Should I buy 09 prius or save $$ to buy new?

2010 is likely to have more long term problems than 2008 and 2009 due to being the first year of a new model.

$21K seems a little high, but it really depends on what options are installed. Just so you know, "Certified" is absolutely meaningless, because this car is still under all factory warranties.

 

$21k? You can get into a 2011 for not a whole lot more than that.

Personally...I think the Gen III is such a huge upgrade in virtually every way...I wouldn't even consider a Gen II as a comparison...

 

If that's $21K before tax for a used 09, that sounds high. What package does it have? See http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html for reference.

Unless it's well equipped, I'd really look to get them to go significantly lower on price or you should go for a used or new Gen 3. I agree that the Gen 3 is overall a superior car.

 

I don't like to buy used cars, since I have been screwed over more than once with them many years ago. I know some people only buy used and that is all fine and dandy if you want to do that. I don't figure depreciation into the equation since I keep cars for at least 10 years or more.

I paid $21.5 for my '10 Prius, so that price they quoted you seems very high for an '09. It is a III with the solar AC and Nav system, if you are wondering.

I would do a little research regardless of buying used or new, then give the dealer your best price, which should be a few thousand lower than your researched price, and don't budge from it. If they can meet that price, go for it, if not, tell them you are going somewhere else. I have actually gotten out the door before and they ran out after me, begging for my business.

BTW, in my opinion, I believe "certified" just means they detail the car, air up the tires, top off the fluids, etc. Basically, they just "pretty" it up for you. This adds a few more $'s to the price.

 

So you have $21k for an '09 with 19kmi (very overpriced, don't do it) but not $23k for a '11? If you could consider waiting for 2012 when the smaller, cheaper and more efficient Prius c will arrive.

Also, consider looking for a new dealer.

 

$21.5K for a 2010 Prius III w/solar roof package (which includes nav)? Was that new? Were you trading in a car too? (I've not been in the market for a 3rd gen)

That sounds like and unbelievably low price. MSRP on that before Toyota raised prices was $26,600.

 

I agree w/ the other posts saying the dealer is robbing you.

Check out Costco's and American Express auto purchasing program. The pricing these programs give you seems good, no haggling, and no drama/hassel of the whole car buying process. If you don't have membership to either or both, find a family member or friend who does.

This is the pricing I got from the AmEx program today (3/12/2011, 1:19AM PST), for a base 2011 Prius, silver, $21,982.

Good luck either way. Hopefully you'll become part of the Prius and Priuschat family! :rockon:

 

Model Two? No trade in involved, correct?

 

Please don't hold me to anything, as I have not gone through the process w/ AmEx. The information that appears on the screen has no mention of a Trade-In. Yes, the pricing was for a 2011 Prius, model II, base, no options/accessories selected.

If you have AmEx, log onto your account, goto BENEFITS, find SHOPPING (new window opens), you'll see Auto Purchasing Program.

Here's some of the info copy/pasted from the AmEx Auto Purchasing site:

Most new car shoppers visit three different dealerships before they buy. American Express Cardmembers don't have to. We've searched our dealer network and found these Certified
Dealers just for you.
When you check the box next to each dealer and click "Next", you will receive a Price Protection
Certificate for each dealer you selected. This Cardmember price is guaranteed and the dealers
are required to honor it with no negotiation. You are under no obligation to purchase a vehicle.
If you have questions, please call our car care specialists at 877-924-2922.
​

 

Look for a used private party genIII. I have seen a few going for around 16k here, and they haver around 25-30k miles on them.

 

LOL!!! That price is utterly absurd! The dealer's got make it some way, knowing that demand for profit-laden Sequoia's will fall with rising gas prices.

Knowledge is power when it comes to shopping and bargaining. You are on the right track.

 

Just to give a reference point, I purchased a used 2008 Touring Edition (fully loaded) with 24,000 miles for $17000.

I felt that the features on the car compared to the new models (II) which would be about $21000 made this a good value.

So, I would buy a used Prius with low miles, but I would offer the dealer a much lower price. If they say no, you have lost nothing. The price in your case may reflect the current gas prices, reaching $4 here in California.

 

Check out Edmunds "Car Buying and Leasing Site Map." All kinds of good articles related to buying.

I recall reading a very good article from them, a LONG time ago on car buying adivce. I couldn't find the article, but I remember some key points.
1) Know the price in advance. If new, know the dealers price in advance for the exact make/model/options you want. If used, Kelly Blue Book is a guide.
2) Know you credit score or get pre-approved for a car loan from a commercial bank or credit union (which will also reveal your credit score), or whoever will give you the better rate. If finance through the dealership w/o knowing your credit score or knowing what you can get outside of the dealership, you will likely get screwed.
3) Buy closer to the end of the month and near the end of the day. The dealer wants to make sales quota and will be more apt to conceed vs begining of the month and at the begining of the day.
4) My personal advice, since you live in a metropolitan area, if you don't like the numbers the dealership is giving you, walk away. I'm sure there are a lot of Toyota dealerships in a 30 mile radius of your house. For me, there are 10. And dealerships here know that if you walk off, you are not likely to come back, because there's another dealership not too far away. Just stick to your guns and the pricing for exact make/model/options you want.

Edmunds Incentive and Rebate listing for Toyota currently shows:
2010 Prius, upto $1k in rebates, 0.9% APR (great credit score of course)
2011 Prius, upto $500 in rebates, 2.9% APR (great credit score of course)

When I punched in 78725 as an Austin zip code (there sure are a lot of zip codes for Austin) on the AmEx car buying site to see pricing, contact information has to be entered and the three listed dealerships will contact you with the price. Don't know why the participating dealers here in California list their price. Perhaps because of competition. If someone does, and the price is good, most people may just go there w/o bothering with the other two dealerships b/co of the generally hated car buying experience.

Whatever you choose (new/used), go informed, and good luck.

 

I bought at the end of the reporting quarter. Try and find the top two volume dealers in your area. They are trying to close the books with more sales than their competitor and get bonus from Toyota.

I printed an email with the most competitive offer I could find and took it to #2 dealer in the dc suburbs area. They verified the email and offer as accurate and came back an hour later pissed off offering $200 lower take it or leave it.

You can search my posts here on April 2007 for details, but I bought for more than $1000 below invoice...

 

Had an '09 one year and traded on a'10 and took my lumps!
Get the 2010 waaay better in every way. better gas mileage better seats ev mode Pwr mode on...on...! for maybe $1500 -2000 worth it.
The 2010 gets my vote! Get a PKGII to save money if you have to same great car as a IV or V!
do your research shop around drive a hard bargain,
and you to will have a 2010 Prius in the driveway.
Find out everything here from the experts. PriusChat is a better place!
Good luck, let me know what you do.