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Prius Five w/ ATP Buying Advice

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by BentSpace, Sep 25, 2011.

  1. BentSpace

    BentSpace Member

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    Was looking to buy a 2010 or 2011 Prius Five w/ ATP either new or used, was considering even a rebuilt salvaged one.

    Is now a good time to buy?

    Is Toyota's supply back up to 100% after the tsunami?

    Is buying salvaged a good idea?
     
  2. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    My biggest concern would be hidden damage to expensive technology with no warranty. I have never had problems with any part of the ATP in our five, but can envision spending thousands of dollars on diagnosis and repair if something failed outside of warranty. The insurance company that totaled the car has more experience with auto repair than you and me, and has determined that the risk of repair outweighs the potential reward. Good luck.
     
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  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yes because the 2012s are coming soon so there should be discounts on the 2011s.

    I believe so or at least close to 100%

    No. With the equipment available on the Five AT, I wouldn't risk a salvage-titled Five w/ AT package.
     
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  4. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    I think it depends on what reasons you have for the AT package. If you're doing it for the self park, grab a 10 or 11 because it's not in the AT package in 2012 models.

    There are SO few AT package cars in CA post quake, even now, that you won't be able to be very choosy for color if you wait a lot longer. The Yen vs the dollar value is creating pricing issue with lots of product... so the stuff that costs them megabucks to build is coming in more thinly than the ones they can make more $ such as a base II. They = Japan. Not dealers.

    If my region gets 800 cars allocated, half are II's.
    The rest are thin slices of pie with so many variations. With 7 different colors, two different interiors, and several different possible packages per model, your choices/odds of finding the right combination thin dramatically as you get more specific.

     
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You would think the profit margin is higher on the more expensive models.
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You would think the profit margin is higher on the more expensive models.
     
  7. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    One might think so.
     
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    But you're saying that Prius line is an exception?? I mean AT packages are slim to begin (about a 1% uptake???) and that's expected.
     
  9. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    I think that if there was that much more $ in it, they'd have found a way to build more and ship more. :)

    Building a Prius II is pretty monospec.
    Same car over and over. Dash same, seats same (diff colors) ... no worry about NAV, solar roof, SOS, JBL, not even a different steering wheel. Easier to make a II and more quickly too. Makes total sense.
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well you need buyers otherwise what's the point of making them?

    A Prius V is easy to make... with or without AT package (nav is easy to install). Prius Three is pretty easy to make too. It's just a Two with a different headunit, an extra amp and different speakers. Cutting a hole in the roof makes it no harder than if they made that option available on a Two. I would think the Four is the more "costly" one for the US market.
     
  11. SpikeVFR

    SpikeVFR New Member

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    I gotta guess, and I don't actually know, that the warranty on a salvaged vehicle is voided anyway.

     
  12. BentSpace

    BentSpace Member

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    Once the 2012's come out, will you no longer be able to order a 2011?

    When does that happen?
     
  13. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    How can you "order" a car that's no longer being built?
    :confused:

     
  14. BentSpace

    BentSpace Member

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    I didn't think so.

    Is the end as soon as the 2012 comes out on Toyota's website?

    Do the new models come out the same time every year?
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    No. For example, the 2012 are coming out a little later than the normal Sept release date that's typical of the industry in North America.

    I believe Toyota has begun production of the 2012 so any 2011 you want will have to be chosen from the lot or warehouse.
     
  16. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Production for the 2012 has not yet started. They are still building and shipping 2011. Wanting a II or common III or IV is one thing, but he wants a very rare and color specific V meaning it's a hard enough car to find without time constraints! :)
     
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    It is pretty much void. Per Toyota Help Faq and http://www.toyota.com/help/faqs/com...equot_title--is_the_warranty_still_valid.html.
    Unless one has the time and expertise to do one's own repairs, the salvage car is VERY cheap and has some means to ensure the rebuilding were done correctly, I'd steer clear of salvage car.
     
  18. p626808

    p626808 New Member

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    Will sell you my 5 with 84K miles on it. :cheer2:
     
  19. BentSpace

    BentSpace Member

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    Right now my local dealer has a deal 0% interest for 3 years, 1.9% for 4 years or 2.9% for 5 years on a new Prius, till the end of October. Is this a good deal or are there better deals on 2011's coming in November?

    The dealer told me October - November on the 2012's.
     
  20. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Inventory/selection won't be increasing so if you can find the car you want buy it now. If you can't find what you want then settle or keep looking. If you look too long you won't find any. Inventory is not distributed evenly so there may be better deals elsewhere or the best deal may be in your neighborhood. Since you won't find 0% around here it sounds like you have the best financing deal but don't expect to get the lowest price.