MY 2011 Prius starting to be released to dealers

Yup... Dianne has on them on the ground for about a week in CA.

 

Unless you're dead set on a Black Prius with Bisque interior, is there really an advantage to waiting for a 2011?

 

Agreed but if anyone is paying sticker for '10 right now they are suckers. If nothing else, Toyota USA is giving $1,000 off sticker so right there it's a $1300 difference. The factory financing should be sweeter on a '10 also if you aren't paying cash.

Are there any mechanical improvements or better/cheaper option packages for the '11?

 

From what I recall from the Pruis Team, there was the addition of the Bisque interior in the Black Prius, and might have been a change to one of the exterior colors (don't recall for sure which one might have changed), but mechanically I don't recall any differences at all. So, considering there are probably very few, if any dealerships selling 2010s at MSRP (before figuring in the $1000 discount), there may not be much of an advantage to getting a 2011 now, even if you only keep it 3 years. Depreciation of a 2011 sold at or close to MSRP will be way more than a 2010 discounted $1300 to $2300 (or in my case over $4000) two to three years from now, especially if mileage is comparable!

 

No. The only change is the additional interior/exterior color combo.

 

hopefully, many of the 2010 problems will be fixed.

 

As soon as the 2011s actually arrive at the dealers, you should be able to get a 2010 at or even below invoice. I'm not sure what the demand for the Prius is like right now, but there are three cars in my family and all of us purchased our vehicles when the the new model year cars arrived on dealer lots and paid less than invoice (due to factory rebates to clear the previous model year off of the lots). I would rather save $3500 today than $2500 several years from now.

 

Not very exciting like in years past, possibly exciting for someone who hasn't bought one yet but even then...meh

 

We can't really expect big changes in the model year following a big redesign! It's usually what, 4 or 5 years, before a major update? Though 2012 will see the introduction of the PHEV, and thats pretty major!

 

I don't think that anyone needs to wait. 2010's seem to be selling below invoice now.

 

Awesome. If someone can buy one below invoice, I say go for it!

 

how much is "invoice"?

 

For ME/NH, truecar.com is showing a Blizzard Pearl II to be $20,023 + dealer's "documentation fee," aka ADP, Additional Dealer Profit.

 

Not certain, but I have not read of any.

Toyota (Prius) seems to have found themselves in a bit of a "box." The recalls really damaged the public confidence. Sales in the US are down; Consumer Reports notes a drop in the "would I buy the same car again" poll; Chevy is enjoying exciting reviews of the Volt; the Leaf is coming on line .... and Toyota has no newsworthy features to tout ... at least until the PHEV is available.

OTOH, Prius is sold world-wide, and it is selling well elsewhere.

BTW, I certainly DO NOT have any regrets with my G3 purchase. Wonderful vehicle.