I need help , please

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jan 2 2007, 10:04 PM) [snapback]369846[/snapback]</div>

I never quite understand the rush to get a new car payment just before the old one is paid off, unless the car just sucks beyond all hope. Anyway, I'd think the OP would also be better off keeping the Corolla, assuming it's still reliable, and saving money for a bigger down payment to avoid some of the interest and finance charges on the next one. That's un-American, I know, but I was the guy driving the used cars while my buds were all leasing new ones every two years. I'd be horrified to be underwater on a car after 3 years, like the guy wanting $28K for his '04, but you live and learn. My goal was always to try to keep the car for at least as long as it was financed after it was paid off, which was simpler in the bad old days of 2 or 3 year car notes.

 

If you HAVE to buy a car because your family needs a second car, the Prius is a good choice for a gas sipper. I found it to be more comfortable than the Corrolla, Matrix, Sentra, or Mazda 3, and much faster off the line (stop frowning, you hyper-milers ... I have to avoid getting killed on the SoCal freeways!)

The Prius package 1 is a good package; I preferred the package 3 for the extras, but it was about $24k IIRC. The 21k price is MSRP, I think. You might be able to beat MSRP on a package 3, but if the goal is to get the most car for the least money, you won't want to go higher than a package 3 or 4 (that's my opinion; others will tell you the navigation unit is worth every penny, etc. Maybe, but I've learned how to get to work and back without having to leave a trail of breadcrumbs.)

There's good advice here about a good down payment. If you can put more than 20% down, you can often get a much better interest rate from your bank or credit union. Give them a call and find out what they are offering for minimum down, 10%, 20% and 30% down. Then find out what your Corrolla is worth at Edmunds.com or another site, and negotiate for the highest trade in you can, or sell it private party. 34mpg is better than most cars on the road, so if gas prices spike up, you may be able to get a fair price for your used car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jan 2 2007, 11:31 PM) [snapback]369875[/snapback]</div>

Ooops, sorry, I misread it as though they were wanting to trade. The Prius seems like a great choice for someone who drives 120 miles a day. As TonyPS crunched the numbers, it's roughly $800 less in gas per year, plus fewer brake jobs etc. and whatever tax credits etc. remain.

 

Hmmm, not one mention about the environment, strange on this board. So here it is... If you have any concern over the environment and I'm not talking just "Global Warming" here but a desire to send less pollutants into the air then the Prius is a good start. Also all the “Bells and Whistles†, MFD, GPS, Bluetooth etc. . . that the Prius has but may not be included in the #1 package is exceedingly cool! Just make sure that the package you get has the all the safety systems included.

Just do it! Spend a little more than you can afford for the cool stuff (it's the American way) you won’t be disappointed.

Wildkow

p.s. I agree with fshagen about the GPS, while it is very cool it isn't worth the price.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Jan 3 2007, 06:44 AM) [snapback]370049[/snapback]</div>

I rarely give your posts the thorough reading they so richly deserve. Forgive me?

Wildkow

 

Seems to me you have the bucks for a new car, you want a new car and you like the Prius. Assuming your Corolla will accumulate less mileage if your wife takes it over, I would pass it on to her and start commuting in the Prius. Corollas last a long time but 120 miles a day adds up. You don't want to be looking for another car while still paying off your new one.

The other reason to keep the Prius for yourself is, you didn't come here to get talked into buying a brand new Prius for your wife so you can keep driving that stupid old Corolla!

I wouldn't pay full MSRP for a base model. Check out Edmunds.com and kbb.cm for pricing info.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fshagan @ Jan 2 2007, 11:42 PM) [snapback]369886[/snapback]</div>

I have to agree that package #3 and #4 are worth the price but if you live in California you will not be able to get one. I will be buying my new Prius next week and the packages jump from #2 to #5 and #6. I think the only difference between 5 and 6 are the leather seats and honestly who wants that in the middle of the summer! I will be happy with my package #5 even if its a little more that I was planning to spend after my trade in.

Your best bet is to do some reasearch. Go on the toyota web site then go to build your prius and it will give you a list of all your local dealers. Call them and get quotes. Also look at triple A or Costco. If you really want the best price you have to work for it.