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Considering A prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by mkulina, Oct 16, 2007.

  1. mkulina

    mkulina New Member

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    As an employee I can get the cars before they are turned in for resale. The basic choices I have are:

    '05, 50k miles $15k

    '06 50k miles $17k

    '07 60k miles $17k

    Looking for some guidance on what year would be the wisest choice and if the prices seem reasonable.

    The car will be used for mixed purposes, probably 10-12k miles a year. Primarily for my wife and to avoid the future crush of gas prices. Replacing a '96 Camry XL V6.

    Thanks for your help.

    Regards,
    Mike Kulina
     
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    You don't say what packages/options they are, but even without that those prices seem a tad higher than I'd expect for a company trying to give a break to employees.

    That said I'd probably go for the '07 out of the bunch.
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    *moved*


    You'll get more replies in the Main Forum.


    Hmm, it'll depend on the packages and options. I'm surprised the '06 has similar mileage as the '05 and the '07 has more mileage. In that case, shouldn't the '07 be cheaper or similar in price as the other two cars?? Unless of course the other two cars are base models and the 07 is a loaded model which may account for the higher price.

    06+ models get a few updates such as:

    - Tire Pressure Monitoring System
    - Advanced Front Airbag System with Occupant Detection System
    - New dashboard and door capping material
    - Higher resolution screen (for those with backup cameras)
    - different headlights and taillight
    - chrome grille
    - updated ECU for traction control
    - rear seat lowered by 1 inch (supposedly)
    - supposedly upgraded JBL speakers
    - AUX Input
    - Bluetooth available with JBL audio (used to be packaged with nav models)
    - available backup camera
    - available factory leather seats
    - available Touring model
     
  4. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    The 07 has side impact airbags, standard.
    Go for the 07. :)
     
  5. alg

    alg Junior Member

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    I would pay the additional $5k and buy a new 2008 Prius. Depending on how much she drives, 60k miles could be 5 or 6 years of driving. To me that's easily worth the $5k plus the added confidence of being a new car with full warranty.
     
  6. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    Keep in mind that although there is still a strong demand for new Prius automobiles, there is also an abundant supply of new vehicles and a growing supply of used vehicles. Consequently the buyer has greater ability to negotiate the price on a vehicle.

    The asking prices for the vehicles in your posting are ok, but not great.

    (Recently on ebay there was a white 2004 Prius with 26K in New York which sold for $ 12500 (and NDH). The seller was a government agency. Now that was a really good deal !!!)

    Keith :unsure:
     
  7. Evilshin

    Evilshin Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike Kulina @ Oct 16 2007, 11:21 AM) [snapback]526358[/snapback]</div>
    Without knowing the packages they come with, I will assume they are all the same... The 07 with 60k has been heavily used... The 05 with 50k has been used less. This could be good... or it could be really bad. I recently dealt with a caravan that was 12 years old with only 120,000 km on it... They guy added the wrong ATF prior to finalizing the sale and mucked up the transmission and added about $1000 to the cost of the car...

    So make sure the older less used vehicle wasn't used by someone who didn't know how to take care of the car... but that's the car I would go for...
     
  8. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

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    I learned a lesson 2 years ago. I am never ever going to buy another used vehicle that I need financing for unless it is a "certified used".
     
  9. LoreePrius

    LoreePrius Junior Member

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    For me those are all high mileages cars. I guess, I'm a low mileage driver. I didn't think I was. I have 2005 #6 with only 17,500 miles on it.
     
  10. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    in my opinion, those cars have over 3-4 years of wear on them already. Not a good deal at those prices.

    5k more for a new prius sounds much better.
     
  11. ELZBETHKW

    ELZBETHKW New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike Kulina @ Oct 16 2007, 11:21 AM) [snapback]526358[/snapback]</div>

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike Kulina @ Oct 16 2007, 11:21 AM) [snapback]526358[/snapback]</div>
     
  12. ELZBETHKW

    ELZBETHKW New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mike Kulina @ Oct 16 2007, 11:21 AM) [snapback]526358[/snapback]</div>
    Mike, I agree with several posters that the prices are somehwat high considering the mileage.

    Here's what I did to find my Prius in Florida:

    First, pay for a Carfax or other such VIN report subscription ($29.95), then go to the Miami Herald's auto classified website www.cars.com. I did this for about 3 weeks before I found my Prius. I edited my zipcode to reflect a more central Florida location & selected a filter of 500 miles to give me the most possible Florida choices. As of this evening, there are 63 used Prii available using a Miami zipcode of 33157 & a 500 mile range. If you change the filter for these cars to 'lowest priced first', you will see at least one 2005 with a little over 20k miles priced around $17,000. If you find something interesting C & P the VIN and check it out at www.carfax.com after you log in to your subscription. You can check as many cars as you want for a whole month.

    Be aware that if you buy a used vechicle that's out of the 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty, you won't be able to purchase the Exteneded Warranty available to PriusChat members for $990, you'll be stuck with paying at least twice that amount. With all the hybrid stuff & electronics inherent in the Prius, you should really add this Extended Warranty to whatever the car costs.