so now that C4C is dead when will we see below MSRP?

[DianneWhitmire]

Jabber, I hear this from time to time lately, with cars too scarce, and find out they were so blinded by a large discount on a car that they weren't watching what the trade value was or had no clue what the financing should have been...or the snake oil adds to the car... or even the $599 "doc fees"... any dealer can make you think you have a huge discount and just move the shells around in their shell game.

It's not about the price for the car ONLY. There are a lot of components to a deal.

Originally Posted by Jabber

Crazyhorse, you got a fantastic deal. I'm guessing that it was one they had laying around and our next allocation was about to be pulled. Most dealers in Chicago have a fairly long waiting list. Sounds like a real application of the "right time, right place" theory. That is the only reason a dealer, especially in Chicagoland, are discounting them. Good purchase, sir, good purchase.

[MiddPrius]

Originally Posted by DianneWhitmire

Jabber, I hear this from time to time lately, with cars too scarce, and find out they were so blinded by a large discount on a car that they weren't watching what the trade value was or had no clue what the financing should have been...or the snake oil adds to the car... or even the $599 "doc fees"... any dealer can make you think you have a huge discount and just move the shells around in their shell game.

It's not about the price for the car ONLY. There are a lot of components to a deal.

If the customer knows enough to get a discount on the Prius, s/he should know to avoid "doc fees."
As far as financing goes, it's easy to refinance. Penfed's been having a 3.99% for 60 months for used cars.

[Jabber]

Originally Posted by DianneWhitmire

Jabber, I hear this from time to time lately, with cars too scarce, and find out they were so blinded by a large discount on a car that they weren't watching what the trade value was or had no clue what the financing should have been...or the snake oil adds to the car... or even the $599 "doc fees"... any dealer can make you think you have a huge discount and just move the shells around in their shell game.

It's not about the price for the car ONLY. There are a lot of components to a deal.

Illinois is mandated to charge a maximum of $151.xx for a doc fee, so that didn't come into play in my thoughts. I HIGHLY suspect they pulled the trade allowance rather than ACV shell game, but he never mentioned a trade. As far as I am aware, no dealer (except small ones that sell very few cars) are discounting Prii right now in the area. My guess would be that some manager bumped their head and dropped the price by a hundred or two, but it was only to earn an extra rather than lose one.

With the exception of a few 1223's, I am sold out until at least November, some models with specific equipment until January right now.

But, if he did get the discount he reports, he is one of the lucky ones (assuming no trade, cash deal, etc). I agree with you though otherwise...

[crazyhorse]

Originally Posted by Jabber

Illinois is mandated to charge a maximum of $151.xx for a doc fee, so that didn't come into play in my thoughts. I HIGHLY suspect they pulled the trade allowance rather than ACV shell game, but he never mentioned a trade. As far as I am aware, no dealer (except small ones that sell very few cars) are discounting Prii right now in the area. My guess would be that some manager bumped their head and dropped the price by a hundred or two, but it was only to earn an extra rather than lose one.

With the exception of a few 1223's, I am sold out until at least November, some models with specific equipment until January right now.

But, if he did get the discount he reports, he is one of the lucky ones (assuming no trade, cash deal, etc). I agree with you though otherwise...

Ok.. to set the matter straight on the other items:
1. It was a straight cash deal. I paid the entire amount using a personal check with $3K (the max the dealer would take) on a credit card (to get cash back )
2. There was no trade. I had a 98 Nissan Altima with 129K miles on it that he offered $800 for. I had already appraised it for $1200 at a Carmax 2 exits down the road so I asked him to match that. He refused, I dropped the trade and sold it to the Carmax for $1200 instead. I thought of doing a private sale but I just didnt have the time to work that.
3. I did have to pay the doc fees of $151.xx and since I was registering the car in WI, the dealer did not do any of my paperwork. That was the only area I felt I lost out on since I had to take a couple of hours off and go personally to the DMV to pay my taxes and get my plates.

As far as getting a discount on the one odd car sitting around on the lot, that's not accurate. I actually paid a $500 deposit and had to wait for 3+ weeks for the car to come in. I negotiated the $625 by asking the dealer to match $500 off the MSRP which Carmax is giving for all new Priuses anyway and told him I didnt want the floor mats for $200 since I can buy them online for $75. He matched the $75 which brought the total discount to $625 (500 + 125).

Dealers who refuse to see reason (and a reasonable offer) do not get my business.

[frogpond1]

I don't know how and I won't ask but Acton Toyota in MA is getting us the III with mats and cargo mat for 23300 out the door with reg/doc included. See post I started for the details.