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help me decide? 2011 or 2012

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by run for cover, Mar 9, 2012.

  1. run for cover

    run for cover New Member

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    Ok. So I am in the market for a prius and debating on which to pick up.

    2011 package 2 I could get for $20878 plus tt

    OR

    2011 package 3 for $21780

    OR

    2012 Package 2 for $22900

    is there a huge difference between the 2011 and the 2012?

    does the 2011 3 compare to the 2012 2.

    I searched and couldnt really find anything.

    All help is greatly appreciated!
     
  2. scooter4n

    scooter4n Junior Member

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    go with 2012.
    I just got one, and dealer dropped from $22900 to $22250 on the spot without even tasking twice. Plus to seal the deal he added full front clear bra, now that was a deal I cant not pass.
    I was going to get it anyway, but after offering me that, I was like WOW.
    well worth it...
     
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Ouch, $217800 is a bit steep for the 11 - 3 but the 11 - 2 is a good deal. If the refresh look doesn't mean much I would get the 11.
     
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  4. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Actually according to TrueCar any of the cars listed are great deals. As long as the prices he is quoting include the destination charge and advertising fees. My checking with some lowball prices seen on the net, that they did not include these fees - which run $750 and $500 respectively. That was one refreshing thing in dealing with Koons Toyota is that the pricing on cars.com included those fees.

    As mentioned to run for cover in my emails to him, the mystery is the trade unless one is ready to take and do Carmax for the trade and then go back to the other dealer for the buy.

    The other missing piece to the pricing is what he will pay for the dealer processing charge in Virginia. Koons Toyota charges a whooping $499!!!!

    For me I liked the refreshing in my 2012. Also I was lucky to score the color combo I was really looking for (winter grey/dark grey) at a great price according to TrueCar at Carmax Toyota in Laurel MD. Was close to settling on a 2011 Blizzard White w/light grey interior till i was being screwed on the trade at Koons. And Carmax has no bs in fees and such. They charge only $99 dealer processing fees.

    I love the new LED DRLs. The iPod connectivity of the 2012-2 is icing on the cake. So very happy to have a 2012 vs a 2011.
     
  5. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    I still don't think $217,800 that he has written down is a good deal ;)
    I do too and if I was in the same boat, I would buy the 12. In fact, if the bumper skins fit my 10 (which it probably will as Toyota is pretty good at that), I will get one and upgrade mine.
     
  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I like the refresh.

    Mostly because I like the return to a touch screen in the Prius. Across all package levels.

    I think the refresh is an improvement.

    To be honest? The only thing I don't like about the refresh is the tail lights. My personal opinon is the new Tail Lights have a crazy Cheshire Cat's Eye look to them. They look a little too busy to me.

    But besides that, I think the refresh is an improvement. If the cost saving of comparable packages is minimal? I would go with the 2012. IMO >1500 savings is not worth it. I'd leverage for a better deal on a 2011 if I was going to buy one.
     
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  7. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    LOL

    I saw his typo, though Oursman Toyota earlier this week had a bunch of Prii listed at 200k for a 2012-2 :eek:

    I like the refresh, just wish the JDM side view mirrors had made it over in the refresh. Then a no-braner.

    Won't go on a rant as to what should be and not be included as safety measures here in the US as standard equipement. But side view mirrors with turn signals is a no-brainier to me. Back-up cameras? Just slow down and pay attention.
     
  8. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Agree with my purse strings here, and that is why I am a happy camper that Koons Toyota was screwing me on my trade for my '03 Baja... Ended up with a 2012 in the color combo I wanted for about the extra you mentioned.

    Given that I tend to keep this new car for 8 to 10 years, the extra $ was well spent.
     
  9. jhknight

    jhknight Junior Member

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    I was at Toyota dealer this morning debating the very same question; 2011 or 2012. Then I drove a 'C' just for giggles. After which I decided it's probably best to just put new tires on my 2002 Prius and wait for December 21st...
    We were at the dealer for an oil change. My wife had suddenly gotten interested in a new car out of the blue and she asked for a drive in a 'C'. I am still fuming at my experience with the sales rep after I asked what's new in the 2012 Prius. Not only did the rep not know but when I pointedly asked about the touch screen being back in the 2012 and not in the 2011 the sales rep actually argued with me it wasn't or else ditched the question. PLUS the salesperson boldly stated that I must buy now, the longer I wait the higher the price goes! I need to do nothing. But which is worse; the price gouging oil companies or the price gouging Toyota Prius dealers? And despite the fact they were telling me they "need" my used Prius would not give me more than $3k for it??? Wth? I know they would fix the dents and tires and sell it for 8! Arrogance peeves me. And so I think I will keep my 2002 till it dies.
     
  10. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Hate dealers after Koons Toyota after the lowball trade offer... But without more details on your 2002 the trade might be off the mark out our way.... based on KBB values....
     
  11. Gurple42

    Gurple42 New Member

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    I never ever trade in a car to a dealer, private party sell and then go buy. The dealer wants to make a profit on both ends (that's his business) so you will almost always do better selling your trade in yourself, remember each $1000 counts!
     
  12. run for cover

    run for cover New Member

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    ChipL is right, he got a VERY good price.....its the processing fee is what kills the deal.

    Best I have come up with so far is $22,491 plus the $760 frieght, $389 processing fee and then tax tags and title. This is for a 2012 prius 2

    think i was stray away from the blizzard white even though its beautiful
     
  13. run for cover

    run for cover New Member

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    Well I did it. Pulled the Trigger. Koons Tysons Toyota. $23671 plus ttl. Didnt get charged for freight. Processing fee was $499 but still. Fair price for a prius 2 2012.
     
  14. mn4az

    mn4az Junior Member

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    @JHKNIGHT - Why Dec 21?

    FWIW.. I was quoted $27721 + TTL and state registration fees (all in all about 30k) for a 2012 Prius 4. This included the 5-piece all weather floor mats and cargo mat + the applique (which I have no need for).
     
  15. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Great, was that for the Blizzard Pearl?
     
  16. run for cover

    run for cover New Member

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    no was for any color other than blizzard white. Most dealers told me to get lost when i stated that was the price i was willing to pay. In NOVA the going price is aroudn $300 under MSRP and we have crazy dealer fees and processing fees. Its steep.
     
  17. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Sadly dealer greed has set in over the past couple of weeks with the talk of $5 a gallon gas. Even TrueCar pricing has changed dramatically even in the past week. It is now showing a "great" price of $24,300 for the 2012-2's. So we both did well with our prices.

    The missing piece from the likes of Edmunds on dealer invoice is the advertising fee charged to the dealer, about $500 for our region. That puts invoice at about $23,300 before any holdback and hidden incentives.

    Dealer fees are ridiculous here in Virginia for sure. I paid only $99 in Maryland.

    BTW hope you used Toney J at Koons.