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

[marcusa]

I just left a deposit in southern CA for a IV Prius w/sunroof which is due to arrive with dealer's initial allocaton in June. I did not want any additional optional equipment. 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

The dealer said that, at least for the time being, ALL (within the region) of the package IV models w/sunroof are equipped from Toyota with those options. Therefore, I either buy the car as equipped now or wait.

I almost walked because the security system is pricy and the standard equipment security system is adequate. In the end, I accepted paying for the "optional" equipment, rather than wait, possibly months, to get the car equipped the way I wanted.

That Toyota policy took some of the initial joy out of my purchase.

I was wondering what other Prius III buyers are experiencing when it comes to obligatory "optional" equipment, region by region; and what you think about it.

[Paradox]

Originally Posted by marcusa

I just left a deposit in southern CA for a IV Prius w/sunroof which is due to arrive with dealer's initial allocaton in June. I did not want any additional optional equipment. 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

The dealer said that, at least for the time being, ALL (within the region) of the package IV models w/sunroof are equipped from Toyota with those options. Therefore, I either buy the car as equipped now or wait.

I almost walked because the security system is pricy and the standard equipment security system is adequate. In the end, I accepted paying for the "optional" equipment, rather than wait, possibly months, to get the car equipped the way I wanted.

That Toyota policy took some of the initial joy out of my purchase.

I was wondering what other Prius III buyers are experiencing when it comes to obligatory "optional" equipment, region by region; and what you think about it.

I guess that region is having the port install those POI's (Port Installed Options) like it or leave it...

I don't agree with it personally, one should be able to choose what accessories they want, not have that decision made for them by a dealer, a port etc. I for one HATE pinstripes but so many dealers just do it and want to charge you for it...

Looking at what you had to take, the floor mats seem to be a pretty standard thing that many have to take. I usually take out the carpeted ones that i am made to buy and jsut put in my own rubber mats, but since I have to take em' to get the car I usually just do. The bumper protector is pretty cheap, like $69 bucks. I know from others testimony it does help alot but still, I wouldn't spend for it considering the way I trade in vehicles. The alarm is the thing I would hate to have to pay for but hey maybe you can get some sort of an extra discount with your insurance for having it and that'll offset it a bit?

Hey, whatever you had to take, it's still a nice deal and I am sure you'll love the car! Enjoy it

[2009Prius]

Buy early and pay high; buy late and pay low. Seems a universal trend.

Enjoy your new car.

[eglmainz]

Originally Posted by Paradox

Looking at what you had to take, the floor mats seem to be a pretty standard thing that many have to take. I usually take out the carpeted ones that i am made to buy and jsut put in my own rubber mats, but since I have to take em' to get the car I usually just do. The bumper protector is pretty cheap, like $69 bucks. I know from others testimony it does help alot but still, I wouldn't spend for it considering the way I trade in vehicles.

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.

[eglmainz]

Originally Posted by 2009Prius

Buy early and pay high; buy late and pay low. Seems a universal trend.

Enjoy your new car.

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'...

[Steve Cebu]

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.

Thanks, I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow and ask if I can get the all weather mats versus the carpeted ones. I have no use for carpeted floor mats in New England.

[Lafferty]

There are dealers in Southern California that will take off accessories at the port.

Feel free to PM me and I can recommend some dealers that won't make you purchase accessories you don't want or don't need.

[fuzzy1]

Buy early and pay high; buy late and pay low. Seems a universal trend.

Except in Washington State, where yesterday afternoon we were informed that there will be 6.5-9.5% 'price hike' on August 1st, depending on one's tax jurisdiction. In reality, a tax exemption meant to last until Dec 31 2010 is being terminated early to help out with the state's budget catastrophe.

So this changes the former strategy of waiting three to six months for lower prices. How should one time a purchase to get the lowest price, and still achieve delivery by July 31? The answer will probably become clear sometime in August.

[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.

[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.