Dealers shooting themselves in the foot.

Turapeach, my husband is also 6'1" and now 225 (was 240) and he had no problem at all with the seats. And he was so thrilled over the option to lower the seat and adjust the steering wheel. His comment "SO much better than the 09."

 

Small world, I'm in Bartlett too!

If you don't mind my asking, which Toyota dealer tried these shenanigans? I have a deposit down for a 2010 and I really hope it's not the same one! I too looked at the Jetta and while the mileage and extra power were nice, I couldn't shake the horrible experience I had with a Passat a few years back. For the first year and a half, I must have taken it in for service 10 times. When both the front and rear brakes wore out after just 30,000 miles (at $800 each!), that was the last straw and I traded it in with a significant hit to my wallet.

Good luck with your TDI!

 

Clawdio, That's really too bad that dealer spoiled it for you. Did you happen to try any other dealers? Jabber (Jeff Balcer) is very active on the site and other PCers report having a very positive buying experience from him. He's located in Crystal Lake -- not sure how far that is from you.

In any case, enjoy your new car.

 

:cheer2:Get a hold of get a of Jadder.. someone told you that an earlier post.. I'm sure he will help you.. he is very knowledgeable and know 2010 Prius.. and he's not too far from you

 

Gasoline prices have been going up. Over the long term, gasoline prices are driven by the demand for oil vs. world supply. Therefore over that long term, oil prices (and resultant gasoline prices) will rise due to increasing world demand even if the U.S. reduces it's addiction to oil.

However, over the short term, gasoline prices are determined more by speculation in the oil futures market. (That is exactly what happened last year - there was no oil shortage just a really crazy oil futures market where a small group of futures investors had a panic attack for no rational reason.) -- It is truly amazing how a small group of oil futures investors drove the world nuts for about 6 months last year. Currently, gasoline prices have been going up because of speculation that there will be an increased summer demand for gasoline - which there usually is during the U.S. summer months. However, with the current depressed economy, an over supply of gasoline is developing here in the U.S.. My gut feeling is that gasoline prices will stabilize for the next few months. Consequently the current "euphoria of Toyota dealers" that I spoke of earlier in this thread will go away and prospective Prius buyers will be in a better position to negotiate. We'll see......

Keith

 

Yes, get ahold of me. In fact, I can even guess which dealer did that to Clawdio as I JUST had a customer call me and ask me if my dealer does that after being there. I'm not going to call out the dealer in case I am wrong though.

Prolix74, either PM, email, or call me. I'm here until 9pm tonight and from 1 to 9 tomorrow. And I have 2 cars available with one on the ground right now.

 

And thanks Dbacks and Stefcat. Appreciate the kind words. Bartlett is only 30-40 minutes from me.

 

None of the dealers we looked at were doing the markups, but it happens. PT Cruisers when they first came out were like that all over. The new TDIs are the ones I'm seeing with big dealer markup right now.

We even managed to get above book value on our trade in. I guess this dealer didn't get the price gouging memo.

 

It's only about supply and demand. It that dealer knows that he's going to get a limited supply now and into the future then that's all he's going to be able to sell. He can't sell more then he gets.

If at some time supply exceeds demand then he will gladly lower the price to move a vehicle.

This is capitalism.

 

I can attest to the fact that most in the Dallas area fall into that category, as well. I was pleased to hear that my my ex wife bought a 2010 this past weekend at MSRP from a local dealer. I will try and ferret out the particulars when I see the car, but that is encouraging. It was quite an ordeal when I bought my 2005. I ended up finding the car I wanted at a decent deal out of state back then, but I am hoping that won't be necessary when I buy my next Prius.

 

It is at macro level.

At the individual level, it's pure economic warfare. The fact that 5 people get sold the same car at different prices makes it clear that the dealer experience of manipulating buyers matched against the (in)experience of the car buyer is a big factor. The final price negotated is not determined just by supply and demand. Supply and demand may set the floor on price for that day, but it sure as heck does not set the "starting" price.

And that allows an educated buyer to get a better deal since not all dealers are the same.

 

god i hope i am not jumping on the bandwagon of something that will be looked back upon with scorn as goofy in several years like the PT cruiser. i got a chill just now, and not in a good way.

 

Don't let your little eye balls lose any sleep over that. It's a Toyota.

 

My buddy just got a 2010 base model (II) for MSRP from a dealer in Providence, RI (No mark up). So, they are out there.

 

Atlanta dealer could not get Level V with Tech. package. Found at Hollywood Toyota in LA. Roobik, Internet Mgr., great job and price. Car arrives in Birmingham, AL by truck today. BMAC