[dmelle]

Ok, after a couple of weeks of research, I went for a test drive yesterday and today I closed the deal! I just purchased a 2002 Prius, fully loaded, with Nav system, CD, etc...

I recently changed jobs and drive about 40x2 miles to/from work - my 2000 Dodge Intrepid is nice, but it doesn't get more than 17 PMG...

Here are some of the reasons I couldn't resist:

1) Help for the environment (we all know it needs help badly).
2) 45-52 MPG (it might be less but it will easily beat the Intrepid)
3) 0% APR (Toyotathon 2003)
4) $2000 federal tax deduction
5) Got $2000 off the sticker price
6) The onboard computer is awesome - digital is the way to go. I can see so many possibilities for MP3 players, hacks...
6) Less money for Saudi-Arabia and Iraq (and therefore less money for Al-Qaeda and other Islamic terrorists - see http://www.boycott-middle-east-oil.com)
7) Cool silent/stealth/golf car mode. 8)

Why would anyone buy any other car?

I'm getting the car tomorrow and I'll be posting a full article on the Prius at my site http://www.FactsOfIsrael.com. I get about 1,000 unique visitors per day and I hope a few will consider a Prius.

Thanks to the Webmaster for this great forum and to all those that have given so much good information through their posts!

 

[Smitty]

Congrats on your new car, You will really love it...

Im tempted to trade mine just to get the end of the year rebates and the 0% financing.

Dont know if its worth it. But I also think the prices are down lower then when I bought mine last year. Plus Im having to pay 6.9% on 14k.

 

[mrv]

Congrats on your new car, You will really love it...

Im tempted to trade mine just to get the end of the year rebates and the 0% financing.

Dont know if its worth it. But I also think the prices are down lower then when I bought mine last year. Plus Im having to pay 6.9% on 14k.

Just remember, if you already have claimed the federal Clean Fuel Vehicle tax deduction, the tax deduction is subject to recapture rules... If you sell your Prius within 3 years, you'll have to pay the government back for a pro-rated amount of the deduction.

(I kinda wish I lived in CO like you where there's a nice state tax CREDIT available...)

 

[Smitty]

Nope havent claimed any tax deductions/credits, YET.... but I probably wont get enough on the trade in value to make it worth the trade in. I figured I could save about $50 to $75 a month on payments.

 

[johnson487682]

See my previous post about recapture rules (http://www.priusonline.com/viewtopic.php?t=360 ). If I understand the tax law correctly (caveat: I'm an engineer, not a lawyer or tax preparer), you are only required to recapture the deduction on a sale when you have reason to believe the new owner will use the vehicle so that it no longer qualifies (i.e. it is no longer a "clean fuel" vehicle, it is used by a government/tax-exempt organization, it is used as lodging, or it is operated primarily in a foreign country).

Since it would be very difficult to extract the Prius' motor/generators from the drivetrain, I don't think any Prius owner needs to recapture when they sell, unless they sell it to a government, charity, homeless person, or foreigner. Does anyone have any information to the contrary?

Douglas (2002 Silver, Wisconsin)

 

[gene godefroid]

I too have a new Prius coming in a day or two, can't wait

Hope to take delivery either today or tomorrow. I wanted one with side air bags, the dealer in Marietta Ga was able to locate one south of Atlanta.
This will be the 13th Toyota I have purchased. My first was a 1980 Tercel, the first front wheel drive they produced in the US, I ran it until 1994, I hope my Prius can perform just as well...
Gene