Buy Now or wait till Fall?

If you can wait, I would. I would have to say now would be the worse timing to get one.

 

Agree on this one.. it is hard to see Prius prices going up, unless they jack up MSRP. Otherwise the production should be restored, gas prices will go down and the demand would be lower in Nov-Feb time frame. But then again if you drive gas grizzler for 3,000mi a month all that would be eaten at gas pump.

Historically prices on gas go down if they started going down; this year might be different we might have another spike by the end of summer.

 

A little warning.

I'd say, How much do you want a Prius? and I'd ask, how long do you plan on keeping it?

I'd offer my experience as a cautionary tale. A little over a year ago, I was replacing my rapidly aging vehicle. I narrowed it down to Prius or Honda Fit. For a lot of reasons, some intangible and vague now...I decided to go with The Honda Fit. My thinking being, that in a year, or 2...I could still always make the change...

But to be honest? Had I known the events coming in the upcoming year? I would of gone with getting The Prius. A year ago? Toyota was just coming out of the bad publicity of the massive recall and the onslaught of negative news reports. Prius were plentiful and cheaper. Had I bought a year ago? I'd of made money.

My point? You can't predict the future. I really like my Honda Fit, it's a great little vehicle...but it's price new...has remained relatively static...The Prius? The price has increased significantly...

I'd also say? I agree, on paper, and I think in reality, this is not the "ideal" time to purchase a Prius. BUT...you never can count on what the future might bring. Once prices increase on a product...sometimes waiting for a decrease becomes futile. Also, if you plan to keep it for 5-10 years...IMO...the few thousand more you "may" be spending...becomes almost inmaterial. Nobody with a 7 year old vehicle, goes around bragging about the "great deal" they got when they purchased it 7 years ago, and the fact that the dealership threw in floormats and free undercoating.

I guess my long winded point is? If you can wait or want to wait? Okay. But just realize there are no guarantees. As Toyota expands The Prius family...with the eventual release of the Prius c...I doubt if Prius prices are going to "reduce" too much.

 

Personally I would wait. You have no wiggle room with the Prius being scarce right now. According to Toyota, Prius production will be up to 70% by August. Wait until there are more on the dealer lots. In addition, maybe Toyota will be offering some incentives to draw customers back.

 

I suggest pulling the order and reordering the end of the year. I don't think a dealer will renegotiate an existing order even if it takes 6 months. In the meantime, you are able to use online searches for negotiable inventory elsewhere; maybe even a 2010/2011 Pre-Owned Certified Prius will come along. Whatever you do, best wishes.

 

I should make this a little more clear.

If I could wait? I think I would.

But if you really, really want a Prius...and want the benefit of gas savings and new car ownership over the summer? I think prices could drop, with increased production and stabilized demand...but it wouldn't necessarily be enough to make me not get the vehicle I wanted...

Just wanted to clarify my position. If it really doesn't matter? You might wait. A year ago, I wouldn't of foresaw a earthquake, Tsunami, and tragic Nuclear Plant disasters....

Today, I can't foresee anything that would happen to make this a "worse" time to buy a Prius as far as supply and demand goes....

Just wanted to play the devils advocate. Because sometimes, paying a premium to get what you want today? Is worth it.

 

I drive 30,000 miles a years so I save $2400 a year over a 25 MPG car at $3.50 gas.
Do you think that if you wait a year, it will be $2400 cheaper?

 

Depending if your car is getting decent gas mileage now, I would wait. Gas prices will drop a little, maybe and the next gen of prius's are rolling out soon. I would have waited if I could have but my old Camry needed some work to be inspected and I wanted to replace it with a Prius so I bought one on memorial day.

 

here is a gas grizzler calculator to figure out the difference:
Gas Mileage Savings Calculator: Car Cost vs. Fuel Savings

with 200mi a week you are looking at ~$100/mo in fuel savings with current prices.

 

+1

My old smoking Corolla wasn't going to last much longer. I couldn't stand the thought of putting more oil in it than I already have just this year (20+qts.). Needed a new clutch soon, not to mention a brake job. Thanks Toyota, I'll take the $2,000 trade in on my smokey Corolla for a new Prius

Ideally, I would have liked to wait... but I wasn't going to put another dime into that Corolla. Peace of mind for me... and it was totally worth it. I can now drive outside of the city/state without having to worry.

 

I was in the same boat, and I decided to buy NOW. Logic would say that when the 2012s arrive, you will be able to get a better deal on a 2011. The problem is that there probably won't BE many 2011s. Here in Central Florida, Prii are sold before they arrive on the lot. They are SCARCE! I paid exactly the sticker price (where I would normally negotiate a much better deal!) but I know other dealers are adding on ABOVE the sticker price, so I still feel like I got a great deal! And I KNOW I got a GREAT CAR!! I LOVE IT!! I have no regrets!

 

Sure! Prius II, blizzard pearl - $24,555 but added options of rear bumper protector, tinted windows, cargo net, carpet mats, and Toyoguard Elite made it $26,090 sticker price that I paid. With tax, tag and dealer fees the bottom line was $28,765 out the door.

 

What's the tint legal level in Florida? In MD/PA/VA the limits are crazy high.. I think PA is 70% front/back and that's where I travel to see family. Not going to take the time to add 70%..