Newbie -First post(go easy)... So my lease is coming to an end and I am trying to decide if I should keep my 2010 gen III with the solar roof or get a new one. I like my car, I just want the plus pkg now. So do I get a new IV and get the plus pkg added or just keep my 2010 and add the plus pkg? I am concerned with reliability on the new ones as it seems them 2010s hold up best. Monthly payment is a concern and if I get a 2013 I will have to move up to the IV to get the JBL stereo which will increase payments. Any suggestions would help.
Keep you costs down as much as possible because in 2 1/2 years we'll see a 4th gen Prius that will hopefully blow the current one away.
I had my 2005 for seven years, while I saved for my 2012. Put it in your piggy bank for that 2015-16. You will have a great down payment by then and it won't hurt so much. Good things coming by then I think!
Thanks all for the advise. You confirmed what I was hoping for. I'll keep the 2010 (maybe even pass one the plus pkg for now) save some $$$ and hope for a new one in 14-15 that sends the industry in a spin because the new models are so awesome that no one can compete.
I'm not sure where you are getting data that concludes the 2010 is more reliable. The data I have seen shows the 2010 had the most issues of the GenIII years which is consistent with first year of a new model. Regardless, I agree with SpiderMan. Keeping your current car is the most cost effective route and you can add the Plus parts that you want for cheaper than the dealer would charge you if the car came equipped with the package.
Don't mean to spoil things, but the 4th gen Prius won't land until middle of 2015 (see Gen IV Prius speculation here) and find the Motortrend interview with Toyota engineer. I wouldn't touch the first or 2nd year model, so that puts it as a 2018 model year, but that's just me.
You aren't "keeping your vehicle," you're purchasing a three year-old car. It will most likely be the better value, just as buying most any 2010 car will be a better value than a brand new car. But Toyota's running some 0% financing and other deals now, and you should take those into account. I don't think you should take anyone's advice without going over the vehicle mileage and residual cost with them... So what do you owe on the 2010, what's it's mileage, and do you owe a lease mileage penalty?
I' m looking at same issue as the O.P. on this thread. I have a 2010 Gen lll with the JBL sound system. I love the car, but one salesman told me that Toyota and Ford are both running "lease trade in friendly" incentive programs right now. My lease is up this fall.
Pencil it out. Keeping the 2010 versus leasing a 2013. There are plenty on PIP 2012 and 13 on the lot Toyota is discounting them steeply plus you get $2,500 Federal tax rebate, and State. May be close in payment to buying your 2010. Worth it to pencil it out. Also gas almost doubled the past 4 years. Resale is higher on Prius. Someone on the chat got an offer from Carmax good for 30 days. If he purchased his lease out, paid the tax and drove it to Carmax he made 2 grand profit which he applied to the Pip new purchase. Explore all possibilities before you decide.
You trust what a Salesman tells you? Get the EXACT numbers before you jump. If you have high to very high mileage then it might work to your advantage. But, if you just NEED a new car. Then do the deal. I suggest you get a different color so your friends known it's new.
For what it's worth, I talked to Toyota Credit a while ago about their end of lease procedure . They were helpful and said that I can work directly with them on new car or buying mine. My wife bought a new Ford last December and we got 4 figures incentive just because of my lease. We didn 't even have to show lease figures. It was a good deal and came after our initial price negotiations. Toyota is supposed to have some loyalty incentives that are good right now. This is a great thread--good info and advice!
Going to piggy back on here. I'm in a similar boat, pretty sure I'm buying my 2010 out, since I can't turn it in as it'll be almost 4,000 miles over. Although didn't consider looking into carmax quotes, or toyota incentives. Have to look into this now. Maybe score a plugin prius that'd be sweeeett