When it comes I'll renegotiate

I'd love to know how it goes. I am waiting on the same car (only since September), but I think since they could sell it to someone else that same day if you decide not to buy it, you won't have much luck.

 

You can never tell. But given the increases in list price that have happened since then, you may find yourself swimming upstream. You either want the car or you don't, and the dealer knows what you are willing to pay because you agreed to a price already. It's all supply and demand (and, for some dealers, ethics in their honoring their original price - and you honoring yours), which means the money you spent on your VW is totally irrelevant.

Your success will depend entirely on how many people are on the waiting list behind you. Good luck - you'll need it.

 

That's probably the case, take it or leave it.

Unless you're the friend/relative of the dealership owner(who can cut you some slacks), you won't have much negotiation power left once the Prius is in the dealer's lot. It'll be flying out in no time and the dealer knows that, whoever paid more will get it.

 

If you're trading a car, you always end up with a negotiation because the used-car price has changed. No dealer will give you a guaranteed trade price until the actual transaction takes place.

The negotiation will depend on several factors, as it always does. Demand for the car. Your willingness to walk away. The trade offer for you old car. The emotional draw of the new car being there. The cost of financing. The dealer's sales requirements, factory incentives, and the salesman's quota.

There's really nothing new here.

 

If you can dangle cash in the bank in front of them, you have a good chance. If there is a car loan involved, good luck! They are probably getting < half of their customers getting loans approved.

 

Bad timing to be negotiating on a vehicle that is in high demand. Back in 2006 when I bought my Prius I got $1,000 off MSRP. Doubt anyone could get anything close to that now. It is all about supply and demand.

 

when the average number of prius were 30 on each lot in 2/07, i got 4.9 on 60 months. i think at the time the deal was 0% on 36?

often reported by me, they also shipped the car 75 miles away from novato to san jose, just so i could buy it. took 2 days for it to arrive

later when i was bored and ran a carfax on mine, i found out it sat at the dealer in novato for 4 months before being sent over

 

and no one has mentioned that if you have only spent $2000 on repairs to a Volkswagen you got off lucky. I say this as the wife's VW Beetle is the very definition of evil.

 

I just did. See recent thread.

 

Well, at least in the Bay Area, not only are dealers selling below MSRP, but quite a few are selling a $1000 or more below MSRP. These are all the same dealers that were charging $4 to $5K over MSRP 3 months ago.

 

I'm with you on this... We owned a 1999 New Beetle GLS from new until 2002. Mechanically sound, but several fit and finish issues: The right-rear fender liner came off when my wife was driving on the highway, she thought that a bomb had exploded. The heater control stuck open. The side mirror control knob broke off.

The 12V battery failed and it was not easy to replace given its location under a front fender. Driver visibility is not good because of the very thick A-pillars and the location of the side mirrors.

Not to mention that although the car had a red exterior, it seemed to be a magnet for accidents. My wife was in three accidents where the other drivers were at fault. So we got rid of the car after three exciting years of ownership.:glare:

Regarding the OP's desire to renegotiate, the dealer probably is planning the same strategy to raise the net price - good luck.

 

It is all about not being impulsive when buying. I do not care how high the demand, at present a lot of people are not looking to drop approx. $30K OTD for a new car. So I still say cash is king. Despite what dealerships claim, they want to sell cars and there is not a long line of people with cash able to make a purchase. Negotiate!

 

If it were any other car, you'd be right. However, the demand for the Prius, I assume, is as high as ever, so you'd be lucky if the dealer doesn't tack on an extra two grand just because he can.

 

He can but he didn't and he gave up >1 grand for new 09.

 

Around here I'm not sure he can. Gas is down $1.15 from it's high. Some of the demand no longer financially qualifies. There are more cars sitting on the lot longer but not many cars and not very long.

 

Hey no problem. You go in and pay their asking price. That is how I have always been able to go in and pay what I am willing to pay and get exactly the car and package I want. That is what makes the system work.

I bought my '05 in January '05 when dealerships were telling people 6 month wait and asking $2500 above MSRP. I picked my model, color and told them I would not pay anything over MSRP and would not take any forced options. It took 4 weeks to get my exactly specified car. I also bought the 100K Toyota extended warranty for $900.

My car now has 94K on it and when the new Prius comes out I will decide if I will sell mine and buy on of those. Again, I will purchase exactly the color, model and options I want and will not pay more than MSRP.

 

I think that most of the evidence is pointing to the Prius bubble having burst. The local stealership where the Prius was selling at $3K over MSRP last month is now listing the cars at MSRP.

Given the current economic issues, particularly the scarcity of credit, I'd say that someone with cash in their hand may well be able to write their own ticket on pretty much any car sale they want. Unless, I misunderstood the OP, there isn't a need for a new car, just a want (the current car "works" they just want something different.) That gives the option to simply walk away from a deal. I don't think the salesman will let you get far as I doubt that there's a line of people with the cash in hand behind you.

 

people were walking in the dealership doors wanting prius by the boatload.
that has stopped. it is a trickle now.

dealerships are simply filling orders from the people over the summer.

come Dec... these cars will be back on the lot waiting for buyers and you can
bargain a bit again.

my two cents.