1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Newb here, considering a 2009 Prius, need advice

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by joeuser, Apr 13, 2009.

  1. joeuser

    joeuser Prius Junkie

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    78
    3
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi Folks,

    I should have come here before I started doing my car hunt.
    Basically, I narrowed it down to buying a Prius after trying out the Prius/Insight/CivicHybrid.

    I am in NYC and I need advice on what kind of price range should I be expecting at this time of year now that the Prius 2010 is just afew months away.

    I had a dealer (who I'm not going to name) go down about $1000 below invoice (yes that's below invoice, not sticker) but I walked out before I uttered a "yes" because the offer was too tempting, but they wanted me to pick from their stock of available colors, none of which had a silver.

    So I'm thinking since Silver is a popular color, other dealers should be able to offer me this quote.

    Am I pushing for too much if I'm asking for more of a discount? Honestly I'm concerned the base model (w/out any options) is not able to play MP3 CDs (please do advise if the base can play the MP3s), and I hadn't realized this because I was too busy checking out the other cars in the market.

    So please help me on my way towards a prius and all will be greatly appreciated.

    Great Forums for anyone who loves a prius btw.

    regards,
    Joe
     
  2. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2009
    606
    77
    0
    Location:
    Northern Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Hello Joe:

    Have you done any research on the option packages? The higher level packages add a lot of enjoyment, in my opinion.

    I just bought my option package #5 a few weeks ago. There was a factory $2900 discount for that package (I think that this discount has been running since the end of the summer last year from what I read on some posts here). Then Toyota gave a factory $1000 cash back.

    I did not try to haggle with the salesman to get the price further down. I was not displeased with the price, and I know that sales on new cars have been slow. Salesmen need to make a a living; the one that sold up our Prius was very knowledgeable. So I didn't want to horse trade with him, as we felt that he provided a valuable service.

    What price could you get on an '09 with package #5? If it's in your budget, I would definitely get it, versus the base or the lower packages.
     
  3. joeuser

    joeuser Prius Junkie

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    78
    3
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks for the reply.
    I just need a functioning hybrid car. I'm quite satisfied with the base model and frankly I don't have the budget for the packages.
    Which is why I'm looking at the base model. The only other thing I would really want is floor mats for all the four locations in the car.
    This is assuming the fact that the single CD player which is included by default plays MP3 without any problems (otherwise I may be very disappointed).

    The only package i would have possibly considered is #2 but thats the limit.

    regards,
    Joe
     
  4. Bob_Stan

    Bob_Stan New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2009
    70
    5
    0
    Location:
    Central New York
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I recently bought a 2009 from a dealer in Uitca NY. I basically got the $1000 rebate, plus another $500 plus another $500 off for taking a color they had in stock. However, I was trading in a car for which I wanted $8300. They met that price and gave me the extra $1000. Maybe the trade was worth more than I thought :)
     
  5. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2007
    3,355
    299
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I seriously doubt the CD player on the base model '09 would be able to play MP3.

    The base model doesn't have all the JBL stuff, so that makes it much easier to install a second unit that can play MP3, DVD, Navigation, and so on in the radio compartment. Many people have done so, from what I've gathered.
     
  6. joeuser

    joeuser Prius Junkie

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    78
    3
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I'll need this confirmed. If this is the case, this is putting me over the budget.
     
  7. joeuser

    joeuser Prius Junkie

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    78
    3
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Is there anyone who can confirm that the base model (no package) does or doesn't come with MP3 capability on its CD player?

    regards,
    Joe
     
  8. Frayadjacent

    Frayadjacent Resident Conservative

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2009
    375
    21
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    The base model CD unit does NOT play MP3s.

    However, I have found the MP3 playing head unit on Ebay for ~$150. It would be an easy swap.


    Anyway, now is the time to pounce on the remaining 09 models. I bought mine a few weeks ago and not one week after I signed the papers, the dealer started offering an additional $2k off of in stock Prius. That was in addition to the $1000 discount from Toyota.

    If they were offering it at $1k below invoice (I found $20,500 as the invoice, IIRC), that would be a great deal.
     
  9. joeuser

    joeuser Prius Junkie

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    78
    3
    0
    Location:
    NYC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Some of the jerks selling Prii should be fired, because they all told me that the base plays MP3, which is quite surprising to me as well since nowhere on the specs does it state that the unit plays MP3.
     
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,037
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    How can you tell when a car salesanimal is lying?
     
  11. direstraits71

    direstraits71 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    367
    64
    0
    Location:
    Central Coast California
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    My 2cents worth is to buy a Package 2 or above. Then you'll have your mp3 playback, auxiliary input jack and Smart-key system+. You'll love not taking keys out of your pocket. For what you get, I think Package 2 is a bargain.

    I can't say the same from what I've seen on the 2010 option packages so far. Looks like more money to match Package 2 features in the 2010. Just my opinion.
     
  12. chancejd

    chancejd New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    34
    0
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello Everyone:

    I am shopping for a new Prius to buy and call my own. I'm looking for leather seats and option package 2 or 3. I live in TX, and need to find out what is a GOOD price to pay for Priuses in the area. KBB is reporting the invoice price at about $23.7K, and I'm guessing it might drop when the 2010 pricing is revealed. I had been hoping to look for a car meeting those specifications anywhere between $21K-$23K. I've been told I'm out of my mind by dealers. I've gotten $23.9K from one dealership here. Can someone please set me straight or point me in the right direction?
     
  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,039
    10,013
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Another reference point would be Edmunds.com. Select your package and plug in any nearby zip code (large areas are bundled together), and see what it spits out. For Package #2 in Houston (don't see leather option), I see $22,439. This number will be slightly outdated as prices gradually fall. I have no validation of this from good negotiators, but it ought to be useful as an approximate upper bound.
     
  14. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2009
    606
    77
    0
    Location:
    Northern Kentucky
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Hello Chance:

    I could very well be wrong on this, but I don't think that you will be able to custom order a package #2 or #3 with leather seats. Package #6 (and I think the Touring packages) come with leather.
     
  15. chancejd

    chancejd New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2009
    34
    0
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Frank:
    There are several dealerships in TX that offer 2009 Priuses with Package 2 and leather.

    Mai-Anh


     
  16. blfuller

    blfuller Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2008
    25
    3
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Washington State
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    When they open their mouth.:D
     
  17. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,037
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    DingDingDingDingDingDing! You win the powder blue '57 Buick! :_>