Waiting list or pay an extra $150 for "2-3 weeks"?

boojum · 02-09-2006, 09:45 PM

Should I pay a dealer $150 extra for a specific Prius that should arrive in 2-3 weeks, or get on a 3-5 months waiting list with other dealers?

After months of thinking about Priuses and deciding to go for it (with option package #4), I had a marathon day today of interacting with local Seattle-area dealers.

I've had several dealers willing to sell for MSRP+trans fee+floormats. I paid them each a $500 refundable deposit to get on their 3-5 month waiting lists:

21725 MSRP
1825 #4 package
580 transportation fee
186 floormats
---------------------------
24316 TOTAL

I've had another dealership offer me the following for a specific Prius (with VIN) that should arrive in 2-3 weeks, but I have not signed up with them ($1000 nonrefundable deposit):

21725 MSRP
1825 #4 package
580 transportation fee
329 mandatory extras
---------------------------
24459 TOTAL

This dealership is trying to sway me by pointing out that the number of slots available for the 2006 hybrid tax credit may run out soon. Is this valid?

What do you think? Should I swallow my pride and just plunk down the extra $150 for the "sooner" Prius?

-- B

Catskillguy · 02-09-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boojum@Feb 9 2006, 10:45 PM
Should I pay a dealer $150 extra for a specific Prius that should arrive in 2-3 weeks, or get on a 3-5 months waiting list with other dealers?

After months of thinking about Priuses and deciding to go for it (with option package #4), I had a marathon day today of interacting with local Seattle-area dealers.

I've had several dealers willing to sell for MSRP+trans fee+floormats. I paid them each a $500 refundable deposit to get on their 3-5 month waiting lists:

21725 MSRP
1825 #4 package
580 transportation fee
186 floormats
---------------------------
24316 TOTAL

I've had another dealership offer me the following for a specific Prius (with VIN) that should arrive in 2-3 weeks, but I have not signed up with them ($1000 nonrefundable deposit):

21725 MSRP
1825 #4 package
580 transportation fee
329 mandatory extras
---------------------------
24459 TOTAL

This dealership is trying to sway me by pointing out that the number of slots available for the 2006 hybrid tax credit may run out soon. Is this valid?

What do you think? Should I swallow my pride and just plunk down the extra $150 for the "sooner" Prius?

-- B

[snapback]206795[/snapback]

The full tax credit should be available at least through the 2nd Quarter of 2006....

As far as the dealers.... The $150 wouldn't bother me as much.. (You'd probably save that much in gas by the time the other cars come in..). What does bother me is the notion of a $1000 non-refundable deposit... I wonder if that's even legal?? The $150 sounds a bit sleazy in the end. I guess it depends on if you can find one in a radius from your home that you feel comfortable in traveling....

boojum · 02-09-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Catskillguy@Feb 9 2006, 06:58 PM
The full tax credit should be available at least through the 2nd Quarter of 2006....

Yes, thanks! I also just read in the FAQ about the tax credit. The dealer is either confused or trying to mislead me by scaring me into thinking I could lose my tax credit in the near future.

I'll ponder the $150 extra cost and $1000 deposit over the next few days.

Jack 06 · 02-09-2006, 10:15 PM

I ran into the same problem with a dealer very close by who wouldn't back off on $379 worth of stuff. What are the mandatory extras this ("your") car has? I actually didn't object to one of the extras, the rear bumper applique ($65). But the cargo net, locking wheel lugs and, worst of all, a useless alarm system I wouldn't swallow. So I went 180 mi farther down the road and got the same car, minus extras, for $300 below MSRP.

As for the credit, he's bluffing.

koa · 02-09-2006, 10:46 PM

Use a charge card for the deposit. My dealer would except a CC up to $5000. in payment also. I bet it will be easier to get your nonrefundable deposit back that way.

See if you can trade some of the unwanted items for something you would rather have. They might do it especially if they total a little more.

$150. is only $37.50 a month spread over 4 months.

cellsorter · 02-10-2006, 12:57 PM

I just went through the Prius buying process in Seattle, i took delivery of my silver #5 last night, it had 2 miles on it, i think one came from the salesman filling it up. Ill explain my experiences.

Almost all of the king snohomish dealers are adding a $1500 to 4000 (edmunds toyota) AMV to the price. They dont mention it at all until your sold on the car, then when they have you they spring it, they had a take it or leave it attitude

I ended up going to olyimpia. Out of the seattle metro, i got mine at 500 below MSRP, with the fancy mats, best of all no games.

most of the seattle metro dealers were telling me that the cars were numbered and they were quickly selling. There story was plausible sounding and i can see how uninformed people could fall for it hook line and sinker.

They did try to sell me the 7/100k warranty for 2250, i told them i would pay 1000, he said no way, then pulled his book out a few times and then offered 1600, i repeated 1000. He stoped when he realized i was educated i think. I got it for 1000 in the end.

Get educated, know the costs going in and drive a hard bargain.

I got 47 MPG on the way home driving 70 on the freeway over 72 miles, gas guage has not moved.

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02-09-2006, 09:45 PM	#1
boojum Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Should I pay a dealer $150 extra for a specific Prius that should arrive in 2-3 weeks, or get on a 3-5 months waiting list with other dealers? After months of thinking about Priuses and deciding to go for it (with option package #4), I had a marathon day today of interacting with local Seattle-area dealers. I've had several dealers willing to sell for MSRP+trans fee+floormats. I paid them each a $500 refundable deposit to get on their 3-5 month waiting lists: 21725 MSRP 1825 #4 package 580 transportation fee 186 floormats --------------------------- 24316 TOTAL I've had another dealership offer me the following for a specific Prius (with VIN) that should arrive in 2-3 weeks, but I have not signed up with them ($1000 nonrefundable deposit): 21725 MSRP 1825 #4 package 580 transportation fee 329 mandatory extras --------------------------- 24459 TOTAL This dealership is trying to sway me by pointing out that the number of slots available for the 2006 hybrid tax credit may run out soon. Is this valid? What do you think? Should I swallow my pride and just plunk down the extra $150 for the "sooner" Prius? -- B

02-09-2006, 10:15 PM	#4
Jack 06 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winters, CA: Prius capital of US. 30 miles W of Sacramento Posts: 2,567 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I ran into the same problem with a dealer very close by who wouldn't back off on $379 worth of stuff. What are the mandatory extras this ("your") car has? I actually didn't object to one of the extras, the rear bumper applique ($65). But the cargo net, locking wheel lugs and, worst of all, a useless alarm system I wouldn't swallow. So I went 180 mi farther down the road and got the same car, minus extras, for $300 below MSRP. As for the credit, he's bluffing.

02-09-2006, 10:46 PM	#5
koa Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 928 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 17 Times in 16 Posts Friends: 0	Use a charge card for the deposit. My dealer would except a CC up to $5000. in payment also. I bet it will be easier to get your nonrefundable deposit back that way. See if you can trade some of the unwanted items for something you would rather have. They might do it especially if they total a little more. $150. is only $37.50 a month spread over 4 months.

02-10-2006, 12:57 PM	#6
cellsorter Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I just went through the Prius buying process in Seattle, i took delivery of my silver #5 last night, it had 2 miles on it, i think one came from the salesman filling it up. Ill explain my experiences. Almost all of the king snohomish dealers are adding a $1500 to 4000 (edmunds toyota) AMV to the price. They dont mention it at all until your sold on the car, then when they have you they spring it, they had a take it or leave it attitude I ended up going to olyimpia. Out of the seattle metro, i got mine at 500 below MSRP, with the fancy mats, best of all no games. most of the seattle metro dealers were telling me that the cars were numbered and they were quickly selling. There story was plausible sounding and i can see how uninformed people could fall for it hook line and sinker. They did try to sell me the 7/100k warranty for 2250, i told them i would pay 1000, he said no way, then pulled his book out a few times and then offered 1600, i repeated 1000. He stoped when he realized i was educated i think. I got it for 1000 in the end. Get educated, know the costs going in and drive a hard bargain. I got 47 MPG on the way home driving 70 on the freeway over 72 miles, gas guage has not moved.