Toyota Obligatory "optional" equipment@ MSRP (take it or leave it)

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by eglmainz

I disagree. I paid under MSRP for my 2010 Prius V, but the local Toyota Dealer still has 3 new '09s selling at MSRP, and 2 used '08s selling for above $20k, with more than 30k miles on them.

I 'bought early' and still did not 'pay high'...

Good for you! However we know that a sample size of one won't be a good indication of the trend.

[Jabber]

Originally Posted by eglmainz

Paradox,

Talk to your dealer. If he is reasonable, like mine is (Thanks Jabber), they will allow you to swap the 5 piece carpeted floor (CF) mats package for the 5 piece all weather rubber (2Q) ones that you want. The bonus is that compared to the CF mats, the 2Q ones actually cost $1.00 cheaper. Not that great of a buy, but if you are gonna buy rubber ones anyway, why not do it now. (and save a buck). I also opted for the Bumper Applique.

Welcome!! BTW, yours now has a port date of 5/27. And the changes were accepted, so you now have the all weather and the rear bumper. As for the other itemwe discussed, I'll have to know by 5/26 if you want me to have them put on vs. you installing them.

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by Jabber

Welcome!! BTW, yours now has a port date of 5/27. And the changes were accepted, so you now have the all weather and the rear bumper. As for the other itemwe discussed, I'll have to know by 5/26 if you want me to have them put on vs. you installing them.

How does this kind of "port install" work? Who does it? (Toyota or dealer or 3rd party)? Where do the parts or accessories come from? (the same boat or somewhere else)? Who produces the corresponding window stickers? Thanks!

[fuzzy1]

Originally Posted by LTRAiN

oh no!! gonna have to look into that....the demand is gonna be huge here if that is the case.
probably will have to buy out of state and drive back...

Originally Posted by Danny

Fuzzy, I think you're stuck either way. Early on dealers will try to price the cars for "early adopters" and later in the summer they will price them accordingly as gas goes up.

Fortunately, since this issue arose, half the dealers I've (re-) contacted are not in gouge mode, and appear to be seeing a reasonable supply.

-- Dean

[Jabber]

Originally Posted by 2009Prius

How does this kind of "port install" work? Who does it? (Toyota or dealer or 3rd party)? Where do the parts or accessories come from? (the same boat or somewhere else)? Who produces the corresponding window stickers? Thanks!

Whoa.. lots o' questions..

They are toyota employees at the port that installs them. They are genuine toyota accessories. They are taken off the shelf, not put on the boat with the car. After they get installed, a new monroney label (window sticker) is printed. Car gets shipped.

[fuzzy1]

... However, I was obliged to purchase the following options at MSRP if I wanted the car:

Rear bumper applique
V.I.P. RS 3200 Plus Security System
Floor Mats
...
I was wondering what other Prius III buyers are experiencing when it comes to obligatory "optional" equipment, region by region; ...

In my shopping, the 'obligatory optional equipment' has been different for every dealer. One has mats only. One has mats and carpets. One has everything you list and plenty more, totaling $2438.

[mirak]

$200 for floor mats is a ripoff and any dealer which refuses to remove them is gouging you. You can buy perfectly fine mats for a fraction of the cost at any parts store.

This isn't like a bumper applique that can't be removed once it is applied. The dealer can just take the mats out and sell them to someone else.

Usually, the finance officer is the one pushing the mats, along with extended warranty and PPM while closing the deal.

Mats and other cheap items are a common giveaway when salesmen are trying to reel you in. "Ooh! You'll throw in a genuine Toyota tire pressure gauge? Sold!"

[LTRAiN]

Originally Posted by fuzzy1

Fortunately, since this issue arose, half the dealers I've (re-) contacted are not in gouge mode, and appear to be seeing a reasonable supply.

-- Dean

thanks dean...i was looking forward to buying one of these puppies at the end of the year....my timeline just moved up 6 months.

so far i have just requested a quote online today from from a dealer and havent heard back other than a few automatic replys.

i would really like to wait until july...i hope i can find "my" prius @ msrp by then. a savings of $2500 +/- is worth pulling the trigger early.

[HTMLSpinnr]

Originally Posted by mirak

$200 for floor mats is a ripoff and any dealer which refuses to remove them is gouging you. You can buy perfectly fine mats for a fraction of the cost at any parts store.

$200 mats include 4 factory mats that match in color as well as the cargo area. These are higher than previously, but $200 is MSRP. The driver's side also has an anchor hook that keeps it from creeping up under the accelerator pedal. I'm not so sure this would be a choice after market.

I've gotten them in each previous car and would continue to get them as it's much easier to pull out mats and hose them off than to shampoo the car.

[Steve Cebu]

Originally Posted by LTRAiN

oh no!! gonna have to look into that....the demand is gonna be huge here if that is the case.

probably will have to buy out of state and drive back...what a hassle and waste of miles.

Gas will easily be $3 a gallon this summer. We are now at $2.29 up from $1.97 just 10 days ago. It will go even higher when the Govt adds that 50 cent per gallon increase to make up for lost revenue because of fuel efficient cars. although that will not be until next year.