Should get a 2009 or 2010?

If you can get a 2009 Prius package 5 or 6 for invoice then get the 2009. If not wait a month and get the 2010. If you stay away from the options you will pay about the same for a better car with the 2010. The 2010 Prius 2 for under $23k is probably the best car value in the market right now. If you want a loaded 2010, look to spend over $30k. Figure out want you want to spend. Then choose the options you want or need. Then place the 2009 and 2010 on paper next to each other and see if there is really enough saving to sway you one way or the other. Remember if you go with the 2009, you are buying a car that is 1 year old on paper and you will take a hit with resale value. If you plan to lease then this does not matter.

 

I'm sure the 2010 is an all around better car, although in the PriusII you give up the 3 door smart key and backup camera.

If looking to buy, I would take the better seats, more power and rear headroom any day.

But, you could save a few thousand getting an 09.

 

DEFINITELY THE 10. Ditto from above. Be informed and check out all the links on the site and you will see why. Better car.

 

Wait for the 2010. For the small price jump on top of the current Prius, its a vastly superior car dynamically and in terms of interior spaciousness. It now virtually equals the first gen Prius in terms of headroom, and blows away the current Prius which has terrible headroom in the rear especially. The handling is far superior to anything I think Toyota has put out to date. I would stick with the base model radio, as the higher level audio systems are just a few points better than the base, but still terrible. Much better to save that money and upgrade the stereo which is not possible on the current Prius as it is all integrated. Or use the money to upgrade to the solar panel roof. The ride is firmer than the current Prius too, I would say about 30% stiffer, but its still quite comfortable. Also the Visibility is better at all angles compared to the current Prius, though no match for the gigantic glass area of the Generation 1 Prius!

Overall, wait for it, it will be worth it, and you will be much happier with your purchase. I have said it all along after my test drive of the 2010. If you are a current Prius owner, the only reason you would buy the 2010 is simply because you want to have the latest and greatest. Otherwise fuel economy, though better, is not enough to justify the additional cost, if you look at it in those terms. However if you are a non-hybrid owner, then it makes absolute and total sense waiting for the 2010, as it is in fact a superior car and a definite step up from whatever you are currently driving. Hope this helped!

 

Wow. You really think highly of the Gen I versus II.

I couldn't stand the Gen I when I drove it. I felt like I was driving a cramped Echo.
Better headroom in the Gen I?!? We must have been driving different cars.

 

Ignore the 09 MSRP. You should be able to get an 09 for at least $2-3k less than a comparable 2010. The dealers want to clear their lots. Especially with the $1000 rebate from Toyota, I honestly would not pay anything more than invoice, delivered (plus tax/title/license) for an 09 - probably a bit less. So, you just have to ask yourself, are the differences between the models worth $2-3k?

In terms of fuel economy, definitely not. Even with the helpful Econ and EV buttons (and did I hear those can be custom installed in the Gen II?), the Gen III has only marginally improved MPG.

Especially at the base level, it comes down more to aesthetics. The Gen III interior is supposedly nicer and, to my eye, the Gen III body design is much sharper.

 

I just bought a 2009 instead of waiting. Around here, dealers are charging additional dealer markup of $4000 over sticker for the 2010. The 2009s are discounted. Last year at this time, I couldn't get my hands on a 2008 and the dealers wanted $5000 over sticker for those that they did have. Although gas prices are low now and Prius sales have fallen off, I decided it wasn't worth the wait until the 2010's come down to sticker or less. The summer is the driving season and gas usually rises in price. I decided a bird in the hand was worth one in the bush. After last year's mania, and the expected high demand for the 2010, I figured an end of the model run '09 should have few bugs left to work out, and a nice discount as well.

I'm sure to have Prius envy in a couple of months - but at least I won't have paid over sticker. I also had several to choose from on the lot, not a situation I anticipate for the 2010s anytime soon.