New 08 Prius owner...NOT!

If the deal includes the leather and its a PIO which will be covered by the Toyota warranty then spending $900 more on that isn't such a bad deal.

Now, does that $1300 difference include the difference in what they were offering on your trade?

 

I don't think its going to cool down a lot more than it has already. There was a big hike in production in 07 and I think its supposed to stay pretty much the same through 08 and 09 and then we're supposed to see a new one in '10 right? Remember your Jeep is always depreciating too, and the gas is costing you. Although its cheaper to just hold onto your Jeep in terms of total cost of ownership. What year is it?

Have you tried a buying service? I may try these guys next time:

www.fleetrates.com

Do you have a chain like Carmax in your area that would buy your Jeep? Have you tried throwing an ad up and seeing if you can sell it yourself for $22k?

 

Sounds to me like you really want the Prius in spite of the big loss you're going to take on the Jeep. keep looking. Don't give in to the crooked dealers. If you have patience, the right deal will come along.

 

I agree. No way are Prius sales going to cool off anytime soon. Gas prices are only expected to rise over the next 6 months, meaning Prius demand will keep rising. You're correct, Prius III expected around Q3 2009 as a 2010 model. The 2009 Prius II will have a revised front end to keep sales totals level or rising until the Prius III arrives.

To the OP, I live in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Prius sales levels here are staggering. I see Prii everywhere now. I think my area probably has the most aggressive Prius pricing in the country (or maybe a close second to the San Francisco / Silicon Valley area). But even here, $700 off of MSRP is a great deal. In Arkansas, given much lower demand due to much lower population density and the fact that Toyota carefully controls how many make it into your area, paying MSRP seems perfectly reasonable.

And make no mistake, when the Prius III arrives, you will be lucky to pay MSRP for the first year or two. A few thousand dollar markup is far more likely. In that light, a 2008 Prius II is already a screaming bargain, considering you will have the benefit of driving it for about two years before the Prius III arrives.

I have read numerous articles about Toyota saying that the Prius III will greatly reduce the cost of the hybrid system. The assumption is that the Prius III will be less expensive. I don't believe it. If anything, pricing will remain on par with where it is now and Toyota will build in a bigger profit margin. If it were me building the car, that's what I would do.

 

Before you give up, consider talking to Ray Trout at Ackerman Toyota in St. Louis, Mo.

This dealer does not tack on $1300 in unwanted options like I see in most parst of the midwest and will get you the car of your choice at MSRP plus only $94 dealer handling. Reasonable considering I found some dealers trying to charge as much as $3K over MSRP or most others who are trying to tack on unnecessary options or dealer fees of $750.

I had mine shipped to my door for another $600 thru an auto transport company.

You can sell your jeep outright at no charge on craigslist.org. I sold my truck in 15 minutes and there were no fees to list the vehicle for sale.

 

I don't believe there has ever been a time when a patient buyer had to pay over MSRP + "document fee" for a Prius. People have paid big markups to avoid the long wait at legitimate dealers, but you could always get on a waiting list at MSRP. There were some very long waits for people who ordered early in 2004, as the car was just starting off. But I think the 2010 Prius will be available at MSRP for anyone who does not insist on getting one immediately.

I placed my order in November, 2003, waited two months (one month less than my dealer had promised) and paid MSRP plus about a $50 "document fee." There were no dealer or port add-ons. The unscrupulous dealers, who charge obscene "document fees" or require you to accept add-ons, will always have more inventory. But nobody need to buy from them. They exist because of the people who don't want to wait their turn. "Gotta have it NOW" costs the buyer money and makes the dealer profit.

 

I agree, we bought ours when the wait here was 9 months plus and some dealers wanted a $5k markup for that! We waited two weeks in WV and paid MSRP. I was very happy to make the 400 mile drive.

Great yrf! good luck!

 

I'll wait to offer the congratulations when the event happens, but for now I'll say "Good on you" for having a combo of perserverance and principles that is bringing you to the prize.

Also: Thanks for keeping us updated on the saga. This thread will be a good read for people looking to buy.

 

Congrats!!

Reminds me of the old saying: It's not what you know, but who you know.

I hope this can become one of those stories you can smile while retelling some day.

DM

 

The walking away earlier probably has you feeling a lot better now then when you were forced to do it.

P.S. Have to change the thread title now.

 

Congratulations, but what happened to Magnetic Grey?

 

in solidarity with yrfuneralmytrial about the treachery issue. I will not deal at all with somebody who lies in my face. Takes it out of the economic realm altogether. Hoping not to face the same when I go Jan 10 to pick up new 2008 Spectra Blue Mica #2. I drove past 6 other Toyota dealers to get to the place I ordered it from because many of them cannot grasp that I mean what I say and I expect them to also. So far, so good.

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