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Prime cost less than regular Prius

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Gen 3 for me, Feb 25, 2017.

  1. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    With the Federal Tax Credit of $4502 the Prime cost less than regular Prius by my comparison shopping.
    For example I comparison shopped my Prime Plus, against a Prius Model 3 non plug in. I consider this the fairest comparison with the obvious differences being the unique features of the Prime. I shopped the eastern part of the country and found the lowest price of each car simply by getting the internet price. Since we all live in different states here is the price of both before taxes, title, and registration fees by the state and/or dealer.

    Prius Prime Plus
    28189 MSRP
    26211 after 978 in dealer discounts, the MSRP of a free option accounted for, and a 1000 Toyota rebate
    +300 dealer processing fee
    26511
    -4502 Federal Tax credit
    22009 Comparison Price

    Prius Model 3
    27845 MSRP
    23427 after 3168 in dealer discounts and 1250 Toyota rebate
    +599 dealer processing fee
    24026 Comparison Price

    Delta = 2017 in favor of the Prime even with the Prime advantages
     
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  2. hatcher8

    hatcher8 Junior Member

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    Yes you are correct my friend it's a no- brainer. And, if you want even better prices on the prime they seem to be even cheaper out east from Maryland on out to New York and Rhode Island. checkout the online classified ad sites or new car listing. There are three main websites but I can't type them here or it will block my post. But you can figure that out. Just look for Prius Primes listed and them and then call those dealerships. Wait, you did not ask for this information but I'm assuming you do not have a prime yet? LOL. I am from Nebraska Airline fly out Monday at 1 to pick my friend up.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    except you only get 4 seats a small hatch and no spare.
     
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  4. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    Good point Bisco.
     
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Also many more states now have additional incentive$, compared to when PiP came out.
    Of course, VA and IL are not among them, but quite a few.

    Not sure I understand the low Prime price, whether that is really lower cost to make, or strategy to get ZEV credits.
     
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Sounded like Toyota is taking a lower margin on the Prime.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree, it's an interesting move on toyota's part. lower cost to make would be hard to fathom, but keep in mind, toyota get's their price from the dealer. the tax incentives fall at the taxpayers feet.
    so they are likely getting more for prime than equivalent gen4 package, even though margins may still be thinner.
    it maybe that toyota's margins aren't bad, but dealer margins are, or a combination.
     
  8. Lemooron

    Lemooron Junior Member

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    When I bought a Prime I was thinking the same thing "you can't buy a regular Prius as cheap as the Prime".
    Here is the deal in my area.
    MSRP $30558 + Tax + Lic
    Toyota rebate $1000
    Clean Vehicle Rebate $1500
    San Joaquin Valley Drive Clean Rebate $2000
    PGE Rebate $500
    Fed Tax Break $4502
    Total Rebates $9502
    Net cost after rebate $21006 + (Tax & Lic on $30558)

    Not a bad deal on a plugin with Leather and Navigation !
     
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  9. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    A Prime Advanced will cost me way less than a Three ATP here in Colorado where we have a $5,000 state tax credit on top of the $4,502 federal.
     
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  10. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    Are Primes being delivered by Toyota to Colorado dealers yet? or are they in CO just by trades between dealers?
    My understanding is that California and the CARB stated in the Northeast US have gotten the priority so far. Although I know there are a lot of Primes in Maryland (Non CARB).
     
  11. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    And no chance for a spare and any reasonable cargo space
     
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  12. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    First allocation arriving around the end of March or early April.
     
  13. bodgm

    bodgm Junior Member

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    I live in Aurora, Colorado. Is there really a $5000 state rebates. I thought there was only $1500. Can I get this if I buy it out if State?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  14. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    http://bfy.tw/AK6x
     
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...but Maryland is full CARB...that's why lots of folks from CARB states go to MD to purchase.
     
  16. Gen 3 for me

    Gen 3 for me Member

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    Thanks for the correction. I found:
    "Currently, 16 other states have either adopted, or are in the process of adopting, California's strict emissions standards. These states include New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, Florida, and several others"
    In a map I saw it is: CA, OR, WA on the west coast
    And all states to the north and east of Maryland except New Hamshire.
    I found my best deal in Maryland but could not get a good deal in New York state even with many Primes in NY.
    Perhaps, MD does not have a state incentive but NY does or will so the market conditions adjust for whether or not state tax incentives are involved?
     
  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    We have a list of CARB states that @JimboPalmer maintains:
    The 2014 list of CARB States in the US | PriusChat
    FL never joined, and New Mex and New Hamp dropped out, DE joined.

    MD does have a decent state incentive for Plug_ins, and much lower car taxes than VA, and is full CARB so they get extended warranty, so MD is good place for Prime. Also DC has great incentives for all cars over 40 MPG EPA City, and they would have to go to MD or VA to purchase. VA has free HOV incentives to "grandfathered" owners, so the market for green cars is pretty good here in what we call "the DMV" (DC, Maryland, Virginia).
     
  18. Lee Gedansky

    Lee Gedansky Junior Member

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    OK... I live in Maryland, so this is good. BUT, isn't the $4502 a federal income tax incentive and subject to your income level and whatever other tax benefits you are receiving? For instance, between my home, two kids, and small business (sole proprietorship taxed as individual income) I already receive the max tax benefit (refund) allowable. I have even qualified for several thousand extra in child care benefits I couldn't collect on because my regular personal and business deductions maxed my return. This was a big part of why we couldn't take advantage of solar energy. The tens of thousands of dollars in government tax breaks were all income tax based. NOT guaranteed regardless of income, or refund (ie., NOT a grant).

    Thoughts?
     
  19. CaliforniaPrius

    CaliforniaPrius Active Member

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    4 seater and really small trunk
     
  20. Steve Lee

    Steve Lee Member

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    In my opinion Prius Prime price is higher than Prius Gen 4 when excluding the state and fed tax incentives for prime, when tax incentives are no longer available. As price history tells, new Prius Gen 3 vs new Prius PIP(after tax incentives were depleted), PIP price was higher.
    God Bless America for providing tax incentives to purchase alternative fuel vehicle.
     
    #20 Steve Lee, Jun 2, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2017