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

[carolbrady]

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.

[tekn0wledg]

Well, I think the key is to do what is most comfortable for yourself. If you aren't comfortable paying above invoice, then perhaps you should wait to buy a Prius until they come down a bit.

The other option would be to look at CarsDirect.com and see what the going rate is in your neck of the woods.

I would also recommend looking up the dealers online and getting a price quote via the internet. It may take 3-4 days to get quotes from them, but I got a quote $1500 below invoice and that is much lower than the dealers were telling me in person.

They were saying they sell so quick they won't haggle. One offered me $200 below MSRP on good faith since my family has bought cars from them before. I was insulted, so I consulted the internet and got a better deal.

[wiiprii]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tekn0wledg @ Aug 21 2007, 10:57 AM) [snapback]499820[/snapback]</div>

Well, I think the key is to do what is most comfortable for yourself. If you aren't comfortable paying above invoice, then perhaps you should wait to buy a Prius until they come down a bit.

The other option would be to look at CarsDirect.com and see what the going rate is in your neck of the woods.

I would also recommend looking up the dealers online and getting a price quote via the internet. It may take 3-4 days to get quotes from them, but I got a quote $1500 below invoice and that is much lower than the dealers were telling me in person.

They were saying they sell so quick they won't haggle. One offered me $200 below MSRP on good faith since my family has bought cars from them before. I was insulted, so I consulted the internet and got a better deal.
[/b]

The best time to buy a new car is the last day of the month. The best best time is the last day of the year.

Just go in and tell them you'll pay MSRP, nothing more. And then you have to wait around. Just hang out on the lot until closing, usually around 9pm. Tell them your offer stands. Especially on the last day of the month or year, you'll probably get the deal if you're patient enough.

We paid more than MSRP for our 2007 Prius last October. They were offering a special on financing, a 60 month loan for 5.99% which we got. But since my wife was buying with her money, I didn't try to talk them down at all, which I regret somewhat. BUT we've been enjoying the car so much, we have no regrets at all. The more I drive the car, the more glad I am we didn't buy a Camry, which we were originally planning to do.

[PriusOwner004]

Where are you located? I might be able to help you find a good dealer.

[dorf]

1st Know exactly what you want and what you need.

Use the Toyota Internet sites for your local dealers.

Stick with what you want.

Get the newest Invoice price and go from there.[b]

Some dealers will call back with "what can i do for you/" approach-go somewhere else.

When you go to the showroom they can (on their computer) show what is due in and where it is.

Let them order what you want. It will take a few weeks or less.

and.......lastly , if you finance...shop for financing before you show up at the dealer.

[MarkMN]

It seems more difficult to get a deal on the Prius in the Midwest compared to the West coast, but you should NOT pay over MSRP (those days are long over). I haggeled with 3 salespersons and 3 internet salespeople and only 1 was willing to haggle with me to deal below MSRP. I got 700 dollars below MSRP, but that was back in February. I believe now it is a little bit easier to haggle than then though. You could consider calling the dealors in a nearby market (think of the next big city down the highway).

[a priori]

Sorry to hear about your predicament, but it is not an unfamiliar situation in the Midwest. I was glad to pay MSRP, but then I was willing to wait for a special-order car.

Even so, when I actually found dealers with cars on their lots, the cars were already sold. I arrived at one dealership just half an hour after a car was delivered. It had been "sold", but the buyer had not waited and purchased a Prius at another local dealership. So, they offered it to me on the spot, but the "deal" they gave me was MSRP if I brought cash by the end of the day!

Well, I waited another month or so before my ordered car arrived. I forked over the MSRP, but then bought the extended warranty at a big discount (not the PriusChat discount, but only $50 more). I would love to have haggled to get a lower price, but no one wanted to talk. The response was always MSRP or more. When it was more, I wrote off the dealership.

We ended up buying from the same dealership that sold us our Sienna two years ago. We've been pleased with their service department, so it seemed to be a good fit.

I wish you well in your search, but I suggest that you won't find a new '07 in the Midwest. Our local dealer has been keeping a list for 2008s for about six weeks.

[manda1983]

I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago when I decided to buy mine... I live in Northern California so things might be different... but I got the best deal through Costco. If you go to Costco's website (try this link Costco Auto ), they will hook you up with a dealership in your area. That dealership will find the Prius you're looking for, and give it to you BELOW INVOICE (invoice is lower than MSRP). Also, since you won't be financing through Toyota, you get a much lower APR rate as well. I got my '07 with package #4 for $800 below invoice and 5% APR (instead of the 9% Toyota was gonna offer me). The only problem you may run into right now is that the '08 model will be on the lot soon, therefore the dealership may not be able to find the exact color and package you're looking for in an '07 (they have not been given the prices for the '08 model yet). Hope this was helpful... let us know how it goes!

[Rae Vynn]

Our local dealer gave us the Costco price we had been quoted.
Make use of every avenue, and don't be afraid to go out of town, or out of state! You may be able to save a lot more than it costs to get to a distant dealership, if they have the car for you at the price you want.

[lefat1]

<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]

i ordered from consumer reports the 2008 prius price service..regular prius $20771 dealer invoice, touring $21506 dealer invoice, the report also includes all the dealer prices for options, i also got in touch with the costco rep at palm bch toyota and he stated that they charge $1000 over their invoice, if i were in your shoes i would tell the dealer i know the prices and will go thru costco or another area if necessary, they have quotas to meet so they need to move as many units as they can..dont let them fool you, i had 2 dealers call me today stating they will get me the 1st to land with the options i want and at the price i want to pay.. the ball is in your court.
hope this helps
john