http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/business/24auto.html?ref=automobiles Make money owning a Prius? Sounds good to me!
I saw that article a few days ago, so for kicks I logged into my TFS account, and the payoff amount for my 2010 Prius V w/ nav is $22,380 (26 months into a 36 month lease). The KBB values are $29,355 private sale, and $27,450 dealer trade (pretty amazing considering the MSRP was $30K). So I could theoretically make a profit of $5K - $7K by buying out the lease and selling it. Temping...but then I'd have to walk everywhere...
Also KBB values are dubious at best. Some local dealership is trying to sell a 2010 Prius for $26,500, used, with no options, but it's been for sale for a while. My 2010 I got in March last year has a pay off around $19k or so now and I could probably buy it out and sell it and make a few K at this point I guess. This example I gave is particularly bad, though; even though prices are way higher now $26,500 for a used Prius II is still over the top.
Isn't it funny how it was just last year that there were people on these forums asking about a class action law suit against toyota to recoup money they lost for selling their prius during the whole fantasy brake problem debacle.
Makes one wonder what was really going on with Toyota pulling ahead of all the u.S. car companies being bailed out, hmmmmm strange timing indeed. Yep just when they needed to slow down Toyota. No conspiracy just food for thought. Unlucky for sure ,then earthquake and sunami.
I stopped into my toyota dealership yesterday to see what they would give me on trade for my 2010. $20,500, just $1200 less than I paid a year ago. I've never had a car hold this much value.
No way. Can't imagine a better car when all is considered, including environmentally friendliness, than my Prius. In fact I just washed and waxed her today to make up for taking her to the dealer yesterday.