I'm debating between a used Toyota Corolla (2008-2010) or a used Prius (2006-2008)....the Prius for the same year/mileage tends to be about $2000 more than a corolla....but the gas savings is significant. I'm not sure which way to go. I care a great deal about reliability and mileage. If I get the Prius I'd likely go for one around $9,000 but that usually comes with well over 100K in miles...meanwhile a nice used Corolla can go for $8,000 and have about 80K on it. What do my fellow mustachians think?
As the Prius ages, I'm not sure if there's much history to know how expensive maintenance will become (may be very cheap, but who knows)?
Right now, you're looking at a Prius between 6-8 years old. That's getting up there for any car, but especially a very technologically involved car like that.
Corollas, on the other hand, seem to age with grace. Very cheap to maintain (oil, tires, transmission fluid, brakes, etc) and great gas mileage (40+ on highway).
Pure numbers, and only driving 12k miles/yr, you won't come out ahead by getting a Prius. If you do, it won't be by much.
However, if you value the hybrid cars, would enjoy it greatly, and plan to keep the car until it breaks down, it likely will not cost you much more...
Over the long term, insurance/maintenance/operating costs will be much more significant than the up front cost.
Perhaps go for a Prius in the 06-08 range (probably won't be much more than $10k), and then junk it in 5 years if it isn't meeting your standards. You live and learn.