Tampa FL Prius Price

[tampabaydoug]

Hey, Paul:

Like you (and many others), I'd like a Prius. Or maybe even a Civic Hybrid. But as you can tell, the market for these gas savers is driving the prices into the stratosphere, especially when you factor in "market adjustments", "after market add ons", blah...blah...blah.

The dealers realize too that if you and I don't buy one, the hype will continue as long as possible (for example "OMG - the wait for a new Prius will be 5 years - you better buy this one NOW!!!"), and some poor soul will take the bait.

With various '09's on the horizon, and gas prices finally taking a breather (I got $3.66 this morning; a barrel of oil was below $119 today, too), I'm gonna sit on the sidelines for awhile.

Doug

[Dave_PH]

Originally Posted by pmd

greetings. just started hunting for our first prius (or toyota for that matter).

i was at clearwater-toyota july 31, 2008 and the only prius they had (which had just came in) was a 2007 green touring pkg 3 (or 5 i think) 11K miles.
they wanted 30K plus. we passed on it.
they said i could order one (2008) at 3K over msrp and expect to pay 699 for toyocare and 699 for performance packages and 599 dealer prep.sooooo... with $2000 in addons (1400 hundred of which i dont want) i am in a holding pattern.
... yea... i know... welcome to the current world of shopping for a new prius.
i have been trying to internet shop in my area with out any reassuring response. (been asking for msrp and no addons )

can anyone recommend a solid individual and a dealer that i might contact ?

thanks
paul.... p.dow@knology.net

Try Autoway Toyota.

I live about 6 miles north of Clearwater Toyota and walked away from them quickly last May. Before that I'd had service problems with my Solar at Clearwater Toyota. If you look you'll find they have a bad Better Business Bureau rating. Give Autoway a try. Skip Sun Toyota in NPR, nasty markups.

[Dave_PH]

Originally Posted by tampabaydoug

Hey, Paul:

Like you (and many others), I'd like a Prius. Or maybe even a Civic Hybrid. But as you can tell, the market for these gas savers is driving the prices into the stratosphere, especially when you factor in "market adjustments", "after market add ons", blah...blah...blah.

The dealers realize too that if you and I don't buy one, the hype will continue as long as possible (for example "OMG - the wait for a new Prius will be 5 years - you better buy this one NOW!!!"), and some poor soul will take the bait.

With various '09's on the horizon, and gas prices finally taking a breather (I got $3.66 this morning; a barrel of oil was below $119 today, too), I'm gonna sit on the sidelines for awhile.

Doug

$3.66 Too bad I don't need gas right now.

[pmd]

well .. thanks for the replys.
here is where i am at.
sun toyota (steve kane) is not selling at msrp, according to steve. he did not tell me how much over msrp and i did not ask.
but today (aug 7, 2008) tom thomas at stadium toyota told me i will have approx 14 week wait but that i can order 2009 at msrp and he assured me no addons i did not want (like toyoguard or protection group, etc).
msrp + $499 .
just place the order with your credit card deposit of 499 ( which i was told is refundable).
tom said there is a "deep wait list". i asked how many. he didnt answer.
so far this seems like a good deal if it were to pan out.
i googled 'tom thomas stadium toyota' and got a little negative feedback.
i may call the stadium manager to get a feel.
clearwater toyota doesnt respond to my email/internet spec offer to purchase.
i have yet to contact phil davis at autoway toyota in pinellas park. (my wife didnt like our visit there).
tomorrow is another day.
later for now.
paul

[apcpa2000]

I am on the east coast of florida and have already bought one prius, with a second on order from earl stewart toyota. I use a salesman named Paul there. PM me for more information. They will sell the car at straight MSRP plus no dealer fee. And they ship anywhere, which I can't imagine its that much across the state.

the unfortunate thing is I think they are at about 150 on the list, which means probably december. We started at 111 back in June and as of last week were at 56. We are waiting for a Black with Bisque package 6.

[kazots]

I'm for starting a section in PC that compares price, options, location, problems with dealerships, and name of the dealer. Maybe we can hold dealers more accountable.

[tampabaydoug]

Hey, Dave:

Gas is now $3.62 at my station!

It's a Walmart in Gibsonton, FL, just off I-75 (head east about a mile).

Doug

[Dave_PH]

I'm on the other side of the bay, Palm Harbor, and the lowest I've seen so far is $3.69.

Penny for Pinellas maybe

[Dave_PH]

Originally Posted by pmd

well .. thanks for the replys.
here is where i am at.
sun toyota (steve kane) is not selling at msrp, according to steve. he did not tell me how much over msrp and i did not ask.
but today (aug 7, 2008) tom thomas at stadium toyota told me i will have approx 14 week wait but that i can order 2009 at msrp and he assured me no addons i did not want (like toyoguard or protection group, etc).
msrp + $499 .
just place the order with your credit card deposit of 499 ( which i was told is refundable).
tom said there is a "deep wait list". i asked how many. he didnt answer.
so far this seems like a good deal if it were to pan out.
i googled 'tom thomas stadium toyota' and got a little negative feedback.
i may call the stadium manager to get a feel.
clearwater toyota doesnt respond to my email/internet spec offer to purchase.
i have yet to contact phil davis at autoway toyota in pinellas park. (my wife didnt like our visit there).
tomorrow is another day.
later for now.
paul

Good luck with Stadium Toyota <---- Very scarcastic.

Wait till they start switching salespeople on you and the deal keeps getting less and less attractive.

[kaif]

I got mine from Stadium Toyota back in '05, the were not charging any premium price at that time. Sold it to me for sticker + that BS $500 dealer fee.