Just got the loan, Which Prius to get?

Good luck, you guys! I think you'll find the #2 ideal, it sure has been for me so far. Get a Garmin or TomTom or whatever sort of GPS appeals to you, and I doubt you'll feel that you've given much up by going several thousand less in initial cost. And the 'standard' headlights seem to be pretty decent to me, drive with them for a while and see what you think, then upgrade as has been suggested if you decide they don't work well enough for you. The only other significant options you're giving up are the six-CD changer (which, if you've read the threads, seems to have an appalling tendency to seize up occasionally, requiring removal and replacement), and Blue-Tooth capacity which can be acquired by way of purchasing a relatively inexpensive GPS which includes it.

 

The obnoxious blue lights that 'blind you may be some HID or some halogen pretenders. What they have in common is their miss alignment IS causing the blinding, not the light type used. The HID color may be pure whit to a slight blue color depending on whether they are near 5000 (white) to 10000 or above blue to even purple.

SO YOU SEE, JUST BECAUSE I SEE NOW SO WELL DOES NOT MEAN I AM BLINDING ANYONE COMING TOWARDS ME.

Alan

quote=HardCase;552760]I bought my '08 #2 in December.
Are the HID lights the obnoxious blue colored things that blind me every time I drive at night? I hate them, at least being on the receiving end of the things. And I also believe in the Golden Rule. I hear that some states are considering banning them. I don't know if the Prius HIDs fit into that category, hopefully not, but my sense is that if you can see really really well with a given light setup, it probably means that oncoming cars can't see much other than the dazzle in their eyes......as they meander into your lane!! Rant off.[/quote

 

That seems high from what I've been getting quoted. Granted I'm getting quotes on a package #6. But this is the lowest I've been quoted for a package #6 -

Base #6:
25900

Touring #6:
26400

So it seems that a package #2 for $24,800 is high if you can get a #6 for 1k more. If you're willing to drive north near SF give this guy a call:

Raj Khara
Melody Toyota
(415)377-1691

 

Be sure to check out these prices before you sign anything. According to Edmunds, these are the prices for a package #2:

MSRP:
$23,710

Invoice:
$21,873

True Market Value:
$23,002

 

I have read a lot of the suggestion for pricing. My Credit union will look up vehicle Vin# and tell you what to offer for vehicle. I went to dealer with this offer and said match or no deal. Bought 2008 Prius Pkg.#2 that day at my price. hope this helps.

 

I have to admit that I haven't read every post in this thread, so I apologize if I am providing redundant information.

One of the best places that I've found when pricing a car is carsdirect.com. I went to that site before writing this post and found that using the zip code for your area you should be able to purchase a Prius with Package #2 for $22,996. I'm not certain what other fees the dealerships in California charge but those, plus tax, would need to be added.

Now for those who live in the Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and PA area, the best place to buy a high demand car such as this is at Fitzgerald Auto Malls | All vehicles have discounted, full delivered, no haggle prices!. (Click to link) Check out the delivered prices on the Prius. For a Prius with package two, the price is $22,529 plus $99 document fees. That seems pretty good.

Regardless, have patience. Go to dealer internet sites within a distance you are comfortable with, search the inventory, and ask for a quote on a particular vehicle. Make certain you advise in the comments section or through an email that you want email quotes, no phone calls, and prices should include freight and any dealer installed options if applicable.

Good luck.

 

I paid $23,310 for my '08 #2 in December, did a bit of checking around and found I could get it for about $200 less if I went over to Spokane (240 miles from here, one-way), but the local dealership had the color I wanted and Spokane didn't at that moment, plus I just decided I wanted to garner the "good will" that might come from purchasing locally, dealing with them later for servicing, etc. I do believe that there are other considerations to be taken into account other than bottom-line price, although that is certainly very large in significance. I'm generally willing to pay a little more to purchase from local folks, but I live in a relatively small town and that probably makes more sense here than in a large urban area.

 

We just bought a Pkg #5 for 24025 (without fees and 7% tax) this included all weather floor mats. I think this ended up being about 500 or so below invoice. I have to say I never realized how much more the dealers are willing to negotiate at the end of the month. Also, we bought a car they had in stock (after calling around and finding the color/pkg we wanted). Also, beware of the extended warranty. I personally like the Nav but had a magellan and it was wonderful. Good Luck.

 

I got my package #4 for $24,500. I agree that the price appears to be a few thousand $'s high. Shop around and take a good look at the car before signing.

Happy shopping.

 

You may do better than the AAA deal. My husband went through the AAA process and I went to WhyPaySticker.com and marked all the dealers within fifty miles. Got a bunch of "glad to meet you, why not come in" emails. The first specific response I got was from a dealer almost an hour away. Asked what package I wanted and what colors I was considering. (WhyPaySticker.com did not have fields to enter details.) When I replied, I got a quick response with a price that was $675 below what the dealer quoted through the AAA process. I explored some with the other internet responses, but didn't come close. Can I plug the sellers? Walnut Creek Toyota (California) - no hassle, very straight.

 

A couple tips for you:

1.) If you wait until the last week of the month you will get a better deal.

The last week of each month there is more drive to meet their monthly sales goals. I bought my Prius on the last day of the month

2.) They will want to charge you $199 for floor mats. Tell them you don't want their crappy mats. For about $10 less you can have an awesome set of custom fit WeatherTech Floor Liners shipped to your door in a few days. WeatherTech Automotive Accessories - Interior Protection - WeatherTech Floor Liner - floor liner, floor tray protects and lines the floor of truck and SUV carpeting from mud, snow, water and dirt

3.) If you get "bad vibes" off of the salesman or sales manager trust your instincts and go to another Dealership.

4.) Watch the movie "Suckers" before you go out to buy your car! It really puts things in perspective.

Good luck on your purchase. It's an awesome car and you will love it.

PS - Go for the Package 5! I like mine!

 

PS - You can get a package #5 for just under in the ~24,000 range if you stick to your guns! Look at the stickers carefully! There is fat there that can be trimmed away.

Also, remember that once you agree on the sale price there is still more $$ to think about. They will want to sell you extended warranties, clear coating for your paint, key replacement insurance, etc.

 

Re: Just got the loan, Which Prius to get?-Got It!

That sounds pretty decent, although they do seem to clobber you CA folks on some of the taxes and fees....we don't have sales tax in MT. My pine mica #2 was $23,310 OTD which included the floor mats (my dealership charges $99, not 199, for those) and a $110 "document fee". Registration/taxes totalled $248. I didn't do the extended warranty or any of the other goodies (clearcoat, lost key insurance, etc.) that they try to sell you, so guess my total cost came to $23,558.

Oh, and my insurance for six months was $528. I do $750 deductible on the comp and collision. What do people find they have to pay for insurance?

 

I bought my car at Walnut Creek Toyota too. Very nice transaction. Call and ask for the internet department. It is a woman, I think her name is Karen? She quoted $2100 off MSRP right off the bat. Don't bother with the regular salesmen. They cannot quote the same price that the internet department can.

 

Re: Just got the loan, Which Prius to get?-Got It!

Well, that is only $80 less than your original quote from the Santa Barbara guy. ($24,800 out the door)

Looks like MSRP for package 2 with floor mats is $23,909. So you got $1150 off MSRP. Is that right? That sounds pretty good. You can get more of a discount from the more expensive packages than then less expensive packages.