Is paying MSRP or more the ONLY way to get a Prius?

[broflcwa]

Do a search on this forum for "Seattle" and for "best prices in SFO." You're not there, but it will give you some idea of what others are paying for Prius. There are Prius owners who have gotten well below MSRP. You can also try GreatCarPrices.com They charge to find you a car, but it might be worth it. I'm still looking for a fair price for #2 package--e.g. say $1500 over the invoice price Consumer Reports quotes. I don't think Costco does much for you with the Prius. I really doubt they actually price it from the "invoice up."

This is frustrating. I wish it were easier. I am willing to go across the State (Washington) or even to California, but I have so little faith in what I might be promised, that I take the trip and find little "surprises" when I get there. The last few weeks have made me cynical, but I REALLY want a Prius--and only a Prius. That of course is part of the problem. Plus, I'm no good at negotiating. Next step is to send the supreme negotiator in the family (spouse) out to a dealership with a check.

Good luck.

[svea]

Have you looked through the "prices paid" thread on Edmunds? http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0a4a16 if that link works. Maybe you can get some ideas there.

I just paid $22700 in Portland, OR for an option 2. I did emailed a few dealers and did the round robin thing to try and get them to beat each other. I have the feeling they would've come down a couple or few hundred more had I been patient and kept hammering away at them. They didn't answer super promptly, had to wait a day or two or three for some.
And that price is for a market where we get $1500 tax credit from the state in addition to the federal credit.

I'd say work the internet thing and maybe even call the internet folk to get them to know you're serious and you want a reply faster?

[Errel]

I guess the key words you mentioned are "not in a hurry." This was also my way of thinking when I bought my 05 Prius. Use the internet to your advantage. I read a lot of very good tips from other chatters.
When I bought my Prius I was also having problems with supply. It is a very popular car. I waited and waited looking at cars.com and autotrader.com almost every chance I got. Patience is a virtue. I finally saw this ad for a private seller with the price I am willing to pay for a used Prius.
It seems like you are willing to buy used which I think okay especially if you are like me. It is smart because you can let somebody take the "depreciation hit" which is between $1500-$2000 just by merely driving the car out of the dealership lot. On the other hand you still need to be smart and do your homework and know all the other things that affects the cost of the Prius you wanted (i.e. accesories, trim, smartkey etc..) Check out kbb.com (Kelley Blue Book Value) so that can at least have a "baseline" price. Edmunds.com also can help you get more educated. It's worth the extra homework to save the extra bucks!
Good luck and have a nice day!

[IsrAmeriPrius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Aug 21 2007, 10:53 AM) [snapback]499818[/snapback]</div>

Can someone suggest a plan of action? I am not in a hurry. I just don't want to feel taken advantage of when it's over.[/b]

It is the end of the model year and supply is tight. Toyota is pretty good about not having an abundance of the previous model year's cars on hand when the new ones come in. The dealers are taking advantage of that situation.

Wait until the '08s are here. If any '07s are still around, they will be discounted. Once enough of the '08s have been distributed to dealers, in a month or two, dealers will start wheeling and dealing as they do every year.

Be patient and you will be rewarded.

[msirach]

I posted this on the other thread you started yesterday. Have you given them a call?
They had a NL in stock a few days ago and was willing to discount off of MSRP


I shopped all of the dealers within 200 miles of me and I only found ONE that was reasonable via email and the phone. I have a car to trade in and he offered quite a bit more for it on trade plus a discount off of msrp.


I have decided to wait on the 08's. He is supposed to call when he gets info.


Bob Hecht
Dan Hecht Chevrolet and Toyota
Effingham Il. 62401

Toll free: 1800-342-1892
Web page www.danhecht.com
E-mails. bobhecht@danhecht.com

If you talk to him, tell him a guy from Southern Illinois gave you his name.

I assume you are aware of the $1000 rebate from the Illinois State Treasurer???

We are going to order an 08 tomorrow.

Our 05 is going to be for sale next week. It has 36000 miles with package #4.

We are taking our son back to UVA this weekend without the HCH so my wife can drive it till the 08's get here.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Aug 21 2007, 01:53 PM) [snapback]499818[/snapback]</div>

Should I resign myself to the fact you HAVE to pay MSRP or above to get a 2007 or 2008 Prius? I feel like at least in the midwest, if you don't, you won't be getting one. The dealers are all so cocky about it too!! Which is really making me NOT want to pay it to them based on principle!

I was even quoted today (by a dealer) $29K for a USED - USED 07 pkg 6.

I am really getting depressed and frustrated. I really don't want to pay it when I see people posting about paying a little over invoice or at least under MSRP, although for some reason that seems to be more on the west coast.

Can someone suggest a plan of action? I am not in a hurry. I just don't want to feel taken advantage of when it's over.
[/b]

Read through the advice at www.carbuyingtips.com and search through inventory at www.cars.com and good luck finding what you want.

[kneebone]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Aug 21 2007, 12:53 PM) [snapback]499818[/snapback]</div>

Should I resign myself to the fact you HAVE to pay MSRP or above to get a 2007 or 2008 Prius? I feel like at least in the midwest, if you don't, you won't be getting one. The dealers are all so cocky about it too!! Which is really making me NOT want to pay it to them based on principle!

I was even quoted today (by a dealer) $29K for a USED - USED 07 pkg 6.

I am really getting depressed and frustrated. I really don't want to pay it when I see people posting about paying a little over invoice or at least under MSRP, although for some reason that seems to be more on the west coast.

Can someone suggest a plan of action? I am not in a hurry. I just don't want to feel taken advantage of when it's over.
[/b]

Just got my Prius a week ago. I paid MSRP (Lombard Toyota, Chicago area), but got screwed on the trade-in. My name is Sarah, and I am a chump :P Every dealer I called either had only one in stock, or nothing at all. I love the car, though! Fortunately, you are more patient than me, so I imagine your chances are better for getting a good deal. Good luck!

[alg]

My search is going really well in the Seattle area, not as good as the California deals. But, I'm getting the value I want for my trade-in (all communication via email) and about $22,600 for 07 Prius Package 2 with the colors I want. If I didn't have the trade-in, I can easily get it down to $22,200.

I suggest you contact the internet team for all the dealers you can in the local area.

I have had very good responses (real offers that show value) from:

* Wendy Cliffton, wendycliffton@rodlandtoyota.com (Everett)
* John Stone, johns@bobbridge.com (Renton)
* Susie Hutchinson, sshutchinson_doxontoyota@gs.reyrey.com (Auburn)
* Rebecca Hall, rhall@toyotalakecity.icarconnect.com (Lake City, Seattle)

I can also recommend the staff at Magic Toyota in Edmonds and Heartland in Bremerton.

That's a lot to choose from.

Al

[rwhoyle]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(carolbrady @ Aug 21 2007, 12:53 PM) [snapback]499818[/snapback]</div>

Should I resign myself to the fact you HAVE to pay MSRP or above to get a 2007 or 2008 Prius? I feel like at least in the midwest, if you don't, you won't be getting one. The dealers are all so cocky about it too!! Which is really making me NOT want to pay it to them based on principle!

I was even quoted today (by a dealer) $29K for a USED - USED 07 pkg 6.

I am really getting depressed and frustrated. I really don't want to pay it when I see people posting about paying a little over invoice or at least under MSRP, although for some reason that seems to be more on the west coast.

Can someone suggest a plan of action? I am not in a hurry. I just don't want to feel taken advantage of when it's over.
[/b]

carolbrady

NO!!! TeknOwledq hit the nail on the head with advice to use the Internet and only deal with the Dealer Internet Sales Managers. With the number of Prius now being manufactured and delivered, the pendulum of supply and demand is swinging back in the buyers favor. I am currently out for quotation on a 2008 Prius Touring Pkg #6. Most of the replies I have received back state they are still waiting for updated pricing info on the '08s. However, one Dealer has quoted a price and its $1500 under MSRP.

I recommend trying to deal with larger Dealerships as their allotments from Toyota are larger and they don't need to make as much money on each individual car they sell. You can find in-state and adjoining states Dealerships on the Toyota web site. Look at their Prius inventories (Available and In-Stock) which will help you determine his volume of sales and delivery of Prius stock. Good Luck on getting your new Prius and DON'T buy over MSRP!!

[alg]

If you use the search feature, you will find the best price mentioned for 2007 Touring Package 6 is $26k (probably someone in California). The best mentioned (that I have found from reading priuschat) around Seattle, is $27k.