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How do I start shopping for a 2011 Prius?

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by JeffNJ, Mar 6, 2011.

  1. JeffNJ

    JeffNJ New Member

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    The time has arrived for my next car, which I'd like to be a high-end or top-of-the-line 2011 Prius. (I keep my cars for a long time, so when I buy, I like to buy up the food chain).

    -What's the best way to start my shopping?

    -I live in northern NJ; there are are several nearby dealerships. Should I contact each on its web site and ask for a quote? I don't have time to drive around to them all.

    -Also, since I need the car by July at the latest, what's the expected wait time for a 2011 model (assuming I don't have a lot of custom requirements)?

    Any help on getting started would be appreciated.
    Thanks.
     
  2. mainerinexile

    mainerinexile No longer in exile!

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    My suggestion would be to start at Toyota.com and 'build' your car so that you know options and colors you want, and you have an MSRP for reference. Then email a number of dealers to see if you can get a deal. Personally, I'd look at a left over 2010 since you keep cars a long time.
     
  3. TrailRider

    TrailRider Junior Member

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    I used Truecar.com and negotiatied with several dealers via email on the model I wanted. Once I had the best price via email, went in, and picked it up. Try Truecar, that will give you a starting point on negotiations for local dealers.

    Good luck!
     
  4. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    I suggest that you deal with a fleet salesperson. They seem to be able to give a better price.
     
  5. MSB87

    MSB87 Junior Member

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    Yes to all. We negotiated based on out the door (OTD) cost. IMHO it cuts through all the bull crap number games they play. I used truecar.com and then added the TTL to get to my OTD price. The E-Mail thing is the way to go. Save & print them all and bring them with you when you go in. Good luck, happy hunting.
     
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I wouldn't expect any wait time if either the dealer has it on their lot or they can do a dealer trade. What are some examples of "custom requirements" you might have?
     
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Good advice so far. See also the car buying advice in the April issue of Consumer Reports, either online or in most libraries. I bought mine remotely, getting bids from multiple dealers without driving to most of them.

    Note that if a dealer suspects that you "must have" something (delivery date, particular option, whatever) much of your negotiating leverage disappears.
     
  8. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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  9. JeffNJ

    JeffNJ New Member

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    Well, years ago, when I shopped for a car there was a wait if you wanted a color or options other than what they had on the lot. That was how dealers got you to take options you hadn't originally wanted. Maybe that's not how Toyota dealers sell Prius now.
     
  10. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    You definately have more negotiating power if you take a vehicle that is already on the dealer's lot. I wanted a Base III with no options, but wanted it in white. The dealer had two white III's, one had Nav the other had leather. I ended up getitng the one with Nav for the price of a Base III because I was willing to negotiate on a vehicle they had on their lot.
     
  11. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat and best wishes as you research your new car. I used Edmunds.com and email to purchase my Prius. In total, I email requested 5 dealers for quotes. Ultimately, I selected my dealer, called them and gave a credit card deposit over the phone. In the end, I was thrilled with the process, delighted with pricing and not opposed to traveling a distance to get my Prius. I ended up saving some money because I bought a Toyota Certified used Prius which was a dealer demo. If you're going to keep your car for many years, consider a 2010 model rather than 2011.
     
  12. mainerinexile

    mainerinexile No longer in exile!

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    One more thing: don't sign for a car before you test drive it, regardless of the good deal. A few Prius owners report noisy cars (which I think is probably bad wheel alignment) while most are very quiet. Drive yours before you sign, and get it up to speed on the highway to check for noise and other issues.
     
  13. twittel

    twittel Senior Member

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    Check out the Newbie Forum and the thread "I Wish The Dealer Had Told Me". You'll find lots of pro/con information that may help in your new car research. It's a good thread.
     
  14. aztoyotascion

    aztoyotascion New Member

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    Fleet will not give you anything price wise that you cannot get by going in and talking to a salesman. You can certainly "buy" a car online but negotiate on a vehicle you have never driven? You may drive it and decide it isn't the right car for you... or the right dealership even.

    Don't negotiate on the "Out the Door" price... your dealers can't do squat about taxes and license fees!

    Want to save some time? Do a little homework by checking out the Toyota website. Go to the dealership you will most likely use for your servicing. Get a sales person to help locate a car with the features you want. Drive it... not just around the block. A real test drive should be 5+ miles!

    Remember, the nicer you are to a dealer the nicer they will be to you. So many people come in with a chip on their shoulder and act like jerks, they won't get the best treatment.
     
  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I had a dealer trade done when I got my 02 Nissan Maxima. I wanted the GXE (lowest trim) and the dealer had none. He had one driven up from Oregon.

    For my 06 Prius, that's a different story. Dealers didn't have any on their lots. There were wait lists back then. I put myself on a wait list and (IIRC) I waited at least 1.5 months, but also didn't want to accept a car until 1/1/06, at the earliest in order to take advantage of the tax credit that started then.

    Seriously, as long as a dealer has one on their lot, if it's not the color or optioned the way you want, you should be able to get them to do a swap provided that combination is available in your region.
     
  16. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Read through www.carbuyingtips.com. At www.aaa.com you can build a car & get up to 3 price quotes. Know what the MVC charges for fees & taxes. A common scam is for the dealer to overcharge for the title & registration. The $1.50/tire tax is legit.

    What is the dealer's policy regarding the customizable settings? If they won't make changes a couple/few times for free then walk away.
     
  17. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    So are you saying that you and your dealership don't treat all customers fairly and equally? What exactly do you mean when you say that some customers don't get the "best" treatment.
     
  18. MSB87

    MSB87 Junior Member

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    I disagree completely with the OTD pricing. When I negotiated using OTD I was well aware of the TTL. I looked up the Title & license fees and used them in arriving at my OTD. Tax rates are known. I started with OTD and calculated backwards to a sell price. It got rid of having profit fees like "doc fees" added to the selling price. It puts the buyer at ease, as long as they have done their homework.

    Each dealer uses a different fee schedule. I really don't care where the dealership puts their numbers, if they want to cut the sell price and add fees to boost the profit then fine by me. If the sell price is higher and they cut the fees then fine by me as well.

    What matters to the consumer is what will I be paying for this car when we are done negotiating. Using OTD makes the numbers clear. My OTD price was a good deal for both myself and the dealership. I wanted to give them the flexibility to maximize their profit by moving numbers around, as long as my OTD did not change.

     
  19. MSB87

    MSB87 Junior Member

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    Fleet & Internet departments usually work on a # of units sold vs the salesmen who are waiting for "ups" are on commission & maybe a combo of units & commission.
     
  20. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    I think what he meant was, if someone go into the dealership acting like a jerk, making unrealistic demands, and talking down to the salemen, don't expect that dealership to bend over backwards and accomodate them or give them preferential treatment. This is basic human nature, not rocket science...