Newbie-Dealership Woes...Need advice

[Gen 3 for me]

I saw the car you want sitting in the as it came off the delivery truck with 2 lower models last weekend at the Peoria IL dealership, Not sure if it sold but I think this is an honest dealership.

[nylion]

No point in reprinting the original message.

1. It really can take a long time to get the exact Prius you want. I waited 6 months for my 2006. I am waiting only 2 weeks for my 2010 only because I am not fussy about color, and my company has a VIP program with the dealer.

2. I saw (in WA) some 2009's going for less than sticker, but in my experience you won't find a 2010 for less than full MSRP. Don't whine about that. It's what happens when you want one of the world's most desireable cars.

3. There are lots of dealers. Go check some out. Just bear in mind that if you want a Tundra you can get a discount and low financing. If you want a 2010 Prius, you won't get any deals.

[citfly]

Kevin,
You can buy a Prius IV with SRAT for a good price, but as I am, you will have to wait 4-5 months. Everyone else was higher often by $3K. I searched in person and by email from Pensacola to Miami and found Emily at Port Richey, FL. She was recommended by Junior Member Rahamanmd as he went through the same pains searching for the best price. Don't accept MSRP, always get the INVOICE cost. Most dealers will show you adjusted invoice costs. Good luck and let me know what you decide to buy.

[NCKevin]

Actually, I ended up getting a Prius III with leather upgrade & Nav from the original dealer. Once I checked around, I realized that his "sticker price" was not just some sales game. So...they can't get IV's due to supply/demand, but they had the one above coming in in a week from now, so I grabbed it. Not exactly what I wanted, but better than a 6 month wait. I'm looking forward to it.

[helenhih2o]

Originally Posted by NCKevin

Actually, I ended up getting a Prius III with leather upgrade & Nav from the original dealer. Once I checked around, I realized that his "sticker price" was not just some sales game. So...they can't get IV's due to supply/demand, but they had the one above coming in in a week from now, so I grabbed it. Not exactly what I wanted, but better than a 6 month wait. I'm looking forward to it.

NCKevin:

Did you participate in the CARS program at FA? How did it go?

Thanks.

[NCKevin]

Originally Posted by helenhih2o

NCKevin:

Did you participate in the CARS program at FA? How did it go?

Thanks.

Just posted in the other thread you commented in.

The process is an absolute no brainer. Obviously, since there is no negotiation on a trade-in and Prius's are selling at sticker, there was basically zero negotiation. It was more about trying to FIND A CAR that would be here sooner than 6 months! So...Fred Anderson had a Prius III coming in with Nav & Leather seats upgrade...I grabbed it.

I worked with Bob Gavin. Please tell him I sent you if you end up using him. At first (obviously, from the point of this thread), I thought he was playing sales games with the price and availability, but that's because I was naive to what is going on in the marketplace with these cars. Ultimately, he ended up being very helpful and I would recommend him...though I'm sure others are just as good.

Fred Anderson did a good job SO FAR. We'll see if I get my car in the week that he's told me. You can plan on me being on these forums griping, if not or if it's wrong! I still worry...ultimately, I don't trust dealers at all.

By the way, there was a smaller Fred Anderson dealer in Sanford that told me they may be able to get something quicker because they haven't been "found" yet as much as bigger dealers.

Good luck.