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How much should I pay?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Morgank6, Jul 4, 2009.

  1. Morgank6

    Morgank6 New Member

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    The transmission is going out on my current car and I'd like to be able to trade it in and at least get something for it before its completely dead. That said, I've narrowed down my search to either an Insight or Prius. I drove the insight yesterday, and liked it. I'll be going down to a toyota dealership today to try out the Prius, though I must say even before driving it, after reading a TON on the subject, I'm heavily leaning toward the Prius.

    I'm wondering what I should pay for a new Prius II? I know base invoice is $20,900, with $750 destination and a dealer holdback of about 2% ($440). So the price the dealer is getting the car for without making any money is $21210. I'm in SoCal, with a whopping sales tax of 8.75%, and registration/license will run me about $325. So if the dealer dosent make anything on the deal, my out the door price with tax and license will be $23391. How much more than that should I expect to spend to get the car I want? I was thinking about trying an e-mail campaign to all the dealerships in my area to see if anyone bites at an offer of 23600 out the door, but would like to know what experiences other new owners have had when buying. Thanks!

    -Morgan
     
    #1 Morgank6, Jul 4, 2009
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    IMHO, it's a bit too early in the game to expect anything below $500 off MSRP on higher packaged (and higher margin) Prius. On a Package II, I'd be really surprised if any dealer bit on that offer unless you were trading and they lowballed the pricing to make up the slack in the offer.
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, Jul 4, 2009
  3. Morgank6

    Morgank6 New Member

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    Cool, thanks for the info. I've already got an offer of $500 off MSRP through Costco's car buying program, guess I'll talk to the sales guy more when I go in and test drive today.

    -Morgan
     
    #3 Morgank6, Jul 4, 2009
  4. inventor00

    inventor00 Active Member

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    Try Dianne Whitmire at Manhatten Beach Toyota- she has been involved with the Prius for about 10 years. 1949-689-0717 cell
     
    #4 inventor00, Jul 4, 2009
  5. RickFlashman

    RickFlashman New Member

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    If you are a member of CostCo, they have an auto buying program. Seems they are getting around $200 off MSRP for package II and $500 off for package III. No discounts for IV or V.
     
    #5 RickFlashman, Jul 4, 2009
  6. Morgank6

    Morgank6 New Member

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    The test drive was great! I did like the handling/steering on the insight a little better, but the Prius wasnt bad in that department either. I noticed the greater power also. That along with the better gas mileage, proven track record, and slightly better styling(IMO) make it the better choice.

    They offered me 500 off their sticker price, so $22,666, that with tax and license brough me up to a gross price of 25066. They also offered me $1800 for my '01 Volvo S60. Does that sound about right or should I shop around some more? Still need to line up some financing, but looks like I'll be getting a Prius sometime within the next week.

    -Morgan
     
    #6 Morgank6, Jul 4, 2009
  7. jrjrdinh

    jrjrdinh New Member

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    I got the price of 25k out the door for a II
     
    #7 jrjrdinh, Jul 4, 2009
  8. rlr66

    rlr66 Junior Member

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    That's true. I bought a IV and could not get anything lower than sticker. Not even free floor mats!!! The dealer threw in a few oil changes, but that was as far as it went. You don't have much bargaining power when the car is not available and has to be ordered.
     
    #8 rlr66, Jul 4, 2009
  9. Morgank6

    Morgank6 New Member

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    Thanks for the reply, $25066 doesn't sound too far off the mark then. Think I will try e-mailing a few dealerships that have the color I want listed as in stock on their websites to see if anyone will beat it.

    -Morgan
     
    #9 Morgank6, Jul 5, 2009
  10. wave_slider

    wave_slider New Member

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    Doesn't hurt to try. If you have had a good demo with both the Insight and the Prius, I'm sure you can see how much more/better of a car it is. I saw an article from Consumer Reports that could not give the Insight a recommended rating. It went on about safety, ride quality,etc. I haven't driven one, but can tell after checking them out thoroughly, that they cut a lot of corners to keep the cost down.

    Also, Honda on has a mild hybrid system. Toyota's is a true hybrid system and is superior.
     
    #10 wave_slider, Jul 5, 2009
  11. ceric

    ceric New Member

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    Morgank6,
    Saw an newspaper ads today with Hayward Toyota,
    $1500 off MSRP. Piercey Toyota also advertised $1000 cashback for Prius for July 4th. Deals are there to negotiate.
    Many dealers in SF Bay Area have more than 20 Prius in their lots.
     
    #11 ceric, Jul 5, 2009
  12. ceric

    ceric New Member

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    Scan of the newspaper ads.
     

    Attached Files:

    #12 ceric, Jul 5, 2009
  13. Midpack

    Midpack Member

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    How about that. Prius inventories are still pretty thin, wait until they fill out a little more. With gas prices dropping and this awful economy, good things come to those who wait?
     
    #13 Midpack, Jul 5, 2009
  14. eddiehaskell

    eddiehaskell Member

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    I think I'm going to wait another 4-5 weeks. I definitely don't see demand going up so I think dealers will be more willing to negotiate. I want a blizzard pearl II for ~$22,700 OTD (3% tax where I'm at). That means I'm going to need about $800-900 off MSRP.
     
    #14 eddiehaskell, Jul 5, 2009
  15. rstark18

    rstark18 Member

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    Have you thought about the CARS program for you Volvo (www DOT cars DOT com)? Sorry under 5 posts.
     
    #15 rstark18, Jul 5, 2009
  16. Morgank6

    Morgank6 New Member

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    Yeah, its combined MPG is 21, so it dosent qualify, sadly. May try something else with the CARS program though if I can swing it.

    -Morgan
     
    #16 Morgank6, Jul 5, 2009
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