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BASE Prius 2008 - guess what I paid?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Scrittibear, May 17, 2008.

  1. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    Hello all - I just bought a new 2008 Prius (Base trim) for $21,444 in New Hampshire at Berlin City (this is $317 off the car dealership's MSRP/on-line listing of $21,760). This does not include tax/ reg/ etc.

    Just like everyone else, I am really happy with my purchase! :) I waited approx 1 week for this basic / no frills model to arrive (They told me what cars they were expecting, and I put down a $200 deposit ASAP!!!! and woosh - they sold out of every Prius within 24 hours - amazing!!!)

    I really wanted to share the price paid with all of you as there is not alot of info on the base trim (everyone seems to go with package 2 or touring)... And yep - you can forget about negotiating a better price on a Prius - Toyota is in the driver's seat as the demand for a new Prius outweighs the current supply. We actually bought two cars at the same time - otherwise I never would have gotten a discount from the dealer - no matter how small. Also - I did not purchase the Extended Warranty at the dealership - but intend instead to buy it on this site for a better rate!

    I traded in a 1998 Honda Accord and I noticed right away that the 2008 base trim Prius is a bit louder and a bit less smooth on the road - but really it's hardly worth complaining about and it's a very minor issue. I suppose down the road I can upgrade the shocks/ suspension for about $400. As for the car itself? It's the best purchase I have ever made. I am so excited. FYI - This base trim does not have cruise control but hey, I'm getting 50 MPG with careful/ mindful driving so who cares. The seats are very comfortable and I have no problem with visibility inside the cabin/ backing up/ etc. Also - with the base trim, I still have power windows/ locks and a great cd player - and the on board touch-screen monitor is awesome. I feel like this Yankee got a great deal!

    I hope my info helps some of you folks out there as much as you helped me. I am grateful for all of the great reviews on this site.

    Has anyone else bought a base trim recently and how was your buying experience? Let me know also if you have any questions.

    thanks all!
     
    #1 Scrittibear, May 17, 2008
  2. bmg21

    bmg21 New Member

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    Location:
    Rochester MN
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Congrats!!!

    Thats a great price at the moment. We just put a deposit down on a package #2. I'll share a little tidbit about our toyota dealer here in rochester mn.

    They had a 2008 package #1 with over 20k miles on it in their lot asking 24,000 dollars. I asked my friend (who works there) why they were asking so much for that car when obviously it was waaaaay too much. He told me they needed to keep a prius on the lot so people could test drive them. Well, long story short, I went back a day later to put the deposit down after my wife and I had discussed the car, and to my surprise they sold the car!!! I couldnt even get one last fun test drive in.

    So cheers to you and your new car for a great price, some are willing to pay quite a bit more for them.

    Brandon
     
    #2 bmg21, May 17, 2008
  3. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    I also noticed that while I referred to this as the BASE trim, I think the new 2008 term is STANDARD trim - and from what I am reading - this low-ball model is really hard to find. There are too many Toyota trims/terms and it can all get a bit confusing - eh?

    Thanks for the feedback and good luck with your purchase. You're gonna love it!
     
    #3 Scrittibear, May 17, 2008
  4. Kpod

    Kpod New Member

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    Location:
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    My Prius will be replacing a 1998 Accord too!! Enjoy your car!!! I can't wait for mine!!
     
    #4 Kpod, May 17, 2008
  5. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    Location:
    Ottawa/Aylmer, Canada
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    2008 Prius
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    Congrats on findiing a base. I was briefly looking for one to import into Canada from New York or Vermont and couldn't find one.

    If the Prius is "drive by wire" I have to wonder if the cruise control is just a matter of adding a switch ? Unless some ECU has been programmed to ignore the switch, but I doubt they'd do that. EV switch works here.

    I should be getting my Canadian base next week, but our base is called a "Special" and is like a Touring with pkg 2 and fog lights, cruise, heated mirrors and auto-dim mirrors. I got $1k off of the high Canadian $29.5k MSRP but get $4k in gov't rebates to sweeten the deal.
     
    #5 hiremichaelreid, May 18, 2008
  6. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    Oh to be Canadian! Incentives in the US are basically gone. and I've wondered about the cruise installation as well. Also - I am seriously looking into a:
    [​IMG]​
    BT Tech Chassis Stiffening Plate

    (go to: PriusChat Shop : BT Tech Chassis Stiffening Plate - $195.00$165.00) which ought to improve the overall ride - does any one have any thoughts on this?
     
    #6 Scrittibear, May 18, 2008
  7. Eve

    Eve Junior Member

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    Location:
    S.Florida
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have the Base .some Dealers call the base a 1220..paid $21,800 a month ago..internet price..no Dealer fee!!
     
    #7 Eve, May 18, 2008
  8. Eve

    Eve Junior Member

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    #8 Eve, May 18, 2008
  9. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    Hi -I just found the thread on the
    BT Tech Chassis Stiffening Plate -


    No need to discuss it here - but I am definitely going for larger 195R65 15 tires....
     
    #9 Scrittibear, May 18, 2008
  10. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Waitasec, the base now doesn't have cruise control? *My* base
    '04 [fleet allocation] has it.
    .
    _H*
     
    #10 hobbit, May 18, 2008
  11. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    Yikers - Yahoo Autos calls the 2008 Prius BASE and Edmunds calls it STANDARD - so I purchased the STANDARD (the most basic trim / lowest price Prius) - hope that helps clarify. so - uh - the Base might have cruise control, but the Standard does not.
     
    #11 Scrittibear, May 18, 2008
  12. Eve

    Eve Junior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
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    Three
    my base 1220 08 ..no cruise...but i still luv it
     
    #12 Eve, May 18, 2008
  13. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    Hi Eve - how much do your standard Prius cost with no cruise? (dealer's best price without tax/ reg etc) - and when did you buy it? Thanks for sharing.

    Scrittibear
     
    #13 Scrittibear, May 19, 2008
  14. bebopster

    bebopster bebopster

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Mendocino, California
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I got the same deal here in northern Cal $21,444 for my other 2008 Prius (base pkg.) but it had 164 miles on it, although it wasn't prepped for driving when we first looked at it. Do they drive any of these from point of delivery to destination, or dealer to dealer?. We got it same day, but it was black (no choice of colors here) but who cares when you live out on a ridge top near Boonville. It is the kind car, and we are glad to add it to our list of Toyotas from the 4runner to the Tundra. Difference is, if we drive anywhere where we don't have to pick up hay for the horses, we drive the Prius and are already seeing our gas bill drop dramatically. When gas hits the $10. range we will all be glad of our investments in these vehicles.
     
    #14 bebopster, May 20, 2008
  15. Scrittibear

    Scrittibear Junior Member

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    Thanks for the $ purchase price info folks -sounds like $21,444 can get you into a Prius in May '08 - AMAZING!!! - not many folks have the basic/standard 1220 Prius on this forum with no cruise control (apparently they are very hard to find now) - I am really happy with my simple little Priapus. And hey...I didn't spend $26,000 plus like some other (suckers) people....hee hee hee.....sorry - that wasn't very nice of me.
     
    #15 Scrittibear, Jun 9, 2008
  16. KayakerNC

    KayakerNC Member

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    Location:
    Eastern North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    1220 = Standard (no packages)
    1224 = Base
    1226 = Touring
    Standard is lower configuration & price than the Base, new for 2008 in the US. Go figure.
    I test drove a Standard Black Prius, it sold me on the Prius, just a matter of finding the options I wanted.
     
    #16 KayakerNC, Jun 9, 2008
  17. fcc

    fcc New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    i actually liked the prius as a main choice to buy because i could pimp it out
    with every bell and whistle. something about buying a car for 20,000 without
    some toys in it is very depressing. i would have just bought a 5000 dollar used
    toyota corrola and had 15000 left over to pay for gas and repairs :-|
     
    #17 fcc, Jun 9, 2008
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