Okie Newbie wants to wait for the 09

Have been saving to buy a prius when I retire next year but a thoroughly ugly hail storm totaled my 98 Honda Accord EX last week. My insurance company provided me with a rental Prius (Enterprise) until my claim is settled. The rental Prius has really stirred up my Prius fever. Since I have the ability to hitch a ride to work should I wait for the 09 I intended to buy or jump in now. Either way how do I select a good dealer and do any of them really give you anything close to the BB price? Which is the best package for a retired librarian who will be doing a lot of in city driving in her volunteering at low income schools? Oh yes, a minor consideration . . . . . I would like this car to last me the rest of my life.

Please don't hesitate to tell me if I make a forum faux pas as this is my first forum membership!