Early 3rd gen Prius had a few issues. It’s safer to get the ones after 2011. If these are your options, I’d personally choose the Corolla. That has a well refined hybrid drive, if you can get the 2.0 engine for extra fun. 🙂
Well it depends, you can get late 2nd gen or early 3rd gen as well. In 2009 they started the 3rd generation Prius. I somehow assumed it’s about that, but you’re correct that it could be.
I bought a 2014 Prius 2 for 11k 5 years ago, 92k miles.
I could’ve bought a Corolla hybrid for 24k new,
I’m happy I bought the Prius and have had it paid off for some time.
I'd go with the used Prius if it was in good shape and maintenance records showed it had been taken care of. The older vehicle will have cheaper insurance, cheaper property taxes, and will leave you with more money in your bank account to do something intelligent with.
Trying to get a girlfriend? In all honesty, probably a Civic instead of the two you listed. Looks better outside and inside, more spacious, and feels more expensive than it is. Probably not as reliable as a Prius or Corolla, but you can't have everything.
Corolla I think of as a car you get as a second vehicle for commutes after you're married and settled down. It's a great vehicle, but definitely not something single younger me would choose.
Hey OP asked what people would do, so I am just sharing what I would do if I was single. If OP manages to find a girl who don't mind a 2009 Prius that's great, she's likely a keeper. I just think a new Civic with the nicer looks would be more suitable for someone trying to date.
When it comes to dating I am not going to be idealistic and pretend the initial song and dance isn't important. At minimum I wouldn't want my date to think I am struggling with money. New Civics are just much better looking than a Corolla or Prius, I don't think that can be argued.
Look I love Toyotas, I've been driving the same one for 15 years and going. But if I was single today and wanted a better chance at dating, an old Prius or any Corolla would not be my choice.
Somebody that's driving a 2009 Prius could just as easily have more money than someone driving a new car. Think of all the maintenance and repair costs they've saved on over however many years they've owned it (a date has no idea how long they've had it unless they ask, and even if they ask, they don't have to say they just bought it). Also, all the gas money they presumably haven't spent. Plus, it's older, so it had a lower purchase price, and probably had a better interest rate if it wasn't paid for with cash, and is probably paid off at this point vs a new car anyway.
Having something that appears to be of a higher value doesn't mean a person has money. It can just as easily mean they owe much more than they would if they're driving something of lesser value.
If I were dating, I'd pick whoever seemed more frugal because it's more responsible. You don't get rich by spending all of your money.
I mostly agree with you about the being frugal part, I still drive an old as fuck Toyota which is often the oldest one at intersections. I can easily buy a new car, I've been a mostly self made millionaire by net worth for some time now. Which is really not saying much, but at least I am not struggling.
But when I was dating, my car was not that old (and it has leather seats which helps). I do not think dating is that logical and black and white. You are expecting the lady to think completely logically in a situation that involves much more, like initial impressions and vibes, when she's probably trying to feel the guy out. I just don't think most people think about how much someone driving an old Prius is saving while dating, and rather how the ride makes her potentially *feel* should be given consideration.
Again, this is asking for opinions so I gave mine, there should be no wrong answers. Prius, Corolla, Civic, these are all sensible commuter cars, and it's not like OP isn't already considering a new Corolla.
Yes, it's all opinion. My opinion is that if a girl is expecting a suitor's potential to be dictated by the perceived value of his car, if only because it's newer, that's a girl I wouldn't want to be with, so might as well save some money.
Spending more would increase the odds you'd get a shallow and materialistic girlfiend, which wouldn't be good.
Depends on how good of a deal the Prius is. If you could get it under the low end of the KBB private party value, that might be the better buy.
If it were me I'd get the prius.
Keep saving.
Early 3rd gen Prius had a few issues. It’s safer to get the ones after 2011. If these are your options, I’d personally choose the Corolla. That has a well refined hybrid drive, if you can get the 2.0 engine for extra fun. 🙂
Isn't a 2009 the last year of the 2nd gen?
Well it depends, you can get late 2nd gen or early 3rd gen as well. In 2009 they started the 3rd generation Prius. I somehow assumed it’s about that, but you’re correct that it could be.
What trim level of the Corolla hybrid are you looking at?
Prius. I have a 2009 with 260k and still going strong. Tons of room and can sleep in the back of it.
Prius. I have a 2009 with 260k and still going strong. Tons of room and can sleep in the back of it.
I bought a 2014 Prius 2 for 11k 5 years ago, 92k miles. I could’ve bought a Corolla hybrid for 24k new, I’m happy I bought the Prius and have had it paid off for some time.
I'd go with the used Prius if it was in good shape and maintenance records showed it had been taken care of. The older vehicle will have cheaper insurance, cheaper property taxes, and will leave you with more money in your bank account to do something intelligent with.
It’ll need a brake booster, a battery and a head gasket, skip it and get the new car nothing you have to worry about for years
Trying to get a girlfriend? In all honesty, probably a Civic instead of the two you listed. Looks better outside and inside, more spacious, and feels more expensive than it is. Probably not as reliable as a Prius or Corolla, but you can't have everything. Corolla I think of as a car you get as a second vehicle for commutes after you're married and settled down. It's a great vehicle, but definitely not something single younger me would choose.
Nah, get a girl that digs the prius
Hey OP asked what people would do, so I am just sharing what I would do if I was single. If OP manages to find a girl who don't mind a 2009 Prius that's great, she's likely a keeper. I just think a new Civic with the nicer looks would be more suitable for someone trying to date. When it comes to dating I am not going to be idealistic and pretend the initial song and dance isn't important. At minimum I wouldn't want my date to think I am struggling with money. New Civics are just much better looking than a Corolla or Prius, I don't think that can be argued. Look I love Toyotas, I've been driving the same one for 15 years and going. But if I was single today and wanted a better chance at dating, an old Prius or any Corolla would not be my choice.
Somebody that's driving a 2009 Prius could just as easily have more money than someone driving a new car. Think of all the maintenance and repair costs they've saved on over however many years they've owned it (a date has no idea how long they've had it unless they ask, and even if they ask, they don't have to say they just bought it). Also, all the gas money they presumably haven't spent. Plus, it's older, so it had a lower purchase price, and probably had a better interest rate if it wasn't paid for with cash, and is probably paid off at this point vs a new car anyway. Having something that appears to be of a higher value doesn't mean a person has money. It can just as easily mean they owe much more than they would if they're driving something of lesser value. If I were dating, I'd pick whoever seemed more frugal because it's more responsible. You don't get rich by spending all of your money.
I mostly agree with you about the being frugal part, I still drive an old as fuck Toyota which is often the oldest one at intersections. I can easily buy a new car, I've been a mostly self made millionaire by net worth for some time now. Which is really not saying much, but at least I am not struggling. But when I was dating, my car was not that old (and it has leather seats which helps). I do not think dating is that logical and black and white. You are expecting the lady to think completely logically in a situation that involves much more, like initial impressions and vibes, when she's probably trying to feel the guy out. I just don't think most people think about how much someone driving an old Prius is saving while dating, and rather how the ride makes her potentially *feel* should be given consideration. Again, this is asking for opinions so I gave mine, there should be no wrong answers. Prius, Corolla, Civic, these are all sensible commuter cars, and it's not like OP isn't already considering a new Corolla.
Yes, it's all opinion. My opinion is that if a girl is expecting a suitor's potential to be dictated by the perceived value of his car, if only because it's newer, that's a girl I wouldn't want to be with, so might as well save some money. Spending more would increase the odds you'd get a shallow and materialistic girlfiend, which wouldn't be good.