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Buying in a non-CARB state for 1K less?

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by LoveHiking, Nov 27, 2015.

  1. LoveHiking

    LoveHiking New Member

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    Hello,

    I am a current resident in MD and am on the market for a new 2015 Prius Two. After trying to a get a decent quote from near-by dealers I found that the quote from MD is generally higher than surrounding non-CARB states. The price difference before tax and tag is around 1K ( MD: $20700, NC: $19680). I have tried to negotiate with the local dealers with provided price from NC and they all seem to think the price is unrealistic, except one dealer who is willing to price match but oddly "doesn't have the model in their lot".

    Do you think the extra 2 year/50,000 mi warranty on the hybrid battery worth the difference?

    I would appreciate any input or thought!!
     
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    The CARB warranty is a nice benefit. Normally for new cars non-CARB VA is more expensive as we add more dealer fees than MD. DC has sales tax exclusion for hybrids, and VA still has grandfathered HOV benefits and some local incentives (eg; Arlington Co) so demand generally higher in this region. I can see why you went to NC (maybe less Prii demand). Try Antwerpen in MD as less Beltway influenced. MD you have low sales tax so that is defacto incentive for green cars. Consider PiP as you get some small $500 incentive.
     
    #2 wjtracy, Nov 27, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2015
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Are you sure that buying in a non-CARB is going to get you the CARB warranty when the car is titled and registered?

    Is it really worth a 600 mile, 10 hour round trip and the 12 gallons of gas to get the car? Are the border areas of MD any cheaper?
     
  4. LoveHiking

    LoveHiking New Member

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    Thanks to both. Ha ha, with the numbers run in the questions from JimN the answer seems to be obvious now.

    It's interesting that from my understanding after emailing back and forth with multiple dealers, Prius from MD is capped with the destination fee, which, for some reason, doesn't apply to the one from NC. The significant better price (> $1K difference) in NC also only applies to Pius, but not, say, Carolla.

    The car purchased from NC is not going to be under CARB warrenty from my understanding, and that is the root of the initial debate.

    Thanks again!!

    merged

    Wjtracy, do you have experience with Antwerpen? I have emailed them multiple times for a quote or the best offer, and they always responded with a generic answer without giving any number, only kept asking me to visit. Any thought?
     
    #4 LoveHiking, Nov 28, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 29, 2015
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...OP should check the latest warranty wording, but last I knew it said must be purchased, registered and normally driven in the CARB state.
    I checked their site earlier tonite and saw no Prius Two's. In the past they have been helpful to a few Prius Chat members, so they are on my "good" list.

    In general we are not aware of CARB states having a higher cost. Most people feel MD is cheaper than non-CARB VA. But we are definitely aware that geographic price differences do develop. When PiP's came out in 2012, many folks drove to MD (from CA) to get them or shipped them back. Now the shoe might be on the other foot. Normally folks have tried to buy from a full-CARB state if they live in a full CARB state.

    We have another recent thread, some buyers out West are trying to strike the deal in Ca. and ship or drive home.
     
    #5 wjtracy, Nov 28, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2015
  6. LoveHiking

    LoveHiking New Member

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    That thread definately motivated me to look high and low for a better deal before I understood MD is a CARB state and that CARB is not about pasta consumption....
     
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If you're going to be titling/registering/driving the car in a CARB state, be sure to check whether that state has an additional charge for titling or registering non-CARB cars brought into the state, and if so, how much it is.

    -Chap
     
  8. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Chap- Prius is a 50-state car right? So it is exact same car no matter where you buy it. Hopefully that is not a paperwork problem...never heard it is.
     
  9. LoveHiking

    LoveHiking New Member

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    Interesting note Chap. I wasn't awate of this when relocating to MD back in 2010. Things might have been changed after MD adapted CARB standatd.
     
  10. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    NC is in the Southeast region. Ohio & Kentucky may be candidates in the Cincinnati region. MD is in the Central Atlantic region. NJ is in the New York Region. Some regions like Southeast and Gulf States are known for adding their own fees and Port Installed Options.

    I suggest restricting your shopping for price to NJ & MD. (use zip code 08077-prices tend to be higher in the northern part of the state.) My 2010 was a dealer trade from "Baltimore". I wouldn't go any further than 150 miles to find a Two.

    If you want to look at dealer inventory look for Liberty, Holman, Runnemede, Mays Landing, and Turnersville.

    Happy hunting.
     
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