Prius : 2008/120k/$4.5k or 2014/70k/$12.3k

Buy the 2008 and put aside $2500 for a new battery when needed. That'll bring your total cost to under $7000 and the car should last you several years if you drive less than 10k a year

 

The 10/150 warranty would only apply if the vehicle was "initially sold" in a C.A.R.B. state.

First research the history of both vehicles by running the VINs through Toyota Owners Official Web Site

 

I'd vote for the 08.

Prius in general is reliable. In this scenario you would save plenty since up front cost is minimal and you would get a reliable and spacious car.

I'm sure your colleague would let you take to a mechanic to give the final approval and worth it.

At 120k. Ask if brakes have been changed, serpentine belt replaced, spark plugs, etc but of course mechanic would check this.

California has many prius so there is plenty of good resources if needed.

 

6,000 miles a year? buy a gasser.

 

The 2008 should have a backup camera.....unless it's the base model, which won't have the backup camera or SKS keyless functions.

 

understood, just beware of the many expensive pitfalls of a used hybrid. all the best!

 

$3000 for a 2008 with 120k is pretty low. What was wrong with it?

 

Above are compelling reason to agree with Bisco; buy a gasser.
Sure you'll save money in gas if going with a prius, but only if you keep it in the long run, but you plan to you'll sell it in couple of years. Savings on gas won't kick in until many years later. The hybrid battery loves to be charged, ideally on an everyday basis. Driving only on weekends then you'll have to buy a trickle charger for the 12v battery. Buy a beater for $2,000 and move up on cars later, in my opinion

 

I wonder if you could find a plug in prius (1st gen, not a prime) for about 10K. I’d look at those too, you could probably plug in to help with your short trips and still get good mileage on the longer ones. I’d think there would be more available in CA too.

 

Comes down to what you are comfortable spending. Obviously the 2014 is going to be more modern and all around nicer. But it comes at a cost of $8000 more than the older 4k prius.

Based on your driving I predict you will have 0 issues with the older prius for 4k. Let's put it like this: a year ago I bought a 2008 Prius with 140K miles and then sold it at 190k miles with zero issues ever.

Then around 6 months or so ago I bought a different 2008 Prius with 145K miles and I currently have 167K miles on it. So I did 22,000 miles in the last 6 months with zero issues.

Go with the 2008. I drive at least 50K miles a year and I have yet to run into a major problem. It's getting to the point that I hope for a hybrid battery failure one day LOL. Gets boring never having to fix your car!

 

Just got directed to this thread from the other thread of the OP's.

Hey, I'm a Prius enthusiast and supporter. But given these parameters I think I have to agree with Bisco, why buy a Prius? The GREAT advantage of a Hybrid is efficiency and gas mileage, but with so few projected miles? You just won't get enough to really justify the investment.

And maybe more importantly, I always felt like The Prius, as a Hybrid was better as a daily driver. I want to be charging and discharging that Hybrid battery daily.
A Prius that ONLY comes out of the garage on weekends and for (short trip) local errands? Seems counter to what the machine is actually optimally designed to do and how it should best be used. What I liked about the Prius? It was a machine designed to be driven. Loved long road trips, loved the savings I got, using it everyday.

If all you want is weekend and errand transportation, with room for a family of 3 and luggage? At least considering some Non-Hybrid options I think would make sense. Especially when it seems your over all driving mileage per year is so low.

If you really want to get a Prius? To have a Prius? That' great too....you will still get Hybrid efficiency. I never tell someone simply sold on getting a Prius....absolutely do NOT get one. Wanting one is enough. BUT...
But if you are talking short trips....only on weekends, I'm afraid your follow up posting might be about how you are disappointed you aren't getting that 50 mpg average.
Short errand trips? You won't.

You might at least look at other vehicles that would meet your parameters without having Hybrid Synergy Drive.

 

congratulations! please keep us posted on your experiences, all the best!

 

Well done! I hope you enjoy it