to wait or not to wait

Let your fingers do the walking.

I'd take some time and make some calls.

Call all of the dealers within, say, 100 miles of where you are.

Ask about current 2005 and ask when the 2006 will be delivered.

Get some ammunition, I mean, Information.

If any dealer has anything close to what you want in your 2005 now or soon, call YOUR dealer and say it's been long enough and you're canceling your order and buying from someone else.

If no one has any 2005, then you can consider ordering a 2006 (from some OTHER dealer) but if you want the salsa red or the tideland green you better stick to the 2005 as those colors are going to change to a different red and green with the 2006. Of course if you'd LIKE a different red or green then waiting for the 2006 would be a good idea.

But I think your dealer has been keeping you waiting overly long enough.

 

Will you lose the tax deduction if you take delivery after 12/31/05? You have more risk of that with the '06.

 

Its been mentioned elsewhere here in Priuschat that the 2006 will be coming out unusually late, namely late November 2005. Also it was mentioned what changes are coming. Do a search on "2006".

 

I went through the same questioning process myself the past few weeks, before finally getting my Black package 6 last Friday. In Southern California, at least, there's certainly no shortage of Prii, especially in silver. I've read that one in three Prii imported into the U.S. are silver. Of course, the availability situation may be totally different where you are. But, assuming you can find a silver Prius in package 6 reasonably soon, I'd recommend going for the 2005. Not only will the tax deduction drop from two thousand to five hundred dollars after this year, but if you're planning to trade in your current car, it will only continue to depreciate the more miles you drive it, as well as with the advance of an additional model year. If the anticipated changes from '05 to '06 were supposed to be huge, you might be able to make the case for waiting. But since the changes are expected to be relatively minor, I don't see the point of waiting. You may want to expand your search, though, so that you're not dependent on just a single dealership.

Good luck with your decision.

 

And there will be a price increase . . .

 

If you ordered a silver 6 in April, it should be to your dealer onder if your dealer isn't being straight with you. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere, it shouldn't be too much longer.

Ask the dealer for details on his allocation or if he can trade with another dealer to get your car. If he's not willing to do either, find another dealer.

Given that the 2006's aren't due out until mid-November, I had decided I'd wait until at least September before switching to a 2006 as long as I had a very good shot at 2005 delivery - wasn't going to let the tax benefits slip away.

Doesn't seem like there's any significant reason (yet) to hold out for a 2006 - not like the 2005's are depreciating 20% as soon as you drive them off the lot ....

 

Starman; I may kick myself later but I am going to (Wait) for the "2006"
Prius and get the changes that they make to it. I now have a new 2005 Honda Civic EX SE Sedan and like you said we will take a hit on trading whatever you own when you trade them in on the Prius and whats a few more months one way or the other.

And just think, will you just be "Sick" if Toyota makes changes that you like to the (2006) model and maybe thats why it's going to be out in Mid-Nov.

I say hold on and get all the updates and changes that will be on the (2006).

I rest my case and can (Sleep) better now that I have shared these thoughts with you.

BTW which ever way you decide, enjoy your new ride:

Regards;
Terry

 

Starman, I'm in the same situation. I ordered a black, pkg 6 two days before you. As Sept/Oct/Nov approaches and I still don't have a Prius, the more appealing the rumored 2006 features sound. Most compelling would be the leather seats (better than real leather for animal lovers?), reduced noise, improved suspension, and a sunroof/moonroof!? Let me know what you decide!

 

Ordered my Silver 2005 package 5, beginning of April, and have the VIN and waiting for a call any day this week. So, I would think that you would be getting your soon, otherwise find a different dealer.

I wonder even if you could get a 2006 by the end of the year if you would still get the 2000 tax deduction, since most documentation I have seen specifically states the 2005 model.

 

Toyota petitions the IRS for each model/year .
See attached letter for the 05.

Note the dates on the letters.

An 05 put in service in 04 would qualify for the 04 deduction.
If Toyota gets the certification from the IRS for the 06 model in time it would qualify for the 05 deduction, if you put it in service in 05. If they are late in delivering the 06s (or get the letter late) you could miss the boat. (As always, check with your tax advisor.)

The loss of this deduction plus the 3% possible prices increase will be substantial. But still I am considering waiting.
-Lee

 

I understand the '07s will be better yet, and just think about what the '08s will offer . . .

 

I think I see where your going with those comments (MadHungarian) and I would have to agree that every year there is always something changed, but there is a lot of difference in waiting some months down the road than a couple of
(Years-Down-The-Road.)

I feel sure that Toyota already knows that Honda is updating the HCH for 2006 to more directly compete against the Prius so I have the opinion that the Prius for 2006 will have "Very-Worthwhile" changes to make sure that they offset the changes made to the HCH.

So I still think that in this case it's definitely worth the extra months of waiting on the 2006 Prius.

I will say though that like everyone on these forums that this is just my opinion and reasoning on this subject.

Terry

 

or imo, think of it this way: does the guy need a vehicle now? or in 6 months? period.

If he doesn't need a car right now, by all means, wait imo. If he's in the market for a car now, then so be it... now's the time.

Morever, think of it this way: the sooner one buys a car, the sooner (in relative terms) one has the opportunity to trade it in for a future, superior model which would rather be had sooner then later by most!

Kinda like seeing the glass either half full or half empty?

have a good one~