. 23,000 less miles.

    Depends? - do you normally change cars when they run out of warranty or lease? I have changed cars every 3 years for my last 4 cars.

    It's almost a "flip a coin" situation.
     
  15. buck_rogers

    buck_rogers Junior Member

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    At the moment, I still don't know. I was reading this thread about Entune,

    Entune is terrible...what are the other options? | Page 4 | PriusChat

    Is everything still the same on Entune? I thought I was the only one that had problems. I read Toyota may not or will not get Android Auto (I understand the privacy issue.) The 2016 has all the bells and whistles, and now I'm not sure I want to pay for it or the 2018 because of things like this. Silly perhaps. I'm on the fence, considering the Ioniq, but I don't trust Hyundai's mileage.

    Part of the attraction of the new Prius is not just the mileage.
     
  16. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I've not tried ENTUNE - I heard comments that it's not worth trying, so didn't. I haven't missed it. But depends on what your needs are.

    There is no Android or Apple Auto on any of the PRIUS, I believe. But I've heard that it's coming on a limited number of 2019 cars.
     
  17. kschramm

    kschramm Junior Member

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    with regard to lack of CarPlay/android auto. I think it would be cool to have that option. However, I don't want to base my entire car purchase based on the radio because of all the bells and whistles that come with a car, the radio is one of the easier features to upgrade. For now I just use a good phone mount and bluetooth. Maybe when wireless apple car play become more available in aftermarket units I will upgrade.
     
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'd wait a few more months (if the lease allows) and see what 2019 brings. There will be a midlife update so you may be in a better position to negotiate for a 2018 (and if not, there's always your 2016). In addition, you can see what 2019 brings.
     
  19. kschramm

    kschramm Junior Member

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    My lease ends in March, The 2019 should be out by then. Someone posted earlier about 19 Prius wishlist. My only wish is that it comes with Apple Carplay, everything else can stay as is :)
     
  20. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Where can I get a '16 for 16k?