Dealers are calling me left and right...

I didn't put deposits down, but visited several dealers and told them to call me when they had a nav equippied car with no mark-up. I still get calls... I'm in sales, when you want to make a sale, you stay on it.

As for the free crap, don't count on it, most dealer are adding that sh*t on to mark it up without an actual mark-up.

 

Karin,

Stay away from the dealership extended warranty. That's usually one of their "profit centers" where they really make their money. You can buy the 7yr/75k extended warranty any time up until the standard warranty expires. It's even written in the little brochure that they'll give you. They're betting that you won't know that. You can buy the warrenty through a chap here on Prius chat for much cheaper (approx $1000 vs $1500+ at the dealership). You can cancel the warranty anytime until it expires and Toyota will give you a prorated refund. You can probably do better than Toyota financing. I've got USAA and they have sweet car loans. I actually took out a home equity loan to pay for the car so that I can tax deduct the interest. I have a fixed rate 20 year term. That means the monthly payment is low. The downside is that if I don't make extra payments then the car will cost me a fortune and I'll be paying for it long after I get a new one. However, because I'm self employed I like cash flow advantage and I'm a pretty disciplined guy and will throw money at the principle on a regular basis. I'll try to pay off the car in 3-5 years.

I did get the clear mask installed by the dealership. Here in Denver the DOT uses gravel as well as salt when it snows. The little pebbles slaughter the paint without remorse so I wanted something to protect the front of the car. It only costs about $180 as I recall and was worth the convience of letting them do it. I also did the touch of class fabric sealant and wax finish for the exterior. I'm pretty sure that you should avoid that. Can someone else comment? To my knowlege there are vastly superior after market products that are less expensive.

 

To take the last first: there's a thread somewhere on very current financing (3-4 days ago). I just got approved for 4.94% through Costco. A couple of credit unions were reported as slightly lower; most are higher. Toyota's probably around 5.5-6, not counting any break you may get. Rates going up quickly!

The only dealer add-on some people haven't been bothered by is the rear bumper "applique", which goes on the top of the bumper so you don't scratch it putting things in your hatch or taking them out. It's thin, and you can get better ones aftermarket. (Toyota's is about $60.)

My guess is that they're calling you because there's a temporary '06 "glut" building up because so many folks, like you, are holding off until 1/1/06, and they're hedging their bets. Either that or you're simply dealing with diligent salescritters, doing what they're supposed to do.

Dealers are GUARANTEED to "offer" an extended warranty. You can't get one any cheaper than right here at PC (through a dealer in MA): 7 yr/100K mi, zero deductible for $990. You have until 3 yr/36K mi. to decide to buy one. Just tell the dealer you'll wait. Protection packages are a waste of money.

I always recommend that buyers get a front-end "bra"/"mask" immediately. You get stone chips in San Diego the same as anywhere else. The "official" Toyota black vinyl one costs about $112 (NOT from your dealer!). Some people prefer an adhesive "clear coat"; for availability/cost, just look in your Yellow Pages under "Automotive-Paint".

 

I don't see the need for a bra/mask... the bra is usually uglier than a few stone chips... and in san diego/socal, there's no need (just my opinion)

 

Clear mask. The thin, clear vinyl coating. You can't see it from more than a few feet away and even then you have to be looking for it. I agree the regular bras aren't my cup of tea.

 

The dealer isn't known as the "stealer" for no reason

 

That's what we're hear for.

You can use the money to buy crack if you want, but I bet they'll raise the interest rate on ya.

No you can use the money for anything, doesn't have to go back into the house. I went with a loan instead of a HELOC because I wanted a fixed rate. HELOCs are usually variable rate and more ala cart in nature. Buy something here, buy something there kinda deal. I knew that I just wanted the car and the predictable cash flow thing was important to me.

I can try to get a picture but I'm afraid that you won't see much. it really is pretty hard to see. It's great for protecting the car's paint from those tiny flecks due to pebbles, bits of glass etc.

Some kinda sealant would probably be a good idea but I think there are folks here who could give you some recomendations for after market products that are better and cheaper. You might even be able to get the dealer to apply them, but you'd have to pay labor costs and that might negate the savings. do not know. Some else will have to step up on this issue. I'm just not very knowlegable in this area. I wasn't a car nerd until I bought this car. What I don't know could fill several very large warehouses at a minimum.

 

As a real estate guy, I'll tell ya, Tripp is right.. the HELOCs are variable rate loans, usually with interest only payments... currently pushing 7% but I got 4.9 from my credit union on the prius, since toyota lease rates were terrible.. strange seeing as how the prius retains it's value so well. Since I bought it with the intention of dumping it within 6 to 12 months the low fixed rates and good resale made sense

 

That were I, when you first posted.

 

I will add, that many times I regret buying the prius... other than the savings on gas, the queries of passerbys etc... there's many things I don't like. Luckily my buddies on here give me reasons to like it. If you're accostomed to driving corollas and other such cars you will love the prius. If you've had any type of lux car you will hate it.

 

only believe what's on the actual Toyota sticker... mine had the mats and the stupid decal on the top of the rear bumper (which you can't even see) included, but they were factory options. Anything on an separate piece of paper on the window is mark up

 

I got 3.99% for my Prius, it was lower than USAA where I had gotten a lower rate when we got the Sienna.

 

Wow, you got a good deal with USAA. Did you bargain at all? I called and they said 6.2% v. 3.99 from Toyota. The Toyota finance was the cheapest I could find. You must have been awarded a medal or something.

 

Because it's a Prius, they might not give you the discount, that's what my dealer said.