Prius v's we're considering...good deal(s)?

Hey Folks

We're in the market for a Prius V. Trying to get a 2015 w/ leather (kids) for $15k or under due to the improvement in the IIHS overlap crash testing, but that is looking to be difficult. Dealer nearby has a 3 with no leather and 40k and wants $19k for it (silly, IMO). I almost always buy cars from private parties w/ a good mechanic inspection to save $ as dealers gouge big time...

I have read about the leather seat covers which are an interesting option if we find the right cloth-interior deal.

Note: we are selling our 2015 odyssey EX-L to downgrade. Yes, we ate the depreciation, but we'll save over $1k/yr in fuel alone and be able to pay off our last bit of debt (HELOC) with the proceeds. It's worth about $25-26k on the private market, 23-24 trade-in (kbb)

Anyway, since it doesn't look like we can afford the 2015...

2014 prius V three (private party)
70k miles
leather dealer option; no heated seats
Tinted windows rear
keyless entry/keyless start
Cosmetic flaws (see attached; the one on the front bumper is a small crack)
Asking $14800. Been listed for over 1 month.

Looking at KBB, maybe worth more like $13k? Thoughts on such a car / buying with 70k on the clock?

Second consideration:

2015 Prius V Two (listed at dealer)
58k miles
tinted windows
$17900

This one is interesting because it was a recent trade-in and I know exactly what the dealer paid for it. I just missed it on CL before the guy traded it in. He had it lsted for $17k on CL with no action and let it go to the dealer for $13.5k. Now, he could be full of crud, but said the car is flawless and he just didn't want to deal with selling it. Something stinks a bit from the discrepancy of his asking and trade-in, but hmmm..

anyway, if this looks good, what is a reasonable about to have the dealer profit from the sale? 5%? Thoughts?

Continuing to scour CL....

pics from private party seller:

 

thanks...i emailed the seller to go have a look and also for her to send me records.

Another consideration:

2014 Prius v Three
36k miles
cloth interior / standard features
asking $16000

there also appear to be several down in the LA area which would require my flying down and driving something back. I've done it before, but not my favorite.

 

another one:

2013 Prius v Five, Tech package
55k miles
2nd owner. Appears to be a prius lover. 1st owner was in Arizona.
$16,500.

kbb says more like $14,500...worth the extra couple thousand for all the bells and whistles + $15k less miles than the 2014? I'd have to fly to go get it and drive it back, which is a PITA, but not the first time I've done that for a car.

 

oh, ya...good point. It has to do with the state where they were first registered, correct?

 

2 more

2014 Prius v Three
36k miles
Cloth Interior
asking $16k

We drive about 12-15k/yr. The extra 2 or 3k worth the extra 2 or 3 years of driving?

2012 Prius v Five
80k miles
Asking $9900
would need to fly down to get this one, most likely

 

we ended up getting the 2014 w/ the added leather and window tint. $13,300. Had it checked out by Toyota dealer and, I have to say, they don't do a whole lot. More of a safety check + computer scan than a mechanical check-up. Oh well.

I drove it around a bit before purchase, then got back in our 03 TDI. Holy cow, the TDI is sooooooo much more fun to drive. But, this car is going to be low total cost of ownership to drive and I wasn't going to spend $20k on a newer TDI. So, here we are.

Did the first fill-up and the thing took 8 gallons. That was weird. My TDI takes 17 gallons.

I'm looking forward to learning how to drive it properly / most efficiently...oh, and selling our van!

 

looks like we paid a bit above trade-in. oh well. Not a ton of them for sale up our way, but I can see many are overpriced and stay listed forever.