1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Any advice for getting best deal?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by robothell, Sep 22, 2008.

  1. robothell

    robothell New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2008
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Bothell, WA
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Will be purchasing Prius in Seattle area and would welcome any advice for getting best deal on a new '09 Prius. Test drove at local dealer, sales guy was low pressure, knowledgeable, and spent a lot of time answering our questions. They require 10% deposit to put name on list. Wait is currently about 2 months. We are not in any hurry.

    Any advice on how to proceed with getting best deal, picking a dealership, etc.? Have no trade-in.
     
  2. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    1,340
    26
    0
    Location:
    san jose, ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    10% down sounds steep. the average i have read was $500 to be put on a waiting list
     
  3. Jack66

    Jack66 Kinda Jovial Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2008
    766
    6
    0
    Location:
    Stafford, Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    If you are in no hurry then wait a little longer when things have settled down and there are no waiting lists -- the price should come down a little and you can haggle more. Also, the dealers get a little nervous if a Prius stays on the lot for more than a few days and you can sometimes get a great deal by being willing to walk out of the dealership.\

    Good luck. :)
     
  4. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    1,340
    26
    0
    Location:
    san jose, ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    instead of placing 10 % down , put down 500 at 5 different dealerships and increase
    your chances of getting one???? and then ask for refunds from the other dealerships??

    when i bought mine back in 2007 i called the credit union and they trucked the prius
    i wanted 80 miles away from navato all the way to san jose so i can buy it, do they still do that? am i the only one that had a prius delivered to my local dealership (in 2 days) on here???

    back in feb 07 all the dealers were well stocked up
     
  5. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    For car buying advice consult Consumer Reports car issue (April) or website. My Prius was my second new car purchase; using their ideas saved me time, bother, and a little money (there's not much bargaining room on a Prius).
     
  6. lalawhite

    lalawhite New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    23
    0
    0
    Location:
    Alhambra, CA or Westwood
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
  7. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    1,340
    26
    0
    Location:
    san jose, ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    heck, i'd buy one in washington and drive it to california to save $2,000 but then theres that california smog warranty to consider
     
  8. direstraits71

    direstraits71 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    367
    64
    0
    Location:
    Central Coast California
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    quote: heck, i'd buy one in washington and drive it to california to save $2,000 but then theres that california smog warranty to consider

    That won't work. As soon as you try to register it in California they hit you for the full California sales tax minus what you paid in the other state where you purchased it. This from the state who tried to tax pensions when you moved out of state because you had worked in California. Fortunately the Feds said no way on that! :)
     
  9. rigormortis

    rigormortis Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
    1,340
    26
    0
    Location:
    san jose, ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
  10. Casey123

    Casey123 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2008
    40
    0
    0
    Location:
    Long Island New York
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Last Saturday I picked up my touring prius. While at the dealer I asked how long the waiting list is now. He pulled out about 4 inches worth of Prius orders from his file. He showed me the orders that were made and deposits recieved for. The vast majority of the orders stated a wait of 6 to 9 months.
     
  11. spitinuri

    spitinuri Member

    Joined:
    May 23, 2008
    317
    13
    0
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Unfortunately whatever gains had been made due to lower gas prices, if the current trend continues, will be lost. Crude is up $40 in the last 3 days. This means gas prices rising again and higher demand for fuel efficient vehicles.
     
  12. Codylabrador

    Codylabrador Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    7
    0
    0
    Location:
    Norcross, Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Have your tried Costco or Sams clubs buying programs?
    I have used Costco twice - the first time on a Prius in 2006 (no discount) and the second time for a 2009 package 6 Prius ($250 discount) as a repeat customer.
     
  13. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Read www.carbuyingtips.com. Historically, Prius demand matches oil prices. Prius are more abundant in the winter months. My 2c: In the near future I would expect "many" people priced out of the market due to tighter credit and declining earnings. If the sales tax is 7% of $25000 the car needs to be $1750 cheaper now compared to next year to break even on the purchase price. That may be hard to get.