Used Prius prices higher than new model's

If vehicles could be sainted, stained-glass artists all over the U.S. would be busy figuring out the best colors for the Toyota Prius to shine in. Brand new examples of the motorized mollusk that everyone can't wait to buy spend just five days on dealer lots. Last year's model lasts just fifteen days more.
The real coup, however, is in the prices. An unused Prius requires about $26,672 to take home. The used version, with fewer than 10,000 miles, goes for around $27,945. That's right, nearly $1,300 more. More incredible: a 2007 model with more than 22,000 miles will only save you $276 compared to the price of a shiny new 2008. We're not sure you can even call that depreciation.
Toyota is increasing Prius production, but that'll take a moment to be felt on dealer lots. In the mean time, if you absolutely have to have a hybrid, we see a Malibu in your future...
[Source: Next Autos]











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
2004m3driver 7:15PM (7/31/2008)
so you're saying I can buy one and just spend money on the gas then sell it for the same and sometimes more? wow
Reply
Don 9:48AM (8/01/2008)
What a bunch of BS.
Ford Wannup 9:13PM (7/31/2008)
well...it's happened before to certain Ferraris and Lambos, even to 99-00 Honda Odyssey. When it first came out, the waitlist for Ody was almost 6 months, for about a year or more, and I know for a fact at least in Atlanta and California, used ones were selling on average of $500 more for immediate delivery. Supply and demand at its best, exactly what happened here, so no BS.
However, the virtues on hybrids are sold are certainly BS most of the time.
Ford Wannup 9:17PM (7/31/2008)
...duh...fixing my last sentence above to:
However, the virtues on which hybrids are sold are certainly BS most of the time.
PJ 10:57PM (7/31/2008)
It's called consumer demand. If you want a Wii Fit, you either wait your turn in line, or pay a premium to someone on eBay who did the legwork for you.
Want a Prius without the waiting list? Same deal.
Bad, BAD Toyota for making a product that people want to buy! :rolls eyes:
Vintage 9:22AM (8/01/2008)
They are selling for so much because people think they are helping the environment. They aren't.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooN9INJxxy4
Hybrids are NOT a positive impact on our environment.
Vintage 9:58AM (8/01/2008)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooN9INJxxy4
Hybrids are not the solution. They are NOT good for our environment.
Paul 10:18AM (8/01/2008)
Pretty much. We just sold our 07 for $2k more than we bought it for and it only had 13k miles. So basically we drove around for a year for free.
LMBVette 10:24AM (8/01/2008)
Green....good for the environment......whatever!!!
The car was built in Japan and shipped over on a huge boat which spewed a ton of exhaust and probably dirtied up the water. Then the car was transported from CA across the country on a truck or train, thus spewing more exhaust.
Yep...that's green alright!
This car gets good gas mileage.....the 'green' thing is crap.
You want to be green.....ride a bike.
why not the LS2LS7? 7:16PM (7/31/2008)
If this includes California, they should break it down to those vehicles with the carpool lane sticker and those that do not. Because having that sticker (which is no longer available but is transferrable) is rather valuable to those with long commutes.
Reply
CalGuy 11:15PM (7/31/2008)
No kidding... those stickers (which I think are only good till 2010) add about $5000 to the price of a used Prius..
Mike 4:33AM (8/01/2008)
seriously, we got an offer for 1000$ more for our honda civic hybrid that what we paid for it....
they're amazing..you could totally sell your old one and get a new one and pay cash lol
Dave 7:18PM (7/31/2008)
Good grief! Buy a TDI. Equivalent milage and less to go wrong.
Reply
stevejust 7:28PM (7/31/2008)
Diesel is still $5.15 in Los Angeles. So I save $.50 a gallon and get the equivalent mpg. And have a higher resale value.
As for things going wrong, I've had my hybrid for 4 years and 3 months, and all I've done is have the oil changed.
I like diesels fine and I get tired of the debate between hybrids and diesels, because what I'd really like is a biodiesel hybrid. But please. Try again, sir. Your post is silly given the fact that diesel now costs so much more than gasoline.
why not the LS2LS7? 7:30PM (7/31/2008)
Not equivalent mileage. The Prius is far better around town and a little better on the highway (both real world and rated). And Diesel fuel costs almost 20% more (this week). And on top of that, if you care about CO2 emissions, even at the same MPG a Diesel emits 18% (or so) more CO2 per mile than a gas car because Diesel fuel contains more energy.
Pips 7:44PM (7/31/2008)
No way! TDI was the worst car my family ever owned. we had a brand new made in Germany 2000 VW TDI Golf that piece of crap have to check in with the dealer every other month right from the start with various electric problems; by the 4th years the shocks were gone, follow by the turbo, the 5th years the tranny gave and thats enough is enough! with all the driving under 100000 miles in 5 yrs with regular dealer maintenances. I figured with the money that spent fixing it, I can buy a Prius AND a Yaris.
azzo45 7:48PM (7/31/2008)
The diesel (from any company) won't have a battery tech that COULD be rendered yesterday's news by NEW technology from Toyota newer Prius models. Don't understand people paying more than a new model & a factory warranty.
IMO, I would only LEASE a Prius... NOT buy until battery tech is proved viable over a longer period.
ablogreader 8:21PM (7/31/2008)
AGREED ! Much nicer to drive as well.
tankd0g 10:24PM (7/31/2008)
Can't buy a Toyota diesel here. I assume you didn't mean a VW TDI because you included the phrase "less to go wrong.
Brent 7:19PM (7/31/2008)
It is called appreciation.
Reply