amex buyers program (get 2010 approx. $1000 under MSRP)

that seems like a great deal. let us know how the process goes when the car comes in. do you have a link to the amex car buying program?

 

It must vary from region to region. Out of curiosity, I found the amex auto program website, www.amexnetwork.com/autos , and put in my zip code. I got one on line quote, "you save $83.00", and one dealer that can be contacted for a quote. Did you get a quote on line or a dealer to contact for a quote?

 

I would have saved $830 here in SoCal. Lease expired so had to buy in June but it is clear that the more you wait the better deal you will get on a 2010. Gas prices will probably go down after the summer so even less appeal for the masses to buy a hybrid car.

 

I agree, you'll find the discount varying by region. I started looking at this in June and contacted 2 dealers in the area. Both said that the 2010 wasn't in their discount program yet but it would be added later after initial demand subsided. I suspect here in the NE we'll see some level of discount soon. I found 1 Costco dealer offering $250 off, but the dealership didn't have a great reputation and said it would take 3 mos to get a car.

 

Interesting, thanks!

I'm still in the saving up stage to exchange my Gen I for a Gen III, so am not ready to buy yet. Because of that I didn't sign up to have a quote emailed to me, but one of the dealers was showing a saving of $407.

I'll definitely bookmark the Amex site for when I AM ready to buy.

 

I looked at all of the FAQs on the amex website, but I couldn't find any limitations in regards to how long you have to have had an amex card. Are there any that you know of?

I'm looking to put down a deposit at the end of this week and the best I can get around here is MSRP.

So, basically, can I open an amex card and use the buying program immediately? I'm guessing so, but I may have to contact amex myself. I couldn't see a confirmation requirement on the website.

I've spoken to 8 different dealers so I'm ready to put down my deposit and move on now.

 

Thanks for sharing! I submitted my info and will see what they can do. I really don't know what to expect as I had visited both dealers just few weeks ago: one via the Costco program but was told up to 8 months wait time for a IV w/ SR and then the other dealer was 100% firm on MSRP plus 3-4 months lead time.

 

I inquired about the AMEX program when I was looking for a Prius. A dealer in Alabama offered $1000 off invoice, but added Toyoguard and several other charges that brought the price back to MSRP.

 

I noticed that the AMEX site states the MSRP for the solar package is $4280 instead of $3600, so they make it look like they are getting you a better deal than they actually are.

 

This is likely due to the addition of Safety Connect ($450) and USB Connectivity ($230).

3,600
+450
+230
$4,280

 

Ah ha. Wow, so now are these "options" part of the solar package? So, in order to get the solar roof, you not only have to buy the navigation, but the usb and safety connect?

 

The all knowing OZ (read that as Toyota) knows what you want! If you want a SR you surely want a USB and Safely Connect, yea right!

 

Ohhh, if that's true, it's a deal breaker for me. All I want is the solar roof, not their outdated nav system, but I might have been willing to suck it up; but not with these other 2 overpriced and not needed options. I currently am a Gen II Prius owner, but I thinking goodbye Toyota and hello Honda. Guess the good thing is more people might be jumping ship and those waiting list for the Prius will disapper.

 

My sister-in-law was thinking about getting the Insight b/c it was a few $k less. I test drove it with her and I can say it wasn't for me. There were many things that turned me off about the Insight. Some of the bigger ones include noticably louder cabin noise, not well thought out instrument panel (though the changing color indicator telling the driver how green (s)he is is cool), and the "jolt" when the gas engine kicked in even when we were waiting for the light to turn green. Needless to say, we both thought the Prius was a better investment. Everyone's experience and tolerance is different though and I respect that.

 

I ran a side by side comparison of Amex with Toyota's build your Toyota configurator. Zip code 22042.

Amex msrp base price for a iv with solar.
Amex: 26550+4280=30830 Amex price=29813
Toyota: 26550+3600=30150
Save 337+free ipod/safty connect.
Amex msrp base for v with ATP.
Amex: 28020+5180=33200 Amex price=32020
Toyota: 28020+4500=32520
Save 500+free ipod/saftyconnect

ipod and safty connect is bundled with any nav pkg on Amex. Not included in options on Toyota site.

I think you could get 500 to 750 off msrp at those local dealers anyway. From the milage from 22042 I would guess Bill Page and Tyson's with Tyson having the better price.

 

This Amex program doesn't worked for me...both dealers here in Austin stuck with their MSRP. Forget about the set program pricing . Of course, the solar roof option is next to impossible to get here. One dealer said 6 months wait time and the other doesn't even know. With the current C4C program going on, all of us non C4C buyer will have to pay full MSRP to compete with C4C buyers. I guess I will have to wait until they run out of cash before getting a decent deal for one.

 

Amex auto dealers will sell the same car to non Amex card owners, you just have to ask for the same discounted prices. They would prefer not have to go through Amex to save a couple hundred bucks on comission. The main advantage of going through Amex is that you have the credit card company to back you up if the dealer decide to screw with you or bait and switch you. I checked into this back in May, found a dealer 180 miles away that was willing to sell the package II to me at $500 below MSRP, but he like everybody else didn't have a car in stock.

 

I really do love the "stories" that Toyota dealers sling. I just tried the AMEX buying program for a Prius. Shortly I got a phone call from 1 dealer who told me that "Toyota requires all dealers to sell the 2010 Prius at MSRP". I know that in the northeast that is the going rate but what a whopper! I guess I should have asked if they sell bridges also.

Very interestingly the AMEX program also put me in touch with another dealer who quoted me MSRP on saturday and the AMEX price is about $50 higher?