Prius Shopper with questions

-CC- · 03-09-2008, 11:00 PM

Hi,
Well, the BIG decision has been made--we ARE going to by a new Prius. Now all the zillion little decisions have to be made and from everything I've read on PriusChat, this is the ideal place to get answers. Therefore:

The choice between the Touring Edition and the standard Prius is the biggest one. I'm really interested in why those of you who have a Touring Edition made that choice. And those who considered it but bought the standard Prius, why? My current preference is leaning toward the standard.

Everything I've read seems to indicate that their are NO CURRENT REBATES for purchasing a 2008 Prius. Correct?

Generally what sort of a ballpark reduction from MSRP can one expect?

Peace,
--CC--

qbee42 · 03-09-2008, 11:13 PM

I bought the standard with everything but leather. Unheated leather gets very cold up here in the winter. I like the softer ride of the standard Prius, but then I'm no longer a young aggressive driver. Handling has been great, even on the highway. I did switch to Micheline MXV4+ Energy tires, and that improved road noise, ride, handling, and winter traction. I don't much like the OEM tires on the standard model. The standard model is also much easier to find and comes in a variety of packages.

Tom

Jack66 · 03-09-2008, 11:25 PM

I bought the standard and haven't regretted it and I haven't felt like the suspension was mushy like some of the more proficient drivers report.

You are correct concerning the rebate -- it is a rebate that the manufacturer applies for and it goes towards the puchasers until a specific number of qualifying cars are sold by that manufacturer. Toyota did so well that the rebate and the partial rebate ended last year. I bought my Prius knowing the rebate was gone.

qbee42 · 03-10-2008, 09:47 AM

It's still a good buy without the rebate.

Tom

-CC- · 03-10-2008, 10:27 AM

Thanks for the info. What a nice, friendly, helpful group!

Does anybody have any hints/tips for Internet shopping for a Prius? Michigan's Thumb is, in its own way, nearly as remote as Northern Michigan.

Thanks,
--CC--

judymcfarland · 03-10-2008, 10:38 AM

Main reason I got the touring was that I would have had to wait longer to get the standard model. However, since I've had it, I've not been sorry to have the brighter headlights, the bigger (and better) tires, and firmer suspension.

Husker4theSpurs · 03-10-2008, 03:10 PM

I test drove both and liked the Touring better ... it felt more connected to the road and wasn't as "floaty" and cornered better. When I say all these things, I am not saying that the Touring is rough and sporty, but moreso that I felt the base/standard ride was just not that great imho.

I just felt more comfortable in the Touring from the get go after driving the base model first. I liked the idea of having a little bit larger wheel as well and preferred the look of the plastic wheel covers and slightly larger spoiler as well.

If you are wanting Pkg 3 & below, you would have the benefit of getting HIDs in the Touring in ANY package since HIDs only come on Pkg 4 & above on the base/standard models.

halleyscomet · 03-10-2008, 03:18 PM

my pkg #6 standard (went with pkg#6 for leather, because it cleans up so nice) was $25,892, msrp $27,884 (and sticker price) about $2,000 under msrp...

-CC- · 03-10-2008, 09:04 PM

Thanks for all the good info, Folks.

I have a new question (probably one of many more as I become a new Prius owner). I just got an internet quote from a dealer that included the phrase, " (plus tax, title, plate, doc and CVR). Destination is already included." I understand tax, title, and plate but can somebody help me out with "doc and CVR"? I'm guessing "doc" might be documentation, but I haven't a clue what CVR is.

Thanks,
--CC--

Winston · 03-11-2008, 02:23 PM

Doc and CVR are probably junk fees. I don't know what they are specifically. They should be able to include those fees in their quote.

You should be able to get $2k + off MSRP for a package 5 or 6. It seems like you already know this, but only deal with the "internet department".

03-09-2008, 11:00 PM	#1
-CC- Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Michigan's Thumb Posts: 9 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Prius Shopper with questions Hi, Well, the BIG decision has been made--we ARE going to by a new Prius. Now all the zillion little decisions have to be made and from everything I've read on PriusChat, this is the ideal place to get answers. Therefore: The choice between the Touring Edition and the standard Prius is the biggest one. I'm really interested in why those of you who have a Touring Edition made that choice. And those who considered it but bought the standard Prius, why? My current preference is leaning toward the standard. Everything I've read seems to indicate that their are NO CURRENT REBATES for purchasing a 2008 Prius. Correct? Generally what sort of a ballpark reduction from MSRP can one expect? Peace, --CC--

03-09-2008, 11:13 PM	#2
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,226 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: Prius Shopper with questions I bought the standard with everything but leather. Unheated leather gets very cold up here in the winter. I like the softer ride of the standard Prius, but then I'm no longer a young aggressive driver. Handling has been great, even on the highway. I did switch to Micheline MXV4+ Energy tires, and that improved road noise, ride, handling, and winter traction. I don't much like the OEM tires on the standard model. The standard model is also much easier to find and comes in a variety of packages. Tom

03-09-2008, 11:25 PM	#3
Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Stafford, Virginia Posts: 767 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 6 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	Re: Prius Shopper with questions I bought the standard and haven't regretted it and I haven't felt like the suspension was mushy like some of the more proficient drivers report. You are correct concerning the rebate -- it is a rebate that the manufacturer applies for and it goes towards the puchasers until a specific number of qualifying cars are sold by that manufacturer. Toyota did so well that the rebate and the partial rebate ended last year. I bought my Prius knowing the rebate was gone.

03-10-2008, 09:47 AM	#4
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 5,226 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Re: Prius Shopper with questions It's still a good buy without the rebate. Tom

03-10-2008, 10:27 AM	#5
-CC- Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Michigan's Thumb Posts: 9 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius Shopper with questions Thanks for the info. What a nice, friendly, helpful group! Does anybody have any hints/tips for Internet shopping for a Prius? Michigan's Thumb is, in its own way, nearly as remote as Northern Michigan. Thanks, --CC--

03-10-2008, 10:38 AM	#6
judymcfarland Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Glendale, WI Posts: 312 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	Re: Prius Shopper with questions Main reason I got the touring was that I would have had to wait longer to get the standard model. However, since I've had it, I've not been sorry to have the brighter headlights, the bigger (and better) tires, and firmer suspension.

03-10-2008, 03:10 PM	#7
Husker4theSpurs Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 229 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius Shopper with questions I test drove both and liked the Touring better ... it felt more connected to the road and wasn't as "floaty" and cornered better. When I say all these things, I am not saying that the Touring is rough and sporty, but moreso that I felt the base/standard ride was just not that great imho. I just felt more comfortable in the Touring from the get go after driving the base model first. I liked the idea of having a little bit larger wheel as well and preferred the look of the plastic wheel covers and slightly larger spoiler as well. If you are wanting Pkg 3 & below, you would have the benefit of getting HIDs in the Touring in ANY package since HIDs only come on Pkg 4 & above on the base/standard models.

03-10-2008, 03:18 PM	#8
halleyscomet Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southwest PA Posts: 36 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius Shopper with questions my pkg #6 standard (went with pkg#6 for leather, because it cleans up so nice) was $25,892, msrp $27,884 (and sticker price) about $2,000 under msrp...

03-10-2008, 09:04 PM	#9
-CC- Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Michigan's Thumb Posts: 9 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius Shopper with questions Thanks for all the good info, Folks. I have a new question (probably one of many more as I become a new Prius owner). I just got an internet quote from a dealer that included the phrase, " (plus tax, title, plate, doc and CVR). Destination is already included." I understand tax, title, and plate but can somebody help me out with "doc and CVR"? I'm guessing "doc" might be documentation, but I haven't a clue what CVR is. Thanks, --CC--

03-11-2008, 02:23 PM	#10
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 543 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Prius Shopper with questions Doc and CVR are probably junk fees. I don't know what they are specifically. They should be able to include those fees in their quote. You should be able to get $2k + off MSRP for a package 5 or 6. It seems like you already know this, but only deal with the "internet department".