> In Southern California, a 2007 with nav can be bought for $6k, and
> other used Prius prices are proportionate. As another benchmark, a
> low-mileage 2004 in perfect condition just sold for about $2.5k.
>
> I acknowledge the drop in gasoline prices, but that factor alone does
> not explain what's happened to The Car With The Highest Resale Value.
I would also recommend looking at the price-steps:
1st) 3 yr / 36,000 miles - the initial price drop trigger
2nd) 60,000 miles - drive train
3d) 8/100,000 miles - hybrid parts, battery and inverter
It is not just the year but also the miles versus the residual warranty
value. But so far, I'm not seeing a problem.
In 2005, I bought a 2003 with 49,300 miles for $7, it was $k under
KBB. I still have that Prius with ~120,000 miles and am still getting
+50 MPG.
But as others have pointed out, one really needs to do a differences
test by examining same year and miles non-hybrids to see what their
residual value has fallen to.
Bob Wilson
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> other used Prius prices are proportionate. As another benchmark, a
> low-mileage 2004 in perfect condition just sold for about $2.5k.
>
> I acknowledge the drop in gasoline prices, but that factor alone does
> not explain what's happened to The Car With The Highest Resale Value.