So now that I've decided to buy a Prius, the question is New or Used? A new base model Prius runs around $24k. Now if I buy a used one around 30K miles; it'll run me around $18k and with 50-60K miles will be around $13/15K. That's a lot of savings that I could use to pay off my son's student loans. Now the question is which option should I go with? I'm thinking about keeping the car for about 5/6 yrs. So, is it buying new, Used with 30000 miles or Used with 50/60000 miles?
That depends on your miles per year and if in your state you get the ten year 150,000 mile highybrid warranty. At 5years old with 50,000miles you still have 5years 100,000miles of Toyota warranty left, do the maths that suit your requirements.
I live in MA which is a CARB state. So I believe I have the 10yr/150000 warranty with Hybrid components. And I drive about 12000 miles per yr.
In 5 years, you will able to sell a 2008 with 110,000 miles, and thus still under hybrid warranty, for a nice chunk. Sounds like a car with 50,000 is the plan to me.
Also you list Boston as your location. If you are right in the city - the Back Bay, South End, etc I'd stay away from new - I try and be careful but mine seems to get more than its share of nicks and scratches, it seems more than previous cars. If you are in a place like West Roxbury or Hyde Park then I'd at least add new into the mix. Also keep in mind that while the hybrid system will be covered for 10 years and 150k if it is a carb car, that the rest has just a 3 year, 36k warranty. Lastly, if you do choose used be sure that the car was originally bought in a carb state and alway registered in one - I'm not positive but I believe that if the car is registered in a non-carb state it is no longer covered - I might be wrong, but you should at least be sure.
The gen2 I believe comes with a 5year 60000mile warranty on the none hybrid components, at leased it does in the UK. The engine and standard components in the Prius are very reliable though.
