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2004-2009 Toyota Prius Prices Paid and Buying Experience
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Do you mind if I ask what you paid, because this is the exact one I'm waiting for and I'm at week nine.... I'm new to this board and not sure if you can send me a private message or not, but it would be important information to have so I can have something to compare it with.
Anyone else get a package # 2 recently, and if so, what did you pay out the door?
My main concern is I don't want to get last minute stuff added on that I didn't ask for. I picked a dealer that supposedly promises nothing over MSRP, but when I see it on paper, I'll believe it....
Thanks so much in advance to anyone who can give me an idea of what to expect!
I am on a waiting list but have been promised nothing over MSRP. (But I'm skeptical, as my nickname states...we'll see what they offer...)
The hybrid market is about to explode within the next two years, and this means competition will be fierce and that means prices will be be better and we'll have many more choices.
That said, it does seem that you can still find dealers who have their longterm interests in mind and so they don't anger their customers by overcharging.
This is pure exploitation--yes the issue is larger, but that doesn't justify going along with it. We've sold out big time for dependency on foreign oil--would we be in Iraq if they didn't have oil? (not so sure..)
Meanwhile we do have some choices--we can opt for other compacts (I know, gasp) for a year or two till things calm down and we have more choices. Or carpool. Or stick with what you have. Or use a subway/mass transit system if you're lucky enough to have it in your area...
I say folks who charge well over MSRP-- as well as folks willing to pay this-- ultimately chip away at and demean and undermine the entire basic fair trade rules implicit in car buying.
I think we all can make a difference by saying "wait a minute now...". Are we that bad with impulse control? Do we want what we want now and so be it--no matter what? Where are our values? Where are our limits?
I don't know myself, honestly--I'm just asking these questions a lot lately...
The economic case for the average person buying a hybrid to lower their gas bill is pretty rocky to begin with, but doing so when you pay over MSRP is just plain foolish.
Some people just have more money than brains . You'd be better off buying a Nissan Sentra for about $16,000 selling price after rebate. This car is about the same size as a Prius and gets great MPG with the CVT.
Mark
Six months or so ago I'd have agreed with you, but now Priuses are actually appreciating rather than depreciating. With gasoline very likely to go up, that Sentra will likely sell like an SUV five years from now. The total cost to own (including amortization, gasoline, battery expense) will very likely be less for the Prius.
From: http://www.nextautos.com/hybrid-madness-used-toyota-prius-averaging-higher-trans- action-prices-new-models
"The average new 2008 MY (Model Year) Prius is selling for an average of $26,672, while used 2008 models with less than 10,000 miles on the odometer are selling for nearly $1300 more, averaging a sale price of $27,945. Even 2007 cars, with on average more than 22,000 miles racked up, are commanding $26,396 – just $276 from the new cars’ average."
just an odd time, because we are in the middle of many changes, so the Prius
folks are taking full advantage.
But if you want to look at the larger picture, and you don't yet own a Prius, you still need to factor in if you are willing to plunk down that much more money --knowing that the entire hybrid market-- as well as the small car market (Honda Fit, etc)-- is going to explode in the next two years. There will be many more choices for fuel economy cars, and with that comes competition and stabilizing of prices..
And the current Prius is do for major re-haul which will then put a halt to the inflated prices of the second generation Prius, although I'm sure it will still get very good re-sale for many years--and if I had one now, I'd likely just hold onto it and not re-sell--a new car means yet more money to fork over...
I think the point is you need to keep your wits about you and not get too swept away with the feeding frenzy. Know you have options, and they are about to get
a great deal better!
You need to know what your limits are in terms of how much you are willing to pay.
I'm sorry I didn't buy a Prius when tons were sitting on the lot in February and even March...and you could actually get a good 1-2 grand below MSRP--but now, I just don't know if it's worth it--especially with what's coming around in the corner within the next 12-24 months....
It's a tough choice--I remain on the Prius waiting list and we'll see if a fair enough price is offered at the time (if ever it actually arrives!).
I'm fully prepared to say no if after having fully researched close enough alternatives that are just around the corner are $5-$9,000 less...
There's a lot more I can do with that money in the mean-time...
It's a tough choice, but it's good to know there are options...
I have three questions:
1. Did you pay over MSRP?
2. Did the car include any surprise/ add-ons that you needed to pay extra for?
3. How do you like it so far?
I start to read about the 2009 Fit and so forth, and I just don't know if this wait/cost is even worth it.
Can you let us know what it's like for you now that you have it when you get some time?
Any other new owners who waited a good long bit and feel it was well worth the wait AND-- did NOT pay over MSRP ?
Thanks in advance to all who might be able to shed some light so I can keep this in perspective...
I think this is a temporary trend. As these vehicles get closer to their Hybrid warranty expiration dates (8 or 10 years), a new owner with any sense will realize that a hybrid battery pack replacement may be in store. Note I said MAY be in store. Also, the Prius has a lot of electronics to break, and they are expensive to fix. And the vehicles won't work without those components. For example, if the main display goes out on the Prius, it won't work until fixed. If the DVD system (or other radio system) goes out on most vehicles, the car will still run.
The other factor is that in 2-4 years, there are going to be LOTS of higher MPG vehicles competing, including more hybrids, PHEV, electric, diesels. The current market has been caught by high gas prices combined with most US auto makers not having viable high MPG alternatives. That is going to change quickly.
Yes--That's how I understand it now as well. And I'm sitting here, during this odd sort of in-between time, and not quite sure which way to turn..go with the expensive Prius, or get a decent enough much cheaper compact to hold the fort down over the next couple of years till this all evens out a bit more....I'm opting for the latter...
Any thoughts?
I called the same salesman, a very decent guy at Toyota of Santa Maria, (CA), and he said he could sell me a new 08 Prius for a few hundred below MSRP now but I'd have to wait about 6 weeks for the exact thing I wanted, less if I was willing to buy whatever he got sent. There's been a price increase of a few hundred since Oct.
I love the Touring, 15,000 miles now, but it gets 42mpg instead of 44 for the Standard Prius. Consumer Reports thinks it's worth the extra $900 as it performs a bit better in accident avoidance and in braking distance. I wouldn't get it due to mpg trade-off and because the tires are much more expensive to replace, maybe $700-800 a set instead of about $400. Check for yourself. I drive my Touring very mildly so I get 45 mpg. If I had the Standard I'd be getting about 47-48mpg.
Prius: roomy cabin, convenient and roomy trunk, nice interior, very quiet, great sound system (pkg #6), plenty enough pickup. Only down side is seats with limited adjustability.
Meanwhile, conventional cars that get mpg in the 40s will be coming on strong too.
I'd be tempted to wait. Maybe oil will pull back to $100/barrel and the Prius market will loosen up. There's a diminishing return on mpg: 20mpg=600gallonsperyear, 30mpg=400gpy, 40mpg=300gpy, 50mpg=240gpy, 60mpg=200gpy.
The sales manager was explaining to me that this car has more options such as floor mats (which were already included in writing) and something about a decal ...
Package #2 (MSRP: $24,309) Includes:
----Vehicle Stability Control; Backup Camera; Smart Key System; AM/FM CD w/6 Speakers, Aux Audio Input Miniplug, and MP3/WMA Playback Capability. Also Includes: Cruise Control, Heated Outside Mirrors; 15" Alloy Wheels with Trim Ring; Tonneau Cover; Seatback Pockets.
This is without Taxes and DMV fees.
So $25,994 OTD sounds about right in terms of the MSRP--actually sounds less than what I will be asked likely. (Mine will probably come to something like $27,000 or even $28,000 with all the taxes, etc).
However, I'm not used to paying MSRP for any car, and I think there are some really nice compact competitors coming out--but it depends on how much driving you do and what you want--I agree with others who say that you need to test drive the competition and don't feel you must buy the Prius simply because you have been waiting (often folks feel like they should just get it because they've waiting--they feel sort of obligated or they're all psyched up for it).
You have the right to change your mind. But most folks here do seem to love their Prius!
Good luck with whatever you choose!
I have a 2005 Package #6 Prius on a 48 month lease. The lease is due March 2009. Yes, I know I shouldn’t have leased it but at that time gas wasn’t quite $2 yet.
The residual value (payoff) is $9750.
I only have 44,000 miles on it and will be way under the mileage restriction of 15K/year.
The Blue Book value on this car is around $21000 if selling to a private party.
Is it possible for me to go ahead and buy it out early from Toyota and then turn around and sell it to a private party?
I am not planning on getting another Toyota so going to the dealership and working out something for a new Toyota is not an option.
You can definitely contact the bank and get a pay-off amount. Once you pay it off, the car is yours and you will be free to sell it for a profit. You don't have to involve the dealer at all. It's between you and the bank at this point.
Hope this helps!
If you've still got 6 payments to go... figure another $2000 or so on the payoff.. It might be $12.5K by the time you get title to the car..
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Has anyone recently leased a Prius in the tri-state area ? Any ballparks on a low-mileage lease for a Touring with Package 3 ?
Thanks,
Aks
Have fun actually getting one. In my State it's a 6 month wait no matter what dealer you go to.
Fact is the Prius can command MSRP or more. If you are getting it for $300 under MSRP then at this time it's a good deal. Next year when the new Prius comes out as well as the Honda Hybrid and the new batch of diesels it might get better.
But if you have to buy now and you can find an actual car, it sounds reasonable compared to MSRP and a 6 month wait.
MSRP: $29,000.00
+Doc Fee: $55.00
+State Tax: $2,397.04
+DMV: $268.00
+CA Tire Tax: $8.75_______
Total OTD: $31,728.79
This is @ BayArea California. I guess it quite lot, what do you guys say?
Also from other dealer:
2008 Prius Package 2 in the Magnetic Gray
OTD will be $26,875
I don't like Magnetic gray color. Also, I thought getting a 2008 Prius will be lot cheaper. I don know....
2009 Prius - Package #5 price this out at $28,723
Other dealer quoted:
Package #2 - includes cruise control, heated outside mirrors, 15-in. 6-spoke alloy wheels with trim rings, tonneau cover, seatback pockets, AM/FM CD with six speakers, auxiliary audio jack and MP3/WMA playback capability, Smart Key System [1], backup camera [2] and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [3] $24869
Package #4 - includes cruise control, heated outside mirrors, 15-in. 6-spoke alloy wheels with trim rings, tonneau cover, seatback pockets, Smart Key System [1], backup camera [2], Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [3], anti-theft system and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® [4] universal transceiver JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with nine speakers in seven locations, auxiliary audio jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, satellite radio capability [5] and hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® [6] wireless technology, and High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and integrated fog lamps $26874
Package #5 - includes cruise control, heated outside mirrors, 15-in. 6-spoke alloy wheels with trim rings, tonneau cover, seatback pockets, Smart Key System [1], backup camera [2], Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [3], anti-theft system and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® homelink] universal transceiver, JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with nine speakers in seven locations, auxiliary audio jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, satellite radio capability [5] and hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® [6] wireless technology, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and integrated fog lamps, and voice-activated DVD navigation system [7] $27574[*]
Package #6 - includes cruise control, heated outside mirrors, 15-in. 6-spoke alloy wheels with trim rings, tonneau cover, seatback pockets, Smart Key System [1], backup camera [2], Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [3], anti-theft system and auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® [4] universal transceiver, JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with nine speakers in seven locations, auxiliary audio jack, MP3/WMA playback capability, satellite radio capability [5] and hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® [6] wireless technology, High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps and integrated fog lamps, voice-activated DVD navigation system [7], and leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel
$28844
One another dealer quoted: 1. Base Prius--$23,943
2. Package #2 (HG)--vehicle skid control, smart entry system, rear camera, and audio with MP3 input jack-- $24,518
3. Package #4 (HK)--Package #2 + foglamps, HID headlamps, 6 CD changer with JBL speakers and Bluetooth technology, alarm system and Homelink--$26,523
4. Package #5 (NL)--Package #4 + navigation system--$27,223
5. Package #6 (NW)--Package #5 + leather seats--$28,493
As for the Touring Package, they come in 1 package:
1. Touring Package #6 (NR) Includes: JBL AM/FM 6-Disc CD Changer, 9 Speakers in 7 Locations, Aux Audio Input Miniplug, MP3/WMA Playback Capability, and Hands-Free Phone Capability via Bluetooth; Vehicle Stability Control; Backup Camera; Smart Key System; Anti-Theft System; Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror with HomeLink, navigation system, leather seats--$29,513
Sorry to post this very lengthy post :-(
Thanks
I drove the Prius and it is a nice car. Just not sure for the price I want to drive around on a car that seems like it has doughnuts for wheels after having driven an SUV for years. I am checking out all options before I buy.
Ron is a great guy, a straight talker, and there is absolutely no pressure. Good luck - Victoria
Yesterday, I went to Fairfield Toyota (near the Bay Area in CA)and negotiated it down to 23,775$ + tax..etc.
I decided to think about it and left.
So, today the salesperson "Tito" calls and tells me they can still do the deal. I was cautious because I thought they were just trying to pull me in to renegotiate. I told him I'd only go in if we could do the same deal as what we negotiated the night before. I called him back 30 min later just to confirm that the deal was done since the drive is about an hour from where I was.
So, when I get there, I knew something was up when Tito greeted us and was hiding behind the salesdesk for 10 minutes. He comes out and says I can only give it to you for MSRP. I was pissed and left promptly.
Horrible Experience. I don't like the fact that he blatantly lied twice to me over the phone. Would never go there again.
Also, I see package #6 inlcudes Bluetooth capability, but is there an extra charge to actually have the bluetooth set-up? I saw an invoice from a friend with package #6 that also had a $299 Bluetooth Handsfree Phone System charge added on? Thanks.
Really? Below MSRP I'd believe but below INVOICE...wow :surprise:
I haven't seen anything close to invoice much less BELOW. I have an offer of 750 of MSRP on an 09 but that's the best I've seen...
Anybody else seeing pricing like this in California? :confuse:
I'm doing trade-off's between other small gas savers...If the price were lower the Prius might be the right choice.
Thanks.
If you look at the heading on my post you'll see I was responding to "victorias1" post number 1697.
Vehicle Base Model: 23375
Package #2: 575
Destination charge: 720
Documentation fee: 88.50
State and local taxes: 1233.5
Total license and fees: 271
Total Price: 26263
The above invoice is from Des Moines area IA.
Vehicle Base Model: 23375
Package #2: 575
Destination charge: 720
Documentation fee: 88.50
State and local taxes: 1233.5
Total license and fees: 271
Total Price: 26263
Please let me know if there is anywhere I can negotiate. I need to buy the vehicle this week.
Super White Package 6 w/grey leather int:
MSRP: $28,884
invoice price: $26,765
sale price: $27,400
doc fee: $55
tax: $2,265
title: $230
ca tire: $8.75
OTD: $29,958.75
GOOD DEAL ANYONE?
Package #2
(Toyota dealer in SF Bay Area - Peninsula)
Car - $23,300
Tax - $1,922
Doc - $55
License - $263
TOTAL - $25,540
Did I get a good deal. Anyone else have better numbers in the San Francisco Bay Area?
One last thing..I remember through these last 5 years how much I enjoyed watching gas-guzzling SUV's loading up their gas tanks to the tune of $100 bucks plus while I usually put in $20 plus bucks. It gave me a sense of ..."sure glad I wised up." One great hybrid car!
speaking of recalls vw is coming out with one called 2+2 can you imagine the amount of visits to the dealership to get it fixed..
the only complaint is the nav disk update is a bit pricey when google give it for free