I have a deposit on a 2008 Magnetic Pearl. It should be here in about a month. Should I be waiting instead for the 2009 model? When will the 2009 be out, and will there be any hybrid system upgrades or price decreases?

Thanks, and BTW... this is my first post here!!

Looks like the 2009 will be released later on this Fall. Upgrades on it are only to the aesthetics of the exterior, specifically to the front bumper, lights, grill and rear lights. Unfortunately, no upgrades to the IMA hybrid system.

I would go for the 2008 and let the gas savings begin now versus later on.

Any idea on pricing?

You may want to wait and have a look at the new insight. Only a couple mths. to wait. It may be worth it in the end. I would want to have a look at the new insight, then decide. H

Better get the 2008 so you can save enough to buy again the 2009. lol. just my 2 cents




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Buy the 2008 and start saving now. I'm able to sell my 2007 for more than I paid for it new, so your downside risk is not that great. You might even make money and then buy a 2009. By the way, it is not for sale, my HCH II that is.

1978 Plymouth Horizon - 165,527 miles, still the longest lasting
1985 Dodge Daytona - 62,500 miles and the transmission gave out
1991 Mazda Protoge - A very good car
1997 Ford Contour - This one saved my life in a driver side impact accident
2000 Pontiac Grand Am - I have a bulls eye painted somewhere, this one was rear-ended
2004 Civic Hybrid - My first Honda, My first Hybrid, ran 88,300 miles before the tax rebates came calling
2007 Civic Hybrid - Going strong and a joy to drive
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Just got the vin number for my 2008 due in the 1st week of Aug. God willing and no long-shore strikes. I was told that they are now taking orders for 2009's and my color "white" is no longer offered they replaced it with a pearl white, extra charge for metallic paint. Hard to wait but I have figured out how to add bluetooth for my cell phone I was supprised that they didn't offer it even with the Nav option.

From what I understand, the 2009 will have a minor mid-cycle freshening with slightly different headlamps, etc. However, isn't a partial tax credit still available now? For the $525 or whatever the credit is now, take the 2008 unless you really care about having the absolute latest, greatest thing. I could see a desire to wait if you're talking about the current vs. next-gen Prius, but there's no major changes to the HCH-II.

Good point on the tax credit. I did see that it was available for the 2008 still. I think we'll go ahead and get it, especially since the IMA will not be updated for 2009.