Buying a used 2010 Prius vs. new 2010 Prius

You can get a lot of gas for $8K. It is hard, I have gotten screwed on just about every used car I bought.

I totally enjoy my base (II) model. Don't need anything else.

 

Save the cash and buy the used Prius. Upgrade to HID headlights for about $55 and then upgrade the stereo for about $1000 and you'll have something that sounds MUCH better than the JBL system and you'll have a great set of headlights. For about $500-$1200 you can purchase a nice set of 17" or 18" with tires (but you'll lose some MPG).

New cars are great but there are great deals to be had on used cars that will save you a bundle! You might want to wait a little long and keep searching for a low priced car that has the advanced technology package you are looking for. Back in 2002 when I was looking to purchase a used Corvette, it took me 3 months to find the exact package I wanted. I eventually found it (with 18k miles on odometer) and saved approx. $18,000 vs. buying a new one. I did the same for my 2002 Chevy Silervado (purchased in 2004). New the truck would have been approx. $20,000 and I bought one used for $12,000.

I'm sure you already know this stuff but I had to put it out there. IMO, never by new if you can help it or unless you are filthy rich. lol

 

I really enjoy my Gen III (II) model as well and picked it over 2 black III's simply because I liked classic silver with grey interior over black with a beige interior. Never regretted it. Lucky for me it happened to be cheaper.

 

Go new with the touring you will be more than happy with it!
Can you make a deal on a 2011?Your keeping it 15 years?
Get the color you want, Nothing like a new car!

 

Nothing like taking a trip to the Caribbean with the money you saved on buying a used car.

 

Without knowing the history behind the used car, it's impossible to make a choice here.

How many previous owners, was it a rental, city/highway, was it modded (grill block?), etc etc ?

 

If you think you'll keep it for that long, go for the new one. I don't know your financial situation, but if you can afford the new one, but decide to save the $8k, I think you'll always regret not having the Blue Touring and the bells and whistles that come with it.

 

- Interest rate, calculate total money paid to own both.

- USB plug, older G3 models don't have it.

 

But with the older model the OP would likely look into installing an aftermarket stereo since the used vehicle didn't have JBL. In that case the OP would have USB, iPod, better Nav, etc..

 

Ha ha, aren't we a bunch of help! It looks like the responses are about 50% save money, 50% buy new.

I personally go used when I can, and never had a problem (except my very first purchased car, which had a dinged rim, which I should've noticed on the test drive, but just assumed because it was a $2K cheap car it wouldn't ride real nice, and it was still probably smoother than my 25-year-old bug was...but when I had to replace the rim years later I was amazed at how smooth the car really was).

My last two cars have been new, but that's because there wasn't much price difference between new and used (in early 2006, there were very few old Prii on the market of the Gen II style, and given the waiting lists for a new one, they had high prices). Since you are keeping it a long time, you probably can rationalize a new one, but still, $8K over 15+ years = $500/year. If you don't have a burning need for the options on the higher end package, I'd say go with the used one.

Silver wasn't my first choice, but then the Prius shape wasn't my cup of tea either. But it's very practical and efficient, so I accepted it. Going for the base model was my primary intent (over color), and I never regretted it. Now of course, I have the EBH installed, the rear-window wiper lift-limiter removed, the green glare on the windshield at night blocked, and other things to make it mine. I might keep mine for 15 years too, depending on the economy in 5 years.