Prius V cashback

Your question is confusing because you talk about shopping certified used cars and then it seems you are talking about a new one with cashback from a dealer. Many factors to the final question of value in five years. First, a Prius v is the "wagon" version that is bigger than a standard Prius. You are in the Prius v, wagon, forum. Second, if new today, it's a 2017 Prius v since they are not selling 2018 models in the US. So if you buy a 2017 now it's already a model year behind even if it's new. Because of that fact you should get a reduced price. Perhaps you are able to buy a Canadian model in Seattle by going to Vancouver. If so that situation might be different assuming it's legal and titled in the US.

If you buy a new car today, probably the best you can do is look up an equivalent six year old 2012 (assuming you buy a new 2017) or an equivalent five year old 2013 (assuming you can buy a 2018). Use kbb.com and get the used car price ranges for the car with 50k mileage.

When you access kbb.com, find the used car options and then realize that they provide three different price ranges, one for trade-in value (the lowest price), the second for private party sale value (selling directly to someone else), and the third for a "retail" used car dealer value (the highest price).

By the way, your best deal on a used Prius v would be directly from a private party. Mileage and history (carfax) are the most important factors. You are paying a premium for a "certified" car from a dealer, with the only real benefit being the ability to buy an overpriced extended warranty. If you buy private party from an individual with low mileage, you can pay a dealer or trusted hybrid mechanic to check out the car. If it's really low miles, eg under 36,000 3yrs, you can still buy a Toyota extended warranty yourself. Which is the only extended warranty to consider in any case no matter what the salesmen say.

The thing to worry about with dealer salesmen is their profit motivations, both on the car and with add ons like overpriced warranties. That's another story, but often people will pay $1000 too much for a factory warranty or will buy a third party warranty for less that is essentially worthless.

 

agreed. can you clarify your question?

 

Exactly. Buying from a dealer used costs thousands extra and the new one is already over a year old. Some of the 2017 v models shipped in Nov 2016. Regardless of build date, with a new 2017 you have lost a year of depreciation and that new one is still on the lot. I would either buy private party or get more than $4k off a new one. Hybrids are not hot sellers right now in any case.

 

except in california. have you tried negotiating on the new one yet? we are seeing the same thing on the prius prime, people are paying in the low 20's for them after rebate, discount and tax credits, but used are selling for more.
the biggest thing about depreciation of hybrids is the gas prices when you decide to sell.