Thinking about a prius

I don't expect any deals on Prii this year, at least not until the fall. With gas going up already and the summer increase likely to occur as well there's little motivation for a dealership to incentivize or Toyota to. If you want a Prius, get one now. If you can get a discount on a 2011 over a 2012, do it. And if you can get a regular Prius close to price of a C do that as well, it is a larger faster car and won't have the new-car premium that the c has.

It is a seller's market for the Prius at this time, it won't change for the next several months except to get worse and prices increase. Last year I was recommending people to not buy a Prius because the earthquake had killed supply and the prices were temporarily very high on both used and new, way high premiums. So I said wait. Anybody who did was rewarded, as prices settled down late in the year. But they aren't going to settle further now, there's just no force pushing them lower.

If we're lucky some idiot will hit the wrong pedal again and cause another PR nightmare. That was a great way to get a cheap Prius because Toyota was desperate to keep moving cars.

 

Yes, those prices are high. There's more to cost of ownership than fuel costs.

Per What that car really costs to own

You might also want to look at Gas Saver Hybrids, Diesels vs. Standard Cars | Which Are Most Affordable? - Consumer Reports.

Also see my rant at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/77041-justify-note-4.html#post1079160.

 

Very well stated there!

Bill

 

You mean the "runaway Prius" complaints? I'm pretty sure every complaint was investigated and found to be frivolous (i.e. driver error).

 

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel that the OP is looking for any reason to put the Prius down in a negative manner...I do not know...

And Dianne happens to be amazing at giving good deals on cars, so yes, it would be worth it for you to head down and see her. She leased me my 2010, and will be leasing me my new C next week.

The Prius is really a great car! I wouldn't be onto my 3rd one if it wasn't worth the cost What else can be said? The car costs what it costs. If you can afford it, then get it for sure. If not, maybe something else would suffice instead?

 

I can't vouch for her personally, and maybe you can do better elsewhere, but several people on this site have dealt with Dianne Whitmire and found her to be very professional (in a good way) which is why the person suggested you contact her.

As far as I am aware Dianne sells more hybrids than anybody else in the country, which is why she has a good allocation. She is Internet and fleet, not on the floor so you'll want to contact her directly by email. Being fleet and Internet sales I'd expect speed over shakedown and you'll be able to agree a price without any hidden junk.

Here's her last post on her inventory thread, on which she includes her details:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-c-main-forum/103467-diannes-prius-c-inventory-4.html#post1492946

I'd suggest you email her. You have nothing to lose but a Prius c-shaped hole.

 

Are you kidding me??!! So you're saying she will sell you for the same price - why not just buy it anywhere else? Just trying to help - no need to be so cynical! Clearly the Prius is NOT for you. Do some reading and research before asking more questions about topics already discussed at length on PC.

 

It'd likely be cost prohibitive (and pointless) to swap out the head unit w/a Toyota one. I suppose you could go aftermarket but that's still going to be way more than a PND.

I can't speak to the c since there's no reliability data yet, but the Prius has proved to be reliable in Consumer Reports, so far. Every year of Prius (that's still listed, which is '02 to '11) on CR's web site has gotten much better than average reliability ratings. Current Prius family members have no belts and brakes on regular Priuses last forever due to regen. Lifespan/Operating costs - Prius Wiki and Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity - Hybrid Electric Vehicles might prove interesting/useful.

 

^^^
Portable Navigation Device (e.g. units from companies like Garmin, Tomtom, Magellan, etc.)

 

Nothing gets obsolete as fast as electronics. I use an inexpensive Garmin Nuvi in my Prius C without any problems. If I need something later and greater in a year or two I can buy it without guilt.

Personally I wouldn't change out an all singing and dancing audio/nav system. As a result, I would feel stuck with the technology after about 5-6 years. My last car went 22 years so that would be a lot of miles with an obsolete GPS.


Tom