Best Time To Buy?

AAA has a car buying program. You can get invoice, MSRP & up to 3 quotes. I believe the cars with the increased price are already in transit so you may find the same car with 2 different prices sitting on the lots. Traditionally January has been the slowest sales month. This year probably won't be any different. One dealer here had 22 Prius in inventory which would have been unheard of any other year. Prius sales held through the tanking economy. I doubt they'll get any cheaper as there is little dealer markup in the increase.

 

Correct indeed, it's a good time to purchase now. You don't have to go through AAA to get the right price however. I'd follow Jim's suggestion and hit the net. Go to www.toyota.com and build the Prius that you want and submit it to a couple of dealers. Compare prices and go with the dealer that gives you the best service during your shopping and the best price. If you can get close to less than $450 over invoice you're doing well. I searched out there in CA and see that there are Prius all over the place. Do it while we're slow & bored. Here in WI....we're slow & bored! I suspect things aren't too much different out there.

 

If a car dealer steps forward here you may (notice I said “may”) get some good “inside” comments.

If not, here’s what I’ve learned (from experience and reliable car dealers) over the years:

The end of the month is when the dealers make the best deals to get rid of inventory and associated interest costs.

During the year certain models become eligible for discounts based on sales, or lack thereof.

Later in the year when the new models are introduced the old (previous year) models usually go out with a discount.

Lastly, Consumer Reports (CR) has some very good information on how to buy a new car.

Hope this helps.

 

toyota in el cajon says that they are selling them at 20,995 + tax, 55 doc fee, license

no other deal i have spoke with comes even close to this... not sure if it's for real. but I got an email "confirmation" of this price. does anyone know if i can hold them to this price? I already placed a $500 deposit on it.

the other dealers are telling me, that this price is about $900 below invoice, and "unbelieveable"

 

Honestly, I don't believe the end of the month or the beginning of the month matters all that much, I don't feel that I'll give a better deal on the last day of the month than I would on the first day. The problem with the last day of the month is that I would be the most busy with deliveries. The transaction wouldn't be as personal as it would be earlier in the month. Also waiting for the last day doesn't leave much time to complete a dealer trade should you wish for something that's not in-stock.

Dealerships are just a retail outlet for autos. The sales people are normal old people.

 

Mossy toyota has adds with that crazy $20,xxx price also.

 

Dealership I dealt with would only give me a deal at the end of the month, beginning of the month they thought I was a joke.

 

Go buy while it is still pouring rain in LA. I doubt they've had many customers in the past week.

 

Of course, for purely economical reasons, the best time to buy is when your wife's car can no longer be fixed. No matter how much you save, you will never save enough to offset not having to make car payments. Some people have calculated that continuing to drive a gas guzzler is more economical than buying a Prius.

So if you wife's car breaks down next year, and you pay an extra $1000 on top of list price for a Prius, you are still ahead - by delaying new car tax, by delaying higher insurance premiums, by delaying car payments.

I know you don't want to think like that. And I don't follow my own advice. But what I said (repeated from others whose names I forgot) is the truth - it is not my original idea. I do not take credit for this advice.

 

Today's e-mail from AAA is offering a Prius V at $200 under invoice from a dealer in Maryland. The suspension of sales of 8 other models will have a ripple effect on the Prius. Will prospective buyers switch to a Prius or will prospective buyers avoid Toyota dealerships? I don't know. Maybe both. Personally, I believe buying a car when you NEED one is the worst time as you don't have the ability to wait or have dealers compete against each other.

 

Buy now, the dead of winter, people are dealing with figuring taxes, etc...

If you can deal with the first year model thing, buy in the next week before price increase.

 

just called mossy, and the best they are willing to do is 21,800... over the phone quote.

 

You could go to cardirect.com, built your car and obtain the invoice.

E-mail or call several dealers and tell them what you're looking for and offer them $1750 below invoice. Some dealers may turn you down, but keep trying.

It worked for me.

 

Funny, mine came from Mossy on 12/31/09 (that date was important) and I got mats & pearl for $21,477 + T&L. I had emailed 30 SoCAL dealers. I also got a headache ... but, probably worth it. Bart

PS: How do you get your photo next to your thread name???

 

I wonder if now is a good time to buy. Lots of negative Toyota and Prius press in the news, the Toyota accelerator recall for the other models and with a highly possible Prius recall looming in Japan and US. I assume that dealerships are thirsty for business now more than ever and are willing to make some incredible deals to generate $$$$. Then again, I could be wrong. I also wouldn't buy any Prius on the lot manufactured before the January date for updated brake systems. I also assume most of the cars on the lot are from late 2009 and do not have the updated software for the brake issue.

I really want an amazing deal and a recent Prius. I guess I better start making phone calls.