2 used Prius with similar features for $15,000. Would you recommend buying the higher mileage but newer model, or the older model but lower mileage Prius??? My first Prius, driving 40,000km (25,000 miles) every year.
There are parts that wear out through friction (think metal) and parts that age (think plastic, rubber, etc). Given that the wear on the cars is more than 2x different and the age around a mere .2 different, I'd lean towards the 2009 assuming all things (condition, options, etc) equal. Heck, the two cars could have been made a week apart. But maintenance history might change that. What if the newer car just had a major service, tires, brakes and battery and the older but less driven car needed all of those? Details matter.
Just found out the 2009 had a $14,000 insurance claim/repair on the CarProof. Don't know what was fixed, just what the insurance paid.
a $15,ooo. repair should seriously reduce the value. i wouldn't buy it without the dame details and then, i would be very cautious. you're going to be in some serious mileage territory in the 3rd to 4th year and beyond. all the best!
Thanks for all the input. Yeah, I've been looking seriously for a reasonably priced Prius, but anything under 100,000km is over $15,000 (I'm in Canada - we may be more expensive up here). Most 2010 Prius under 100,000km is $18-$19,000 and up!! But, since we drive over 40,000km a year, the gas savings (and maintenance savings for brakes, etc.) over conventional vehicles really adds up. So, the search for a reasonably priced, low mileage, accident free Prius continues...
