Any advice for getting best deal?

[robothell]

Will be purchasing Prius in Seattle area and would welcome any advice for getting best deal on a new '09 Prius. Test drove at local dealer, sales guy was low pressure, knowledgeable, and spent a lot of time answering our questions. They require 10% deposit to put name on list. Wait is currently about 2 months. We are not in any hurry.

Any advice on how to proceed with getting best deal, picking a dealership, etc.? Have no trade-in.

[rigormortis]

10% down sounds steep. the average i have read was $500 to be put on a waiting list

[Jack66]

If you are in no hurry then wait a little longer when things have settled down and there are no waiting lists -- the price should come down a little and you can haggle more. Also, the dealers get a little nervous if a Prius stays on the lot for more than a few days and you can sometimes get a great deal by being willing to walk out of the dealership.\

Good luck.

[rigormortis]

instead of placing 10 % down , put down 500 at 5 different dealerships and increase
your chances of getting one???? and then ask for refunds from the other dealerships??

when i bought mine back in 2007 i called the credit union and they trucked the prius
i wanted 80 miles away from navato all the way to san jose so i can buy it, do they still do that? am i the only one that had a prius delivered to my local dealership (in 2 days) on here???

back in feb 07 all the dealers were well stocked up

[richard schumacher]

For car buying advice consult Consumer Reports car issue (April) or website. My Prius was my second new car purchase; using their ideas saved me time, bother, and a little money (there's not much bargaining room on a Prius).

[lalawhite]

Beginning next year hybrids in Washington are going to be sales tax exempt. I wouldn't be rushing if I were you! You can definitely take your time and find the best offer/dealership being offered...and who knows, you might have some leverage if a lot of people are choosing to wait until the new year to buy and you want to buy immediately.

[rigormortis]

heck, i'd buy one in washington and drive it to california to save $2,000 but then theres that california smog warranty to consider

[direstraits71]

quote: heck, i'd buy one in washington and drive it to california to save $2,000 but then theres that california smog warranty to consider

That won't work. As soon as you try to register it in California they hit you for the full California sales tax minus what you paid in the other state where you purchased it. This from the state who tried to tax pensions when you moved out of state because you had worked in California. Fortunately the Feds said no way on that!

[rigormortis]

rats

[Casey123]

Last Saturday I picked up my touring prius. While at the dealer I asked how long the waiting list is now. He pulled out about 4 inches worth of Prius orders from his file. He showed me the orders that were made and deposits recieved for. The vast majority of the orders stated a wait of 6 to 9 months.