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Shopping for new Gen III Prius - 3 vs 4?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by momof3girls, Nov 8, 2012.

  1. momof3girls

    momof3girls New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
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    Four
    Shopping for a Prius this week and deciding between a 3 or 4 - like the power/heated seats but not sure if it's worth the ~$2700 upcharge. Have a few quotes - lowest ones for Prius 3 are out the door $24,300-500 and Prius 4 out the door $27,000-$27,182. (NC registration, including tax/tags/license) including the current $1k dealer cash. If I use the -% promotional financing it's another $1K added to price of car (my credit union has offered 1.79% interest rate for 48 or 60 months). I'm leaning to the 4 in spite of the upcharge (just because I'm afraid I'll buy the 3 and regret it later.

    Other considerations - color - magnetic gray vs. silver vs. white are available. All of my quotes are 'close to base' but there are a few differences in options/colors for same price. Magnetic gray looks nice but the Gray Pkg 4 has no options whatsoever except 4 floor mats. Silver and White cars are available - the silver is my least fav color, but it has tinted windows, nitro tires, trunk mats, pinstripes and a few 'extras' for same price. White car has the tinted windows & trunk mats but dealer is a little further out.

    The other fear is I will buy the car now and shortly thereafter Toyota will increase the incentives (since 2013's will be on the lots soon). I think there's a good number of 2012's out there but fewer the availability, especiallly in package 4, is decreasing.

    decisions...decisions...any help is appreciated. What are your experience of 3 vs. 4 package; and should I go with preferred colors (white/gray) or take the silver that has a few extra features?
     
    #1 momof3girls, Nov 8, 2012
  2. harper42

    harper42 Member

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    I have the gen 3, no additions of anything special. But this is my second Prius. I had a 2006 and when it neared 100,000 miles, my dealer encouraged me to trade. The Prius needs NOTHING added as it's an amazing car just as it is. Don't hesitate. Find a good deal, pkg. 3 or 4. If you're in a very snowy area, you might consider snow tires. That's the only addition I think you'll need. Buy it. You'll love it.
     
    #2 harper42, Nov 8, 2012
  3. momof3girls

    momof3girls New Member

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    Thanks for your input. :) I also had a 2006 gen 2 (the old package '6') - but I was 'nice' enough to give it to my daughter earlier this year when she graduated from Coast Guard Academy and she and the car moved to Hawaii (so US Gov't moved vehicle for her). I miss the good gas mileage from the prius though I'm in central NC - so probably don't need snow tires. I feel like I'm getting good prices on both the 3 (24,300 out door) and 4 (27,000) out door (at least I think so since all 3 dealers are pretty much sitting on same price give or take $100. It's just a matter of do I want the heated seats, power seats, etc.
     
    #3 momof3girls, Nov 8, 2012
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    have you considered pip?:)
     
    #4 bisco, Nov 8, 2012
  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    When you shop for a new car, you're buying a commodity. Any dealer can sell you one, and they're all exactly the same. Dealers who add pinstripes and undercoating are trying to overcharge.

    You usually get the lowest price from the "fleet manager", who also handles Internet sales. What you do is email l the Toyota fleet managers in your state, and tell them you want to buy a new Prius 3 or 4. They'll email you prices, Bx you'll have a clear picture very quickly.

    As for Prius 3 or 4, I chose the less expensive trim twice, but I'd prefer the better one. I think it is worth it.
     
    #5 Rebound, Nov 8, 2012
  6. kumatae

    kumatae Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    If I was you, I'd go with a 3. I think heated seats and power seats are over rated. I have it in my accord and one of the motor doesn't work on my seat and I've never used the heated seats. Also, note that you can add heated seat feature down the road. Never really purchased the Prius for that luxury factor, just to get from point A to point B with least amount of gas and it's doing a fabulous job. Plus that $2700 upcharge will buy you a lot of gas. And that price for a 3 is a really good deal. I'm buy a Prius for father in law and deciding 2 or 3 but difference is about $2000 so he's going to take the 2 and I'm going to install the rear view camera. He only goes to work and back so no need for GPS and he'll probably even use like 30% of electronics.

    BTW, congrats to your daughter! I interview kids that want to go to USAFA, I'm sure USCG has something like that as well. If I had to do it again, I'd go for USCG or Merchant Marine. She's a smart girl!
     
    #6 kumatae, Nov 8, 2012
  7. momof3girls

    momof3girls New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    I did but there's much more availability of the 'classic' Gen 3 model.

    All of my quotes were from Internet Sales /fleet managers - and it's narrowed down to 3 dealers bidding about the same price for the car (and under invoice). There's just a variety of options as the internet sales managers are offering the 'closest to base' they have available. Leaning towards the Prius IV and will likely purchase soon since the $27,200 out the door including NC tax/registration, etc. seems to be a good price for NC.
     
    #7 momof3girls, Nov 9, 2012
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