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Another almost purchase today

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by gossamar, Sep 11, 2010.

  1. gossamar

    gossamar New Member

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    Well, like others, I have lurked on this forum as a guest for some time now, reading, learning, gathering information. It has come time to replace our subaru and we were torn between the two. Within this past week, I have test driven a V, IV, and III. The Mrs. mind was pretty much made up until she test drove a IV today. The IV is the deep blue color, with a few minor options. The dealership is having a nice sale due to a grand re-opening. I had some numbers in mind, checked KBB, Truecar and the pricing is good. SO, unless the Mrs. changes her mind it looks like we will be newbies to the group with the purchase of the IV.
    The only item I am not happy with is the tires. They are the "Ecoupia?" and only have a treadwear rating of 320, traction B. Dealer has stated that they do not swap tires, so I am going to start researching tire options before winter gets here. I would be open to some thoughts, but I really don't want to be swapping sets if I don't have too. The wife does 90% of her driving in town, the other 10% is me going out of town.
    On a funnier note, we spent the afternoon chasing down 3-different prius drivers in the same parking lot as us at different times running errands. You guys sure are a chatty bunch:D, but all positive things to say!!
     
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    We look forward to having you all. I run studded snow tires in the winter. I found a set of steel wheels and bought the tires used for $130. The car does wonderfully in the snow though I don't push it. I plowed through 5-6" of fresh snow one morning, click here.
     
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Replace a Subaru with a Prius?

    Blasphemy. Keep the Subaru and trade in something else.

    I plan to keep our old one until the rumored HSD Subaru becomes available.
     
  4. gossamar

    gossamar New Member

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    Yes, it was a tough choice, but we really don't need the awd anymore as my wifes driving habits have changed in the past few years, and we have nothing else to trade. Plus, the subee is going to need a few things coming up in the next 6-months that I would rather put the money toward a new one. It has been a great car the past 7-years, but the nickle and dime is starting to tun into quarters and half-dollars:)
     
  5. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Our Subaru is a 1996 Impreza, and handles 'truck' and nasty(tm) winter storm duties nowadays. Years ago we picked up a credit card that gives 3% rebate back in 'subaruBucks' good for whatever one might buy at a dealer. That, along with being *really* fortunate to have a fantastic repair shop front desk guy, has meant ZERO out of pocket expenses for this car other than oil and filters that I change. $2000 subaruBucks are sitting in a drawer for the future.
     
  6. stavesacre03

    stavesacre03 Junior Member

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    I bought a IV last month and it also had the Bridgestone Ecopia tires on it. During negotiations I asked for a swap to the Goodyears and my dealer agreed. They have a higher tread rating of 540 and have good reviews overall. It might be worth haggling with your dealer about--trust me, if they want the sale they will do just about anything to make you happy.
     
  7. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    Or check with some local tire dealers and see if they will give credit for your nearly new tires (just drive straight over from the dealership to the tire place).
     
  8. BlizzP10

    BlizzP10 New Member

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    I disagree. I had an 8-year-old Subaru Forester (a 2003) and I took very good care of it...yet I never thought it was built very well. From day one the automatic transmission was sloppy and at 59k it needed major engine work (new head gasket, a valve job and new push rods). The AWD was totally unnecessary and kept my mpg in the low-to-mid 20s. Even with brand new tires, the car wasn't particularly special in winter driving conditions. That car also ate brakes. It was too heavy for the frame. I had a friend who had a 2003 Imprezza and he had the same problem with the engine that I did (and I think he only had about 65,000 miles on his car).

    But I did own a Subaru GL once (years ago) and THAT was one car I wish I could have kept...(and I probably wouldn't have traded it for a Prius--but that car had real 4WD, not just wimpy AWD).

    I'm just sayin'...there are good reasons and situations when it makes sense to trade in a Subaru for a Prius... :)
     
  9. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    +1! When I purchased my 2007 GMC Sierra, I took it to a local tire shop within a week of purchasing the truck and had all 5 OEM General Grabbler tires swapped out for larger Bridgestone Alenza H/Ls. They gave me full credit for the Generals toward the new Bridgestones!

    I actually read a review that said the Bridgestone Ecopia tires were supposed to be pretty decent...
     
  10. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    I really do not understand the problem
    Get winter tires for winter use the OEM for the rest of the year
     
  11. Colonel Ronson

    Colonel Ronson New Member

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    Don't ever buy used tires. What horrible advice.

    Where are you from? My OEM tires were Yokohamas? Bridgestone doesn't make too bad of a tire, so you should be okay.

    But good luck. you seem to have done your research on pricing and options. Any questions??
     
  12. gossamar

    gossamar New Member

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    Thanks for the advice...I will try the angle of tires again with the dealer, I will also be contacting some local tire shops to see what kind of deals to get with trade in. Some of the Michelin tires look really good and offer great year round traction. Central Illinois winters can be a crap shoot, ice, snow, cold, you just never know...if things get really bad, then the Superduty will be taking the wife to work. Again, I really don't want to have switch tires just for winter use, now if we lived out in the country it would be a different story...but since we are in town I can't justify the expense.
     
  13. wick1ert

    wick1ert Senior Member

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    Sounds a bit like our typical Mid-Atlantic winters. If I recall, I've heard that IL does a lot better with snow removal, plowing, etc. that what DelDUH does out here. I'm sure you heard about the record snow falls that we set this past winter here. The Prius with some Blizzaks (they are on their own wheels) had NO problems at all. I actually did the switch after the first snowfall, and while I survived with the YOKO's they were horrible for traction in the snow. I slid a bit in the lane and had to drive a little slower. Once I got the blizzaks, it was a complete 180. I don't think you'll have to worry too much about the Prius handling in the snow, as long as you have good winter tires on it.
     
  14. Skoorbmax

    Skoorbmax Senior Member

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    My wife always thought subarus drived like trucks, too. I can understand getting rid of yours. The last one we had went through more gas than a Panzer tank. They are nice in the snow, though, but then depending on how good your snow clearing is it may not be that relevant. Most people in NY do fine without AWD, including on older cars without traction control.
     
  15. 2010PriusIII

    2010PriusIII Member

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    Hey Gossamer. I just bought my 2010 Prius w/ pkg III a few weeks ago. I debated (with myself) whether to let the all season tires do the job in winter snow, and decided against it. Simply put, the all season radials that they put on the Prius (be they the Bridgestone, Michelin, etc.) can only do an average job at best in moderate snow conditions. It's too much to ask of any tire to be excellent in all conditions, and by the way have low rolling resistance to return good gas mileage.

    So this weekend I logged onto Tire Rack and found that they have a sale on snow tires. I bought four 195/65R15 Bridgestone Blizzaks for $70 each, and with the purchase of the set of four I get a $50 rebate :D. So for a little over $300 I can have these mounted and ready for snow, which for me is good piece of mind. BTW, I live in Boston near the shore, with probably a bit less show than you get in Normal IL. (Go Bears!)

    The way I figure it, the circa $300 in snows is cheaper than paying a deductable in an accident and having my insurance company jack my rates up for the next 5 years. But that's just me...;)
     
  16. gossamar

    gossamar New Member

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    Well, we pulled the trigger today. Dealership matched the numbers I wanted and with the .9% rate, 1% over invoice, we could not go wrong. Unfortunately, both our schedules are a bit crazy this week, so it wont be until Friday when we can pick the car up. Come on Friday!!!
     
  17. Craigmri

    Craigmri New Member

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    Goss,

    Have you checked truecar dot com? I am seeing deals well under invoice right now.

    Craig
     
  18. gossamar

    gossamar New Member

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    yep...checked that site and for this area and the price I got with the few options the car did have was right on the bubble on a "great price". Overall, I am real happy with the dealership to this point...
     
  19. Lottamoxie

    Lottamoxie Member

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    Question about Truecar: isn't the info showing the average price paid for the model/trim level?

    If yes, that doesn't mean it's the 'best deal' one can get...I mean, there are lots of people who are not good negotiators and probably many who don't even try to negotiate at all, and just take the lowest price emailed from among the few dealers in their area. A friend bought her Honda Accord that way--didn't even try to negotiate to get a lower price.

    Truecar is reporting on what people paid, not what the very best deal someone was able to get because they are an excellent negotiator.

    At least that's the impression I get when I look at the Truecar Prius prices in my area (which are not very low, compared to what some of you have gotten in other areas), and is still far above the invoice price.

    Thoughts?
     
  20. Craigmri

    Craigmri New Member

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    Moxie,

    Be certain to click the box "Show Best Price" to the right of the parabola. This will display the Truecar affiliated dealers and their best price. I have found these numbers to be really good!

    Craig