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Advice Please: About to Order 2012; Option Level Two OK?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by hisport, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. asianstyles

    asianstyles New Member

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    $22,637 is the best price I have ever heard of if it is truly OTD. If it is before TTL, then that is different.
     
  2. hisport

    hisport New Member

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    Confirm $22,637 out the door; basic prius option 2. Only "option" is floor mats.

    Actually, this price is OK, but not lowest around at all. If you google carguru.com, trueprice, edmunds, etc you may see that S Cal dealers are a bit lower with before tax selling price, as are Wash DC area dealers. Even in this forum, see the same info under "2012 Prius Pricing".

    And, you are right; OTD pricing varies significantly by way of state tax. Calif is (I think) 8.5%; NC is 3.0%. Alaska is zero. So OTD in CA would be higher than the same deal in NC or AK. Ohio tax varies by county, according to a quick google, so your rate may be something like 7% (eg Fulton County). Looked at another way, Fulton buyers would pay ~$880 more in purchase tax than NC buyers for a $22K car.

    Edmunds et al will show you what incentives dealers are currently getting from Toyota to move 2012 cars. Through end of August, believe it is $750 + $500 = $1250 for a cash purchase. So, a ~$22k price before TTL etc is easily doable. It may get better in Sept, or not, depending upon gas prices. 2013's will be ~$500 more list, and probably not discounted much until this time next year.

    We got maybe six quotes (via edmunds and cars.com) from local Toyota dealers. OTD, all were above $24K; most were around $25K. All included phony documentation fees, etc. At those prices, believe we would have bought the VW TDI Sportwagen (my first choice), as it was not much more. Costco pricing was the Prius ticket for us.

    Remember, though, most dealers would go bankrupt selling cars outright for cash to costco shoppers. However, they make good money playing a complicated pin the tail game with your trade in, your financing, and your acquiesence to their pads and fees.


     
  3. mrstop

    mrstop PWR Mode

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    Thanks for the tip in looking up dealer incentives. This explains why I'm getting push back from my local dealers as it appears they do not have the $750 incentive available to them. I think the $500 is military discount, but could be wrong.

    I have been playing the game as hisport outlines. The price you paid ($23,000) is about the best i have been able to get to in the Midwest right now.
     
  4. Tim Bender

    Tim Bender Member

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    I know you've already placed your order, but for other people in your situation debating II vs III I'd like to contribute my experience. I own a 2011 LVL II. The only item I wish I had was the backup camera. I'm not a religious man, but I say a prayer every time I back the car up.
     
  5. DocC

    DocC New Member

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    WOW! Great price. I thought I got a good deal on my level 3 with $26K + TTL... Oh well. I too looked at the VW. And, I nearly bought the Jetta TDI. While I was waiting for the VW dealer to find me a white one, I test drove the Prius. I was sold!
    I believe, for the price over a level 2, the Prius level 3 is the no-brainer. My new 2012 Prius level 3 has been great! The differences between the level 2 and level 3 are: upgraded audio/navigation, steering wheel voice commands controls and the 3-door Smart-key system.
    Because of the poor visibility behind the Prius, while parallel parking, you will appreciate the back-up camera. Back-up cameras are supposed to become a requirement in new cars in 2013 or 2014. Also, I like the internal Navigation system since I prefer to not have GPS cords laying all over the inside of my car. The hands-free phone feature is awesome! I use it all the time.
    The level 4 adds an upgrade to the lighting system, the seating and the rearview mirror. The level 4 adds: auto on/off headlights; leatherette seating with 8 way power seats and lumbar support; auto dimming mirror. Of all this the only thing I wish I had on my level 3 it is the lumbar support. But, for the price difference, it is not worth the extra costs.
    Lastly, the level 5.... NOT worth the extra costs in my opinion.
    Good luck with your purchase.
     
  6. hisport

    hisport New Member

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    Thanks everyone. This forum is simply amazing.

    Yes; we may wish for some of the extra Prius features down the line, but here's what we missed at first blush:

    - Leather seating
    - Memory drivers seat/mirrors/st wheel coded to keys
    - Separate climate control settings for driver and passenger

    All these things have been basically standard on our german cars for years.

    I am ordering leather upholstery to install myself as soon as car arrives; ditto rubber floor mats; cargo mat, bumper protector, mud flaps (we have a long gravel drive out here in the NC country side), body color side moldings (I hate door dings). All in, the additional stuff will probably cost ~$1,200 or so, plus some of my time. I will prob put dynamat type (sound deadening) material on door and floor tin while the interior is out. This may mute some of the tire thrum. Plus I have some sound deadener leftover from last year's SVX Westfalia project.

    Having the dealer do this aftermarket stuff would have cost us maybe 3x as much (the leather alone was $1600+ and not perforated). Plus, will kinda' allow me to get introduced to our new Prius at a hands on level.

    Thank you all again for the kind tips and advice.




     
  7. kope49

    kope49 Junior Member

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    I second the comment about the backup camera. I am 62 and do not have the flexibility I used to and appreciate the comfort level backing up in a crowded parking lot. I am glad I went with a Three even though the other upgrades aren't that big a deal.
     
  8. Germwise

    Germwise Junior Member

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    I was not confused about the OP's price, but rather by yours Rogerev.

    In your post you say you got it for OTD, plus taxes and registration fees. I just wanted to clarify so we compare apples to apples when looking at prices by others.

    No worries and congrats to the OP

     
  9. WD0AFQ

    WD0AFQ Active Member

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    I paid 20,600 for my C model 2. Got mats, rear bumper gaurd, rear tray, and side mouldings. That was before the aftermarket leather seats and taxes. It took me 5-10 minutes to cut the deal and sign the paper. Forgot my checkbook and had to go get it before I would drive the car home, even though they told me to take it with me. This forum and shopping the internet, along with visiting another dealer, gave me all the ammo I needed to make the deal that was good for me.
    I started wanting the 4, got down to the 3, and then decided the 2 was what was best for my money. Push button, onboard gps, and fog lights not worth my money from a dealer. The simulated leather, I did not like either.
    Always go armed. I learned that back about 1990. Once my ex wife got mad because I was about to walk on a Ford Cobra because they would not meet my price. Hey, there is another red one 60 miles down the road. She shut up and we bought the car at my price. Was the same dealer that I just bought this C from. They knew me when I walked in. I have probably bought 6 cars from them. But, they know I will buy elsewhere if I need to, and have. Salesman had a crush on one of my old girlfriends and mentioned her name before I sat down. I used that against him without him even realizing it..
    I am telling you, life is good if you drive a Prius C.
    Dan

    Kope49,
    I found that with the rear seats folded down I can see great with the mirrors. I am 58 years old and it is just my wife and I most of time in the car.
    Dan
    with 16 grandkids who love the C, I think it is the leather that gets them.
     
  10. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Germwise,
    Is this the line that is confusing? "OTD is simply that, THE CAR plus all applicable taxes and registration fees." I attempted to define in that sentence what constitutes OTD. In hindsight, it would have been clearer had I substituted the words"the price including" for the words "the car plus.":)
     
  11. Germwise

    Germwise Junior Member

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    Sorry rogerev, now I understand.

    You got a great deal on your daughter's prius! i'll have to try costco next time!
     
  12. saul

    saul Junior Member

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    I WOULD LIKE TO GET A BACK CAMERA WHERE DID YOU PLACE THE ORDER
    I HAVE A 2005 PRIUS
     
  13. WD0AFQ

    WD0AFQ Active Member

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    I have one of the small, 2 inch monitor, systems in my vdub. I paid 25.00 for it used and that is all its worth. I cant say it does much for me, too small. Easy to set up with the license plate camera. I have a much better system in my motorhome with a 6 inch monitor. It is great. Your eyes may be better than mine and a small monitor might work.
    Dan
     
  14. ray6088

    ray6088 Junior Member

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