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Prius Prime - official prices paid thread

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Will_Prius16, Dec 20, 2016.

  1. Sid786

    Sid786 Active Member

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    Looks like an awesome deal.
     
  2. PriusPostus2

    PriusPostus2 Member

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    Hey everyone, long time Prius owner and PriusChat member here, but just had to rejoin.

    We bought a 2017 Prime Advanced on Labor Day.

    My wife flew from Seattle to Rhode Island to buy it, and drove home with her cousin staying at relatives all the way back.

    The dealers in Seattle had barely any stock, and were adding a $3995 "Northwest Protection Package" on top of MSRP. And if I buy out of state I save a bit on sales tax since I am taxed at my residence location not the dealer's location and I happen to live in a little pocket with the lowest tax rate in WA state. My favorite dealer in Oregon was about $1500 under MSRP after the $1000 rebate. So I did as the poster above and sent inquiries to 40 dealers in MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ. One dealer told me they didn't do business as I requested. Most of the rest just sent their internet price as listed online. The best prices I got were in MA and RI. Unfortunately, MA apparently doesn't issue temp tags for out of state buyers who pay cash. So even though Boch had a good price they didn't meet my needs. That limited my search to Rhode Island. Damian at Langway replied with a great price, but did not have the colors we (my wife) wanted. He never replied after his first email. There were about three dealers in the final running including Tarbox and Balise. I feel I could have done more dealing to get an even better price, but ran out of time to get a bank check from the Credit Union and get my wife to her flight in time. We bought from Tarbox Toyota.

    Details:
    2017 Prius Prime Advanced
    Hypersonic Red
    All Weather Floor Mats
    Door edge protectors
    Door molding
    MSRP $34,962
    NE Rebate: $3125
    Dealer: $2527
    Title, doc, temp tag: $244
    Total Price out the door: $29,544
    Fed Tax credit in April: $4502
    FINAL PRICE: $25,052

    We worked with Anna Cook "Internet Specialist" and Cory Martin, "Sales Consultant". Anna was great handling my many emails with detailed questions. I wanted everything nailed down before my wife flew out! Cory picked up my wife and took her to the dealership. He even helped me set up a little inside road trip joke on my wife on the nav system.

    So in all, we saved about $9000 over buying in Seattle and almost $5000 over buying in Oregon. Worth the trip? Most definitely.
     
  3. PriusPostus2

    PriusPostus2 Member

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    Your story sounds a lot like mine!
     
  4. MarcBenjamin

    MarcBenjamin Member

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    That's a great deal. Can't believe your total doc fees are only $244 and you have no sales tax on a 30k purchase.

    Our Hypersonic Red Advanced rang in at $36k OTD here in Cali. Had a bunch of not really optional "add-on's" like the stupid $899 alloy wheels that for some reason every red advanced in the area at the time had pre-installed.
     
    #624 MarcBenjamin, Sep 20, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
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  5. PriusPostus2

    PriusPostus2 Member

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    They don't charge sales tax for an out of state purchase. I had to pay sales tax (technically, "use tax") when I registered back in WA.
     
  6. CardinalAlums

    CardinalAlums Junior Member

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    Marc,
    Is your $36k OTD including or excluding CA tax? If including tax, that is a good deal around the bay area, no? If so, could you share which dealer and sales person?
    Thanks
     
  7. MarcBenjamin

    MarcBenjamin Member

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    Yes that's including Solano county Sales tax. See post #533 on this thread for the break down and sticker.

    Sorry, I just can't recomend my sales person right now. He promised me a very minor touch up job or the darn paint at the very least but it's been impossible for me to contact him. Can't really recomend the dealer either cause they played me with the oh "sorry but we had sent you a quote for a car that was just sold" bait and switch game.

    My bay area advice, don't believe whatever internet quote you get, go down there and grind them down the best you can then just walk out.
     
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  8. TheRealJohn

    TheRealJohn Junior Member

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    I just bought a white/moonstone prime premium for $26,190 OTD ( not including tax) at Steet Toyota in New York after the $3500 Toyota rebate. I flew in from out of state and had the transaction completed in 30 mins. John Flint did a great job - best price up front, did all of the paperwork ahead of my arrival, and had the car prepped.

    I was very happy with the experience and the price. The drive home was awesome-really nice car.
     
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  9. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    You probably would have no way to know this, but the original website for Prius information (that I know of) was created in 2001 by someone else named John, who is also active in PriusChat going by the name of John1701a (named after a certain starship).

    Whether or not John's website was actually the first I don't know, all I know is that when I bought my first Prius in June 2002 I knew no one else who owned a Prius, and I didn't even see another Prius on the road for several months. John's very informative website was the only information that I could find online at the time (PriusChat for example didn't start until 2003)
     
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  10. Simbha

    Simbha New Member

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    All,

    Just checked 2 Toyota dealers in bay area.
    2017 Prius Prime Advanced Blizzard Pearl

    Is following good deal?

    Dealer 1 Option 1 (if external finance):
    MSRP: $34,628
    Dealer Discount: -$1000
    Rebate: -$1500
    Sale Price: $32,128
    Tax: $3,118
    Reg Fees: $350
    Docu: $109
    Total: $35,705

    Dealer 1 Option 2 (if toyota finance at 0% for 60 months):

    MSRP: $34,628
    Dealer Discount: -$1000
    Sale Price: $33,628
    Tax: $3,118
    Reg Fees: $350
    Docu: $109
    Total: $37,205

    Dealer 2:
    MSRP: $34,638
    Rebate: -$1500
    Sale Price: $33,138

    Obviously Dealer 1 is cheaper as they give dealer discount $1000.
    Not sure which option to go.

    Questions:
    (1) Are these good deals?
    (2) Toyota main website says MSRP is $33,495 (incuding Blizzard Pearl +$395). Dealer MSRP seems higher by $1133. Is that common?

    FYI: TrueCar MSRP and TrueCar Average price paid is lower ($32,722).
     
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I live in NE where Toyota is giving a huge incentive ($3125-$3500), so it doesn't look that great, but in CA it maybe as good as you can get. You can do simple calculation on interest if you take external loan at 2.99% APR on $35705 for 60 mo, your interest payment is going to be $2779. Unless you are going to pay cash or pay huge down payment to make loan interest small, 0% APR for 60 mo is better deal. Caveat is that TFS 0% APR financing is available only for top credit score buyers, so you have to make sure you qualify for that program first. As for the MSRP, the price Toyota is showing is without distribution fee which is $895. Other difference must be dealer installed options such as floor liners. Good luck on your purchase.
     
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  12. MarcBenjamin

    MarcBenjamin Member

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    If those were online quotes, I wouldn't get my hopes up that those prices will stay once you get to the dealership. I suppose you can press them for the stock numbers but I doubt it.


    Anyways, the reason why those are higher than MSRP (which really is an imaginary number anyway) is due to BS dealer added options like +$899 alloy wheels and say those +$65 alloy wheel locks.

    If you want the max discount possible and you're not in a rush to buy, how about spend 1-2 hour's of your time and grind them down all the way down even into the finance managers office then get up and walk out after asking for some crazy number like another 2K off. If they let you walk then you walk. However, most of the time, they'll come running after you before you even get in your car. They'll call you for the final final offer if you somehow managed to drive away. Oh make sure you get your license back before you do this.

    Good luck!

    PS. I recently bought one from a dealer in Solano county. See post #533 on this thread for the break down and sticker.
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    these look about as good or better than most in california, i'd go for it. all the best!(y)
     
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  14. Simbha

    Simbha New Member

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    They were in-person quote. But I did not negotiate. It was more of an inquiry session and get breakup of numbers .
     
  15. MarcBenjamin

    MarcBenjamin Member

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    It got pretty crazy out there with all the dealer added non-removable options. There was one that I looked at that rang up to a "grand total MSRP" of 41k.

    That advanced literally had everything including those Aero Side Splitters / FLIMSY ground effects that will come off once it meets it's first speed bump. Also added was some bogus dealer protection package that had that bogus acid rain shield crap and "better than scotchguard for the inside" BS. $41k before tax for a freaking Prius!

    Anyways, of course they'll pretend to take off 2k since they're "nice guys" then sweeten the deal with another 1.5k manufacturer incentive but you're still at 37.5k pre-tax. That's insane for a Prius. Of course they'll count the Fed -4.5k and possibly (i'm on the waiting list of maybe forever/never) state -1.5k and PGE .5k but still your at 31k. Wait you're getting taxed 8.3%ish at 37.5k so now your back up at 40k again pre-financing pre-rebates!

    If I can do this over, I would have done what these guys here are doing and fly out to the east coast and drive one back lol.
     
    #635 MarcBenjamin, Sep 29, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2017
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  16. HPrimeAdvanced

    HPrimeAdvanced Senior Member

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    You guys up in Norcal are really getting the shaft!! I don't know the current situation here in Socal, but we did have relatively few junk options when I bought mine from Longo. I guess if you have a good sense of adventure, I'd go back east based on others' experiences, and purchase a car for that huge discounted price, and let the local crooks eat cake!! You've gotta vote with your wallet if you can swing it!!

    .
     
  17. MarcBenjamin

    MarcBenjamin Member

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    Oh man let me tell you it's nuts! Just checked and there's one with all these BS dealer add-on's that brought the "total MSRP" up to close to 40k:

    Installed Options and Equipment
    • All Weather Floor Liners/Cargo Tray <--- Custom weathertechs are cheaper and better.
    • Emergency Assistance Kit <----- Bag with jumper cables, pliers and roadside stuff. Harbor freight level stuff.
    • Shifter Panel Applique
    • Advanced Package
    • Aero Side Splitter <--- You can take your finger and literally wiggle these. That flex might be by design but I think it's just flimsy.
    • Lower Door Molding <--- Not bad, stylish.
    • Preferred Owner's Portfolio <----Wth is this? Did they arrange for the car to have a photoshoot with like a race queen or something?
    • Rear Bumper Applique
    • 50 State Emissions <---- How is this an option, is this why CA cars are more expensive NOT lol
    • Illuminated Door Sill <---- This I actually like, it does add a touch of luxury to the car. Looks great at night but now you have to match that door courtesy light which is originally amber to blue.
    • 15-In. Alloy Wheels <---- TOTAL Rip off. Buy these later so you get the stock rims and sell each one to people here who want a backup/spare.
     
    #637 MarcBenjamin, Sep 29, 2017
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2017
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  18. Katy_v

    Katy_v New Member

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    Hello all new member here
    We just got our prius prime premium two weeks ago (first prius for us)
    $30,836 OTD
    Car price is $27,650 the rest is taxes an fees
    We got 0%
     
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  19. Simbha

    Simbha New Member

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    Yeah, there was one car like this yesterday when I went. I immediately told the sales guy, lets not even talk about that car :) lol.
    I think that is waste of money.
     
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  20. Simbha

    Simbha New Member

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    One more question on the federal $4500 rebate, on how it works...

    (a) If in April 2018 when we file tax, and we find that if we owe the Fed $4500 or more then we need not pay that $4500.
    (b) If we owe only $3000 then we need not pay that $3000 but the excess rebate $1500 is lost.
    (c) If we do not owe any money to the Fed then that $4500 is entirely lost.

    Is this understanding correct?
    Or in (b) and (c) do we get a refund check from Fed?

    For CA state I believe it is a straightforward check sent by CA for $1500. But currently that state fund is exhausted and customers in waiting list. Not sure if the fund will be received (delayed but for sure) or there is a chance the state will never get that funding and we in turn never get that $1500?

    And finally PGE is a straightforward $500 check sent to us.