Is this a good deal....I need opinions

What is an "SE"? That is not an option package as listed in the 2006 brochure. There were 9 levels and the higher packages included all the stuff in the lower ones. IMO you'll probably want to pass on the lowest ones as the side airbags and backup camera will be missing.

package 3 (HF) airbags, mp3 capable cd player, smart key system, backup camera

package 4 adds vehicle stability control

package 5(HI) adds auto dimming mirror with garage door openner & 6 cd player

package 6 adds HID headlights and fog lights

package 7 (NL) adds nav

package 8 (NW) adds leather trimmed seats

Package 3 was $23780 new.

 

I believe this is because most people like them so much that they only sell them to buy another Prius or possibly a Camry Hybrid. So most of the used ones are at Toyota dealers.

Resale value seems to be high - I originally intended to buy a used Prius, but with the tax credit of $1575 last year (now expired) it was about the same cost to buy a new Prius with the same equipment.

Used Prius in California command a premium if they have a "Clean Air Access" sticker because they are no longer available - the sticker allows you to use carpool lanes with a single occupant.

I hate dealing with car salesmen too - maybe a car broker can find a car in your price range?

 

Do you plan to keep it for a long time or a short time. IF you think you will only keep it two or three years, maybe a used one might make sense, but if you plan to keep it for 6 or 7 years, unless you plan to pay $17,250 cash and don't want to have any car payments, I honestly think you would be better off buying a new one for $24,000 and speading the payments out for six or seven years. THe interest rate is lower on a new car loan, and if you do get a shorter 3-4 year loan, when you pay it off, you will have a car with close to 100,000 miles on it

 

check carmax.com
they have 41 listed at the moment ; which will give you some pricing ideas on used ones

i would presume given the trend in crude oil futures that gasoline is going to keep going up ; this should help keep the resale values high. once we hit $4 (or more) per gallon many more folks will want a fuel efficient car

 

I'm sorry, but IMO borrowing money and paying interest to save gas is not prudent. How far are you going to drive and what will the price of gas need to be so that the fuel savings compared to another car equals the interest? Overall you'll be financially better off buying a cheaper car with poorer fuel economy.

 

RVD: Excluding all other factors, such as interest, and only considering cost, you might be better off not buying a hybrid. Consider the cost between a base model Camry and the base model Camry hybrid. It would take at least 10 years of buying gasoline, at 15,000 miles a year and $3 a gallon, to make up the cost difference in buying the hybrid model. I can't give you the same figures for the Prius, because there is no non-hybrid version. You could buy a new Corolla, base model with automatic transmission, drive it for 10 years at the above distance and cost of gasoline, and arrive at about the same total cost as you would get had you bought a new base model Prius. Of course, the Corolla and Prius are two different models, but close in size.
My point is: Hybrids are not yet cheap enough, if cost is the only factor, to justify their purchase. There is a better chance at justification if you can get a full tax credit, but you can't with the Prius. You would have to get another brand, and that would not be a wise move. Personally, if cost was primary (it is not, and that is why I have a Prius), I would buy a Yaris or a Corolla, new, and "drive it into the ground."

 

I would agree on this. Last year i bought a brand new yaris 3door lb base for 10,499+ttl. I would get between 38-41mpg. I have heard corolla gets almost the same as well and for only a couple of thousand more. I only considered the prius because the yaris was to darn noisy and i had to get rid of one of my cars otherwise i would have stuck with the yaris.

 

If you want a hatchback, two other new cars in the $17k price range are the Toyota Matrix and the Honda Fit. I was considering both of those, but decided on the Prius because I liked the HSD powertrain.

 

According to consumer reports you are wrong, in fact when they compare a 09 Prius with a 09 Chevy Cobalt if you drove them both 15,000 miles for 5 years you would save over $2000. They considered the price of all scheduled maintenance, insurance costs, fuel, loan interest (they assumed 6.85% and 25% down for both cars).
Is that cheap car pricier than you think? - Today Technology & Money - MSNBC.com

 

Per Morpheusx:According to consumer reports you are wrong, in fact when they compare a 09 Prius with a 09 Chevy Cobalt if you drove them both 15,000 miles for 5 years you would save over $2000. They considered the price of all scheduled maintenance, insurance costs, fuel, loan interest (they assumed 6.85% and 25% down for both cars).

I just read the Consumer Report car issue that I got today in the mail, and what you said is correct. I wonder if it would be correct within the Toyota family, since I suggested one might want to think about a Yaris or a Corolla. I, in good conscience, could never suggest one buy a Cobalt!