Negotioning Out the Door Price - Help Please

This is my opinion and understanding of course, but I think the only thing that's negotiable is the "total fees". The rest of the stuff was physically put on your car at port and you are expected to pay for. The base price, solar roof, and destination charge are what everyone who is buying now is paying- that's MSRP. The other prices are correct MSRP for what they are. Most everyone is paying MSRP right now and the ones that aren't are getting the difference made up with fees and options like this.

The premium package includes the floor mats ($200) which most people are paying out of pocket for. The other things in that package are the cargo net thing and a first aid kit. Not such a ripoff.

The rear bumper thing is not necessary, but is nice to have I guess if you do a lot of heavy hauling. I'd make sure I like the looks of it though since I'm not sure how useful it actually is. It's like a cell phone/ipod protector- either your phone or the protector gets scratched, ether way everyone will see your scratches and it's not like anyone will care a used car has normal wear and tear.

The security system is not necessary I have heard- the Prius is pretty theft proof as it is and has a standard horn type alarm anyway. Here's more about the upgrade. http://priuschat.com/forums/2010-to...p-rs-3200-plus-security-system-pros-cons.html

I'm not positive how these (or any port option) magically appear on cars that have been ordered, but I'm guessing your dealer has something to do with it- I'm sure they'll tell you the port put it on without their knowledge or something. I have a funny feeling the port doesn't just go 'hmm, this car looks like it needs some crap put on it, let's do a bumper and a security sustem and throw in a first aid kit'. I know my car is coming with absolutely nothing but floor mats. I can't vouch for the CA region though, maybe they all do that. A lot of the early cars come loaded up like this since they know people have been waiting months and won't walk away over $500 and someone right behind them on the list will buy it if they do.

The problem is that this stuff that is already on your car. The dealership paid Toyota for these items already (at a discount of course), and they are going to expect the buyer to pay for it at MSRP. You can tell them you didn't want that stuff so you're not paying, and they will most likely say fine, but we'll have to order you another car and the wait is "2 years".

In my opinion, since your dealer fees are such a ripoff (mine are average at $125, some dealers charge nothing), I'd say look, I didn't want all this stuff, so meet me halfway and cancel out the dealer fees or I walk. But you have to be willing to walk over the $500 or $1000 principle of the matter.

To be honest, I didn't preorder a car, I just emailed dealers in the last week or so asking what their best price on my car was (I was specific I wanted floor mats only) and when they could get it. I have had 3 different dealers email me saying they either have already or are being allocated my car and it will arrive in a few weeks (I'm in Madison WI which is Pruis heaven). May be different in CA, but my guess is you're just a few weeks behind the rest of the country. I don't think you'll have to wait more than a month or 2 at most if you started calling around. If you're willing to wait, I'd find another dealer and get the exact out the door price on the car including all fees and be very specific with the exact options you want before you put down a deposit. Most are more than willing to do this, but you just have to wait as you're starting from scratch.

You have to understand- Toyota does not build cars to spec. The allocate them to the dealer based on some magical system. So a dealer sees what they are getting in and if they don't have someone already with a deposit on that model and color, then they try to trade it to another dealer for the car they do have a deposit on. If that doesn't work, they can call someone who expressed interest but didn't put down a deposit like me.

It's your call ultimately if you will suck it up and pay for the port options which are not exactly total ripoffs like a $300 pinstripe. The security system and dealer fee would make me walk away, but I'm a hard headed cheapskate.

 

Call Garden Grove Toyota in LA, Costco price. That price is way, way too high. Fees and all, or vacation in Montana, and save some more.

 

Did you ask for all those options ? If not then tell them you want to wait for a car less expensive. Is your deposit refundable?

 

How negotiable is the price? Everything is negotiable, but having said that...

Other than the "total fees" the other items seem like normal Toyota options @ MSRP--you may not want them but they're on the car. It's not like they're trying to charge you $1,200 for gold plated stuff like I saw in another post.

The preferred premium accessory package includes mats ($200) plus first aid kit & trunk net. You may not want the last 2 items, but you will need mats, no?

The total fees is primarily vehicle registration fees--remember they just increased a lot (almost doubled as I recall) due to the CA state budget crisis. So it's probably ~$400 registration fees, plus other misc., so it might be padded by $75 or so--or perhaps not, given what your county fees are. A rounding error in any event.

To me, bottom line is, it may have a few accessories you don't want/need but it's not as outrageously over-optioned as many I've heard of.

 

I'd say unfortunately you're not in a very good position. The 2010's are just hitting our shores and there are thousands of people waiting for an opportunity to pick one up. I was at my dealership just yesterday and they claim to still be 2 months out. Though this was likely a sales pitch to try to get me to buy his last remaining '09. If you're wanting the best price I'd do what was recommended by another poster and request a quote from a handful of other dealers. You may have to wait a month or so for some other dealers to have some available for purchase.

 

If you have to have it right now, you're going to get gouged like this. The ones in red as suspect unless you want those options. If you wait, odds are you can save many hundreds or even thousands of dollars, and there is no way it will cost more than this if you wait. There are unclaimed 2010's all over the country, but I am sure there are real waiting lists in some areas, and I'd guess the left coast is one of those areas. However, a IV with a sunroof may be scarce for a while. It's all how much you are willing to pay to be among the first...good luck.

 

Yikes, that price makes me glad I bought a new 2009.

 

Now is the best buyer's market in decades. You have the money and therefore the control in this relationship. When you gave them a deposit you put yourself on their hook. Start over by cancelling this order and, if possible, getting your deposit refunded. State laws vary but they may be required to return your deposit. But notice that *even if you lose this $500* you can still save thousands by (1) going elsewhere to buy the car you want without all the extra stuff and (2) be willing to wait. If you just gotta have it right now and/or you actually want all that extra junk then you're cooked.

The cheap and easy way to shop is by phone, fax and email. Call the internet sales person, tell them what you want, get bids from as many dealers as you care to for their "out the door" price *in writing*, and then if necessary ask your favorite dealer to meet the best price.

Don't buy any add-on stuff you don't want (extended warranty, fabric protector, "paint sealant", pin striping, etc.). Do be prepared to wait many weeks for the car *you* want, not the one they want to sell you.

The only reason to visit is for a test drive and to take delivery. And when you're finally sitting there waiting for the paperwork and the persistent person comes in to sell you the last-minute dealer add-on junk, just smile and say "no" until they go away.

 

I just brought a 2010 Prius V w/ATP in Classic Silver/Misty Gray leather interior in the San Diego area. The Rear Bumper Applique 69 and VIP Plus RS3200 Security System 359 are port installs. I paid 440.00 to license and register the vehicle in CA. The only questionable item is the Preferred Premium Accessory Package 280, not necessary in my option. the rest of the charges seen to be alright. I think that it is a fair deal.

 

could you get the VIN# for the car? I'd be happy to run the vin and take a closer look at the car.

 

I re-read through this post....there's a lot of good info here and the question really comes down to this: do you want the extra accessories that are installed on this car?
If you do, pay-up and take the car.
If you don't, Pass on this one and wait for another Prius with fewer port installed options. If you tell the delaer that you'd rather wait for a car with less options...he may begin to offer to discount the extras. (It's something that I'd do to get a deal, chances are this could work for youl. ) On the other hand....you could simply ask them for some discount on the price as you didn't request these options.

Sales are picking up and Prius is selling well. We're not at the volume that we were at previously, but there's a lot of happy salesman and managers at Toyota stores right now....they might be more helpful than you'd think.

 

I put my name on 2 wait lists and luckily got calls from both saying my car will be in at the same time!!
i was hoping for this. this means i will go into the local dealership (that i would prefer to buy from) and say (VERY nicely)..."How about $1000 off?" And they'll say (nicely), "Well, we're selling them no problem so no discount."
And I'll take out my checkbook and ponder their question then say "Okay. I've got another one waiting for me at X dealer and they quoted $500 off MSRP (which they did). I'd prefer to buy it here but..." :eyebrows:
Salesman pauses and thinks. "Let me talk to my manager." and come back with "How about we match their $500 off?"
"And throw in free mats?" checkbook open on table.
"okay."
"Where do I sign?"

This is all in my head right now but I expect something similar. And $500 off with $200 mats for free would make me VERY happy, they get to sell their car and I will tell everyone I meet (in person or online) about how great my experience with X dealership was.

I promise to let you know how it goes in 2 weeks. My husband says I'm all talk and that I'll get to the dealership and be like "$2000 over MSRP?!? But you said...oh okay! Give it to me now!!":dance:
LOL

 

I wish thats how it went with me. I went to the dealer, and I had to fight to get the sales persons attention from 3 other customers gawking at the Prius. I told him I'm only interested in the Prius V, what are they charging relative to MSRP. He said $1000 dealer fee and they require I buy the floor mats. I told him dealer X quoted me $500 under (way to far for a day trip), and he said theres no way he can match that and turned to the other customers.

Sorry to burst your bubble