The Prius market in Southern California is split. It's split between those in "the know", and those on "the list".
I guess if I wanted to take advantage of free enterprise, I could go into business!
I just spent a month shopping for a used Prius. Initially I wanted a used fully loaded 2005 with low mileage. But I found a beautiful classic for under $9000.
Depending on who you deal with you can purchase low mileage '04, and '05 models selling at a realistically depreciated value. Anywhere from $16,000 to $19,000 for under 40K miles, package 6. And immediately flip them and sell them to a poor anxious sap at $5,000 to $10,000 profit! That is what many private dealerships are doing right now.
Some dealerships are even inflating the price of a used Prius, because of the "demand". Every Toyota dealer was telling me that the HOV stickers were nearly out, (in CA), and I'd better hurry and buy now!! Phooey! I found that many Southern California dealers with an "allocation" simply hide their cars in the service department or an off-site warehouse, but they do indeed have inventory, especially if you offer to pay a markup fee above MSRP.