Trade in 2010 Prius IV for one w/Solar?

Just had the car less than 2 weeks but now i'm thinking i need one with the sunroof considering the sunny location of my area. The car only has 500mi on it.

Would it be worth my time to trade this in for the Prius IV w/solar? How much of a hit will i take for having 500mi on a brand new car? I don't even have the registration yet so not sure how the logistics would work if i traded it in..

Hi:

I don't know what would happen in the States (especially considering the want for the Prius III) but normally you would take a 'big' hit - depreciation and all!

However, if you purchased this vehicle and just want a 'sunroof' there was another post earlier talking about an Aftermarket option you may want to consider. Might be the least expensive way to go.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-modifications/65510-aftermarket-sunroof.html

All the best.....

Edward
Marystown, Newfoundland
Canada

I'd think that you'd take a 20% hit on depreciation driving it off the lot. 20% of an MSRP of $28,350 is $5670. Even if it's half that it's not worth it imho.

You could try selling it outright and maybe get within $1000 of what you paid, given the demand and the dealers still selling mostly at MSRP.

I read nemrut's issue to be getting the Solar Roof ventilation, not just the sunroof/moonroof. Jay Man's suggestion to sell privately makes the most sense, however . . Based on the availability, or more accurately, the unavailability of solar roof options in some regions, you might want to do really good research to be sure you can buy the model with options you really want before taking any selling actions. TK

I was thinking the same thing, but hadn't gotten around to editing my post.

While he will take some sort of loss, as it is no longer new (since it has been titled, even though he may not have possession of that title yet), I do not think that it would be anywhere near the 20% guess you are making.

I too have heard that for years, yet always seen newer used cars going for close to list. For example, until June (when the Gen III started to sell), you could still buy a 2009 Prius here, with 25k miles for $25k, although that model listed at $27k new.

Yes, he would take a loss, but I suspect it would only be a few $1000s.

Off the wall comment but its really not that sunny in SF I grew up in Miami, moved to various cities North and west, living last in Boise where it never rained May through September. PDX gets a fair amount of rain but I think we have as much or more sunny and hotter days each year than SF. I moved here because I hate the heat and would be happy if it was never warmer than 80 degrees in summer. That said, my car cooled down in 5 minutes when I picked it up in Lewiston, ID earlier this month when it was 104 degrees. It was over 100 all the way back to the gorge area and the car stayed reasonably cool on eco...so while everyone's body temperature and preferences are different, and you might save a bit on gas (I am not an engineer), I think the lifetime savings would not exceed the $1000 to $2000 hit you take if you sell it privately. Using up the planets resources is another matter - not going there Good luck!

This would be an expensive trade--you'll lose:
--sales tax paid on existing car (9.25% where I live, or ~$2,500 on your car)
--registration (~$500)
--depreciation hit (who knows how much, but these cars aren't exactly in short supply in the bay area)

On a TRADE IN you'll take it in the shorts. On a PRIVATE SALE, maybe not. Dealers have to eat.

Might be better just to wait until a used IV with solar is available and swap out for minimal $ loss.

Try selling the car yourself, the dealer will only ROB you blind:rockon:I just recently walked away from the Stealership I had my order with - A Silver Prius IV with the Solar Moonroof. :banplease:
At this point in time I don't know what direction I will go when I do decide to purchase a ride, are there any professional dealerships left out there that are honest and will treat there customers with respect after all $32K is not small change.


Communication is the Key!!!

With the current demand, I'm certain that you can sell your Prius for a few hundred less than what you paid for it.

Bryan

Don't be so certain.

I don't know where you live (since your profile doesn't provide it). but here in the bay area (where the OP lives) dealers are selling new 2010 Prius for under MSRP.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I was actually able to 'exchange' the car for a Prius III w/solar at my dealership(Toyota Marin). They have a great policy of 7days/700mi on car exchanges to make customers happy. I would say this was one of the best car buying experiences that i've had w/a dealership-and that was before the exchange. So if you're in the Bay Area, i highly recommend them(i dealt w/Terry, Keith, Bruce, Mike-GM).

Now i just need to find reputable, aftermarket leather seats that can hopefully come with lumbar and ventilation..

btw, i'm actually in Tiburon just north of SF and you'd be amazed at the difference in weather btween the two areas just a couple miles apart.

Wow... so they just let you exchange it for a brand new one with solar roof, and then you paid the difference?
That's pretty awesome. I'm surprised that they offer to take a hit like that on a whim.
Congrats on getting it worked out. Let us know how you like the roof.

yeah, how cool is that. It is actually a policy they have to keep customers satisfied. I was able to do a straight exchange without paying anything as the III w/solar actually cost less than the IV.

I dont know of any other dealerships in the area that do the same but a worthwhile policy to promote repeat business.

Good for you! Now change your profile so the data under your username is accurate!

done..almost forgot about that. too bad there was no selection for 'former Prius IV owner who got lucky and exchanged it for a Prius III w/solar'

Since it's August, and I'm not even sure you could get a IV with Solar until we were well into fall heading towards Winter, if it was me? I'd enjoy the hard top through the winter, let Toyota produce more solar panels, as well as let some of the immediate demand die down and make any move I was going to make so that I'd get my Solar Panel next spring.

You're in San Francisco, and while it might be sunny a lot, we are closer to the arrival of December and January than we are to June and July. I'd swallow my dissatisfaction of not purchasing exactly what I wanted with an eye on obtaining what I want, but I'd wait. If you trade it in, you're going to take a huge hit. IMO waiting will open up better options, you might even change your mind about the whole idea.

If it's February and you're still dreaming of open roofed, solar ventilated Prius excitement? Then you can talk it over with your dealer, and/or investigate selling private party.

Okay, nevermind...I just read where you've been able to exchange. Good for you. Forget everything I just said about Winter. Nothing nicer than opening the sunroof and enjoying the crisp fall air...I am envious..have fun.

Glad it worked out.

My dealer (Toyota Sunnyvale) has a 7 day/700 mile exchange policy--plus a 3 day/250 mile return policy.