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It's Finally Time to buy a Prius (Help/Assistance Requested)

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by Lottamoxie, Dec 24, 2010.

  1. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southeast US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My Saab is heading into transmission failure territory. Time to let her go. My local mechanic told me candidly this morning, which I appreciate.

    Soooo. On to my first Prius.

    I want lumbar support and 3 door SKS, so that's a IV. NO nav, no solar (or at least I don't want to have to pay for any of that).

    I want silver/misty.

    I'd love a V with the ATP but can't get my mind around the extra cost, so I'm going to stick with a IV.

    I'm in the Raleigh area. I'm willing to drive up to 5 hrs out of my area.

    I really don't want to have to haggle but I (of course) want the best price I can possibly get.

    I can pay 100% cash for the car.

    Anyone here help a gal out to get the best deal? (yes I know about truecar and pulling info).
     
  2. Craigmri

    Craigmri New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Moxie,

    Since you are well aware of Truecar I wont pull any examples but be sure to use various big cities as a search point in truecar. When I searched out mine I found Atlanta was the lowest prices in the southeast(thanks to Paul). I was able to use the Atlanta numbers here in Florida. Only one dealer would bite but I got my Prius literally right off the boat.

    I would not waste a second in a dealer showroom playing the BS games.....I only delt with the "Internet Manager" of a dealer and did all my negotiations over the phone. Once I got the verbal offer I wanted, prior to even heading to the dealer I got e-mail confirmation of my Out the door price illustrating every fee, tax and penny. This way there are no suprises when you get to the finance office.

    Good luck and enjoy the ride!

    Craig
     
  3. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southeast US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Yep, I refuse to go into any dealership until I've got a written price guarantee via email and I'm ready to do the deal. I will not physically go dealer-to-dealer as there's no point (plus that's just a waste of time).

    I hope my Saab can hold out for the next 2 to 3 weeks since it's possible it could take that long to get the new car, esp if I need to travel somewhere to pick it up. The mechanic thought it should be okay to drive for the next couple of weeks. Just don't want to get stranded, ya know? I'm going to 'trade' the Saab in, even though it's not worth much. I don't want to hassle with trying to sell it to a private party.
     
  4. Craigmri

    Craigmri New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    A trade muddies the water. Is it a significant sum of money where the sales tax would be reduced when purchasing your Prius? No dealer will give you trade numbers without seeing the vehicle.

    Craig
     
  5. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    No, my car is 13 yrs old, has 96.4K mi and is probably worth $2K or less at this point. And the check engine light and check gearbox lights are on. The body and interior are in good shape for it's age and the tires are still very good. Other than the tranny issue creeping up it has lots of new parts in it due to the repairs I've had done over the last 18 months.

    I guess I could always donate the car; can't imagine someone wanting to buy a 13 yr old car that has a tranny that appears to be on a downward spiral.
     
  6. Craigmri

    Craigmri New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Not a bad thought.....Maybe float the idea past your CPA and see if the deduction might make it even more enticing.

    Craig
     
  7. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I researched what I wanted, prepared an email request for quotation and sent it to multiple dealers throughout North Carolina. I also checked Toyota inventory (new/used) throughout the U.S. I found my best deal on a Prius III in Toledo, OH. The entire deal was completed via email and phone. I gave the dealer a $500 credit card deposit and hitched a ride to the dealer as my sister from Toledo was visiting me at the time. I paid cash; signed the paper work and drove my new Prius home. I got an Ohio title about 3 weeks later which I surrended to NC DMV. This process was the best buying experience EVER! I paid $19K for a Prius III, no options.

    My trade was a 1998 Taurus with 200K and excellent condition. I donated the car to Habitat For Humanity in Pinehurst.

    Happy Motoring,

    Tom
     
  8. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southeast US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Tom,

    Wow! Wow! Wow! You did fantastic!

    Question: what tool did you use to find the best deal, which then led you to OH? Was it just looking for the model/color/options you wanted on the toyota site? On that site it makes you specify a zip code.
     
  9. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Mt. Pleasant, SC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I located inventory by zip code. I was able to find pictures, car fax info and lots more at each dealer's website. Once I found a car I liked, I emailed the specific internet manager. This is in addition to the "request for email quote" I sent to multiple dealers. By the way, some dealers did not respond, while others kept responding even after I told them I purchased.

    Happy Motoring,

    Tom
     
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    It hasn't been an attractive option ever since the IRS changed the rules. You used to be able to deduct the inflated Kelley Blue Book value and now you can only claim what the organization actually sells the car for. Even if they sell it for $2,000 and your marginal tax rate is 25%, you only save $500 on your tax return. On the other hand, if you trade it in for $2,000 you save the entire $2,000.
     
  11. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southeast US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I got a 'low cost' guarantee from Truecar.com for a 2010 IV (no options) for $23,110 about 140 mi from my town.

    I just looked in the Atlanta area and the best price there for a 2010 IV is $23,410.

    Oh and as an aside: one dealer in NC insists there are no 2011s on the ground in the southeast territory--at least nothing is showing up in the inventory system. I mentioned that someone in the Atlanta area said they saw 2011s on the lot and she said that's impossible, unless that dealer got the 2011s by somehow bypassing the Toyo inventory and allotment.

    The reason we discussed 2011s is because I mentioned that the 2010s are already 1 yr into depreciation and she said that might be logical but the 2011s are not out yet AND the 2010s they have were delivered just a few weeks ago so they wouldn't count. Sigh...
     
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Redondo Beach, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    That's possible. For example, V with no ATP isn't allocated to Southern California but a Southern California dealer can acquire one at the port en route to other regions. They may be getting those 2011s at the port.
     
  13. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    That is a good deal though. I paid 23000 OTD for my II a year and half ago.
     
  14. seal2cc

    seal2cc New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'll chime in with a plug for Springfield Toyota just south of DC. I'll copy a post I made earlier in the month about my IV purchase..might be worth a check but not sure what their inventory is now. Good luck. I love the car and heated / lumbar seats are the way to go:


    ""I purchased my car this past Thursday Dec. 2 2010.

    Car is series IV Blizzard Pearl with Misty Gray leather and Solar Roof pkg. and 5 mats. 7/10 build date. I would have liked the option to get a V with Solar even at the expense of a mpg or two. Sunroof was a must so the IV was my decision.

    List was $32,060 including $760 delivery.

    Purchase price was $26,901.59 inclusive of Toyota cash back of $1500. Tax, tags and dealer processing fee of $389 was on top of that.

    My 'out-the-door' price was $28235.25.

    I am very happy with that deal, and delighted with the car. Dealer was Springfield Toyota in Springfield, VA just south of DC. I priced the car through USAA but these people beat USAA by $100+. I gave a local dealer a shot at my business but they were $950 away. Springfield Toyota great to deal with. Gave me a straight up price first time around. I didn't want any add ons, paint protector etc etc and they didn't push me. They gathered I was price driven. Offered an extended warranty for $1750 which I kindly refused.

    Love the car...I had rented one last weekend to confirm I wanted the car. I played around with a ScanGauge II in the rental and first thing I did to my new car was use xGauge to change reverse beep to single, and kill the seat belt beeps. 58 mpg on my 80 mile return trip to Richmond""
     
  15. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
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    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Go to www.aaa.com where you can build a car & get up to 3 quotes for a 2010 or 2011. Around here their price on a 2011 was invoice which is a good bit higher than the same 2010. Unless you want the new color combo available for 2011 and you plan on keeping the car for many years I'd save the cash & get the 2010.
     
  16. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    This one. I expect to keep the car for 10 yrs.
     
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

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    Project cars. Those that intend to strip out the engine/transmission and put another set in. A good body means one less thing to worry about.

    Also those that race in stock car races (amateur) that want a fun weekend track car.

    Lastly, possibly a high school/polytechnic that has a tech (or mech) class that don't mind a free transmission to take apart and learn.
     
  18. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southeast US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Thanks for the ideas.

    Well so far, of the (very few) dealers who have written back, most are quoting anywhere from $1,600 - $2,500 higher than that Truecar.com price. And, no one seems inclined to meet that price. One sales rep wrote back, "That's CRAZY!"

    Well, it may be 'crazy', but that's what Truecar.com said.

    So it looks like I may need to go 2 hrs out of my way to get a car since no one around me (nor in MD nor in VA) is willing to do much of a deal. Yes I contacted one dealer in SC and they quoted over $25K.

    The IVs in MD and VA include NAV or Solar, neither of which I need. They don't have any stock IVs and apparently are unaware they could go outside of region to get one.

    Whatever.

    I'm worried I won't be able to get to the one Truecar.com dealer before 1/3 and that's when the incentives end. I am dog sitting plus working full-time and cannot go 2 hrs out of the area until at least 1/2.
     
  19. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Southeast US
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Geez... Truecar.com miscalculated the distance from my town to the best price dealer. They stated 139 miles. Nope, more like 190 mi.
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    " The reason we discussed 2011s is because I mentioned that the 2010s are already 1 yr into depreciation and she said that might be logical but the 2011s are not out yet AND the 2010s they have were delivered just a few weeks ago so they wouldn't count. "

    If you are planning to keep the car a decade, I wouldn't worry about the 2010's already being a year into depreciation. By the year 2020 or 2021 the difference in value between a 2010 and 2011 will be negligable to the point of insignificance.

    Hey, if the Mayans are right...you should just lease....

    But seriously...since there is little difference between the 2010's and 2011's, if you just want the car...I'd go with the best deal on a 2010...you can probably get a much better deal on a new 2010 than you would a upcoming 2011 just because one is labeled a 2010 and the other labeled a 2011...