Buying Prius In CT, no discount, low stock!!

[dfine1966]

A little background on the situation. I have bought 5 Toyota's from this one Dealership in Connecticut for years. I work with this one guy who never beats around the bush, and usually gives me the best deal. I just purchased for my wife a new 2007 Sienna XLE Limited for about a 100 over dealer invoice and also got what I wanted for a trade.

Now it comes my turn. I wanted to get a Prius for myself, need the better gas mileage plus living in Connecticut, when buying the Prius, there is no sales tax, plus still get 25% tax credit plus other little perks.

I told my guy a few weeks back that I wanted a Prius Package 5 or 6 either in Magnetic Gray, 1st Choice or Silver Pine Mica. On Monday, this week I talked to him, he had a Package 5 Magnetic Gray coming in. He told me though that they are charging over MSRP for the cars, but because I am good customer, that he could get it for me at MSRP, which is in the mid 26 range. I have never had a reason not to trust him. I have never paid MSRP in my life, except in 1990, I bought a Mazda Miata, when they just came out, and were hot, I got them to give me 50 off the MSRP, just for the principle of the thing.

I have tried autobytel, but no one is showing any in my area.
I contacted another dealer through carsdirect, Middletown Toyota of CT, but they haven't given my a price yet.

My question is, has anyone had luck getting a good price in Connecticut on Prius, PKG 5 or 6 with either Magnetic Gray or Silver Pina Mica. If so, where? Who should I talk to from that dealer. Supposedly, this car from Wallingford Connecticut Toyota comes in in early August. I just want to make sure I am not being charged too much.

He said the Prius in the Northeast is in high demand, that is why they are not discounting right now.

Let me know if anyone has any ideas. I really don't care in Ct where I get. I like Toyota of Wallingford, because service is great. Also, if I can get a price from another dealer, I am sure my guy will match it for me. If not, I will buy it at the other place.

dfine1966

[Godiva]

I don't know about CT but I'd say widen your search. How far are you willing to drive? Would it even be worth it to purchase out of state?

[dfine1966]

Probably not out of Connecticut. There is no sales tax for a Prius in Connecticut. So the savings I would get purchasing out of state, would then be negligible. The dealer in Wallingford, Toyota of Wallingford is giving free lifetime oil changes and free tires for the life of the car though.

I am just looking in the state of Connecticut for the Prius I want.

Thanks though.

[paprius4030]

Even if you buy out of state you don't pay sales tax until you register it in Ct. and in your case, since it's a Prius you still don't pay sales tax. Out of state dealer just gives you a temp. tag to get it back home. Hre in Pa. they are in demand also but last month I arranged for a friend to get a Prius and they gave her $1,500 off at Halterman's in East Stroudsburg, Pa.

[gweeta]

Our experience was similar to what you are finding.

CT dealers weren't willing to move much on price. We ended up buying our Package 5 (Seaside Pearl) with the Z1 accessory package for $25,389 (plus tags) at DCH Toyota City in Mamaroneck in June. (No sales tax as someone else pointed out, because it's registered in CT.)

So, we ended up paying about $1,200 over "invoice" and about $950 under MSRP. (I put invoice in quotes because it doesn't reflect the holdback, but does relfect the advertising charge or TDA. If you include the holdback as profit, but assume the TDA is a real dealer cost, the dealer made a tidy $1,650. If you assume the TDA is bogus, add another several hundred dollars to that profit.)

A pretty lousy deal in my book. In fact, I've never handed over that much profit to a car dealer. But we needed it right away, and it beat what we could find in CT by several hundred dollars.

If you're patient, I think you can do better than we did. Good luck.

[dfine1966]

I have been using the internet to contact different dealers in CT. So far most want to charge MSRP or higher. I just figured out the price, and they would be making a 3000 profit on the PKG 5. The problem is that I need a new car. My Matrix is starting to show signs of things going. I am over a 100,000 and I really don't want to pay extra bills in starting to fix things. I am trying to purchase as soon as possible, but I also don't want to get overcharged. If anyone else has had luck in Connecticut, and I am not talking Months ago, when they were dealing, but within the last few weeks, please let me know. This is really gnawing on me. I hate paying MSRP.

Thanks again.

[Godiva]

I still think you should consider out of state. As per the previous posts, you'll be registering in CT so still get your savings.

With the Prius, there's no dishonor in paying MSRP. But I sure wouldn't pay over.

Do you have any car buying services like Costco, AAA or your credit union? They might be able to save you some money.

And I'll assume you've told your salesman "friend" that after all your history together, the fact that he can't deal on the Prius is a deal breaker and a bridge burner.

[dfine1966]

He knows that, but he might be able to get a discount a different way, with more for my trade in. They have a new Sales Manager though, who I don't like. I purchased in June a new 2007 Toyota Sienna XLE Limited. He gave me a good price on the car, but my trade in he tried to undercut me, by giving me 2200 less then what the car was worth for a trade in. Finally, I told my guy to tell his Manager this is what I want for my car or the deal is off. He finally agreed. I am pretty sure I am going to have to play hardball on the trade in. But, I don't think they will discount the Prius because of the high demand. The only reason I have stayed with this dealership is great service department and because this guy I deal with, I have dealt with so long, and he has never given me a raw deal. He is also the head of the inventory. If he wasn't there, I probably would be going to another dealership.

I have called around to a lot of dealership in Connecticut today, and all, if they have it won't deal. So now my decision is look out of state, wait for 2008, but all the deals will probably be gone, and the price will rise. Or make the best deal I can get from 1 of the CT dealers.

[JimN]

dfine, "a good price" all depends on the buyer's point of view. You are looking for 4 cars out of all the possible combinations at the end of a model year of a car that does not sit on any dealer's lot. Historically the car sells for MSRP. It seems for a month or two prices were "deeply" discounted but that was a few months ago.

Some believe MSRP is "too much" to pay for the car and they waited more than a year until they found a dealer willing to sell one at their price. Quite frankly if you want to pay invoice + $100 for a new car look for something that is in great supply everywhere but it won't be a Prius.

Contact the Internet Sales Manager of every dealer within the distance you are willing to travel. If MSRP is the lowest you can get now then that is a good price. Maybe you will be fortunate and find one of the four cars you want. Maybe you won't.

What do you mean by "but all the deals will probably be gone"? If you are referring to Toyota's below market financing or temporary reduction of option prices then the "deals" are gone and you should have looked for and bought the car that month.

Free oil changes are worth $20 every 5000 miles. What's the catch on the free tires? Do you have to get all of the recommended services done at the dealer? Will only changing the oil and the filters qualify for the tires? Are you aware that they will decide when you need new tires and that you won't have much of a selection?

I am attaching an ad that lists all(?) of the dealers in NJ, NY & CT for reference. Happy hunting.

[dfine1966]

I have contacted dealers. They do have the cars I want in the colors I want. They aren't willing to budge on the price. Each dealer has there own little niche to get you to their dealership. A1 of New Haven has this, which I am unsure, but it is only worth 1500. "We give you a package of benefits exclusive to A-1 Toyota. Many of our customers value this package over $1500.00 as it includes: FREE Lifetime Oil Changes, FREE Extended Warranty, FREE Gas, FREE Cell Phone, FREE AAA, FREE Car Washes, FREE Removal of your first "ding", FREE Loaner Car and more." Toyota of Wallingford, where I have gone too and purchased 5 Toyota's from already, offer Free Lifetime oil changes and free tires for life, rated at 40,000 miles. You do have to service it there, but I get 10% off of all services. There prices are comparable to most specialty shops. I shopped around for years and found their prices credible.

I have to put in all the variables together and decide, even if I have to pay MSRP, I will save in other ways, like no sales tax and a tax credit of 787.50 which ends Sept 30 07. Plus saving on gas right away. I probably should of bought this back in March, but I needed to get my wife a new car first, which I did get her a 2007 Sienna XLE Limited for a very good price and 3.9 financing. Then we went on vacation, and by then it was too late. Live and learn.

My father always told me in business, if you feel comfortable with the deal you make, don't second guess it. You then will always wonder if you could get a better deal. Just make a decision, and stick to it.

So, if I am comfortable with the dealer that I always deal with, and they have the car I want. And if I feel he is giving the best deal he can, I shouldn't feel bad and enjoy the car.

Before I finalize the deal, I will contact other dealers to see if I can make a better deal, or use it for leverage with the dealer I like to deal with.

Thanks again for all the advice.

dfine1966