2008 Model

[gingerlee]

I'm planning on buying a new Prius (currently drive a 1999 Lexus 300) and wonder how I can find the best estimate of when the 2008's will be deliverable. And, will there be any discounts (like the current $2000) for the 2008? I'd love to wait for the 2008 but if it would save me the $2000 I'd probably buy a new 2007. Can anyone help? One dealer told me the 2008 wouldn't be at the dealers until Nov., and another said it would be more like early September. It's important to me as I'd like the car by October if possible. Thanks, Ginger

[gmlawrence]

When we bought our Prius last week the dealer told us the 2008's were probably not going to be delivered till about December. He said if you could wait that long than that is the way to go cause you can order exactly what you want. Otherwise go for what is on the lot.

[justifyd]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gmlawrence @ Jun 29 2007, 02:48 PM) [snapback]470221[/snapback]</div>

When we bought our Prius last week the dealer told us the 2008's were probably not going to be delivered till about December. He said if you could wait that long than that is the way to go cause you can order exactly what you want. Otherwise go for what is on the lot.
[/b]

I would expect it to be a lot like the '07 schedule: late October or sometime in November for the early units and another month or two for custom-ordered units. Perhaps someone who ordered a specific configuration of the '07 model in the spring/summer of '06 can tell us how quickly they received theirs.

FWIW, I ordered at the beginning of December and received mine mid-March.

I imagine the dealers will feel more like negotiating on their remaining '07 stock once the '08's start arriving. This year marks the first time Toyota has had to offer regular discounts on the Prius, so one could always hope for a nice clearance deal.

- Justifyd

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Justifyd @ Jun 29 2007, 06:28 PM) [snapback]470308[/snapback]</div>

This year marks the first time Toyota has had to offer regular discounts on the Prius, so one could always hope for a nice clearance deal.

- Justifyd
[/b]

Don't bet on it. Around here there aren't any to clear off the lots.

[doubleg2005]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gingerlee @ Jun 29 2007, 12:47 PM) [snapback]470127[/snapback]</div>

I'm planning on buying a new Prius (currently drive a 1999 Lexus 300) and wonder how I can find the best estimate of when the 2008's will be deliverable. And, will there be any discounts (like the current $2000) for the 2008? I'd love to wait for the 2008 but if it would save me the $2000 I'd probably buy a new 2007. Can anyone help? One dealer told me the 2008 wouldn't be at the dealers until Nov., and another said it would be more like early September. It's important to me as I'd like the car by October if possible. Thanks, Ginger
[/b]

if you're wanting one around October, go with the 07. there is still a tax credit available through Sept. 30 (like $700 but still...) but after Sept. 30 it is gone for good.

also, I read that the 08's prices will be up another $2k or so (they say it's to keep up with inflation...)

personally, i thought about waiting for the 08's but i'm going to go ahead and pick up an 07 in a few weeks and will probably upgrade around 2010 (or whenever the next gen comes out)

[aeronaut]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Jun 29 2007, 08:00 PM) [snapback]470380[/snapback]</div>

Don't bet on it [dealer discounts]. Around here there aren't any to clear off the lots.
[/b]

JimN,

I can't speak for Jersey, but here in Chicagoland, there were plenty sitting on lots in late April, when I started shopping seriously for mine. Then the price of gas went up over $4.00 a gallon here in Chicago, and this excess inventory quickly disappeared. I was locked in at a reduced price quote, and special ordered my touring edition, package #2, SPM. The place I got mine had 9 on the lot when I test drove them, and two weeks later was down to 1.

As someone who studies the dynamics of complex systems, I'd argue that the supply-demand relationship had a short overshoot on the response to increased demand, and then rebounded from that. And of course, there's other things affecting both quantities.

Still, it's possible that there will be some 2007s left on the lot when the 2008s roll in (sorry, gingerlee, but I have no useful data on when that will be, ...) and it's likely that those 2007 models will have price reductions.

Does anyone know if there are significant changes for the 2008s? Or is 2009 the next big change for the Prius? That information might be what helps gingerlee make the right decision for her.

Regards,

[NoMoShocks]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aeronaut @ Jul 2 2007, 01:25 PM) [snapback]471736[/snapback]</div>

JimN,

I can't speak for Jersey, but here in Chicagoland, there were plenty sitting on lots in late April, when I started shopping seriously for mine. Then the price of gas went up over $4.00 a gallon here in Chicago, and this excess inventory quickly disappeared. I was locked in at a reduced price quote, and special ordered my touring edition, package #2, SPM. The place I got mine had 9 on the lot when I test drove them, and two weeks later was down to 1.

As someone who studies the dynamics of complex systems, I'd argue that the supply-demand relationship had a short overshoot on the response to increased demand, and then rebounded from that. And of course, there's other things affecting both quantities.

Still, it's possible that there will be some 2007s left on the lot when the 2008s roll in (sorry, gingerlee, but I have no useful data on when that will be, ...) and it's likely that those 2007 models will have price reductions.

Does anyone know if there are significant changes for the 2008s? Or is 2009 the next big change for the Prius? That information might be what helps gingerlee make the right decision for her.

Regards,
[/b]

I think everywhere had a much better supply in late April than they do now in early July. I would not expect any $2000 discounts on the early 2008 models. Like 2007, they will probalby start the discounts in sometime between Feb and April.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aeronaut @ Jul 2 2007, 04:25 PM) [snapback]471736[/snapback]</div>

JimN,

I can't speak for Jersey, but here in Chicagoland, there were plenty sitting on lots in late April, when I started shopping seriously for mine. Then the price of gas went up over $4.00 a gallon here in Chicago, and this excess inventory quickly disappeared. I was locked in at a reduced price quote, and special ordered my touring edition, package #2, SPM. The place I got mine had 9 on the lot when I test drove them, and two weeks later was down to 1.

As someone who studies the dynamics of complex systems, I'd argue that the supply-demand relationship had a short overshoot on the response to increased demand, and then rebounded from that. And of course, there's other things affecting both quantities.

Still, it's possible that there will be some 2007s left on the lot when the 2008s roll in (sorry, gingerlee, but I have no useful data on when that will be, ...) and it's likely that those 2007 models will have price reductions.

Does anyone know if there are significant changes for the 2008s? Or is 2009 the next big change for the Prius? That information might be what helps gingerlee make the right decision for her.

Regards,
[/b]

By all accounts, the 2008 is going to be the same basic car. Aeronaut, I hope you're right. I expect the timing of the credit expiration and the end of the year's production to empty the lots. A $2000 price increase on the 2008 will make the last few 2007's look like bargains.