I have a 2008 Prius (in "Good" condition, according to the Kelly Blue Book quiz) with 134K miles on it. I took it to CarMax and they offered me $5,000 for it. ~$4,000 was the high estimate I got from Kelly Blue Book, so I was pleasantly surprised. So I went to a Subaru dealership to get a new car and upon appraisal, they initially offered me $2,500. They had stressed the cosmetic damage and the fact that they were not planning to sell the car (which CarMax also mentioned). I then countered with the $5K CarMax appraisal. I showed them the appraisal document and upon some time, they were perplexed CarMax listed my base Prius as the Touring, which I totally overlooked. It was then when they raised the offer to $4,000, which I eventually took. I triple-checked the VIN CarMax listed on the appraisal document and it matched properly, but I do NOT have the Touring (No rear spoiler). Is the 2008 base Prius often mistaken as the Touring? I double-checked the KBB using both the base and Touring, and there's only a ~$200 difference. Anyways, not that I regret the Impreza purchase, I'm gonna miss the Prius.
I don't understand why didn't you just take it to Carmax with your appraisal paper and walk out with $5000? I can only dream of buying a 2008 with 134k miles for $4000 in CA
After taxes, there's about ~$600 gap. I took into account going back and forth between CarMax and the dealership, and a car to drive while waiting for the check to clear in.
No pictures available. I should correct myself - the base model does have a spoiler, but that the Touring has a larger one. Although it may be subtle, I am certain the spoiler my old car has matches that of the base model. Also, my car did NOT have fog lights, which seems to be the standard on the Touring version.
Yeah, that's not a touring. Many places that don't specialize in the Prius, won't know what model/trim it is. You can often find a fully loaded one priced as a "base model"
I purchased the car as new from a Toyota dealership, so I'm trying to figure out how this mix-up happens. I also wonder if CarMax would still appraise the car the same if it was listed as base instead of Touring..
Very interesting I just purchased a 2008 that also is listed as a touring model. It does not have fog lights, but it has vehicle stability control, and a back up camera, which seems to be some of the features of the touring model. I'm still getting used to a Gen 2 prius, since the last one I owned was a 2002 Gen 1. I still have so many questions...
In 2008, everything but the cheapest package 1 has vsc and backup camera as standard equipment SM-N900P ?
I see I learn something new every day I think the dealership I bought it fromay inflated the value by listing it ad a touring model, because I have 15 in wheels
I believe most of the confusion is based on ignorance and people seeing what they want to see. I am also sure some cars are intentionally misrepresented.
