Freaking Ridiculous

Yes, that's nuts. Here in DC it seems prices have been reasonable most places I've gone. I went to a dealership in Florida and they asked for 4K over MSRP. I told the salesman that I couldn't believe DC was cheaper than Florida and said goodbye. He actually had the audacity to call me the next day to see if I as still interested.

 

When I bought my Prius in April, many dealers were charging a surcharge. But, I was buying from a dealer who had sold me several Toyotas in the last few years so I wasn't worried. I should have been, they wouldn't even tell me how much the surcharge would be once the car arrived. I then did what most car buyers today do, I went to the internet and found several dealers in my area although I live in a remote location. I ordered 4 Prii since there is no penalty if you do not buy when they arrive. None of the four dealers charged a surcharge if you order the car, some did if you just came on the lot. One dealer called me with a Prius 4 days after I placed the order and it arrived three weeks later. I promptly told the local salesman and business manager how rotten I though their policy was and I hoped it hurt their business. Apparently, your Prius was already on the lot. I don't have a huge problem with a surcharge on a car already in, that's business. But I guarantee you two things; it it immoral to surcharge on an ordered car and, have no doubt, if you want a Prius, you can definitely find one without a surcharge.

 

Well, if you call the Toyota Center in Columbia they might give you an acceptable price over the phone, but given that my salesperson kept telling me last year that I could have sold my car for $5,000 more than I paid for it, I doubt they're in a mood to pass up on a deal like that themselves if it's still common.

If you buy there, mention my name...

 

:huh: HI justincmd

Welcome to the "real world!" Greed prevails.

If the greedy Dealer hasn't spoiled your appetite for a Prius, you might want to snoop around the Internet. There are dealers in the USA who do sell for MSRP; however, I haven't found any who discount any significant amount - if at all. A one-way flight to a dealer in another area or state and a drive back home is a valid approach to saving MANY DOLLARS.

Have you tried checking other dealers in your state or adjacent states? eBay always has Prii listed, but as of today I don't see any particular bargains. Somewhere in the threads here (PriusChat.com) and PriusOnline.com, there are postings suggesting how to "shop" other dealers.

 

I really miss the couple of months of lost threads, there was a lot of good info in there.

I bought in the August / Sept timeframe, but that was before the hurricanes and $3 gas, so I'm sure things are different now. However, one thing to remember is the first dealer you talked to was the ONLY one who had a shot at making you pay extra. To all the other dealers, you are simply a sale they wouldn't have otherwise had. You should remind them of that when you call. Believe me, there is someone out there ready to take advantage of that situation, and sell you a car they wouldn't have otherwise.

You will have to get used to the idea of paying MSRP for it though. Below MSRP is rare.

Also, get used to the idea that this is an extremely popular car, it IS new, and is insignificantly different than an '06.

All that said, here's a list of Toyota dealers -- use this and Google to find phone numbers and web pages.

Consider this an opportunity to take a small "road trip" with your new car!

http://www.toyota.com/html/privacy/dealerlist.html

 

justin-

go to virginia. SE toyota has gone nuts trying to mark up all remaining 05 toyotas. i suggest not doing business with them if you feel the way you do.

however, you're not going to find anyone selling prii below MSRP anywhere. my husband WORKS for the dealer we went through and we still paid MSRP. that's the way it works with prii. supply and demand.

if you get a few hundred below, congrats. but otherwise, join the club...

 

Can you wait until January? Get it then at a DISCOUNT of $3,150 (tax credit). Pick it up right after the holidays -- less demand.

Gas is already heading under $2.50/gallon so overall demand will soften a bit. Like others said -- check the internet. Some "bird town" dealers get them and are looking for a quick sale. Offer to pay for a truck haul to SC, Fed Ex the paperwork, and you'll have your car. I did my first TDI this way because Las Vegas used to have one loser dealer who charged the "market adjustment" of $5-10K for any VWs. So I bought my TDI in Wisconsin and drove it back to Las Vegas.

 

I have heard a few people say they paid a few hundred below msrp but that was early to mid year. I think beginning and end of the year is the worst time to buy. I bought in Aug. and could only find 3 dealers out of 50 that would sell at msrp and none under. Hollywood Toyota wanted $4,000 over and asked me if I was lucky when I wanted msrp. I was also hung up on a few times. Then one dealer told me he had a car for me but lied to get me in and wanted to sell me something else.

Good luck, and make it into a game or mission. Don't give in!

 

I wish my dealer only tried to mark mine up $1800! The going here is $3000 over MSRP. I was able to negotiate a better trade and a better deal on some extras so I really wasn't charged over MSRP at all. Semantics I guess?

 

Same here... count yourself lucky! I got my '04 in February of '04 and Penske Toyota in Downey, CA wanted $5000 above MSRP! I talked them down to $2500 by offering them cash. They then charged me $3000 for OEM wheels - chromed! I called the next day with "buyer's remorse" related to the RAPE associated with the chromed wheels. They wouldn't let me back out on the deal but mailed me a check for half of it. $1500 plus tax. That's more or less admitting that they RAPED me.

Too top it off I only used the OEM's for a couple of weeks before switching to 17 inchers'.

I switched dealerships for all followup maintenance and repair - immediately!

Did I mention, I'm STAYING AWAY FROM PENSKE TOYOTA?

BTW, anyone interested in brand new CHROME Factory wheels and tires PM or email me at [email protected] in Southern California...

 

If your already in bellview.. ..drive down to Portland OR and get one for 500 under MSRP.... through a broker... at least that what Im getting it for.

 

You didn't mention knowing or not knowing about the new tax break. If that's an inducement, can you wait, say 2-2 1/2 more months?

I personally believe many of the dealers, with '05s about to be a year old and the tax break coming up, fear the bubble will burst, but bluff as if the demand is SO great, they can still call all the shots. You were smart to walk away. I've turned down two '05s at MSRP in the last two weeks, but offered $1,800 below MSRP to test the waters. No dice. OK, so I'll wait.

Assuming Toyota gets back to a Sept.-Oct (at the latest) release for new ones in the future, those (like me) who get them in Jan. will have lost four months of enjoyment off our model year. No way I'm going to reward them for that.

If time is a factor for you, try the VA dealerships (south of Arlington---I heard Roanoke mentioned as an MSRP place) as suggested above.

Good luck.

 

Who are you dealing with in Portland? I've got an order in at two dealerships, one in Eugene and one in Salem. I'm going for the best deal and wouldn't mind having one more option to consider.

 

I got my Prius in August of 04. At that time wait lists were 6 months or more in populated areas, I got mine in 1 month after I made the order. I guess we are going back to that. Look around in more rural areas for a car. I think that you should look at Capitol cities that are rural. The States are buying cars through the local dealers and that appears to affect their allotments. They might have cars when more urbanized dealers will not. I am not sure of this theory but it worked for me.

 

It seemed to me in the Atlanta area a lot of the dealers were marking up the vehicle $2000.00 because of the tax incentive, I can imagine whats going to happen next year. BTW I got mine at MSRP (which seems to be the norm) by shopping around and being a little patient.

 

It is extremely unlikely that you will get a Prius for under MSRP simply because of the gap between supply and demand, but don't pay over MSRP. There is no need to fall for the "premium" unless you are impatient and GOTTA HAVE IT NOW! Some dealers, even in the hot Southern California market, refuse to mark up the prices, but their customers have to be willing to wait their turn.

 

Justin...

nixing the deal is the wtg... im proud of you. it may take a bit of legwork and time on the phone, but you can get a better price.

if more people were like you, the dealers wouldnt be getting away with this crap