Looking to get a new Prius, something that is 2016 or newer (I had an 06 and I want a decade upgrade). One of my stipulations is I only have $7,000, but also want a clean title ~75K miles on odometer and body. The question which I think I already know the answer to, am I cooked? I have a year to hunt for it, and perhaps someone wants to offload their car quickly and price low, but half off??? I don’t think so. Am I better off buying an 09, I don’t want to buy Gen 3 for the head gasket issues.
A Prius that is capable of saving you money on fuel & mechanical whoopsies will cost a lot to purchase. In many cases, choosing a Prius does not lead to saving money overall. You're just changing who you're paying. Sometimes this is still a good enough deal- a steady payment on a new or newer one vs. random surprises out of an older one might be more palatable to some. Take a good look at your driving needs first. The easiest way a Prius can deliver big savings is if you drive quite a lot of miles.
Buying a gas saving car when everybody wants one is not going to be cheap. And one that old comes with potential problems. And how many miles will it take before you have saved enough to have a good long term buy? Maybe better the car you have and know? Would you and could you hold off long enough till gas prices drop and people trade efficiency for speed. I still recall during the Carter gas shortages selling a 4 cylinder BMW 2002a to a guy who drove up in one of his 2 huge Cadillacs. (My wife and I could get to work on the bus.)
YOU probably aren't because you're asking questions left of bang. Your Idea? Yup.....BUT...I'm smelling singed hair. I'm also a little curious as to why you're constrained to a $7k budget but you have a year to buy the car? Are you on an overseas deployment? Incarcerated? Planning a divorce? You're budgeting $7k for the car and 365 days for the acquisition - but what about maintenance? Repairs? A 2016 Toyota Prius in good condition with 70,000 miles typically sells for between $13,000 and $16,500 on the retail market. Low-mileage examples fetch a premium because 70,000 miles is well below average for a 2016 model. If you go older that 2016 for a Prius then they can be a fantastic car - BUT you'd better get one that's been fantastically maintained (NOT BY A DEALER!!!) and be ready to replace stuff that non-hybrids do not need in order to continue to be mobile. Besides.....you live in one of America's four incorporated Commonwealths. SOME people might say one of the better ones, except for the fact that your state consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for fuel costs. This MIGHT be a good reason to consider a Prius if you're REALLY REALLY bad at math and do not know how fix cars. For $7k and IF YOU HAVE a repair budget I see you in a late 2010's Corolla, Civic, or Fit - or some Korean equivalent. I'm NO fan of Hondas BUT these cars regularly deliver 30 to 40 MPG and hold up well with higher mileage. ANY $7,000 Prius is already so far down the back nine that they can hear lying, laughing and the beer being poured in the clubhouse. Good Luck!
