Prius Price Gouging !!!!

[destro23]

Got an email stating that a used prius came in to local shop 2008 bare bones #1 i think with 20k miles(prob a fleet car). Refused to tell me price over phone because to may people were inquiring about it. So i asked him whats the current "higest bid" and he almost sounded offended, So i asked him tell me the price and i'll come in and buy it if its right. He refused and asked me to rush to the dealer ASAP. I didn't.

Yesterday i get a call on 2 preowned 2008 Prius #4 and #6 i think, both prob fleet cars. lowest price was $28,500 !!!!!

Honda Civic Hybrids are available for about $23,000, So it looks like i'm going to pick up a Regular honda Civic for now and try and pay a normal price for a Prius in 2010 as any gas savings are still null over price increase by a year and a 1/2.

I understand that right now is also a "dead spot" in pruduction, a "dead spot" right before next gen, and they are sending units away from the weak US dollar.

Gotta love supply and demand. But if you do the math, Regular Honda Civic(or similar car) can be had for about $17,000 ~$10,000 dollars cheaper.

So People.. At this point you might as well wait!

Thanks for reading my rant.

[Bohous]

Seems like ma common theme here recently. Enjoy your Civic. It's a great car.

[lefat1]

KEEP UR EYES OPEN FOR AN 09, NOT THE NEXT GEN. i did that last year and got an 08 in november no problem

[destro23]

at this point i'm looking for a second car.. I have a 550 bmw but just opened up a second business and it's 130 mile round trip.. and i have no problem driving any car(as long as it has ice cold AC!!!)

So i'm Thinking Honda Civic for now.. and check out the Prius in a year and a 1/2. Maybee a "second run" on production of new body style.

I love everything about the prius but the current frenzied market and simple math that i'm doing in my head just doesn't add up.

[PriusSport]

The Prius market went nuts the second week in May, a week after I ordered mine. It was delivered May 20, and by that time there was a 3 month wait on orders. Now the situation is worse--many dealers are charging a $2-3K premium over invoice. Unless you can find an honest dealer (they are out there), stay away from the Prius until those idiots in Washington finally do something about oil futures.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by PriusSport

The Prius market went nuts the second week in May, a week after I ordered mine. It was delivered May 20, and by that time there was a 3 month wait on orders. Now the situation is worse--many dealers are charging a $2-3K premium over invoice. Unless you can find an honest dealer (they are out there), stay away from the Prius until those idiots in Washington finally do something about oil futures.

Totally agree on the May timing! My deposit was May 15th and delivery on May 20th. MSRP and good value on my trade. Of course, earlier in the year would have been better, but....hindsight.
Can't hurt to be on a list, something might fall in your lap.

[viking31]

Originally Posted by PriusSport

The Prius market went nuts the second week in May, a week after I ordered mine. It was delivered May 20, and by that time there was a 3 month wait on orders. Now the situation is worse--many dealers are charging a $2-3K premium over invoice. Unless you can find an honest dealer (they are out there), stay away from the Prius until those idiots in Washington finally do something about oil futures.

Not quite sure where you are from but here in the US we have a neat system called capitalism. Basically it means if you sell a product you can charge whatever you desire. In nearly all cases, even our government cannot tell you what you can charge. Sure we have rules and regulations in place to prevent monopolies but if a dealer wishes to tack on a premium on a Prius because of a high demand, well, that hardly qualifies as a monopoly.

I suppose if you are bitter at the added charges being tacked onto the Prius because of high demand, then perhaps you should buy your own dealership (or start manufacturing automobiles) and sell your cars at or below cost. That way you could sleep at night knowing you are a "honest" dealer; not some shady character who actually has the nerve to make a profit.

Not quite sure what you meant about oil futures, but are you suggesting we dismantle all commodities, stocks, and futures investments? You just cannot pick on oil. Next you'll be complaining about corn prices, beef prices, metal prices, coal prices, pork bellies, etc. Maybe we should ban most if not all forms of investing. After all, these greedy investors are only out to make a profit, right?

Rick
#4 2006

[DeadPhish]

This affects everyone. I personally know of a professional buyer at an auto auction who paid $25000 ( !!! ) last month for a 2007 Pck #1 with ~12000 mi on it ( Enterprise fleet turn in )!!

That's $2500 over the original sticker - a year ago. I'll venture that it will take 2 weeks for this vehicle to sell at ~ $28000. As noted previously a Corolla, Civic, Matrix is a 'better' buy for the time being.....But all three are close to being sold out as well. Now THAT's scary.

Where does one go when all the Prius', Civics, Corolla's, Fusions, Matrix/Vibes, Yaris', Fits, Versa's and Mazda3s are sold out? I'm not just being funny here. Begin to watch for spot shortages on the bread and butter compact vehicles. Everyone of them had massive sales last month nearly wiping out existing inventories another big month and 4th of July weekend may wipe out all small car inventories.

Cobalt? Aveo?

[DeadPhish]

Originally Posted by viking31

Not quite sure where you are from but here in the US we have a neat system called capitalism. Basically it means if you sell a product you can charge whatever you desire. In nearly all cases, even our government cannot tell you what you can charge. Sure we have rules and regulations in place to prevent monopolies but if a dealer wishes to tack on a premium on a Prius because of a high demand, well, that hardly qualifies as a monopoly.

I suppose if you are bitter at the added charges being tacked onto the Prius because of high demand, then perhaps you should buy your own dealership (or start manufacturing automobiles) and sell your cars at or below cost. That way you could sleep at night knowing you are a "honest" dealer; not some shady character who actually has the nerve to make a profit.

Not quite sure what you meant about oil futures, but are you suggesting we dismantle all commodities, stocks, and futures investments? You just cannot pick on oil. Next you'll be complaining about corn prices, beef prices, metal prices, coal prices, pork bellies, etc. Maybe we should ban most if not all forms of investing. After all, these greedy investors are only out to make a profit, right?

Rick
#4 2006

This is very accurate.

A couple of comments. The two business of making/selling vehicles and retailing vehicles are completely independent from each other. Once the vehicle is sold to the retailer it's only subject to the supply and demand in that local market.

The complainers about oil futures prices have only one person to blame ... themselves. HUH?

IF Jose in Barcelona and Dmitri in St. Petersburg and Mr Lee in Hong Kong are each willing to buy a futures contract at $1 per bbl higher than the last owner it's only because they each are willing to risk that Mr DeadPhish and Mr. Viking31 and Mr PriusSport are going to pay the higher price at the pump when the oil arrives, is refined, shipped and retailed. If we refused to pay that little 'bump' then they would lose money on that contract and back off, bidding less for the next contract, meaning the price would fall. But as long as we and our competitors in China, Asia, Europe, India are all trying to outbid each other for that next gallon at the pump then the futures buyers are safe.

Without us to buy the final product they have no market...that's basic economics. It's WE who determine the prices. We validate their risks by saying YES when we pump.

[donkey]

Originally Posted by DeadPhish

This affects everyone. I personally know of a professional buyer at an auto auction who paid $25000 ( !!! ) last month for a 2007 Pck #1 with ~12000 mi on it ( Enterprise fleet turn in )!!

That's $2500 over the original sticker - a year ago. I'll venture that it will take 2 weeks for this vehicle to sell at ~ $28000. As noted previously a Corolla, Civic, Matrix is a 'better' buy for the time being.....But all three are close to being sold out as well. Now THAT's scary.

Where does one go when all the Prius', Civics, Corolla's, Fusions, Matrix/Vibes, Yaris', Fits, Versa's and Mazda3s are sold out? I'm not just being funny here. Begin to watch for spot shortages on the bread and butter compact vehicles. Everyone of them had massive sales last month nearly wiping out existing inventories another big month and 4th of July weekend may wipe out all small car inventories.

Cobalt? Aveo?

Here in LA I've been noticing a lot of new Yaris lately. Checked the inventories at the local dealers and the compact cars such as Yaris and Corolla are definitely very low on inventory, compared to the larger cars like the Camry. This is not surprising at all with these gas prices, which seem to go up every day. It's about $4.60 for regular around here and $4.85 for premium. Seems like $5.00 by July 4th is very plausible.