Trade my Gen2 for a 2013 Gen3?

Nah, you've got yours the way you want it, the new car's not equipped the way you want it and the no brand tires could do serious damage to the fuel mileage.

 

change is good! and some fortunate person will get your upgraded vehicle!

 

Just keep your current car and pay it off before you get another one, rolling over a car loan is the fast way to reach poverty.

 

hmm, board of directors, mom, dad, spouse, friend...

 

I always speculate that "IF" someone asks in a forum...should I do this?...they really want to do it.

Even though this Gen 3 is more basic...glancing at your profile would suggest to me that you kind of like doing mods and adding extra's?

Also this new vehicle gives you a newer Hybrid Battery. You are approaching 8 model years on your current.

Is it "economically" wise?
You're probably never going to win that argument on paper.

But if the newer vehicle gives you X amount of years more without a growing number of "nagging" repairs?

Plus if "modding" it affords you some fun?

Then the cost of making this move...will be worth it.

So I guess my advice is...if you want to do it? And you can afford it? Do it and have fun. There is tangible advantage to 1/2 the total miles, and a much newer vehicle, even if economical truth would dictate just keeping the vehicle you have now is wiser.

Sometimes I find advantage in abandoning conventional wisdom.

 

Brand new, no-name tires are not really a plus in my book. I would say they're neutral at best, considering they'll likely cost you a few MPG and may wear out fast. Also, what tires would you be paying $500 for? I got my Ecopias for under $400 from Costco when they were having a $70 off sale on a set of 4. And you don't have to fix the dents.

I know how you feel with wanting change, but believe me, paying off a car and having no payment feels even better.

 

I suppose I would feel bad if I felt I recommended doing this and it turned out horrible.

It's a tough decision. There's always risk in buying a used car.

To flip on my original advice, I'd say an important thing is being as sure and confident about the condition of the vehicle you are purchasing. The vehicle you have now, may have issues, and impending issues, but it's been your vehicle and you know about them.

Man....this is a tough decision...now I'm not sure...

Good Luck.

 

This isn't tough at all, really.

From a financial perspective, owing money on an 8-year-old car and then wanting to trade it in so that you can owe MORE money on a two year old car isn't my idea of frugal or wise.

Plus, as the Electric Dude wisely pointed out, you KNOW the car that you have. Have you ever towed with it? Has it ever been towed? ...or wrecked? Has somebody burned four tanks of E85 in the car to save money and then cleared out the CEL? Has it ever been run low on oil? Has somebody ever accidentally put windshield washer fluid in the radiator?


You may know all f these things about your G2, But what about the G3? Why did it need new tires at 45K?
If it's such a great car?
Why is it for sale?
Also....you're dealing with a dealer. A perfect CARFAX history only means that there has been no (reported!!) incidents. It's a lot better than nothing, but it doesn't mean that the car has led a pampered, garaged life!

I drive a G3, and I like it a LOT better than the G2's that my company has, but if I were in your shoes I would keep the G2 in a heartbeat for the simple reason that paid-for cars drive and ride better!

Having a house that's paid off is a great feeling too.
Buying cars every other year is one great way to build wealth.....for the people selling the cars!


The reason that you're balking on the decision may be the fact that the math part of your brain is trying to override the impulse-decision part.

Good Luck!

 

OP, what kind of advice did you think you were going to get from a crowd of OCD Prius owners?

I say, if you can't afford it, stick with what you've got.

If you can afford it, go for it. YOLO.

 

Glad you caught that

 

You can probably find a brand new leftover 2014 prius 2 for around 21k +/-, throw in the 0% apr for 60 and not sure what you owe on your 07 but if you get a decent trade in your payment at 0% might stay the same or go down, it would obviously be extended though… I just did a quick KBB search and it seems your 07 level 5 is worth around 6-8k on a dealer trade in in good shape..

21k new prius
8k trade assuming high trade.

14k ($230-$240 mo/60) very roughly after taxes and fees would be financed assuming no note on your 07, you said you do owe some so add that in and go from there.. with this scenario you have a brand new car with full warranty… even if you owe 3k on your 07, your payment would still be under $300..


or


stick with what ya have..

 

really?? lol!!!

Have you every rented a car! 99% of people drive them like…… well……. Rental cars. haha!!

I'd personally steer clear of an ex rental.

 

+100
I've rented a lot of cars. Never buy a rental