I am moving to the SF Bay Area in the late summer/early fall. I have decided to let go of my Subaru Outback in search of something more efficient and city-friendly. I have always admired the Prius for its technological genius, reliability, etc. I am trying to decide between these two options: Option 1: Buy a used (2005-2008 or so) gen 2 with VSC (a must) and JBL (a hope) with approx. 100,000 to 130,000 miles for around $5,000 to $7,000. Obviously good service records, clean title, etc. are a must. Option 2: Buy a CPO (2013-2015) gen 3 package two or three (options slightly less important here as they are pretty well-optioned in this generation). Approx. 30,000 to 50,000 miles for $13,000 to $16,000. What is the better option? Will I be thankful for the increased power, extended warranty, and (slightly) additional space with the third gen? Or will I be happier without a car payment and less risk if I don't like it with the second gen? Thanks!
You are going to be so much better off with a 2012 to 2015. The battery on the 2005 to 2008 won't have much life in it. Maybe go for a little higher mileage gen 3 if you want more features. 30,000 to 50,000 isn't much. Important: You might want to go with a 2012 Prius because that is when they did the minor refresh that gives updated styling and a little better MPG. It sounds like you want the most features for the money and the 2012 is the same as the 2013-2015 and is cheaper (older).
welcome! how long would you like to keep it, and how many miles per year? gen3 isn't bigger enough or more powerful enough to make a difference imo. if you buy the gen 2 and need a battery down the road, $3,000. and you're back in the game.
But still the battery isn't the only thing to worry about on a high mileage gen 2. The gen 3 also drives smoother than a gen 2. My gen 2 shudders every time the engine turns off and on.
That and the Gen 3 doesn't have the rubber bladder in the fuel tank. And the JBL in in the Gen 2 isn't anything spectacular. For most of its life, our 2005 had the centre (mono) speaker disconnected. It actually improved the sound. 2006+ models will have an AUX jack for your mp3 player. 2005 does not (we had to install an aftermarket iPod/AUX) The Gen 2 does have more storage space and a higher seating position. The Gen 3 has a taller and wider cargo area underneath the tonneau cover. The Gen 2 refresh was 2006 so 2006-2008 will see a different interior and exterior than the 2005 that you're looking at. The 2006-2008 will also have a higher resolution 7" MFD if you get the model with the backup camera (otherwise it's the same screen as the 2005 model). At least the 2006-2008 w/ a backup camera will look reasonably modern with its graphics (some argue it's actually a higher resolution screen than the 2010-2011). The 2004-2005 MFD graphics really look dated. Also, a 2013-2015 with a 6.1" Display Audio system will have a lower resolution and different navigation system (if equipped) than those models with the much higher resolution 7" HDD-based navigation system. 2013+ models will have USB/AUX/BT .
Emotionally, I loved my loaded '05 Gen2 with nav and JBL. But my leased Gen3 base model was an equal or superior vehicle in just about every meaningful way except for the lack of nav - but I made up for it with Bluetooth audio and Google Maps. If you want a Prius, and Gen4 is out of your price range, then Gen3 is the next best thing.
If just city driving I would not own a Prius. It will get poor mileage and the Batteries would never get a good charge. Prius is a great highway commute Car. Get a CAMRY instead.
And how would a Camry get better mileage than a Prius? Even if the Prius gets 40mpg, it's still better than a Camry at 23-25mpg (4 cylinder)
My best mileage is never on the highway. It's on thoroughfares with well-sequenced lights that allow traffic to stay between 30-40 mph.
I respectfully disagree. The Prius is a fine highway commuter car, but you can match or beat it's mpg with a Honda Fit for less money. Around town, nothing is going to beat the mpg of a Prius. Back to original question. I'll preface this by saying I'm not a fan of buying cars new -- it rarely makes financial sense over buying used. But last time I checked (admittedly, a while ago), the prices and interest rates on Prii were so low, that buying new may be worth taking a look. What lead me to look in the first place was that I was shocked at the high prices being asked for low mileage, 2-3 year old Prii. I said to myself, "Isn't that about what they go for new?" The answer was, "Yes".
