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Prius III - Buy or Walk?

Discussion in 'Dealers & Pricing' started by BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011.

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  1. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    I've been looking and researching (and wanting, truth be told) so much that I'm worried I've convinced myself I've found a "good" deal when it's actually not:

    2010 Prius III (no extra options in addition to the III base)
    ~12k miles
    $23,900 + ~$1300 TTL = $25,200


    The only thing that caught my eye on the Carfax report was a battery replacement in 5/2010, about 6 months after it was bought new, and about 1,900 miles into use - I'm waiting to hear back from the dealer with that story, but does that strike you as odd?

    Any advice or opinions you could give would be greatly appreciated!
     
    #1 BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011
  2. TonyK51

    TonyK51 Junior Member

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    Something seems wrong. My suggestion is to take it to a mechanic you hire and have it looked at.
     
    #2 TonyK51, Apr 15, 2011
  3. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    Definitely good advice. To complicate things a bit more, the car's in New England, while I'm in Texas. If I'm going to fly somewhere to bring a car back, I'm going to bring a car back, you know?
     
    #3 BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Which battery? 12V or 201.6V?
     
    #4 usbseawolf2000, Apr 15, 2011
  5. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Likely the 12v which has been a problem for some on here. They are quite small and easily discharged which leads to replacement.

    If this is the only problem, I wouldn't worry about it.

    However, like you said, not really a good deal.
     
    #5 spiderman, Apr 15, 2011
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  6. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    Like spiderman figured, it got accidentally discharged and replaced. No biggie.

    Despite that I want one really badly, I'm going to wait, look around, and find a car that fits the price I want to pay - no more than $23k out the door. If that's next week, or next winter, it's okay.
     
    #6 BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011
  7. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    Unless you absolutely need a car right now, and it absolutely has to be a Prius, I would walk! I bought a new 2010 Prius III with Nav for $23,088 this past July! I understand supplies are short and gas prices are up, but there's no way I'd pay $900 more for a used Prius with less equipment! It's hard to say whether or not gas prices will go back down, but in about 4-6 months, Prius production will have resumed and supply levels will be back up, which will cause prices to drop again. Will they go back to what they were 6-8 months ago? Probably not, but they will drop from the inflated price dealerships are currently asking... Wait and purchase a new one for that same amount 4 months from now!
     
    #7 Paul58, Apr 15, 2011
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  8. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    Ha, I see you posted just as I was suggesting this approach!
     
    #8 Paul58, Apr 15, 2011
  9. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    That's exactly what I needed to hear, thank you! My spouse is the one that's absolutely ready to buy a Prius now. I know us, and know that we'll look back in a year and want to kick ourselves for buying right as gas prices were going up and stock was going down.
     
    #9 BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011
  10. lig13

    lig13 Junior Member

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    We bought our 2010 base last month with 20k miles for $19,800.00.
     
    #10 lig13, Apr 15, 2011
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how much is a 2011 II in your area?
     
    #11 bisco, Apr 15, 2011
  12. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    That's a wonderful question! There are none. That's right, absolutely zero in my area, and the ones they have coming in over the next month or so are already sold, so the dealership didn't want to talk prices today - they want me to come back in a few weeks. It was a weird dealership experience today, they acted like they'd rather pull their own teeth than sell me a car.
     
    #12 BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's a guy on here right now getting $750. over invoice in cali. perhaps you should look there?
     
    #13 bisco, Apr 15, 2011
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  14. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    Nice! Could you point me in the direction of his posts? I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks!
     
    #14 BobLoblaw, Apr 15, 2011
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looking now.
     
    #15 bisco, Apr 15, 2011
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  16. PSD Prius

    PSD Prius Junior Member

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    Good luck on your Prius purchase. I was able to bite the bullet and get my Prius III in Feb, before all the mayhem in Japan etc... My deal was $21.690 + TTL...now you cant even get one at sticker. Like you said, you have time on your hands, use that to save some cash...
     
    #16 PSD Prius, Apr 16, 2011
  17. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    Great deal, PSD!

    I wish I had a crystal ball to tell me what gas prices and Prii supply would do. That'd be great.
     
    #17 BobLoblaw, Apr 16, 2011
  18. koric

    koric Junior Member

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    I don't think people can compare how much they paid for their Prius before the tsunami ESPECIALLY not from last summer. If you find a 2010 pkg 3 with low miles for $22-23k, I think that's a fair deal given the market. The lowest price I can find on a 2011 pkg 2 in Los Angeles is $23,485 for a non special color.
     
    #18 koric, Apr 16, 2011
  19. VoicesInMyHead

    VoicesInMyHead New Member

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    I shopped in the Atlanta area for a Prius about two weeks ago. There were very few that CarsDirect or local dealers could find. One showed up in inventory and I jumped at the chance. Paid sticker for a Prius Two.

    I checked yesterday on CarsDirect; the price is now $1000 above MSRP. I got in just in the nick of time, I think.
     
    #19 VoicesInMyHead, Apr 16, 2011
  20. BobLoblaw

    BobLoblaw New Member

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    Hopefully by the time fall rolls around, gas prices will be a bit lower (or at least around the same), and production will have ramped up. Thanks again to everyone who shared their deals, prices, and advice.
     
    #20 BobLoblaw, Apr 16, 2011
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